NCBWL Kicks Off 70th Anniversary 

The first officers of the Nashville Catholic Business Women's League were chosen by the league 70 years ago this month. In just one year, the league’s membership grew to 139 members — an amazing accomplishment given the lack of technology in 1950. 

This year we are celebrating our 70th anniversary with a few special events and goals for growth. We are fortunate to have a long, thriving history, as witnessed by the women in the picture above taken to honor the 25th anniversary of our charter members. They include Gladys Evans, president; Elizabeth Barrett, vice-president; Nelle Nolan, recording secretary; Mary Frances Sharenberger, corresponding secretary; Mai Eleanor Weis, treasurer; and Celeste Thompson, parliamentarian.

Please join us this month as we continue the tradition of our monthly dinner meetings to network with other professional Catholic women and hear more about the anniversary plans to come. If you have any interesting photos or stories to share about our history, please contact Lynne Warne: lynnewarne42@gmail.com or 615-974-6003. Volunteers are welcome for our special event planning as well. 

Join us for our January meeting:

RSVP required by Jan. 10 by 9 a.m

President’s Message

“may God make you, too, a light for your brothers and sisters”        
    This comes from the Solemn Blessing at the end of Mass on Epiphany Sunday and it was my inspiration when writing this. On Epiphany we celebrate the Magi paying homage to the infant Jesus. The Magi followed the light, a star and found the infant. They then presented him with gifts. This feast not only celebrates the Light that is Christ (Light from Light) coming into the world for all of us, it also is God’s call for us to be a light, the light of faith in the world.
    As we embark on this New Year and celebrate 70 years of the NCBWL, we should let our light shine forth. We are not just business women but Catholic women and as such we should take the light of our faith into our workplaces, activities, homes and daily living as we go forth. I think this is one of the founding principles of our organization.
    This is an important year as our organization goes forward. We should look to the future but let us not forget our past. We should celebrate our strengths as an organization of Catholic business women. As all of you may know we are the oldest Catholic business organization and play an important role in the diocese and the Catholic community as a whole. Let us celebrate our 70th year by following Lynn and her committee’s challenge to do 70 acts of kindness and charity throughout the year. At the January meeting our goal is to collect 70 Kroger gift cards for Catholic Charities. Let us reflect on the past and look to our bright future and let us continue to let our light shine through by living our faith in our workplaces, in our homes and in all our daily activities.  
    The Magi came and gave their gifts to the Holy Family. They came because they followed the light, a star. That light inspired them to seek out the infant king and pay homage to him. As we reflect on this scripture passage we should look at our invitation and how we might be a star or light through our organization’s charitable work and support of each other. Let us individually and as NCBWL be a LIGHT FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

Teri Gordon, NCBWL President