Do you know the feeling of having someone cheering you on? The person who whispers — or shouts — “go, go, go…you can do it!”?
For years, I saw women clients in my coaching practice flourish when they had people in their lives who genuinely cared about their dreams and ideas, wanted them to succeed and told them so.
I started Women on Fire in 2003 because I wanted every woman to have the experience of feeling truly supported and cheered on in her life.
Today, I want you to know a woman who cheers me on and has made a huge difference to help create what is today…who we are.
Here’s our story…
A few years ago, Women on Fire Event Producer Angela Ittu and I were happily chatting away, eating lemon ricotta pancakes at Shutters on the Beach Hotel in Santa Monica, California.
When who was sitting right smack next to us? One of the most successful writers of all time Judy Blume! Yup, the award-winning, beloved author of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, Tiger Eyes, Deenie, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and many, many more of 80 million books sold!
Angela and I began talking to Judy and her equally wonderful and talented husband George Cooper.
As we gushed with joy about our Women on Fire community, Judy listened intently and with such positive energy. She asked great questions including “what age range are you appealing to?”
“Thirties to fifties,” I said. Then, this amazing icon of a woman took me by the shoulders and said, “No, you can’t limit it. I am 69 years old. I need this. Every single woman needs this. It must be for every age.”
You know that great quote from The Talmud? “Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers, ‘Grow, grow.'”
In that moment, Judy Blume was that angel cheering me on. I knew she was right. In my heart of hearts, my vision was for all women but I was afraid to think that big.
But from that point on, I removed any barrier on who needed or would be attracted to the inspiration, strategies and support of Women on Fire. Today, thanks to Judy, one of the most powerful aspects of our community is our wide range of ages — women 14 to 88!
In Key West with our fairy godmother Judy Blume
In the recent survey I invited you to take (thank you so very much!) several of you mentioned the intergenerational nature of Women on Fire is what’s inspiring to you.
This past weekend, I met up with Judy again at a mutual friend’s birthday party in Key West, Florida. She was her typical wonderful self, cheering me on, introducing Women on Fire with excitement to a friend, asking positive, thought-provoking questions and being …the best of a woman on fire.
Who in your life right now needs to know they have your confidence and support? What a difference your belief in them can make. Just as Judy’s did for me.
May you cheer on many other women this week and may someone do the same for you! As always, I would love to hear your thoughts. Pop on down to the comments section below if you have something that you would like to share with us.
I look very forward to seeing each of you attending the Women on Fire Tea in Naples, Florida this week. It is a particularly special tea for me because my amazing mother (who is about to turn 77…and still runs her own business) is attending her first Women on Fire tea!
Love,
Debbie
