The Strength of Women

You may not know this, but not all of our magazine staff live near WA’s Global Headquarters in Boulder, CO. Several of us work remotely from far-flung locations and have never met each other. Phones are okay, email is nice, but nothing beats a face-to-face chat to really communicate and build relationships.

So, we had our first ever “annual planning session/staff retreat” together in Boulder last month. Everyone rearranged schedules, found child-care or pup care, and came by planes, trains, and automobiles to rendezvous at the foot of the Flatirons in Colorado. Our founder, Michelle, and our office manager, Lynne, swarmed like ants to get ready for our arrival. Armed with the many excellent suggestions sent in by you, dear readers, we plotted out the new year for Women’s Adventure. Of course, we were aided by lots of chocolate, good food, music floating across the meadow from nearby Chautauqua, hikes up to the Flatirons, and gorgeous weather.

After all the serious business was finished, the last item on the agenda was our wish lists. Without any limitations, we told what our wildest dreams were for ourselves in relation to Women’s Adventure. There were all the usual wishes for bigger budgets and more help, but what came through loud and clear was the degree of dedication every woman felt for our publication. We believe Women’s Adventure is unique and worthy of that dedication, beyond long hours and small budgets.

I left our retreat enriched by the strength of women when they work toward a common goal, by their strength in being able to communicate and reach understanding, by their wit, humor and practicality. I think you will be just as enriched by the upcoming year of Women’s Adventure.