Full Bloom: Knox Parks Foundation Community Gardens - May 19, 2008
Over 30 CWC members gathered at the Church of the Good Shepherd Parish House to hear a talk by Jack Hale, Executive Director of the Knox Parks Foundation. Jack spoke about two women who were true leaders in Hartford during their lives - Betty Knox and Elizabeth Colt. The Knox Parks Foundation was started by Betty Knox in 1966 when she established a trust fund to help improve the city. Jack talked about some of the programs that his organization runs such as Trees for Hartford Neighborhoods, Hartford Blooms, Youth Conservation Corps, and Community Gardens. The group then went into the Church of the Good Shepherd for a brief history and tour. Built by Elizabeth Colt as a memorial to her husband and their children, these buildings are an excellent example of the Victorian High Gothic style with its many unique features. The architect of the church and the parish house was Edward Tuckerman Potter, who later designed the Mark Twain House. The church and parish house served the community it was built for - the factory workers and their families. The parish hall had a bowling alley, a library and a ballroom for the community to use. The ballroom would make a wonderful site for future CWC events!
For more information on the Knox Parks Foundation, go to www.knoxparks.org. For a brief photo tour of the Church of the Good Shepherd, go to www.cgshartford.org.
First Impressions at the Hill-Stead Museum - March 12, 2008
A lively group of members and their guests enjoyed a private tour of the Hill-Stead Museum, the home of Alfred and Ada Pope, which was designed by their daughter, Theodate Pope Riddle. The museum is filled with many treasures, including works by Edgar Degas, Édouard Manet, Claude Monet, Mary Cassatt, and James McNeil Whistler. The Hill-Stead staff shared stories about the Pope family and Hill-Stead property. Following the tour, everyone enjoyed a wonderful reception in the Carriage Barn.
15th Anniversary Party, Holiday Gathering & Annual Meeting
December 12th at the Autorino Great Hall at the Bushnell
A festive group of seventy CWC members and guests enjoyed lavish hors d’oeuvres and a dinner buffet in the stunning Autorino Great Hall to celebrate CWC’s 15th year. Private, backstage tours of the Nutcracker were a special treat, as was the music by the accomplished pianist. The CWC was pleased to recognize PARTNERS (Partners in Arts and Education Revitalizing Schools) as the recipient of our holiday donation this year. New and renewing directors were introduced; their two-year terms were approved by voice vote during the brief Annual Meeting.
CWC 2007 Women in Leadership Series
Power, Politics and the Path to Leadership: The Governor’s Story
September 27, 2007, The Hartford Club
At our first Women in Leadership event in 2004, Marie Wilson told us that women can and must help run the world. We have now come full circle as CWC members and guests joined us for dinner and conversation with Governor M. Jodi Rell, the nation’s 28th female governor, to explore the unique challenges of her path to political leadership and to discuss the realities of such leadership in today’s society. Governor Rell spoke to a sold-out crowd of 185, inspiring all with her candor and bold vision for the future of our state.
Goodspeed at Chester - July 19, 2007
A small but enthusiastic group of CWC members and guests braved torrential rain to attend a rare opportunity to view the countries largest costume collection, owned by Goodspeed Musicals and housed at the Godspeed’s Norma Terris Theater in Chester. CWC member Mary Kay Long, Director of Institutional Advancement, Goodspeed Musicals, coordinated this fascinating tour of the collection. We had a ball!
CWC Golf Clinics at Blue Fox Run
A successful six-week series of golf clinics were held again this year, under the direction of golf professional Sean Smedlick at the beautiful Blue Fox Run golf course in Avon, CT.
Harriett Beecher Stowe Center - May 19, 2007
A beautiful warm spring evening greeted CWC members and guests as they arrived for an outdoor reception on the grounds of the former home of Harriett Beecher Stowe. Following a welcome and orientation by CWC Board Member and Stowe Center Executive Director, Katherine Kane, private tours were given of Stowe's home. Members had the opportunity to mingle over wine and hors d'oeuvres while learning more about "the little woman who wrote the book that started this great (Civil) war".
New Member Breakfast – May 2, 2007
New Members and their Sponsors were invited to meet several CWC Board members and representatives from the Member Relations Committee during a breakfast hosted by CWC member Lindsey Wright and Kostin, Ruffkess & Company at their offices in Farmington. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to mix and mingle while learning more about the CWC and how to become involved.
Capitol Happenings: an Insider’s View - February 13, 2007
Our 12th annual Capitol Happenings: an Insider’s View, was held on February 13th at The Hartford Club. Over breakfast, CWC members were treated to a bipartisan panel of top state legislators and their reactions to the Governor’s recently released budget proposal, among other hot topics for this legislative session. Sue Haigh, Capitol Reporter for the Associated Press acted as moderator for a panel comprised of: Senator Jonathon Harris, Assistant Majority Leader, D-West Hartford, Representative Themis Klaredis, Deputy Republican Leader, R-Derby, and Representative Christopher Stone, D-East Hartford.
