The Working Women’s Forum, an association of local professionals and entrepreneurs, will feature a talk entitled, “Living a Vital and Joyful Life with Tao and Defiance, Learn It, Live It, Pass It On” with CJ Golden, Wednesday, May 8, at The Villa Restaurant, 4 Riverside Road in Sandy Hook.

Ms Golden, a freelance columnist, author of Tao of the Defiant Woman and Tao-Girls Rule, is a motivational speaker who will share her unique philosophy for a vital and joyful life. She will discuss a life that combines the principles of Taoism, the ancient Chinese philosophy of acceptance, along with defying stereotypes, negativity, and self-defeating behaviors.

By taking what you do have and making the most of it, CJ states, her talk is “open to anyone who is ready for a new and upbeat way to get through transitions and the challenges of life.”

Ms Golden has enjoyed careers as a speech and hearing therapist, group sales manager of Equity playhouse, and has acted on stage, screen, and TV in New York and Los Angles. In addition to her books, she has also published poetry, short stories, essays, articles, and blogs.

Event networking and appetizers begin at 6 pm followed by the guest speaker. For reservations e-mail register at rsvp@workingwomensforum.net or call WWF President Maureen Wilson, 203-470-9097.

The program and appetizer fee will be $10 for members, and $20 for nonmembers with a cash bar. The group will be accepting canned food, personal health, and beauty items for the Newtown FAITH Food Pantry.