The Staying Power of Sisterhood

As a very amateur photographer, I sometimes wonder what draws me to the amazing young women participating in high school sports.

I am really starting to get it now.

1. I have 6 sisters so I'm keenly aware of the power of supportive sisterhood.
2. My high school was too small to offer all of the girls' sports opportunities.
3. I'm a boy mom and there was never an opportunity/option to raise a girl in this atmosphere.
4. As I age, I realize that once we "outgrow" the instinctively "catty years," many of us sisters end up supporting each other.

Why does this matter today? Well, first, I took the picture at a softball game tonight that was not going our way and I love how our catcher went out to calm down our pitcher and assure her she has this and she's doing great.

And .... This was following a crap day at work and (sorry Mom in heaven) a recent shit-show of several weeks at work.

The negative things I have discovered (and bear with this 50+ lady) is that after surviving the first decade of my career as a newspaper reporter and talked down to by city and county officials as "sweetheart" as if "bless you for trying." Then into the bigger publishing world where a female publisher had to act extra tough and aggressive to match her male counterparts – and us worker bees suffering as a result. And now (as a female obviously and at that special age) feeling undervalued and fighting for what I desire and, more importantly deserve, it's been a ... crap spring.

While hubby and I should be looking forward to retirement on the horizon... his way closer than mine... I am in a negative mindset. So negative with recent things at work. (Though I still absolutely love the company and its benefits.)

But the positive, as always since forever, is that there is this random network of sisters at work who get it and are willing to give me a hug and try to convince me to not feel "undervalued," but recognize how valued I am!

I'm sharing because I want high school girls to latch onto this. Don't be a "Mean Girl." Extend the support to your "sisters" (on a sports team or wherever) and they'll extend it back.

College girls, same thing but also stand firm that you've learned things and deserve a job.

Early career girls... prove your worth through your work quality first before getting cocky. 

And the rest of us... if you are a great sister (aka supporter), I think you'll find women who return the favor.

Not to say men can't do this ... because a male co-worker took me lunch today to talk me off the ledge... but just lean into the opportunity to support (and hopefully enjoy) the potential staying power of sisterhood.

End note: I'll be OK. I just have things to think about. And I did get a few of the best hugs this week!

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!

Pearls of Wisdom

It doesn't matter what political party you align yourself with, you can't help but like Barbara Bush. With her typical attire of pearls and classic blue or red dresses, the former first lady – who died yesterday – just looked like everyone's grandma. And she had the wit and wisdom to match.

At least when I saw her some 13 or 14 years ago.

I was an editor on some arts and crafts magazines at the time, attending a big trade show and conference in Dallas. She was our keynote speaker. Typically, our magazine staff could meet the keynote but even 10 years out of office, there was too much Secret Service red tape. So we couldn't shake her hand, but could sit up close and hear her speech.

Why would she speak at an arts and crafts industry event? For much the same reason Henry Winkler (who I did meet) did a year later: dyslexia.

Ms. Bush took an interest in literacy issues after her son Neil was diagnosed with dyslexia and began working with several different literacy organizations. Eventually, she helped develop the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.

She and Winkler both spoke about about the benefits of hands-on learning. Even learning a craft that is not related to reading can boost a child's confidence. They'll discover they aren't stupid, they just learn differently.

And, she spoke because she was a crafter, too, preferring needlepoint.

She took up needlepoint when her husband entered politics. She attended all of his speeches and said she used needlepoint to counter the boredom of hearing the same speech over and over. Her most famous project was a 10-foot by 14-foot needlepoint rug that took eight years to finish.

The gist of her speech (which of course I wrote about for the magazine) was seven elements to a quality life:

1. "We're never too old to learn. Learning is a life-long journey."

2. "Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside us. Don't let that happen to you."

3. "Never ask anyone 70 or older how they feel."

4. "We must remember what's truly important: faith, family, and friends – and tolerance. Learn to enjoy the differences in people."

5. "Don't forget to spend quality time with your children and grandchildren. They are our most important job."

6. "Quality time should include reading to your kids."

7. "Never in our history has it been more important to be a good neighbor. Community involvement is critical. All of us need to find a way to make a difference."

