Maxine Westaway, a former president of TIAW and now Executive Director, is probably the most organized woman I have ever met. She and her husband Allan are entirely responsible for the way the whole week ran smoothly, and they have my gratitude plus my dire hope to see them soon in Atlanta. I also met their daughter Rhonda who came for the sight seeing and was really nice and talked to me at dinner (a definite highlight of the trip).
On the plane we had met Philomena Madden who I feel like I’ve known my whole life. She is the president of the Pensacola branch of TIAW and so warm and friendly that she automatically becomes family. She was my mom and my companion throughout the trip and experienced the trials of the taxi with us.
At first glance through the back window of a taxi, Santiago seems huge. It is huge. In those first moments, all my stereotypes were washed away by the immense, overpowering, bustling capital that feels so alive that it vibrates. If ever there was a city with so much new opportunity and potential for women to succeed in the business world, Santiago is it. The central plaza seems to be the epitome of what this city really is: an ancient, ornate cathedral nestled in by a towering glass skyscraper. It is a mix of old and new, showing its readiness to grow, but still maintain the beautiful architecture that tells its history.
That evening our “traveling party” met. I looked around with slight trepidation observing the fact that I was the youngest person there and certainly in awe of the amount of power and knowledge centered around that table. But then, with certain satisfaction, I saw the reason TIAW can do what it does and the potential it has for future success.
That evening I met Lea Chambers, VP of Marketing for TIAW, and her husband Don. When I think of Lea, the first thing I see is a big smile; she brightens up every room (a good characteristic in a Marketing VP) and brings inspiration into the mix of these women’s amazing qualities. My apologies to Lea, but I just can’t end her paragraph without at least mentioning the dinner and a show experience…all that needs to be said is that with the help of a little Pisco she could quit her marketing job become a very successful exotic dancer (much to the chagrin of Don I should hope). Please note: Pisco Sours are a type of liquor that have unique effects on those that fall prey to their tart yumminess.
Next we come to Hannah Sorscher and Frank Jessie. Hannah was the president of TIAW last term, and is the chief reason my mom is part of it today. Hannah flew out here to Boulder, Colorado where we live. They hiked a mountain, and all of a sudden my mother was VP of Technology. I got to meet Hannah at lunch that day and of course fell in love with her (as most people do) so it was great to see her again. My first impression of Frank was somewhat different.
As I eavesdropped in on a conversation, I glanced over, saw a tall guy talking about the military, training dogs with a firm hand, and other various topics that made me suppose he would have no trouble picking me up and snapping me in half. I then looked at his face and saw twinkling eyes and happy cheeks. When I finally got a chance to talk to him I discovered he’s a big softy. There’s so much I could say about Hannah and Frank, but to sum them up in a word…generous.
And now let me tell you about Terri and Lou of Philadelphia. Terri Gelberg, legal counsel for TIAW, is spicy. She also brings to the board a certain amount of common sense and good solutions. She and Lou take ballroom dancing lessons, and, on this trip, showed my mother and I how it’s done. Terri and Lou are<
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