MARCH 7, 5:00-7:00 p.m. 

On Friendship, Creativity and Imperfection

Join Anne Kemper, Gretchen Rosen and Eileen Fair on March 7, on the eve of International Women’s Day, for the next semi-annual “Wise and Strong Women Speak” program at The Center for Wisdom’s Women. Through four decades this trio has woven beautiful threads of support while encountering the ups and downs of life.  Their abiding friendship has helped each of them remain steady and focused while navigating successes and detours, sustaining them as they ventured through life’s journey.

Their relationship has included lots of listening as they have encouraged each other to take risks and think outside the box. They have been part of each other’s lives through the raising of children, finding new career paths, and experiencing changes in their families. They have shared creativity, bumps, changes, loss, partnership, messiness, and successful achievements. They have painted sunrise and sunset colors in Eileen’s first ‘room of her own,’ have cooked lots of dinners, created quilts , crafted , laughed and groused  together.  They are spiritual sisters who generally just love being together!

Eileen (l), Gretchen (c), Anne (r)

Professionally, Eileen Fair (l) has been providing mental health services in various settings over the last 40 years in the Lewiston/Auburn communities.  Anne Kemper (c), a 39 year resident of Lewiston, is the Counselor Coordinator of Lewiston Adult Education’s Adult Learning Center.  Gretchen Rosen (r) has been a Peace Corp volunteer in Chile, a teacher, a parent educator, a court mediator, and she continues to volunteer and serve on boards. She has lived here for 43 years.

These three creative-leaning women have come to highly value their relationship with each other and other women. They join with the women’s center in inviting women to come reflect with them on “friendship, creativity and imperfection.” In this intimate public conversation, Eileen, Ann and Gretchen will consider female friendships, how we hang in tight with each other in tough times, how sometimes we must recognize the toxicity of unhealthy competition, and how over a period of time we can all come to appreciate the blessings of friendships.

Marguerite Stapleton will again facilitate the program planned for Friday evening, March 7 from 5:00-7:00.  No reservations are needed, just come and bring a friend.  Light snacks and beverages will be offered.  There is no charge, although a donation to the women’s center is appreciated. For more information call 513-3922.