2021 Programs
January
CWC Conversations – Adjust, Pivot and Reset – Insights from Local Nonprofit Leaders (and CWC Members)
CWC members had an enlightening and informative conversation with fellow CWC members Mary-Jane Foster, President and CEO of Interval House, and Bridget Quinn-Carey, President & CEO of the Hartford Public Library. Mary-Jane and Bridget have been leading these essential organizations through the pandemic, focusing on how to keep serving those who depend on their services. They talked about the challenges they face, how they’ve adapted to keep serving their clients and even the opportunities the pandemic has created.
The conversation was moderated by CWC Board member Jennyfer Holmes, the Senior Scholarship and Development Officer at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
CWC Conversations is a program series started in 2019 as a member-focused program that lets us gather to talk informally about an interesting or hot topic.
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February
CWC Game Night – Bingo
We have enjoyed our last two game nights with Jeopardy. This time – Bingo, one of the most popular online games right now. Join us for a few rounds of Bingo and lively conversation.
CWC Tea Tasting
Drinking tea has many health benefits, and no matter what the season, tea is a tasty beverage that can be served hot or cold. Join us for a private virtual tasting with CWC members as we sample three different teas that are helpful with stress relief and mindfulness. The tea tasting will be done by Kasia Lindeberg, owner of Open Door Tea in Stratford. While steeping teas, Kasia will discuss brewing techniques, health benefits, tips on storing, blending, mindfulness, and everything else surrounding the world of tea and answer any questions you have.
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March
Capitol Happenings – Conversation with Powerful Women in Public Service
With last year’s legislative session abbreviated due to the pandemic, the state Legislature has a full agenda of substantive issues to tackle in 2021, including legalized marijuana, sports betting gambling, and tax equity. Join us for a lively one-hour virtual conversation with two female legislators who are members of the Bipartisan Women’s Caucus. We are so excited and fortunate that Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz has agreed to be our moderator. We look forward to welcoming the lieutenant governor, Rep. Dorinda Borer (D-West Haven), the Women’s Caucus co-chair, and caucus member Christie Carpino (R-Cromwell/Portland) for a dialogue on the issues facing the state, on the workings of the Caucus (the legislature’s largest caucus) and on life as a female elected official. We will have time in the session for your questions as well.
Our Guests
Representative Dorinda Borer (D) is the co-chair of the Women’s Caucus and represents West Haven’s 115th district. She is serving her second term and has been appointed House Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee and is a member of the Environment and Public Health Committees.
Representative Christie Carpino (R) is a member of the Women’s Caucus and represents the 32nd district of Cromwell and Portland. She is serving her sixth term and serves as House Republican Caucus Chair, and as a member of the Regulations Review, Government Administration and Elections, Public Health and Legislative Management Committees. Rep. Carpino also serves as the state’s representative to Women in Government, a national non-profit, non-partisan organization of women state legislators that provides leadership opportunities, expert forums, and educational resources to address and resolve complex public policy issues to all women state legislators across the country.
Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz has a long history of public service in Connecticut. A lawyer by training, she served a state representative from Middletown, Middlefield and Durham before serving as Secretary of State from 1999-2011. She is serving her first term as Connecticut’s 109th Lieutenant Governor.