Harnessing the Diverse Talents and Influence of Our Membership to Benefit
Young Women in Need in Our Community and Other Women Within Our Organization
First Shadow Day a Hit with Esperanza Girls
Release Date:
February 1, 2008
"Great Women to Know and Esperanza Academy had a message for Punxsutawney Phil this year: "Your shadow's got nothing on ours!" On Friday, February 1st, 21 of Esperanza's 7th grade girls accompanied members of Great Women to Know to their places of work on the school's first annual Shadow Day, learning much more from the experience than how much longer winter will last.
Ashly U., who shadowed attorneys Amy Sollins and Celeste Niarchos, enthused, "You've inspired me to become a lawyer because it sounds like a great job." Ashly's afternoon included a tour of the courthouse in Salem, MA, where she had the opportunity to meet two judges and sit through part of a custody trial. GWTK members and their "shadows" fanned out to businesses all over the North Shore, giving the girls a taste of life in the worlds of financial planning, retail, magazine publishing, graphic design, floral design, pediatrics, academia, human resources, and more.
Shadow Day began with career presentations by GWTK members to classes of 5th, 6th and 7th graders. The interactive presentations sought to introduce the girls to the many career opportunities available to them as motivated, educated young women. Some of the girls had already given it some thought, and their goals echo their boundless spirit. Said one, "I want to become a doctor, then open a hospital in the Dominican Republic for people who can't pay." Another shared, "I want to be a fashion designer, but if I can't, I'll be a veterinarian."
To commemorate the day, the girls wore custom-made T-shirts in Esperanza yellow donated by GWTK treasurer Cheryl Juba, owner of B Sporty in North Andover. The shirts sported an original design on the front created by Esperanza 7th grader, Adriana S., and on the back read, "Future Great Woman to Know."
Laurie Bottiger, Esperanza's Head of School, deemed the first Shadow Day a resounding success. "Thanks to each of you for the skills and gifts you shared. Our girls continue to be surrounded by fabulous people and you are certainly wonderful examples." Laurie expressed her hopes to make this an annual event.
Many thanks to all the Great Women to Know members who made Shadow Day such a success: Sue Wilson, Amy Moore, Margaret Hamilton, Claire McCarthy, Amy Sollins, Celeste Niarchos, Cheryl Juba, DC Ware. Rekha Quazi, Andrea Carlin, Leislie Godo-Solo, Merit Tukiainen, Meg Rokos, Karen Wood, Pam Keefe, and Denise Bordonaro. We would also like to thank the dedicated staff and volunteers at Esperanza Academy for their tremendous help in organizing and orchestrating the day.