MISS MANAGEMENT
CAROL LEVEY | LEVEY ENTERPRISES
The Legacy of AAMD's
Women's Division
A
t my age I have the earned
perspective to see what has
been and what may be. Do
you remember the Woman’s
Division? It was started back in the
late 70’s by Carol Luinstra and Pris
Damon. They held monthly luncheons
and if we had 80-90 attendees we were
thrilled! Let’s remember that at the time
the total association membership was
approximately 400.
The Women's Division was formed
so that women could come together in
an engaging and inviting forum. This
allowed quality time to get to know
people one-on-one. We walked away with
lasting relationships.
For example, back in the late 1980's I
had the privilage of leading the division,
and I enjoyed greeting people as they
came into the luncheons. So there I
was greeting people on day in 1987, and
a blonde with a lost look on her face
walked through the door. “Is this your
first time attending a luncheon?” I asked.
She replied, “Yes! This is my first AAMD
function and you are the first person
I’ve met.” I invited her to sit with
me, and that pers on was Mary
Wessler. The rest is history.
The Women's Division back in
the day featured industry speakers,
mostly men, sharing their success
stories and inspiring women of the
industry, as more and more women were
starting to become major industry leaders.
There were parties, but I won't go into
it. If you want to hear more about it, just
ask Dave Phifer or Dennis Malone.
It was different back then - a much
more relaxed industry without the
pressures of today. When the once
well-attended AAMD monthly dinner
meetings were discontinued it left a void,
so in 1991, the Woman’s Division was
rebranded as the Networking Council.
Julie McKeefer was the final person to be
awarded "Woman of the Year."
The Networking Council provides
phenominal education and networking
opportunities. The PowerLunch
Mary Wessler & Carol Levey circa 1987
now averages 250-300 attendees, and
members walk away with tangible
tools and concepts in customer service,
communication skills and industry trends.
As AAMD's membership continues
to grow and evolve, networking remains
the same! The women of AAMD knew
that in 1978 when the Women's Division
began, and it continues today through the
hard work of the Networking Council.
Regardless how the industry
changes, one thing remains constant.
There is no substitute for face-to-face
conversation It has been my passion
and pleasure to continue this journey
with the lifelong friends I made
through the Women's Division!
303-202-1000
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APRIL 2018
TRENDS | 11