Women in JRCLS Leadership Roles

(Written by Desiree Nordstrom, a WIL Committee member.)

The Orange County, California JRCLS chapter is an exemplar chapter for women in leadership positions. During the 2012-2013 year, there were five women who sat on the board and made great efforts in reaching out to female membership in order to let them know they were needed and supported.  Great strides have been made making JRCLS inclusive and supportive of both men and women.

The annual dinner was held in September at which time new board members were added.  Pictured are the female members of the 2012-2013 year.  From left to right: Jennifer Wilson, Debbie Gubernick, Jodi Jewell, Sherri McInnes and Desiree Nordstrom.

Our female leaders come from diverse backgrounds yet share the common thread of balancing motherhood with work experience.  Debbie has children and works full-time; Jodi has children and is a professor at a law school; Sherri has worked full-time and part-time while raising children; Jennifer took a 20 year hiatus to raise children and returned to work four years ago.  I worked full-time before choosing to be at home with my daughter.  The depth and quality of life and work experience of our JRCLS women is in-measurable.

I ask you; how many women sit on your local board?  Do you think that more leadership positions should be held by our wonderful female members?  If so, have you considered getting involved? I do not hesitate to say that your local chapter leadership would welcome the help.  I have thoroughly enjoyed working among the amazing members of the Orange County, California board.  This experience has given me the opportunity to grow and stretch in ways I never could have imagined, and for me personally, I consider that invaluable.