Because we dedicated volunteers all need a shot in the arm!

Several months ago, I was invited to give the keynote address for the Worcester Women’s History Project’s 20th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday evening, 

October 22, 2015. 

I’ve been a fan of this volunteer organization for many years, and I’ve been im-pressed with their relentless dedication. We reconnected a few years ago when their annual bus trip brought them to Salem, Massachusetts, and they asked me to show them some women’s history sites. We had a marvelous time together. Memo-rable, even, because we were all committed to the same thing. We all loved to learn about and share women’s history.

And so when they called me a few months ago with their invitation to speak, I was incredibly honored. I thought and thought about what they wanted to hear, and what I thought they needed to hear. 

I’ve been in their shoes for many years, giving my time to history projects I cared very much about whether or not financial compensation was involved — usually not! 

I know what it’s like to feel wrung out and tired and wondering, Why am I doing this? 

I KNOW that some of you reading this know exactly what I mean! 

I thought these smart, hard working, dedicated women needed a shot in the arm from someone who truly “gets it.” 

The result is below [in the next column], and I hope you enjoy it!