She was interesting and very entertaining to listen to. Great stories about the famous Bush family plus funny and insightful one-liners. She could have been one of the Golden Girls! I feel privileged I had the opportunity to almost meet her.

She was a class act, in my opinion. Just sort of forgot about seeing her in person until now, when she's gone.

I guess that kiss from The Fonz – the following year – can do that to a girl.

Rest in peace, madam.

The Downsizing Decade

At some point as recently as last week, I remembered that I was coming up on my 10-year anniversary at work -- and I better bring treats. But with all the excitement and activities over the weekend, May 19 passed without one thought about it. Whoops.

The guys in my department didn't forget. Look! I feel so special!

I seriously can't believe I've been commuting to Iola for 10 years. That's about 260,000 miles of wear and tear on one Saturn and two Honda Civics and, once in awhile, our Honda CRV. Good thing gas is cheap, right?

Probably more astonishing than the fact this is my employment longevity record is how much my career field has changed in that decade. I don't think there is a man or woman in publishing who could have predicted what was in store for our industry.

Ten years ago, I would have thought: People will always want their daily newspaper or favorite magazine. We'll be here forever. Well, I was right, they still want their news and information, but they don't want to wait for someone to deliver it. They want it now. And they can get it.

They don't need the middle man or the printers, for that matter. If they don't pay the big bucks to subscribe or advertise, then the publishers -- mindful of their bottom line -- have to do without the writers, editors, support staff and advertising representatives, too.

This has been the story across the print media industry. Sadly, as a result, I have seen a lot of my co-workers at my present place of employment come and go. Mostly go. Thankfully, both hubby and I have hung in there and kept our jobs. This is good since he reminded me I have 10 years down and only 25 to go!

There are days we feel like dinosaurs compared to what "these young people" know today. But we have experience that can't be replaced and we have a willingness -- and ability -- to learn. And quickly. And that's what makes it fun.

Most days.

I have to think of myself as the consumer and how I want and get information. Then I have to think how we can deliver our information in that fashion, as quickly as possible, and as cheaply as possible. But accurately, too!

Today, for example, I was sitting at a baseball game when I learned of the devastating tornado in Oklahoma. (God, help them!) I wasn't looking at a newspaper. I was looking at a story on my smart phone. This, we could not envision a decade ago when I personally didn't have a cell phone and at work, we were just starting up websites for our publications.

Technology has changed so fast, it's almost scary to think where it will go in the next decade. Scary but exciting, too.

We dinosaurs will have to keep fueling ourselves with treats -- which I have to make now -- but not move too fast that we forget to stop and smell the roses.

'Cause boy do they smell good!!

Back to school ... again

I'm proud to say I'm a lifelong student. In a good way. No I'm not stuck in school as a 5th-, 6th- or 7th-year senior. I am learning in the school of life ... lessons that will advance my career and lessons that will advance me as a fair and friendly human being. And for every class, there is a different teacher -- or mentor, if you will.

I've been fortunate the past two years to have a publisher who has respected my knowledge and pushed me to learn more. In fact, Kevin was just grumbling in a meeting the other day that he has imparted so much wisdom and still hasn't made the blog! Well he's making it today ... and it's not for a good reason.

Kevin announced today that he is leaving our company and moving on to something that will be better for him -- probably physically, emotionally and mentally. I was stunned but not surprised. And selfishly I was ticked off that he was deserting me. (The nerve!)

Trust me, those of you who have had "bosses from hell" know how good it feels to finally get a "good one." I've had bosses who mimicked Hitler, one who did crossword puzzles at his desk and one I affectionately called "The Load." Kevin was like a breath of fresh air.

Yes, he challenged me outside of my comfort zone but he respected my opinion and had faith in my abilities. As I result, I have learned a magnitude about the ins and outs of publishing, not to mention managing. I'm almost embarrassed at how little I knew 5 years ago when I was running a newsroom at a daily newspaper. For this I am eternally grateful.

Of course, now that I don't report to you directly, Kevin (yes, I know you're reading this in your new-found free time), I am free to blog away about your wisdom and clever corporate-speak we'll never grow tired of.

I'm "giving you visibility on this," I hope in your new career path there will be an abundance of "low-hanging fruit" and that you'll "take the lead" on this business of having some fun! Best, Robyn.