NYWA Galaxy Awards Recap

I never know where to begin on these types of things, and I promised Michelle I would post a quick re-cap of the events Tuesday morning at the Galaxy Awards. Mind you, I promised that before knowing Michelle was going to post a blog that would make anyone a bit embarrassed and could only be written by a loving and glowing best friend like her...

That being said, the Galaxy Awards was really a treat (cheesy word I know, but it was). The New York Women's Agenda (NYWA) is an amazing organization. Although having an award from them is very special, I'm much more excited about my new membership! This year, a big part of the presentation was the first lifetime achievement award given to Barbara Walters. The award is on behalf of Elinor Guggenheimer who started NYWA and was an inspiration to the entire New York community for years. She unfortunately passed this past September, but she will remain in the hearts and minds of many, many people. Her inspiration for NYWA was to see a collaboration of all the wonderful womens organizations in New York brought together to enhance the common goals of all women. What a brilliant idea - amazing we don't all think of these things sooner, isn't it? She wanted to see each of the organizations come together and create strength in numbers for women's rights and needs.

This year, I was so excited to be an award winner for the Women's Jewelry Association as each organization chose someone they felt embodied the goals and mission of NYWA. I knew it would be a special breakfast as we did the Elly tribute and honored Barbara Walters, and it truly was. I had the brief (and I mean brief) opportunity to meet Barbara Walters, and it was so surreal when she said "congratulations" - whoa... that was crazy - "congrats" from an icon? Completely surreal, and that's the only word I have for it. Watching her speak on stage and listening to the banter between she and Michael Bloomberg, it was all so humbling. Everyone had such focus on the mission and history of NYWA, and it was quite an inpspiration. I'm motivated, excited, and most importantly, I'm looking forward to amazing year in 2009 working hard to represent women in New York (and hopefully promoting the idea of NYWA to other areas around the U.S. without a similar organization)!

My update on the NYWA Star Awards~Words with Michelle~

So...I just heard from Wendy, on her way back from the New York Women’s Agenda Star Breakfast and she promises to blog about the experience later today. Since I am new to the blog, I should disclose that not only is Wendy my boss, but one of my best, not to mention oldest, friends. When things like this happen, and she is honored, I am twice as thrilled, primarly because I know she really is an amazing person. Wendy genuinely cares about the causes we support, and she is truly is authentic, and down-to-earth. She is also terribly modest, so I can only hope she doesn't make me take this post down...but she'll have to really fight me on it, so Wendel, don't even try.

My point is, I have watched Wendy transform artistically since we were quite literally kids, and while any of her friends or family could tell you countless stories re-iterating what I've said, I'm pleased that what we all have known for ages was publically validated. Wendy is a tremendous artist, a credit to her field, and most of all, an indescribable friend.

This is my thank you Wendy. We are all so proud of you. Thank you for being you. Now stop blushing, and take the compliments, because you deserve them.

New York Women’s Agenda Star Breakfast ~Words with Michelle~

I am excited to announce that Wendy has been selected to be honored at this year’s New York Women’s Agenda Star Breakfast as a Galaxy Awardee representing the Women’s Jewelry Association. The Breakfast will be held on December 9th at the New York Hilton. Approximately 1,000 people attend this annual event, starting with a full breakfast at 7:15am. If you would like to join us at what is always a powerful and lively event, please let us know so we can include you at a table with other friends. Tickets are $85.00 (NYWA members) and $95.00 (non-member). For full details about the event and to purchase tickets, you can visit www.nywa.org, contact the Benefit Office at 212-843-1706 or by email at nywa@hgnyc.com. Be sure to let the Benefit Office know you are with our group so they can be sure to seat everyone together.


The Women’s Jewelry Association is proud to be a member of the New York Women’s Agenda, which is a not-for-profit coalition of women professionals, community activists, and over 50 women’s organizations working to shape public policy on behalf of women and families in New York, and we hope you will join us for this great event which is NYWA’s major fundraising event of the year.


