What’s hot with Women on Fire!

When I started Women on Fire in 2003 I had an inkling the “rising tide” of women coming together, inspiring and supporting each other would “lift all boats.”

I just had no idea of how much fun it would be!

This past weekend many Women on Fire came to Martha’s Vineyard to enjoy an evening with RoseMarie Terenzio, author of Fairy Tale Interrupted, her best-selling book about her life as John F. Kennedy Jr.’s personal assistant and publicist.


Celebrating with the dynamic and entertaining RoseMarie Terenzio!

Rose was recently featured as a Women on Fire members’ CD interview and her touching book was our monthly Books To Live By selection.

Women on Fire who attended included:  Kacy Cook, Jamie Eslinger, Holly Getty, Anne Gallagher, Belleruth Naparstek, Jan Orosz, Elaine Pace, Pam Putney, Lisa Umberger Arundale, Suzi Schadle and Ellen Wingard.


In sharing her engaging stories of life with and after JFK Jr., Rose is a powerful example of strength and perserverance after tragedy. (Photos by Rob Berkley)

If you haven’t yet read Fairy Tale Interrupted, I highly recommend this memoir for its triumphant story of life, love and loss.

And, that brings me to another favorite moment of my month — celebrating in today’s SPARK! the recent dreams, goals, successes and accomplishments of women in our community.

I love sharing what you are “on fire” about so we can support you and cheer you on.  Please keep us posted!


Kacy Cook with the subject of her next book — Bruce Springsteen’s popular saxophone player Clarence Clemons, in a photo taken only weeks before Clarence died.

Kacy Cook, Columbus, Ohio ~ Author and editor Kacy Cook is working on the authorized biography of the Big Man himself, Clarence Clemons.

Kacy met Bruce Springsteen’s famous sideman in 1985 during the “Born in the USA” tour, and over the years developed a friendship that crossed paths when the band was on the road.

As her interests became more focused on writing, the two discussed the possibility of her writing Clarence’s biography.  The idea took root late in 2009, and Kacy began the research and interviews.

When Clarence died in June 2011, Kacy at first found it difficult to imagine continuing the work without him.  But she soon realized how important it is to finish the labor of love they began together.

About her upcoming book, yet untitled, Kacy says:

Clarence always said that his purpose in life was to bring joy and light to the world … and he certainly did that!  I want to continue to expand that legacy on his behalf.

“People who are familiar only with his work with Bruce and the E Street Band will be amazed to find out how truly big the life of the Big Man was. I am honored to have the opportunity, the gift of bringing this to others.”

Kacy edited the Women on Fire book and also will edit the upcoming Women on Fire book 2.  You can visit her at her website to stay posted.


Anne Gallagher receiving Inspiration Award for her dedication to the arts

Anne Gallagher, Martha’s Vineyard ~ After dedicating a lifetime to her passion for art, Anne has been selected as the first recipient of the Inspiration Award from the Wendy Taucher Dance Opera Theater.

From spending her allowance on her first piece of art at age 12 to 20 years of lectures at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston to her current involvement in the vibrant Featherstone Center for the Arts community on Martha’s Vineyard, Anne has not only held onto her childhood passion, but provides many opportunities for others to enjoy and appreciate art.

Dr. Elvira V. Lang, Boston ~ An interventional radiologist affiliated with Harvard, Elvira was recently featured in the New York Times’ article “When Health’s at Stake, Waiting Is Hardest Part” by Jan Hoffman.

Elvira, CEO of Hypnalgesics and author of Patient Sedation Without Medication, has studied the effects of stress on cortisol levels and teaches medical professionals how to alleviate patients’ stress through breathing exercises and letting go of unhelpful thoughts.

Lowering a patient’s stress level can quicken recovery time and keep side effects minimal as well as strengthen the doctor-patient relationship and give patients a more positive medical experience. Elvira is a pioneer in training medical professionals to provide this kind of attention to patient care.


With my beloved Anne Thurston-Brandly at an event in Alpena, Michigan in 2011 (Photo by Jamie Eslinger)

Anne Thurston-Brandly, Boyne, Michigan ~ Ever delightful, refreshing and surprising, Anne, 89, is the oldest in age and youngest of heart in our Women on Fire community!

Her news is that she will become a columnist for Women2Women Magazine — and she will be featured on the cover of the January/February 2013 issue!

A mother of four and in her 70s a mother to three grandchildren, Anne also writes a blog.  She is the author of the book E-Males to provide inspiration and encouragement to older men and women to date online.

And if you think she’s not busy enough, she also is a columnist for the Boyne (Michigan) Gazette — and recently married a younger man, Ray, 85!


Jessika with contestants in the Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant in Providence, RI
Jessika Ferm, Columbus, Ohio ~ Jessika was honored to give a keynote presentation at the Ms. Wheelchair Amerca Pageant earlier this month.

Author of The Ballroom Dance Coach, Jessika is also an executive coach who dedicates her career to helping business professional enhance their leadership skills and on-the-job effectiveness.

Congratulations to all of you — and many, many more of you in our community — for following your dreams!

And, finally …

Women on Fire weren’t the only ones eager to meet RoseMarie Terenzio when she came to Martha’s Vineyard.  Wilber was the first one to line up to get a book signed;-)

Have a fabulous week!

