And the Winner Is...

It’s almost here — can you feel the excitement? The 15th annual Women of Promise event is right around the corner (Thursday April 21, 6-8 p.m.), and I for one can’t wait.

This is a time to not only celebrate the achievements of an outstanding New Directions graduate, but also, I think, the NDCC itself, and how it has contributed to helping women change their lives. And as we hear the stories of Woman of Promise award winners (to see some of those stories, click here), it’s hard not to be inspired — to realize that it’s possible to achieve whatever we want in life through determination, hard work, and a caring support system.

Support is what the NDCC is all about. We help women develop tools to not only choose and develop a career path that will lead to self-sufficiency, but also deal with issues that may come up in their personal lives.

For instance, Jacqueline, our 2010 Woman of Promise award winner, enrolled in New Directions as she was in the process of leaving an abusive marriage. In addition to developing a career plan through New Directions, she also learned valuable lessons about setting healthy boundaries. Jacqueline obtained a full-time job as an insurance account assistant, and is now pursuing a law degree to become a family law attorney.

Sally, our 2009 award winner, also overcame multiple obstacles. After losing her husband of 30 years, as well as her job, Sally’s self-confidence had hit rock bottom. As she began a course at New Directions, though, something happened: Her confidence came back. After graduating from New Directions, after completing her computer science degree, she landed a job working for the Computer Help Center at Columbus State Community College. Most important, she’s happy with her life: “I am healthier now than I have ever been,” she says. “I have found joy and I want to share it with everyone.”

These are not isolated stories — when it comes to NDCC clients successfully taking charge of their lives, Woman of Promise award winners represent the tip of the iceberg. And I think it’s a measure of New Directions’ success — and a reason to celebrate NDCC as we recognize the achievements of our Women of Promise — that so many award winners and graduates have not only gone on to develop careers and have a stable income, but also have become donors to NDCC. Several return regularly to do motivational speaking for the women who are currently participants in our New Directions program.

Don’t miss out on this year’s Women of Promise event, where we will once again recognize the achievements of an outstanding NDCC graduate. 10TV news anchor Andrea Cambern will be emceeing the affair, and there will be music, hors d’oeuvres, and live and silent auctions (click here to see auction offerings). Most of all, there will be inspiration. After all, while there may be only one award winner, her example makes us realize we’re all women of promise.