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There are about 100 members of Woman, which stands for “Women Over 40 Meeting and Networking,” said Sharon Rothenberg, organization president.

Getting to know each other for business purposes, sharing ideas, supporting each other’s causes and seeing how members can help each other is a large attraction of this group of women who meet monthly.

Network­ing comes in many forms, Rothenberg said.

“It’s not just about making business contacts,” she said, “but it can also be a form of business support, friendships, making connections, and being kept in the loop when a member is ill.”

Members vary in age and professions. There are single, married and divorced members.

Some women have just relocated to the Triad, some are at a crossroads in their career, and some are just looking to enrich their life with new friends and outside contacts.

Rothenberg feels that Woman offers all of the above. There is no formal agenda at meetings, other than announcements about upcoming events and introductions of new members.

In 1995, at age 55, Woman founder Judith Abraham started “this unique organization to share, expand and support information, resources and wisdom to and for seasoned career women.”

“Between yuppies and yippies, hippies, bippies and AARPers, there seemed to be a void in particular for professional women,” she said.

“We welcome women over 40 who are retired, working, thinking of working, home-working moms (time permitting), and home-working grandmothers (more likely),” Abraham said.

In 2009, Abraham and others who are serving as support and career counselors began a sub-group called Triad Employment Advantage Motivator Woman — aka Team Woman — for members seeking employment or re-employment. Participants get help with resume writing, interviewing techniques and overall support.
Abraham is still a spark plug in the group.

“The aura and atmosphere in our group seems to be peaceful, humorous, gleeful, learning, yearning for learning, and many just love to attend to be with this group of engaging, fascinating and diverse women,” she said.

Rothenberg said she has loved the group since Abraham invited her to join 12 years ago.

Rothenberg lives in Greensboro but commutes to Winston-Salem to teach second grade at Forest Park Elementary School of Leadership.

Abraham was a secretary and office manager until 1989, when she started a word-processing group out of her home. She retired at 62 in 2002, but said she hated retirement. She returned to work until 2005, when she officially retired.

When Abraham was hospitalized recently, members of Woman rallied around her and made sure she was looked after.

“Judith has been instrumental in allowing Woman to grow and evolve over the years into a phenomenal group of talented, professional and compassionate members, said Marikay Abuzuaiter, a charter member and co-owner with her husband of Mahi’s Restaurant, where Woman meets each month.

Gina Deese, a one-year member, said her interaction with Woman has not only helped to keep her ACT fitness business abreast of needs in the community, but has provided information and exposure needed to initiate appropriate programs so ACT can better serve its clients.

“For me personally, there is no price on the friendship and support that I have experienced as a member of Woman,” Deese said.

“Our Woman organization offers camaraderie, fun friendships, girls’ night out, getting to know new people, bringing in outside friends as guests and the simple joy of dinner, schmoozing and hearing an informative program,” Rothenberg said. “Who wouldn’t want an evening once a month of this sort?”

Woman members also support the ACC Women’s Basketball Championship Game each March with a luncheon at the coliseum.

The membership cost to join Woman is $48, and dinner is $20.
Women interested in the organization may visit twice but are expected to join if they want to continue coming to meetings, Rothenberg said.

In May, Joyce Richman will discuss resumes and interview techniques.

In June, a handwriting analyst will speak on “Your Scroll Tells All.”

To suggest a person or organization who is “Making a Difference” in Guilford County, contact Peggy Longmire at rlongmire@triad.rr.com or 288-9040.