LBDC East Bay is Shining Their Member Spotlight

 

 

It has been too long since we shined a spotlight on one of our members! Gwen Brady from our East Bay, CA chapter has chosen to honor Donna Barnett as our most recent member spotlight.

 

Donna is happily married and enjoying the blessings of a long lasting friendship with the man she chose for her husband. Together they share four awesome children; a 25 year old daughter and three sons ages 23, 21 and 13.

 

Donna works in the marketing department of the University of CA, Davis Extension offering continuing and professional education. She is involved in outreach events, student supervision, direct mail, research and selecting merchandise for outreach events. 

  

While she considers San Francisco as her hometown, Donna was born in Owensboro, KY and moved to the Western Addition of California known as Fillmore at just 5 years old. Her hobbies include making arts and crafts whenever time permits.  She loves to make diaper cakes, and party favors among other pretty and crafty items. Donna says she has a strong interest in health and community involvement. “I am an active member of the Parent Teacher club at my son’s middle school where I serve on the board and I am passionate about our children and making sure they have access to a good education. My favorite things include traveling, dancing, hosting family gatherings, and going for long walks.” Sounds like Donna knows how to stay busy, but she still makes time for fun. She is looking forward to several upcoming vacations such as weekend trips to Vegas, Lake Tahoe and Pismo Beach. Her family is also planning their annual camping trip and a visit to NYC.

 

Donna joined the LBDC one year ago in order to step outside of her box! “I’m at a place in my life where I can let my hair down a bit without feeling like my home life is being neglected. I wanted to enjoy the company of quality women, outside of my comfortable and familiar circle”, she says.  “The thing I love most about LBDC is the many different personalities and events that I have access to.”

 

She likes having fun, maintaining a positive attitude and trying to be in the moment. Donna enjoys giving back to others, even if it means being a light to those I come in contact with.  “How I treat others is very important to me,” said Donna. Quote by May Angelou- “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

 

LBDC East Bay Director, Gwen Brady, had this to say: “Donna Barnett was one of the very first people that I told about LBDC.  She showed as much excitement as I did so I knew she was an example of the kind of women I wanted to be associated with.  Donna was in on the ground floor.  She helped me to get the word out about the club and has been gem ever since!  Donna is extremely reliable; she played an integral role in East Bay's launch party.  She immediately took the initiative to get things done.

 

Last year, Donna organized a bowling event!  She negotiated every aspect of the event and it was very, very successful. By popular demand, she organized another one in February.  It was SO popular, we had to reserve more lanes and open more RSVP spots.  It was one of our most well attended events thus far!!

 

She always has a happy, bubbly disposition.  She is one of those people that you KNOW you'll get a smile from without fail, every single time.  She's warm, thoughtful, outgoing, fun loving and beautiful...inside and out.  She is also an amazing mom! 

 

I'm ecstatic to see that she has renewed her membership and will be with us for another year! I am truly honored to have Donna as a member of the East Bay Chapter.”

 

 

We are all proud to have Donna as part of the Little Black Dress Club family. Thanks for supporting our organization, Donna!

 

~Shay Ashcraft

National Director

 

 

In The Spotlight - Movetia Salter

LBDC would not be what it is today without the support of our fantastic members. In the spotlight today is Movetia Salter.  She is one of the initial East Bay, CA members.  We affectionately refer to her as “Mo”.  Mo’ is truly one of a kind. We met her on one of our first events, a steep hike up Pena Adobe hill early one bright Sunday morning. In the beginning, she was somewhat on the quiet side...later I would learn that was just her observation mode!   

The East Bay Chapter has grown SO fast that it is sometimes a challenge keeping up with all of the members, the social media and event planning.  When Mo’ realized all the work that went into making our chapter a success, she rolled up her sleeves and volunteered to take over the social media portion of the club.  Because of her non-stop efforts, our members and prospective members don’t miss a beat, no matter which socialmedia outlet they follow…when it comes to disseminating LBDC information…she not only makes sure it’s there, she makes sure it’s EVERYWHERE! 

