President's Message

Jennifer Leland
WLALA President 2019-2020

May 2020

53 days ago I left work early to pick up my kids from school. Both of their schools had announced that remote learning would begin the following Monday so I grabbed a few extra files from my office, thinking I would work from home for a couple of weeks. It’s now May and life is “home schooling” a third grader, Zoom meetings, mask wearing, and uncertainty about when life will resume its usual rhythms. Like everyone else, I have adapted and adopted a new routine. If I had known then what I know now, I would have grabbed the box of wine that is sitting in my office and maybe a few extra files.

I am proud of how WLALA has also adapted and adopted new routines. We transitioned to remote Board meetings and moved several programs and events online. Thank you to our members who continue to support us by virtually attending our programs, happy hours and events. One of the positive aspects of remote programming is seeing an increased participation by members who previously may not have been able to attend our programs in person. Welcome and we hope to see more of you! WLALA’s members make it the amazing organization that it is. I also want to give a special thank you to the Board and Committee members who have continued to work on behalf of WLALA notwithstanding the new challenges we face. Each of them hit the ground running as we transitioned to a new way of doing things.

Of course, I expected nothing less. WLALA celebrated its 100th Anniversary last year. The organization and its members have been through other challenges – the Great Depression, World War II and the Great Recession of 2008 to name a few. WLALA survived these challenges due to the strength and dedication of its members. If we continue to stay connected with, be supportive of and a resource for one another, I am confident that we will survive and learn from the present challenge as well.

Wishing you and your loved ones safety and good health.

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