The secret ingredient

I am on my way to California to attend a women’s conference that I will tell you all about next week.

Before I go, I want to show you a picture that delights me — of radiant smiles after a Women on Fire tea party.  Thank you, Renata Ramsini, for capturing the women at last week’s tea in Columbus led by Jan Allen. Today, I’ll tell you the secret ingredient that makes these gatherings so very wonderful and powerful.


Women on Fire Tea last week in Columbus — Front row: Erin Brewer, Kris Myers, Jan Allen, Mary Kay Purdy, Nanci Larsen, Phoebe Lapine. Second row: Jane Juergens, Lisa Everson, Sara Diehl, Laura Benton, Julie Quackenbush, Jessika Ferm, Mary Duafala, Pam Allen, Roxanne Crocco, Michele Hoyle, Julia McLemore.

Women tell me all the time they are surprised by what happens at a tea and how connected they often feel.

Maybe they’ve said something out loud they’ve never voiced before.  Or, maybe they sat next to someone they’d never met, but shared so much in common that they were sure I sat them next to each other on purpose!

What I know for sure is when women get the chance to connect in a safe and inspiring environment, magic happens.

How often does that happen in your life?  How often do you connect with people who make you feel good to be alive?

When we can vulnerably and authentically share what is on our minds and in our hearts, we feel connected. And, when we feel connected, we feel worthy of our dreams.

Radio talk show host Janette Barber, who has attended at least a million Women on Fire teas in New York City, frequently says, “the tea party always works.”

What she means is that no matter the city and no matter the women who attend, being able to be ourselves, to share what is authentic and vulnerable, and to feel connected “always works!”

Research shows that when we experience feelings of connection and belonging, it gives purpose and meaning to our lives.  So, that’s why I think there are big smiles and much happiness after a Women on Fire gathering!

Some of you may know the work of researcher and story-teller Brene Brown.  (She is both brilliant and adorable, I might add!)

If not, I hope you will take some time to check out her inspiring talk at TEDx.

She and her research suggest that “to let ourselves be seen, deeply seen, vulnerably seen … to love with our whole hearts even though there is no guarantee … to practice gratitude and joy in those moments of terror … to feel this vulnerable means I am alive.

“When we work from this place, we stop screaming and start listening and we are kinder and gentler to the people around us and we are kinder and gentler to ourselves.”

This is why I love our teas and every single occasion where Women on Fire connect and we so often share what is vulnerable.

Dr. Brown inspires us further that “vulnerability is the birthplace of joy, of love, of belonging, of creativity, of faith and so it becomes very problematic when, as a culture, we lose our capacity to be vulnerable.”

Even though it may feel scary to tell another person our heart’s deepest longings, our fears, our insecurities, doing so is the very thing that will connect us and allow others to support us.

It is why I always encourage you to reach out and gather support before you embark on your journey.

And, vulnerability is the secret ingredient of why you feel so very good inside when you have shared your heart safely with someone who receives you.

Talk to you next week from sunny San Diego!

Have a wonderful week and let me know how you’re doing ~

Where, where and why?

Thank you for your tremendous and overwhelming response to the news that Jan Allen is joining our Women on Fire team.  This expansion allows us to offer and test models of even greater support to women everywhere by making Ohio a model state.

We’re deeply touched by your interest in our revolution of women joining forces to support each other to succeed.  And, we are thrilled you are here!


Women on Fire group Vision Day in Naples, Florida: Barb Zion, Margie Warrell, Debbie Phillips, Jamie Eslinger, Jessika Ferm, Tricia Simpson, Angela Ittu

A few hours ago, I hugged goodbye the phenomenal women from as far away as California, Ohio, Massachusetts and Virginia who attended our first-ever Women on Fire group Vision Day retreat in Naples, Florida.

Each woman worked on her plans and next steps to steer her life toward her big vision.  I loved spending the weekend in the presence of such courageous, awe-inspiring Women on Fire determined to accomplish her biggest dreams!

They crafted their plans while renewing their spirits, and I think you are going to be dazzled in the near future to see some of their results.

There are many components to living the life you dream of and I want to include you in on one that we touched on over the weekend.  How would you answer these questions?

Where were you born?  Where do you live now?  And, why?

It’s thought-provoking to consider that where you live could lead to a more fulfilling life.

Do you live in your geographic home?

For instance, I was born in Bryan, Ohio and I love my home state with all of my heart.  But I truly feel alive on the East Coast and especially after I settled on Martha’s Vineyard in 2001.  I was in my geographic home.

In my 15 years as a coach, I have seen people thrive and succeed to greater degrees when they live in their geographic home where they feel their best and most inspired.

If you know in your heart you’re not living in the right location but aren’t sure where that is, check out this free online survey.  Find Your Spot may show you locations that fit your criteria for the perfect place for you!

You know I love hearing from you.  So please feel free to share below.  If you are totally jazzed with where you live, please tell us where and why.  Or, if you need to find your geographic home and were inspired to take the quiz, I’d love to hear your results and whether they surprised you.

In the meantime, have a great week and I am sending you huge wishes to live your biggest dreams — in the location of your choice!