A shout out to my Virginia readers…(subtitle: an actual work related post!)
While I am no doubt deluding myself in thinking my blog is being read far and wide, I did (as frequent readers may recall) encourage my friends and relations to keep up with me through blog reading…some of them are in VA. And since a Detours&OnRamps forum is in the works for the DC area, I thought it wise to reach out and start putting some pieces together…
And had a GREAT conversation with Whitney, from Mom-entum Resources, the other day. It was encouraging both personally and professionally. Mom-entum started in Richmond, and is focused on bringing quality part-time (or, not full-time) jobs to moms who want to work, at a level at or close to where they were–or at least using skills they’ve developed–while continuing to be able to spend some time with children. What was so encouraging was that Whitney said that a lot of companies that they are talking to are quite amenable to these types of arrangements as (gasp) they find it works for them, works for moms. They aren’t spending as much and still getting quality candidates to perform the work–moms are getting great opportunities but not having to sacrifice every moment with their children. These are the companies that are making a difference and our goal is to bring some of them to speak at our DC event–details of which will be available and published soon.
The other nice thing about talking to Whitney is something I find over and over in working on this event–there are so many great, smart mothers out there with great, smart ideas who are so eager to work to make things better. I guess that’s part of the premise of that new “Lipstick Jungle” show’–that busy women need supportive friends–I am guessing because the ads themselves make me so crazy that I refuse to watch it and start yelling about it every time I see an ad. Anyway, the opportunity to meet with and talk to people like Whitney is what’s so great, and what made that first October event really amazing…
So stay tuned for conference dates and locales soon, and certainly check out Mom-entum if you’re in the VA area!