Great Dames makes a difference

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Good afternoon,

Over the  past few years, I have had the privilege of attending and covering  Great Dames events.

Great Dames is a unique organization whose mission is hard to describe in a few words.

Its work involves networking, coaching, education, confidence building and much more for women and girls.

A great Dames event is uplifting.  Speakers, ranging from students to successful entrepreneurs, who talk candidly about their successes, failures and the people who influenced their lives.

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There’s the stepfather who left behind a family that struggled with homelessness.

In another case, a father said failure was not an option, a bad piece of advice in the business world, where failure is necessary for moving forward.

Along the way, there are stories of bad spouses and good spouses and rising above senseless shootings in Wilmington.

On Monday night, it was New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer who talked about failure in a story many of us had never heard. Meyer talked about starting a sandal company in Kenya that failed twice but succeeded on the third try.

Meyer spoke as a supporter of the Great Dames  Remarkable Ideas competition. The county is kicking in a portion of the prize package as part of its effort to aid promising enterprises.

 The award of $25,000 in cash and services will be used in bringing the great idea into reality.

 Click here for an earlier story on this year’s winner.

Great Dames, co-founded by former DuPont Sharon Hake,  is marking its 10th anniversary. During my years around the organization, attendance and participation continue to the upswing.

I always come away feeling better about Delaware after a Great Dames event. You would too.

A final note

I reported  that Bethany  Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long passed on the following during her keynote speech at the recent  Great Dames event  –  “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.”   I should mention that the quote attributed to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who knew a thing or two about being the only woman in the room.

Enjoy the rest of your day. The newsletter returns tomorrow. – Doug Rainey, publisher.

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