Mo’ is an extraordinary woman.  She is a single mother of four…a college aged daughter, two high school daughters and an energetic 5-year old son!  She is also preparing to host an exchange student (another teenage girl) not for a couple of months…but for an entire school year.  And…can I tell you; she does all of this in the cutest of high heels! She is one of the most classy, professional, fashion savvy women I know.

As if her everyday life isn’t hectic enough…Mo’ still makes time to celebrate her own strength as a woman and makes certain to take quality time for herself.  Mo’ has been to nearly every LBDC event and has helped to coordinate many of them.  I can always count on her for trusted insight and empowering support.  I’d like to take this time to let her know that she is well respected and absolutely adored!  Mo’ you are a consummate professional, a role model and a dear friend. Thanks Movetia!!!

~Gwen Brady
East Bay, California Director

In The Spotlight ~ Kelli Miles

Our member spotlights have become so popular! Thanks for all the support our readers have shown to some of our awesome members.

This time we are giving a shout out to Kelli Miles from our Washington, DC chapter!

While Kelli says she feels 30 years old on most of her good days, she is actually a fun spirited 38 year old with a young soul living inside! Unmarried but always willing to consider applications for “boyfriendry”, Kelli works as a paralegal while weaving her dreams of being physically fit and just a little bit rich!

She has a plethora of hobbies and interests such as scrapbooking, reading, movies and writing about pop culture. Kelli would love to have her own version of the show Fashion Police. Her version would be titled “Fashion Cops” and would include several of her friends and family members.

Kelli is looking forward to her upcoming “staycation” where her mother and sister will be coming to visit. These three plan on enjoying their own special brand of loud, girly fun. Most of our LBDC events are filled with the same special brand of fun! Maybe she should recruit her mom and sister!

All though Kelli is a new member of the Little Black Dress Club, she joined the club to have fun and make new girlfriends. She loves the different types of events and being able to sport a variety of her wardrobe at each one.

Kelli is the perfect addition to LBDC. She is intelligent and easy going and has a great sense of humor. She reminds us all that we don’t have to be famous to be a superstar.

Thanks for being in our spotlight, Kelli. We are so glad you joined our club!

 

~Shay Ashcraft

National Director, LBDC

 

 

 

 

 

In The Spotlight - Lisa Dretchen

Spring has officially sprung in Nashville, TN and today we are giving a bright bouquet of spring flowers to a new member spotlight!

46 year old wife and mom Lisa Dretchen from our Nashville Chapter has been an LBDC member since the beginning of the Nashville chapters’ inception. Always a burst of energy, Lisa has a 23 year old son and a 14 year old daughter. Married to her husband since 1996, Lisa works for the Tennessee State Security Office.

Family time, to include a cat named Whiskey and a dog named Skippy, is really important to Lisa. She loves to write in her spare time or just curl up with a good Stephen King novel, but she is also not afraid to watch a few horror movies on a Friday night. She is also very active with the Girl Scouts of America helping out with her daughter’s troop activities. Lisa’s most recent and exciting extracurricular activity was being picked to star as an extra for the hit show Nashville. Who knew we had a celebrity in our midst?

Lisa also has travel plans on her calendar. A lover of white water rafting on the Ocoee, the Dretchen family is planning a trip to Michigan to visit family, followed by a summer vacay to Florida, supporting her daughters love of music by visiting a few music venues, celebrating her wedding anniversary in July and then squeezing in as many rafting trips as they can schedule. Sounds like Lisa is going to have a busy summer!

Lisa joined the Little Black Dress Club to make new friends and have an occasional adult night out. A great outlet away from her family, Lisa says she loves the clubs diversity and all though she has not attended many of our more adventurous excursions, she is adding one of those to her calendar as well.

Lisa says if she could reinvent herself, she would become a published author. Sounds like you are one busy woman, Lisa! Thanks for taking time out to be in our member spotlight!

 

~Shay Ashcraft

National Director, LBDC

 

 

 

In The Spotlight - Shawna Lee

Member spotlights have quickly become a favorite on the LBDC blog! We are so happy to honor some of the women who have made the Little Black Dress Club a success. This time we are sharing a bit about 42-year-old Shawna Lee from the newly formed East Bay, California chapter.

