Locally Established Women’s Professional Group Is Open To Area Women

By Nancy K. Crevier

A new club dedicated to giving women of all ages and lifestyles a place to grow professionally and personally has appeared on the Newtown scene. The Working Women’s Forum was established in October 2005 when members of the 25-year old Business and Professional Women of Newtown voted to take the nationally based club in a new direction.

Since then, said WWF president Kelly Urso, 25 to 35 women have met monthly to exchange ideas and experiences with each other. Through networking, education, and sharing experiences, The Working Women’s Forum hopes to build a professional organization emphasizing assistance to other women and leadership qualities.

The Working Women’s Forum was organized in Newtown, but is open to women from surrounding towns.

“We wanted a more regional group. So far, we have women from all over Fairfield and Litchfield Counties,” said Ms Urso.

The group is not just for self-employed individuals or high level executives and professionals, Ms Urso stressed.

“All working women are welcome,” she said. “Any woman who wants to grow in her work or personal world can benefit from our club.” A wide cross section of women including corporate executives, women involved in start-up businesses, attorneys, business owners, and even retired women who want to remain active make up the present membership. The life experiences and town connections generated from women who have retired or been in business in the area for many years are a rich resource for the less experienced members, Ms Urso said.

Networking is an important part of each monthly meeting. “Sharing ideas in an informal manner encourages involvement,” she said. Meetings generally include a professional presentation and often include a showcase of a member’s business, as well. “It’s a great way for everyone to see what the other women are doing, what their work entails,” she said.

The March program at The Working Women’s Forum meeting at Sal e Pepe, a restaurant on South Main Street, was entitled “The Top Five Obstacles Women Face Starting Business.” Past programs have dealt with postretirement possibilities, individual tax issues, and other topics geared toward the group’s unofficial motto, “Work, Life and Balance.”

Ms Urso and the other board members are encouraged by the positive response they have received from women who have attended meetings to date.

“A lot of women were looking for membership forms at the March meeting,” she said, “and we have seen a growth in membership already.”

She attributes the success to having a “very dynamic board. Sheila[Longhi] and Sherry [Sawyer] are coming up with ideas and forms for membership all the time. They have so much energy. The whole board is ready to meet with everybody and are there to help people make connections.”

It is satisfying, she said, to pause during the meetings and see the interactions going on. “I love to sit back and watch how people are connecting with each other. I think the group will have a good run.”

The Working Women’s Forum meets for dinner on the first Monday of the month, September through June, at 6 pm, at various restaurants in the greater Danbury area. The April 3 meeting will be held again at Sal e Pepe’s on South Main Street in Newtown. Jean A Leonard of Ameriprise Financial will speak on “Reinventing Your Retirement,” a presentation that goes beyond the numbers and into the hopes and dreams of retirement.

For membership questions, contact Sherry Sawyer at 203-512-4220 or Sheila Longhi at 203-980-4475. General questions concerning The Working Women’s Forum can be directed to Kelly Urso at 364-1667, or visit WorkingWomensForum.net.