July 2026
Opening Letter
Hello members and friends of WOC & WWAR,
In this middle summer month, I am reminded of how we have such a different cadence during these summer months. But in 10 days, our schools will open for the next school year, and we’ll be engaged in a more familiar schedule. But now we are still squeezing in that special time away, making progress on that summer reading list, AND planning for the remainder of the year.
June 2026
Opening Letter
Hello members and friends:
To further our mission to build relationships among women who might not ordinarily cross paths, we gather for coffee at 9 am on the second Friday of each month at Blak Coffee. The conversations vary dramatically, likely reflecting what is of interest to those who show up! This month our new secretary attended and took notes! Here’s what she summarized:
April 2026
Opening Letter
Reclaiming the Roses and Building New Legacies
As the calendar turned to May, our city transformed with the energy of "The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports." For many, the Kentucky Derby is a season of celebration, but for WOC & WWAR, it is also a time to reflect on the complicated history of the track and the work still needed to build true equity in our community.
March 2026
Opening Letter
Hello Members and Friends of WOC & WWAR:
We have as our mission to create relationships among women who might not ordinarily cross paths. As we enter our sixth year, we recognize that we can do more to cultivate and celebrate those relationships and each other, in our efforts to remove inequities. We are on it!
February 2026
Opening Letter
Dear WOC and WWAR Family,
What an incredible energy we shared at Buck’s Restaurant, our first luncheon of 2026! As we step into this new season together, we wanted to personally share the vision for the "rebirth" of our organization.
A Transition in Leadership
We are working closely to ensure our mission remains vibrant and impactful for every woman in our community. We are excited to lead this next chapter hand-in-hand.
January 2026
Opening Letter
Dear friends and colleagues:
As you will have learned in our December newsletter, our group has a new co-leader, Brigitte Owens. Welcome, Brigitte! Together we have been asking ourselves about the direction of WOC & WWAR going forward, and we asked others for input. Below is what we have determined so far:
December 2025
Opening Letter
Dear members and friends,
Happy New Year! We hope 2026 brings new adventures, opportunities for learning, and genuine caring. We’ll do our part!
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This month’s newsletter acknowledges a significant change for our group. One of our co-founders, Tawana Bain, is stepping away from her leadership role due to very substantial personal and professional demands. Her heartfelt perspective on the past five years immediately follows this short introductory note. You’ll not want to miss it.
November 2025
Opening Letter
Colleagues and Friends:
Happy Thanksgiving! We are entering that time of year when traditions take hold and we find ourselves in the happy patterns we have set ... or maybe also in the process of creating some new ones. It seems there are some things we ALWAYS do, and then someone or something will cause us to rethink what we are doing ... and we get started on something new. We hope that this season will bring a joyous mix of old traditions and new experiences.
November 2025
Opening Letter
Colleagues and Friends:
Happy Thanksgiving! We are entering that time of year when traditions take hold and we find ourselves in the happy patterns we have set ... or maybe also in the process of creating some new ones. It seems there are some things we ALWAYS do, and then someone or something will cause us to rethink what we are doing ... and we get started on something new. We hope that this season will bring a joyous mix of old traditions and new experiences.
November 2025
Opening Letter
Colleagues and Friends:
Happy Thanksgiving! We are entering that time of year when traditions take hold and we find ourselves in the happy patterns we have set ... or maybe also in the process of creating some new ones. It seems there are some things we ALWAYS do, and then someone or something will cause us to rethink what we are doing ... and we get started on something new. We hope that this season will bring a joyous mix of old traditions and new experiences.
October 2025
Opening Letter
Hello WOC & WWAR colleagues:
The change in the seasons is upon us, and it inevitably has an effect on our physical and mental states of mind. It has been a time of reflection for me, as we move so quickly to the end of a calendar year and prepare to begin another.
So I was open to the message in Shane Parrish’s recent blog (Farnam Street) about being the change. It’s written to encourage us to be an owner, and I interpret that to be the owner of a problem. Here’s the passage: