Now that you are retired, or thinking about retirement, why bother with Life Goals? Isn't goal-setting a part of your professional life you'll be glad to relinquish? Come learn why goals are important in later life and actually contribute to resiliency. Speaker, Clint Wilkins, Co-Founder of Resiliant Aging Lab, will share research on resiliency and help us explore the creation of Life Goals.  Clint will lead us in a hands-on exercise to show how the four "intrinsic goals" (accomplishments, relationships, contributions to others and society, and being part of something "bigger") apply to our lives, in the present and in the future.  

• Enhance skills for successfully navigating change 
• Expand possibilities and options 
• Know how to create a meaningful life 
• Create a "next steps" action plan. 
• Engage and connect with other women 50+ in transition 

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Where did you grow up and what was it like?

I grew up in San Jose at a time when there were fruit and flower orchards everywhere.  No one had yet conjured up the name of Silicon Valley.  As kids we didn't need to tell our parents where we had run off to, we just needed to be home by dinnertime.  It was an age of  close knit neighorhoods, silliness and games,  a time of innocence sadly lost.

Do you have any siblings?  What were they like growing up?

I have one sibling.  Growing up Michael and I were very close, best friends really.  At the age of 40 Michael transitioned to Michelle and was never happier.  You see, Michael had the brain of a female in the body of a male.  It was shocking and exceptionally difficult for my parents to accept the change, but by the time of the physical transition we were again a solid family unit, full of love.  Sadly, Michelle died of a brain tumor at 56.  She was a highly respected Mechanical Designer.

Where do you live now?

I moved to Oakland after I married, now almost 30 years ago.  I still love living in Oakland for it's edgy and eclectic society.  One can never become bored living in Oakland!  There is something exciting happening every day.

What is your education?

I was trained as a Textile Conservator, earning a bachelor's degree at UC Davis under the tutelage of a Textile Conservator from Jerusalem.  After graduation I was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts grant to study for a year at the Textile Conservation Centre at Hampton Court Palace, outside of London.  

What was your occupation?

After my return to California from Europe my job at the California Parks & Recreation department - museum collections unit got hit by severe cutbacks due to the passage of Proposition 13.  

It was then that I decided to switch to business management and join the rise of technology in Silicon Valley.  I got an MBA at Santa Clara University and then began working at IBM helping to build the PC and OEM distribution network.  IBM was a very exciting place to be during that time.  I later moved to an aerospace company, continuing to utilize my expertise in global distribution management for technical products.  I retired at 55, about 10 years ago.

How long have you been a member of TTN?  Why did you join?

I have been a TTN member since 2016.  I had been a widow for a couple years and was longing to expand my network of women friends.  It was difficult to be a widow among couples, and my social life was non-existent. 

What do you value most about your TTN membership?

TTN meetings have been rich with encountering accomplished and interesting women at the wine & cheese time before the talk/lecture.  Like all groups, you only get what you give.  It takes effort to reach out to make new acquaintances but through Adventuristas, Travel, TED and other group gatherings I have made new friends, and have learned much about my new world and about my new self.

How have you contributed to the success of TTN?

I am on my second year as a member of the steering committee for our SF chapter.  It is fun to utilize my business skills in support of this valuable and vibrant chapter.  

I am also about to lead my second Women In Transition Workshop on Nov 16th, a TTN Signature program.  Everyone needs to sign up!  It is a fabulous gathering of women who are looking for support in finding their way through loss, retirement, an empty nest, or other big changes in life that cross all of our paths at some point.  It is so helpful to meet and befriend others  to share your experiences with.

What do you see for yourself in the years ahead?

Travel!  I say that because my husband and I were always passionate world travelers.  Today it's travel that makes me feel most alive. 

Capitalizing on that love, I have become a Certified Tour Director/Guide and work with both adults and teenagers.  I love making a place come alive with stories and tales that can take you to another place and time.  It feels great to watch expressions change with that 'Aha!' moment.  Lives can be forever changed by the experience. 

I hope to find out where our TTN chapter members dream of going to, and then make it happen.  Where would you like to go next?  Let me know!

Many of you have shared interesting articles and videos that have been appreciated by our readership.  To encourage this sharing, we have created a monthly column called Readers' Corner. Submit your articles to Nancy Ware at   [email protected]

Women Rowing North: 

Navigating Life's Currents and Flourishing as We Age

Next Avenue has written a wonderful book review of Mary Pipher's new book on women aging.   Pipher is best know for her book, 

Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls.  Now she has turned her attention to aging women.  Pipher says, "I think it was the right time for this book. As a cultural anthropologist and psychologist, I have spent years looking at how culture impacts our lives. And for an aging population of women, there are issues around how they feel about themselves based on what the culture expects."  To read the entire review click 

HERE.

Linda Brown

Event Planning

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Mae King Go 

Event Planning

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Dianne McCutcheon  

National Liaison Coordinator

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Bunnie Quint

Event Planning

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Gail Benton Shoemaker

 Program Planning Coordinator

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Janice Wallace

Special Interest Groups 

and Membership Coordinator

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