 

Married with a daughter, Shawna works for Contra Costa County Health Services. Filling her time off with modeling, seeing a good movie or spending time with her mother and daughter, she also enjoys a good workout at the gym.

While Shawna is anxiously planning vacations to Vegas and Hawaii, she has really enjoyed her first month as a LBDC member.

 

When LBDC East Bay director Gwen Ford introduced Shawna to the club, she says it was a no brainer. “I joined the LBDC, because I was getting so tired of the same old routine; work, gym, home and a weekend of the same lounges with the same people”, said Shawna.  “I was ready to just shake it up and meet new women, find new places, and just step outside my box of BORRRRING!”

 

Shawna loves the club because it allows her to interact with a lot of amazing women. All educated, funny, beautiful, and really just full of personality, Shawna says it has been a very empowering experience for her. “I’ve already been to a couple of places I’ve never been, and love them. Not to mention the few women I’ve reconnected with after a good 10 years or better. This is a great idea, and I’m just so excited to be a part of it. I can’t wait till my daughter is of age so she too can be a member. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of such a fantastic group.”

 

Gwen is very grateful to Shawna for the dynamic energy she brings to their chapter. Always seeing the positive side of things, Shawna has been a major contributor to the success thus far of the East Bay Club. “She is the first one to step up and volunteer to help with anything I need”, says Gwen. She's one of the most beautiful women I know, both inside and out yet, she's amazingly humble about all that she does.  I'm so proud to have her as part of LBDC!”

 

We are proud to have you both! Thanks for being in our member spotlight this week, Shawna!

 

 

~ Shay Ashcraft

National Director, LBDC

In The Spotlight - Tonya Overstreet

One of our most popular features on the LBDC blog has quickly become the Member Spotlight. Highlighting our spectacular members from each of our many chapters, the spotlight shines this time on Tonya Overstreet from Nashville, TN. What better way to celebrate Tonya’s recent 36th birthday than by telling our readers what a great person, friend and LBDC member she has become?

Working as a Systems Support Coordinator at Vanderbilt, Tonya has many hobbies and interests. An avid reader of a variety of genres, such as mystery, memoir, chick lit, true crime, and some YA Lit, she also enjoys writing when she feels the need to be creative. Keeping up with a popular blog http://frogdiva.com, Tonya and her husband also enjoy discovering new restaurants, especially local, non-chain establishments. They also have a dog named Shelton who is quite a star on Facebook with his own Fan Page.

One of Tonya’s favorite activities has been mentoring a Little Sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2009. She’s now 11 years old and Tonya said her lil’ sis has truly been a blessing in her life. A fun side note about Tonya: she is often known as being a huge fan of bacon, and she says she has no problem with that label!

Tonya has lots to look forward to in the coming months. Her husband has a conference in April that he attends every year in Las Vegas, and Tonya gets to go along with him as a vacation for herself. “We have friends who live in Las Vegas, so I always have plenty to do while there, including shopping and finding adventures,” she says.
Tonya and her husband were married on Leap Day (February 29th) 2012 and together they are planning a big trip every 4 years when there actually is a February 29th to celebrate their very special anniversary. Coming up in 2016, they are planning their Leap Day wedding anniversary to be in Hawaii.

Tonya became a member of the Little Black Dress Club in October of 2012. In discussing her LBDC membership Tonya says, “I looked into joining the LBDC a year prior to actually joining when I saw it on Meetup. There were several time conflicts for me, as well as general concern that I wouldn’t fit in or the group wouldn’t accept me. I kept talking myself out of going until Game Night in October was announced on the Meetup page, and I talked my co-worker into going with me so that I could escape if I felt uncomfortable. Needless to say, I was incredibly wrong in my assumptions about the group, and felt welcomed before the first event was over.” Tonya has enjoyed several outings with the LBDC since our first game night. She says she loves that even though we all have different ages, lives and backgrounds, we seem to all click when we’re together. “I couldn’t think of a more fabulous group of women I’d enjoy finding adventures with” she says.

“I tell many women about the LBDC and maybe it’s not for everyone, but I can’t help but feel like they are missing out by not joining” Tonya said. Her favorite quote happens to be one by Tom Petty; “Most things I worry about never happen anyway.”