Continue the Dialog - January 4, 2007
This year's Continue the Dialog follow on event to our fall signature event (Diamonds in the Rough, see below) included a private, preview screening of the film Freedom Writers, the remarkable true story of teacher Erin Gruwell and her students' transformation from streetwise to book-smart and college-bound. The film, starring two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank as Erin and provided to us by Paramount Pictures, was attended by more than 250 CWC members, guests, educators and students. After the movie, ninety people attended the sold-out, light dinner where key state educators facilitated round-table discussion about the film and educating students at-risk.
Holiday Party and Annual Meeting - December 6, 2006
This year's Holiday party and Annual Meeting was held at the historic Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford. A classical pianist and festive fare added to the sparkle of the evening as the CWC highlighted the Bridge Family Center as the recipient of donations from the seventy-five people attending.
November 29, 2006
CWC Board Members and Sponsors welcomed ten new members to the organization at a breakfast hosted by Directors Jackie Bernstein and Katherine Kane at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford.
CWC Member Only Dinner event at The Hartford Club - November 2, 2006
CWC members engaged in an enthusiastic mixer before enjoying a buffet dinner and presentation of the newly adopted strategic plan for the organization by Laura Grondin, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee.
2007 CWC Women in Leadership event - Diamonds in the Rough - September 28, 2006
CWC's third annual Women in Leadership event featured Erin Gruwell, Founder and President, Erin Gruwell Education Project, Co-author, The Freedom Writer's Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and Their World, and subject of the major motion picture, Freedom Writers, starring two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank as Erin. CWC members and their guests, who included educators and students, were privileged to hear Erin speak about how she and her students embarked on a "life-changing, eye-opening, spirit-raising odyssey against ignorance, misunderstanding and the negative forces in their own lives." This memorable dinner event was held at the Marriott Hartford Downtown.
FoxForce Tennis – July 18, 2006
On a sweltering hot summer evening, a brave crowd battled the heat to meet at Apple Arena in Avon for a light pre-match supper before attending the matches featuring professional tennis players in a fun, fast, team format.
CWC Golf Clinics at Blue Fox Run – Six week series beginning on June 14th
The ever popular CWC golf clinics were once again filled to capacity under the new direction of Blue Fox Run golf professional, Sean Smedlick.
"Where Art Meets Life" at the New Britain Museum of American Art – June 22, 2006Members and guests were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of this once “hidden jewel” of a museum, now making a big splash with the recent opening of its grand new wing, housing a vibrant collection of over 5,000 works of American Art. With ample time to indulge in upscale hors d’oeuvres, wine and locally produced Avery’s soda, members and guests were able to converse in the spacious Stanley Room overlooking Walnut Hill Park (designed by Frederick Law Olmsted).
Experience the World of an Industry Leader – April 27, 2006
CWC was pleased to present a "Members Only" event when Jennifer Hessel, Assistant Vice President of Retail Imaging for L’Oreal Paris spoke to us about L’Oreal Paris - a company inspired by women, led by women, advocate for women. Proceeds from the event were donated to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.
Continue the (Passing the Baton) Dialogue – April 6, 2006
CWC members, young businesswomen and teen guests of members gathered at Miss Porter’s School in Farmington to continue the dialogue begun at our signature event last fall about teen girls and their perceptions of careers in business. A recent study, conducted by Simmons School of Management and the Committee of 200, showed that girls do not fully understand business or its power to change the world. Click here to view notes from the discussion.
Notes from Continue the Dialog held at Miss Porter’s School on
April 6, 2006
Click Here to View Notes
New Member Breakfast – March 29, 2006
CWC would like to thank fellow board member Felicia DeDominicis and the Hospital for Special Care for graciously hosting this breakfast to welcome new members to the organization. Sixteen new members joined several board members and sponsors over coffee and conversation as they were introduced to the Hospital for Special Care, The Connecticut Women’s Council, and one another.
February 2, 2006 - An Intimate Conversation with Charlotte Ponticelli, U.S. Department of State’s Coordinator for International Women’s Issues.
CWC members were invited to take advantage of an impromptu opportunity to lunch with Charlotte Ponticelli and discuss the “U.S. Commitment to Women in Afghanistan” and other U.S. foreign policy initiatives that support women.
CWC members and guests met at The Hartford Club in January to hear what issues are facing the legislature in the upcoming session. Senator Cathy Cook, Chief Deputy Minority Leader, R-Mystic, Tom Gaffey, Chief Deputy Majority Leader, D-Meriden, and Hartford Political Reporter Mark Pazniokas formed the panel discussion. Those attending were then able to ask questions, and get answers!
