Women On Board And Ready For Take Off

Launch Of Local Nonprofit Is An Inspired Success

by: Christa Fulenwider

(DISCLOSURE: Women On Board is an MMI client; it was a great event )

Women on Board, a program of the North Carolina Center for Women in Public Service, held their first event on Oct. 15 at the Meredith College Massey House.  In attendance were some of the Triangle area’s most esteemed women and business owners.  N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and president of AT&T North Carolina, Cynthia Marshall gave motivating speeches about the importance of women serving on elected and appointed boards.

Chair of the event, Virginia Parker of Paragon Commercial Bank, organized a successful launch event for the nonprofit.  The Massey House was the perfect venue for the event; the elegant and refined space provided an ideal forum, where attendees could connect with other leading women around the area while sharing a feeling of camaraderie.

The weather cooperated beautifully.  The front terrace was used as the greeting space and also provided a sanctuary to cool off, as the down stairs filled up with the warmth of excitement from business women, members and event sponsors.  A delightful, appetizing arrangement of food was laid out in the dining area, along with drinks in the study and formal living room for attendees to enjoy; also a video provided by Time Warner was shown on computers placed in each room.

As attendees continued to arrive, I watched as women from all backgrounds and generations connected with one another over mini-quiches and pinot grigio.  Old friends caught up, while new friends shared brief life stories with one another.   The roar of laughter quieted, and everyone’s attention switched to the grand staircase in the front hall, as Parker introduced the night’s speakers.

Cynthia Marshall gave an impassioned speech, acknowledging the importance of putting women in public service, while also thanking Elaine Marshall, N.C. Secretary of State, for her guidance and counsel.  A recent study showed that N.C. ranks 37 in a nationwide poll of women in appointed positions; that means women, who make up more than half of the United State’s population, hold only 29 percent of appointed positions in N.C.  According to Elaine Marshall that statistic is unacceptable – after all it is 2009.  

Parker closed the evening by thanking those who contributed their time and support to the cause and giving thanks to those who could attend, reminding them not to leave empty handed –donation envelopes and brochures leading them to the Women on Board Web site were waiting outside, along with a complementary tote.

Women on Board is a program of the North Carolina Center for Women in Public Service, established in April 2009 as a nonprofit organization whose mission is to prepare women to seek and serve in elected and appointed offices, advocate for systems and infrastructure to facilitate women’s  involvement, and promote the value of women in governance.

The women continued to enjoy the rest of the night and exited eager to receive more information.  Needless to say Women on Board is ready to take off and if it’s anything like last night’s event it should be a lot of fun.