I’m a huge Tom Petty fan too, Tonya. Great quote and so true. Thanks for being in our spotlight and thanks for bringing such fun to the Nashville Chapter. Our group would not be the same without you in it!

- Shay Ashcraft
National Director, LBDC

In The Spotlight - Molly Burroughs

It’s time for another member spotlight this week! Molly Burroughs from our Columbus, OH chapter is center stage today!

This 41 year old married LBDC member works as a licensed massage therapist. While Molly loves her job, she does make time for a few hobbies. An avid hiker, Molly also shares a love for all things outdoors; taking a bike ride or just spending time in her yard gardening, she also enjoys curling up with a good book.

Molly joined the Little Black Dress Club nearly 5 months ago and has already grown attached to her new girlfriends. Looking to meet new people, make new friends and try new things, the LBDC has provided Molly with all that and more. She has really enjoyed getting together and having fun with other women.

Molly believes that life happens for you, not to you. So, she embraces all that life, and the Little Black Dress Club, has to offer her.

Thanks for being in the spotlight, Molly!

-Shay Ashcraft

Social Media Director, LBDC

In The Spotlight - Heather Zahn

It’s time once again for a new member spotlight! This time it’s 35 year old Heather Ann Zahn from our Columbus, OH chapter.

Heather is happily married with no kids, YET! She and her husband Dennis have been married for four years and just found out that they are going to be having a bundle of joy soon. Congratulations!

 

Heather has made a profession out of being a domestic diva, but she also loves to cook, bake and swim. One of her favorite outdoor adventures is hiking at Scioto Trails in Chillicothe, Ohio.

New to LBDC, Heather has only been a member for about 6 months. She joined the club to meet new people, make new friends and to have an opportunity to get a lil dressed up every now and then! Heather always dresses with style (and feathers)!

Heather says she loves her director and co director and that she always looks forward to everyones company at events. Columbus Director, Rachel Blankenship, says “Heather brings life to the party! She’s so much fun to be around!

Sounds like you fit in perfectly, Heather. Thanks for being in the spotlight!

In The Spotlight - Sherry Tellier

It's that time again: Time for another great Member Spotlight! This time we are celebrating Sherry Tellier from our Nashville Chapter.

Sherry is a proud mother of two daughters and a grandmother to one grandson. She moved from upstate NY all the way down south nearly 20 years ago. Sherry is very much looking forward to returning home to NY next fall to attend her class reunion, see some of her old friends and enjoy the Adirondack experience.

Working as the Accounting Manager for Embassy Dental in Nashville with seven dental offices to maintain, Sherry stays very busy but loves the challenge of her job. When she finds herself with a day off or some time to spare she loves to go for a good hike, do some cooking, take in a good movie, or read a book.

Sherry joined LBDC 3 years ago and when asked for her thoughts on the club, she had this to say: “When I moved to a new area of Nashville to be closer to my job, I was hoping to make new friends and pursue new experiences. The Little Black Dress Club has enabled me to achieve those goals and so much more. I’ve made friendships that I know will last a lifetime and tried so many new things I’ve always wanted to do but never had a chance.”

While her dream trip would be taking a plane to Europe, Sherry is very much looking forward to the Glamping Trip that the Nashville Chapter has planned in January. There is definitely something appealing about packing a dozen high maintenance women in a cabin in the woods with a martini bar and a DVD player!

Thanks for being in our spotlight this month, Sherry! We are glad to have you!

 

 

 

 

In The Spotlight - Erin Northrop

Today the spotlight shines on 28 year old Erin Northrop from our Columbus, Ohio chapter.

Erin is happily married and is the proud pup parent to a sweet dog named Bella. In her spare time, Erin loves to read and watch movies. Exercise is always at the top of Erin’s list as she loves to work out, zumba being among her favs, take walks with Bella, and even do gymnastics!        
               
Erin and her husband are excitedly planning their next vacation. All though it’s a ways off, during the summer of 2014 the Northrop family will be traveling to Europe!

