Q9: What did you do after leaving school? How did you go about making that decision?
After I finished all but 3 credits of my Bachelors degree, I went to work at Leadership Greater Hartford. I don’t remember how I found the job, but I sure loved being around most of the people in the office. I started off as the program assistant for their teen leadership program and eventually added on the Third Age Initiative. The Third Age Initiative was a program that came from the overall Leadership program. I worked with super dynamic women both on staff and as participants. It was super exciting work.
On September 10, 2001 the same female leaders presented our program at the United Nations NGO Conference on Ageing. It rained all day, so the trip was a slog on both ends. The presentation was amazing and so well received. We went to a reception where Kofi Annan came and shmoozed. The room we were in overlooked the city. I took pictures of the World Trade Center Towers. The next day they fell. When I got by pictures back from being developed it was super strange to see the rain on the window and the towers in the back.
Leadership Greater Hartford was the best place to be on September, 11 2001. The leaders there held so much space for us to be human. I’m still looking for a job that is that supportive.
Q10: What did you do next, and how did that lead you to what you are doing now?
Next step was moving to Florida to lead the Teen Department at the Flanzer Jewish Community Center. Or so I thought. A few months into my role, the Executive Director asked me to start an overnight camp. So we did. It was amazing!
I learned how to develop a week-long program, hire staff, lead the staff and ensure the safety of over 100 campers in may care. I only had to fire one staff person. She was keeping unlabeled medication in her bag (in the cabin) that was actually super dangerous if a camper found it and took it – not to mention it was requested/required for the nurse to dispense all medication for people under 18. It was a mess. Turns out her father had prescribed the anti depressant. Ugh, even worse. I hope she is ok today.
I ended up leaving Florida and coming to New York to run a day camp. Where the Executive Director allowed me to be sexually harassed by a co-worker. He also allowed the co-worker to file a counter complaint. I gave him ‘the finger’. For a male to allow this, I knew the place was not for me. The harasser kept his job for at least 15 more years and likely was allowed to do that to others. I found a better one.
No job will ever be as wonderful and supportive as Leadership Greater Hartford. So glad they set the bar.
Where Does That Red Hair Come From? 