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Student joins community of professional women
The monthly luncheons, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Marlborough, provide an opportunity for professional women to network with others in the community and enjoy motivational guest speakers. Executive Vice President of the Chamber Catherine Mogavero said that each month the chamber will invite a diff erent student from the Business Partnership of America (BPA) program at the High School. "It is an opportunity for the students to meet a diverse group of business professionals in the community," Mogavero said. "It is a great way to get students involved." Tracey Ingle, former chair of the WBC, first initiated the program as a means of supporting the existing chamber and school partnership programs. "It was obvious that it would be perfect for the students," Ingle said. "… It gives the students an opportunity to network, identify different business professions and meet women in all facets of business." Harrington, who sat with Ingle and Smith at the luncheon, said that as a member of the BPA, she has had the opportunity to learn and compete on both a state and national level in skills such as advanced interview techniques and presentation management. "I am leaning towards studying business; being involved with the BPA has opened my eyes to the business world," Harrington said. Harrington was one of more than 20 women who attended the meeting to hear Smith, who is a two-time breast cancer survivor and the co-founder and executive director of a nonprofit community breast cancer support center. Smith said she loves to speak about the organization and her experiences because she feels that people need to know more about cancer and what exists to support women with breast cancer. She recalled her experience as being the mother of teen-age boys when she was diagnosed; her sons are now in their 30s. "I never thought I would see them at this age," she said. "After my cancer was cured, I looked fine and I felt fine, but I was so lonely … I feared a reoccurrence and what would happen to my family." In 1990, after her first diagnosis, Smith, who is a practicing psychotherapist, hit the books and began to research the impact of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment on women and their families. She also began to research the healing energy that nature provides. "I knew I had to do something," she said. In 1992, she dedicated herself to providing psychiatric support to women with breast cancer and running breast cancer support groups. It was at this support group that she first met Virginia Thurston, who was diagnosed in 1993 with metastasized breast cancer. After Virginia's death in 1999, her husband, Bill Thurston, approached Smith as to how he could help. Smith and Bill Thurston worked to open the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden in his wife's memory. The garden, which was established on the Thurstons' property, provides complementary therapies (such as acupuncture and yoga), psychological support and the healing environment of nature to those touched by breast cancer. For more information about the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, visit the website at www.healinggarden.net or call 978-456-3532. For more information about other Chamber of Commerce programs and events, visit www.marlboroughchamber. org. |
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