We're Better Together!

Straight Talk from our Community Compass

February 2025

​MYRNA: ​Early this month, I spent a few days in Manhattan with my husband, Kirk, to celebrate his birthday — our annual trip to cheer for the New York Knicks! They won! Go New York, go New York, GO! Find Myrna’s Musings for events, exhibitions, and special visits with business leaders that I regularly cover in Sanctuary.​

​CAROL: I recently visited two off-the-beaten track museums: Georgia O'Keeffe's home and studio in Abiquiu, New Mexico, and The Bunker in West Palm Beach, Florida. They couldn't have been more different. One is small, intimate, and extremely personal; the other is housed in a retrofitted 1926 toy factory and features works by diverse creators. Yet both are the vision of one woman, and both were established by an unerring artistic vision.

​SANDRA: Three reasons to brave the cold in New York City: The Museum of the City of New York is celebrating the centenary of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for President, and the Whitney Museum offered the perfect warmup with live performances from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The Franz Kafka exhibit at the Morgan Library reaffirmed my restless spirit. “Impossible to travel,” he said, “even to live, without taking notes.”
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​JENIPHER: I’m super excited to share that I am working on an advanced psychological safety workshop that is a follow-up to my article in Sanctuary's October '24 issue titled "From Boardroom to Living Room: Fostering Psychological Safety." My passion for helping organizations learn and implement psychological safety has been a top priority for me over the last year. I cannot wait to deliver this workshop to a great group of women in March!

​LAURA: Readers can find my new website and refreshed LinkedIn ​​with a renewed focus on nutrition, health, and food writing. They can also sign up for my e-newsletter ​to find out what’s new at Gigi Trattoria. Look for a new installment of Laura’s Corner Table concerning processed foods and additives in Sanctuary’s March issue.

​SHERRY: I recently spoke at an event in Florida for an inspiring organization, Dress for Success. The featured topic was “How to Turn Stress into Your Superpower.” So many are letting stress control their lives. But we can harness the energizing potential of stress by tuning into what it is alerting us to. Perhaps, our stress is telling us we need to take action, to fill in knowledge gaps, or make positive changes in our lives. Let’s connect to improve your stress management.

​CARLA: I’ve come to realize that an open heart and an open mind are two of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves and to others. When we keep our hearts open, we stay connected to ourselves and to others. When we keep our minds open, we move away from fear and into a place of learning and curiosity. Please join with me in growing and sharing the gifts of an open heart and an open mind.

​TEGAN: I'm sending a shout-out to WomensWork Art for inviting me to film their Winter Solstice/Deep Midwinter event in January. Look for my winning mascot illustration, Ms. B. Haven, in this month's Compass. She'll direct you to an interesting past article that talks about heart health.

​CORNELIA: After 36 years of publishing ARTTIMES Journal and now recouping from knee surgery, I'm open to new work and adventures as well as continuing as an advisor for Sanctuary. I always thought I would do volunteer work somewhere in the world and use the skills I've developed. I've a few more months of building up my stamina and strength before I begin looking in earnest. I welcome suggestions.

​KAREN: I don't think there's anything more exciting than taking a hold of yourself — often with the help of friends, family and advisors — and taking a step toward a better life. Small steps often lead to more small steps that may need to be adjusted...or not. And before you know it, you're actually getting somewhere!