While Erin is new to LBDC, she just recently became a member a few weeks ago, she says that she joined the club because she was looking to make some new friends with like interests and similar hobbies. Erin is great at meeting new people and loves a challenge. Doing things she has never done before excites her, which is one of the things she loves about the LBDC. After the Columbus chapter recently took a weekend long road trip to meet up with chapters from Louisville, KY and Nashville, TN, she knew immediately that she had found the right group of ladies to become friends with!

The Little Black Dress Club is certainly glad you found us, Erin. Welcome to our club and thanks for being in the spotlight!

In The Spotlight - Victoria Johnston

In the spotlight this week is 39 year old Victoria Johnston from our Phoenix, Arizona chapter.

Victoria is happily married with a 16 year old daughter and a 13 year old son. Having teenagers in the house makes for lots of excitement, I’m sure!

Victoria works full-time as a Program Manager for a technology based engineering firm, yet still makes time for her hobbies and her favorite charities. She devotes lots of attention to fundraising through the Jr. League of Phoenix which is focused on making a difference in the community. When she isn’t fundraising and working with her charities, Victoria loves taking pictures, candle making, and vintage couture fashion.

Victoria and her husband are currently busy planning a beach getaway  with a group of close friends in celebration of a certain “milestone” birthday. Among the suggested locales for this special event are warm sandy beaches in Florida or perhaps even the Caribbean! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate a milestone than with sand between my toes!

Being a member of the LBDC for 2 years, Victoria said she joined the club to meet some other ladies with similar interests as her own. Women who like going out to places around the Valley for some fun. Victoria said, “What I love most about this awesome group of ladies is that even when life has kept me away from events for a while, they welcome me back to the club each time like I’ve never missed a beat.”

In her job, teaching her kids, and in the charity work that is so important to Victoria, she tries to remember the following mantra from Sandra Day O’Conner:  “Do the best you can in every task, no matter how unimportant it may seem at the time.  No one learns more about a problem, than the person at the bottom.”

Those are great words to live by, Victoria. Thanks for being in our spotlight this week!

In The Spotlight - Tina Moran

One of the very first members of our Tracy, CA chapter, this week’s pick for Member Spotlight is Tina Moran!

Mom to a 21 year old son named Nathan, as well as an 18 year old daughter named Lisa Marie, Tina stays busy and is always on the go! Working as a Business Systems Analyst for Preferred Alliance, she says she loves to travel. On her bucket list of desired vacays Tina would love to cruise Alaska again or experience Europe for the first time.

In her spare time, Tina loves spending time with her family. Caring for her spunky 83 year old father gives her great joy as does spending as much time as she can with Nathan and Lisa Marie. A devoted member of Crossroads Church, Tina says that music is a great passion of hers. While she is not a singer and doesn’t play an instrument, she is a self-proclaimed “Groupie” when it comes to her favorite bands! From Chopin to Linkin Park and a few local bands in Tracy, Tina loves to dance! During her downtime, Tina pampers herself at the Peppermill Spa and Resort in Reno, NV. Her favorite time of year to visit Reno is in the winter so she can ride the Amtrak thru the sierra mountains. What a great vacay that would be!

Tina says she  joined the group hoping to meet kindred spirits. Youthful minded women who love life and who enjoy the many blessings of being a woman. She says it has been just that and more!  Tina talks about the amazing women she has met and how much she admires that age, culture, race, financial status, marital status, kids – no kids… for the LBDC there are no requirements to join. Tina had this to say about the Little Black Dress Club; “The diversity is exciting and refreshing. I always come away with a great experience and wonderful memories. There are very few reasons not to discover wonderful experiences within the Little Black Dress organization. It’s a wonderful, safe and exciting group to meet classy women of all ages.  So let’s dress up, put on our LBD’s  and celebrate being a part of an elite group of fun loving women!”

We love you too, Tina! Thanks for being in our spotlight this week!

In The Spotlight - Amy Campoli

Amy Campoli is a 36 year old, single lady in our Nashville chapter.

For the last 7 years Amy has worked as the Membership Coordinator at Tennessee Health Care Association. THCA is a non-profit organization specializing in providing education and lobbying for nursing homes and long term care facilities throughout Tennessee.

During her down time, Amy loves to read books. Thrillers, murder mysteries and suspense novels are her favorites. Amy is an admitted reality TV junkie, currently hooked on the Real Housewives and Keeping Up With the Kardashians! She has also learned to can her own fruits and veggies and has spent lots of time during the summer making her own sauces and jams.

