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Evolving Women - Demonstrating Character and Competence

By Stephen C. Schultz


The breeze was cool and the sun was warm on my face. An occasional droplet of water and the swirling of mist created the illusion of sparkles floating through the air. The grass was green and so were the trees, even though autumn was fully entrenched. You see, I was sitting amongst some high desert pine trees and juniper bushes at Discovery Ranch for Girls.



I looked up and noticed Andrea Burgess walking towards me. Andrea is the Executive Director of DRG and has a long history of working in the mental health field.

As she got closer, I smiled and said; “Hey dove…how ya doing?”

The term Dove is an aspect of her Earth Name she received during the decade she was the Executive Director of RedCliff Ascent. A few years ago, she made the transition to DRG.

She simply responded; “Hey Schultzie!”



We exchanged some pleasantries and spoke about how things were going at DRG. She mentioned they were preparing for the next Parent Seminar and how they were expecting a good turnout. The parent seminar is when the parents come into town from around the country to spend time with their daughters, attend workshop presentations, parent teacher conferences and participate in experiential activities with the staff and students.

I asked how the non-profit organization she co-founded with Staci Bradley was doing. This particular organization, Evolving Women, was specifically established to recognize the contribution and leadership of women in the teen treatment industry.

She mentioned it was going great and the membership is consistently growing. In fact, she said there is a fundraiser activity at the next IECA conference being held in New Orleans that will benefit Liberty’s Kitchen!

I wrapped up my visit to DRG that day. It’s been about three or four days since my time there. Just today, I received a text from Andrea letting me know she had a 1970’s style Wig I can use at the conference fundraiser! That is a very scary image…an image that no one should have to be subjected to!


I’ve been thinking today about this particular cause. What a great opportunity for collaboration, networking, service and friendships to be fostered! What a great way to bring people together, have fun and share in a community who’s foundation is the development of personal character and the demonstration of a collective competence. 

Comments

Christin said…
Looking forward to seeing you and your wig at this Steve!!!
Thanks for the comment Christin...I think! Nothing like a little peer pressure! ;-)
Anonymous said…
Thanks so much for always being such a big support to Evolving Women and for helping to promote our Disco Shuffle in New Orleans for Liberty's Kitchen! Also a huge thanks to the Ascent board members for giving me so many high-level leadership opportunities as far back as the late 1990's. Fun fact: Because they believed in the vision and mission of EW, the board loaned Staci and I the money to start Evolving Woman and allowed us the time needed to repay that loan. Staci and I are so very proud of this organization and the amazing women that make it the dynamic, smart and fierce organization it is today!
Hey, Dove, this is an excellent and exciting article. Good work! Sorry im so out of touch.

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