This year’s Star Breakfast is especially exciting because, in addition to a nice roster of Galaxy Awardees, Stars, Rising Stars and an Honorable MEN-tion, they are doing a very special tribute to NYWA founder Elinor Guggenheimer, who recently passed away. To top it off, NYWA is bestowing the inaugural Elinor Guggenheimer Lifetime Achievement Award to the legendary Barbara Walters. Emcees for the Breakfast include award-winning journalist Roz Abrams and author and television personality Emme Aronson. The Honorable Michael L. Bloomberg will be on hand to present the award to Miss Walters, and New York State’s First Lady Michelle Paterson will be there to address the audience.


This year’s NYWA theme is especially noteworthy - Pass It On! - Celebrating Women, Generation to Generation – as it was chosen to reflect the vital nature of the intergenerational connections that make our world, and our lives, a better place, and to celebrate the life-changing power of a helping hand.


Best Wishes,
Michelle

For more information, please visit: New York Women’s Agenda

WJA's "Women In the Know" Conference

On Friday, I took the day from work to attend the Women Jewelry Association's "Women In the Know" New York conference. Wow, what a motivating day! For anyone interested in joining the industry (or just need a boost of energy), the conference brought in some great speakers and topics including the following:

Susan Jacques opened the day with the inspiring story of her indirect path to becoming the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and reporting directly to her current mentor, Warren Buffett (the wealthiest billionaire in the world).

Gail Blanke, President & CEO of Lifedesigns, is a best-selling author of motivational books including "In My Wildest Dreams" & "Between Trapezes: Flying into a New Life..." which has garnered her support and appearances on shows including Oprah. Choosing only one thing to incorporate in this blog about her, I found her words on "fact" vs. "interpretation" to be the most powerful. If all of us could truly remember to separate what we read or hear (which is fact in its raw form) and not let ourselves attach a negative "interpretation" (what we think that fact means), we could all be so productive and uninhibited in our efforts to freshly approach each day.

Debbie Goldstein of Triad Consulting & Harvard University's teaching team did an excellent interactive discussion on how to negotiate. More importantly, she focused on showing us how to alter your definition of "winning" - let "winning" be something for your opponent so that you can both win together and get the best possible outcome.

Bryan Dodge, Professional Speaker and Coach, finished the lectures of the day with a speech focusing on how to balance your personal and business life capitalizing on your best qualities. He had a few great recommendation and quotes for the day, but I thought I'd choose to share the following: "Good people appreciate what they have before they lose it, average people appreciate what they have after they lose it."

Lastly, we had some wonderful networking opportunities, a recognition ceremony of amazing women, and a moderated discussion panel of women in the industry. We even enjoyed breakout sessions on being a sole proprietor & entrepreneur, growing a designer jewelry business, entering the luxury market, dealing with both sexes in the office, and creating a public relations buzz for your line. Overall, a truly motivating, energizing, and great day to enjoy being in the jewelry industry and part of the women's jewelry association!

Women's Jewelry Association

Are you in the jewelry industry looking for help, resources, and friends in the field? Well, I wanted to introduce this great organization to you. It's not just for jewelry designers as many believe; it's open to sales, PR, production, students, and more! The Womens Jewelry Association is a national organization with 12 chapters across the US. I recently transfered my membership to the "Metro" chapter based in New York City.

I am currently starting off 2008 as the Membership Director (and trying to catch up on my huge learning curve). The women I am working with all seem to be incredibly friendly with a wealth of ideas and knowledge. WJA also creates a wonderful social group where I can see many women have made amazing friends throughout the years.

Here is a short list of the great things WJA offers:

1. Events such as their well-known "Women In the Know Conference"

2. Scholarships and Grants for students and continuing education

3. Group Forum to ask your Industry Questions

4. Design Competitions and more...


Learn more about The Womens Jewelry Association (WJA) at www.womensjewelry.org. On the website, you can easily become a member or learn about attending their events and competitions that are open to non-members.