mentorship, guidance, and love. I recall sitting in front of Bruce Clary, CMCA, AMS, PCAM of Morris Management, AAMC about a million years ago trying to understand exactly the job I was interviewing for. As the office manager for a small landscaping company in south King County, I was slowly easing my way back into the work force after six years as a stay-at-home mother.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT CAI MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY WOMEN NEW TO THIS INDUSTRY GET THE MENTORSHIP AND ENCOURAGEMENT THEY NEED TO BE MEANINGFULLY INVOLVED
During that time, I became involved with the Washington State Parent Teacher Association at the state level. As a Service Area Specialist, it was my job to train new PTA Boards how to host meetings, read their bylaws and draft an operating budget. Bruce smiled at me and said, “You know about landscaping and how to run a board meeting. The rest is easy…” Well, easy is one term I have never used to describe my career or this industry. But, nearly twenty years later, what I can say, is that my career has been EMPOWERING. Community Association Management is an industry filled with strong, dynamic, and brilliant women. Watching friends, mentors and peers work their way through the ranks of this industry has motivated me to take the leap and, to quote Julie Adamen, “Open my own damn company.” As I reflect on how I got here, I know it is through the high standards, intelligence, and humor of amazing women in leadership roles.
My Heroes Have Always Been Women
As I look around at the thousands of women in our industry, not only here in Washington State, but nationally, I marvel at what great jugglers so many of us are. I cannot help but think of a quote by former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher who once said, “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.” My heroes have always been women who continue to set the standard of care and professionalism in our industry. Judy Nordstrom, Michelle Leary and Jackie Davis inspire me with their kindness, approachability and professionalism. Leilani York, Jackie Roethel, Nicole Lemons and Megan Martin motivate me by getting out there and kicking butt and taking names
Former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher
in the male dominated construction side of our industry. Forbes Magazine recently reported that women only make up 24 percent of all law firm partners, and I am so lucky to be surrounded with capable women attorneys like Marlyn Hawkins, Valerie Oman and Allison Peryea (although I want to be them when I grow up). Finally, all my sisters from other misters; Beth Zollars, Stephanie Slone, Blair Krieg, Jessica Jones, Ann Hart – managing associations beside you, in years past, have inspired me, shaped me and some days, saved me.
IF YOU WANT SOMETHING SAID, ASK A MAN; IF YOU WANT SOMETHING DONE, ASK A WOMAN
I am sure you have your own Iron Women you look up to. I challenge each of you, especially during International Women’s month, to tell them. Thank them for being there for you and how they have mentored and motivated you. To quote Oprah Winfrey, when speaking about Maya Angelou, “I don’t think anybody makes it in the world without some form of mentorship. Nobody makes it alone. Nobody has made it alone. And we are all mentors to people even when we don’t know it.”
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Photographer unknown, CC License 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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