As I sit here awake (and sick) way too early for a Saturday morning, I think to myself how fortunate I am to be able to not only work at the Women's Center, but to be surrounded by such positive and empowering people on an almost daily basis. Yesterday was a testimony to my sentiments expressed here now. As I sat in the lounge casually having a conversation with a few visitors, I realized how important it was for every person to be able to feel this way. When I say "this way", I mean to feel a sense of acceptance and community. Sure, you can experience this almost anywhere, but when you have a concentration of folks--and of various backgrounds--who share the same positive energy and supportive attitudes together in one place, even on your worst day, you feel like you could take on just about anything. I would just like to send a shout-out to the entire Women's Center community for making this space such a nurturing and trusting one for me.

Thanks to the faces that I'm so privileged to be given the opportunity see on a regular basis in the center:

Raissa, Mah, Erin, Jon, Matt, Bianca, Phoebe, Raphie, Loren, Jasmin, Janet, Marylin, Patricia, Marwa, Molly, Shomaila

Thank you to Lisa Gray, Dawn Biehler, Alison Rohrbach and Delana Gregg for always being so supportive of the center and being constant figures at the Mothers Meetings! A special welcome to newcomer Maureen!

A special thanks to Alison Rohrbach & Pritmy "Mickey" Arora of University Health Services, Lisa Gray of the Mosaic Center, and Janet McGlynn, director of Communication and Outreach,  for your constant support and desire to collaborate with the Women's Center.

Thank you Diane Lee (my boss's boss and ultimately my boss, lol) for understanding the importance of the center and for always having a smile on your face.

Thanks to Andrea DeSantis for always making coming to pick up my money an even more pleasant experience by forever being in what seems to be a "happy" mood.

A thanks to Dr. Sara Poggio, faculty of the MLLI Dept. and new board member of the Women's Center advisory board, for coming becoming involved with the center. Thanks for your support!

A special thanks to all the returning women for giving non-traditional-aged students a sense of community at UMBC! A welcome to newcomers, Janet and Megan.

Thanks to Prianca, Jasmin, and Kimberly for your conversation on Friday!

Thank you, Jess Myers, acting director of the center, and Galina Portnoy, coordinator, for always welcoming our ideas and being super supportive of the staff. Also thanks for recognizing and encouraging our individual talents!

Thanks to Eryl, Lisa, and Lizzy for being such a great team to work with. Also would like to welcome newcomer, Max, who's decided to come on board as a staff member.

I noticed that a couple of students mentioned on their Bucket Lists (things to do before graduating) wanting to visit the Women's Center. I've been at UMBC for quite some time now and had never visited the center prior to applying for a position there last year. Reflecting back, I wonder why I had never visited prior to this time. Being a commuter student and a mother, I guess I just thought to myself that I simply didn't have the time to visit places or get involved on campus, however I regret not having done so, especially in regards to the Women's Center. Now that graduation is approaching soon, I've never felt so connected to the UMBC community. I've also made life-long friends at the center. If you're reading this and have never visited, then find the time to do so. It might not change anything for you, but chances are it will.