Amy loves to travel and plans most of her road trips to see her family in her home town of Rochester, NY.

Amy has been an LBDC member for almost 2 years. In 2011 her New Year’s resolution was to try new things and meet new people, to break out of her comfort zone. She joined the LBDC and has made many new friends and attended events that she never would have otherwise. Amy’s favorite part of being a member are the free movie screenings and all the free swag that comes along with them! The occasional goodie bags stocked with all sorts of fun items are on the top of her favorites list as well!

Amy feels that it is important for her to recruit as many friends as she can to join the Little Black Dress Club. She recruited me (It’s me! Shay Ashcraft!) and has been spreading the word about LBDC every chance she gets. She feels that friendship among women is important and is something that we all value. It’s also a lot of fun, Amy, we have the pictures to prove it! When spreading the word about our organization, Amy tells people to take a chance. You only live once!

True words, Amy! Thanks for being in our spotlight this week! 

In The Spotlight - KrisTina Berry

KrisTina Berry is a 32 year old busy member of our Louisville, KY chapter. She and long time boyfriend, Charles, are parents to 2 fur babies! Ben, 11 and Cassie, 10.

KrisTina is currently a super busy employee holding down two jobs! She is an office assistant at Steel Technologies, as well as a customer service associate at Kohls Department Store.

During her spare time KrisTina loves to read and do crafts while always making time for exercise. Zumba and yoga are among her favorites when it's time to burn those extra calories!

KrisTina and her family recently returned from a much needed trip to Myrtle Beach, and are already planning their next vacay to the West Coast. Take us with you, KrisTina!

KrisTina joined the LBDC a year ago looking to meet new, adventurous women while trying different activities throughout the Louisville area. She says she has enjoyed meeting each and every one of her fellow LBDC members and is always looking forward to the next event!

In the Spotlight - Suzy Hicks

Suzy Hicks is a 34 year old married mom of 2 from our Columbus, OH chapter. She and her husband are parents to a 6 year old daughter and a 1 year old son. I bet they keep you guys busy!

Suzy works as a Director of Marketing during the day, and on her off time she loves to go shopping, read a good book, exercise and spend time with her family.

Suzy travels a lot with her job and can be found in Las Vegas at a minimum of 3 times a year. The Hicks family is currently busy planning a Disney Cruise vacation! Maybe she can recruit Minnie Mouse into the LBDC!

In The Spotlight - Nancy Hepner

Nancy Hepner, originally from Melbourne, Florida, has lived in Annapolis, Maryland for seven years where she joined the Annapolis chapter of the LBDC.

Nancy joined the Air Force 13 years ago and spent the first five years in Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska before being transferred to Andrews AFB, Maryland. Her current position in the Air force is Flight Attendant on Air Force Two. Her passengers include Vice President Joe Biden as well as high ranking government officials including the Speaker of the House, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of State.

Some of Nancy's favorite hobbies are traveling, sailing, scrap-booking, and of course, attending Little Black Dress Club events!

We are proud to have Nancy in this week's "Member Spotlight."

In The Spotlight - LaDonna Gaines

LaDonna Gaines is a 28 year old vivacious woman in the LBDC Nashville, TN chapter. She was born in Pisa, Italy and moved to Nashville from Birmingham, AL 4 years ago.

LaDonna currently works as a medical case manager with Travelers Insurance. She is also a Certified Specialist of Poison Information with the TN Poison Center.

LaDonna loves reading, walking, cross-stitching and latch-hooking. She also loves to travel and learning to cook new foods. LaDonna just returned from a trip to Hawaii and is excitedly planning trips to DC, Vegas and a cruise!

LaDonna says that she has been really happy being an LBDC member for almost 2 years. She loves the social activities, meeting new people, and the great events. She says her favorite perks of membership are the discounts, free movies and goodie bags!

When asked for any words of wisdom or final thoughts during her interview, LaDonna said “Live life to the fullest. You never know what tomorrow may bring.” Great words of wisdom, LaDonna! We are proud to have you in this week’s “Member Spotlight.”

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