Our vision for HerChesapeake in 2019
/For many of us, the beginning of the year is a time for examining the past, reflecting on our paths, and setting goals for the future. For the HerChesapeake Board, it has been a time for us to look back at what we accomplished (and how we grew!) in 2018 and to plan how we’ll keep working to serve your needs and interests in the coming year.
With the new year underway, hear what board members are focusing on and their goals for HerChesapeake in 2019.
Lauren Taneyhill, Founder and President
"This year I envision HerChesapeake being much more intentional and proactive in practicing intersectional feminism. It isn't enough for HerChesapeake to say we're here for all women—we have to be much more active and deliberate than that, because intentions can be very different than reality unless there is genuine and honest follow through.
The Board plans to inject a focus on interconnected social issues into our discussions, content, guest speaker series, and new events we're rolling out this year. And personally, I plan on doing a lot of reading and learning about true intersectionality and the problems that have risen from issues like white feminism. I plan on using what I learn to consciously practice a form of feminism that is equitable for all women. And I plan on shutting the hell up and actively listening when black women and women of color are speaking."
Stephanie Smith, Vice President
“I’m excited for HerChesapeake to grow even more as a tight-knit, supportive community throughout 2019. Before HerChesapeake, I often thought I was alone experiencing some of the struggles of being a woman in the workplace—but this group showed me that I wasn’t alone at all.
In 2019, I’d love to bring in even more perspectives and voices to share their experiences. My ultimate goal is that every person who shows up to a HerChesapeake event feels accepted, included, and represented by what they experience there, so that no one has to feel like they’re facing the struggles of their professional and personal lives alone, and every member knows we’re here to support them.”
Catherine Krikstan, Historian
“In 2019, I'm most looking forward to meeting new people and experiencing new places. I think the coming year will be one of growth for our organization, and I hope we can increase our role and our relevance in our members' lives.
In my time as an officer, I've learned that there are so many women in the conservation and restoration field who are facing such similar challenges, from the personal—like finding a work-life balance, maintaining hope in the face of pollution, consumption, and climate change, and avoiding imposter syndrome—to the professional—like being a good intern, colleague, or boss, earning what we are worth, and making career leaps when the time is right. I want to bring in new voices to speak to these challenges, and I want to make time for trips to the places in our watershed that remind us why we are excited to overcome them.”
Melissa Merritt, Membership and Recruitment Director
“At the end of 2019, I see HerChesapeake being a close support group of women. As an officer, I reach out to a lot of new people to invite them to our meetings, happy hours, and other events. I plan to work to maintain those connections we make with speakers and others, including focusing on the work and projects that are important to them. I'm looking forward to showing people that HerChesapeake is engaged and all about meaningful connections through new events like volunteer days.”
Joan Smedinghoff, Communications Director
“In 2019, I see HerChesapeake as a larger and stronger group of women supporting and learning from each other. We usually have an event of some sort about once a month, but in between, I don't want the conversations and energy built up at those events to die down.
My goal is to continue that conversation between events with engaging content on our social media and in our newsletters. I want to start conversations on Facebook that we then discuss at the next happy hour. I want our social media challenges to spur members to action that they then talk about at a meeting. Even though we’re not in the same room, I want us to be in the same ‘place,’ having a conversation, on social media.”
Want to help us make 2019 the best year yet for HerChesapeake? Like us on Facebook and sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know about ways you can get involved.