Amy Campbell, Suzanne Rowland, Susan Hammer, Melissa Dawson
Co-chairs Sharon Roberson and Ellen Jacobs
Carol Womack, Ellen Green, Mary Raymond, Tom Curtis, Drew Berg
Laurie Ann Goldman, Agenia Clark
Confidence boost The Girl Scouts Luncheon welcomes Spanx CEO Laurie Ann Goldman
Tina Boone, Sherry McElrath
A
nyone familiar with the phrase “courage, confidence and character” will recognize it as the mission of the Girl Scouts of America. The organization is famous for building these traits in young women across the country. The same could also be said, however, for an entirely different type of corporation: Spanx. The worldwide manufacturer of slimming apparel has been known to give women an extra dose of self-confidence and bravery when it comes to fashion selections. The two female-centric entities came together for a late summer luncheon at the brand new Music City Center. The Davidson Ballroom was packed for the annual Girl Scouts Luncheon, a celebration of the life-changing impact the organization has on young women on a regional and national scale. Co-chairs Sharon Roberson and Ellen Jacobs organized the event, which boasted an impressive turnout and an even more impressive special guest, Spanx CEO Laurie Ann Goldman. The smart and sassy businesswoman and mother of three—hilariously introduced by Ellen as “helping women win the battle against muffin top, bottom drop and back fat”—inspired the crowd with personal anecdotes about her professional successes and setbacks. The crowd also drew inspiration from Jill Bader, a former Nashville Girl Scout, whose long career in politics was started due to the skills and relationships she developed while in the program. Continuing the motivational tales, Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee’s president and CEO Agenia Clark shared the stories of two Gold Award recipients: local teens who put their passion and resources to work to further a cause important to them. The beautiful mums on each table and the tasty lunch—a strawberry salad followed by peach barbecue chicken—were a nod to fall’s imminent arrival, although the blazing hot temperatures outside did little to support the notion. As the luncheon came to a close, the ladies—and gentlemen—in the audience were treated to a surprise: a $50 gift card to Spanx, a welcome accompaniment to the box of Thin Mints passed out to attendees as favors. Now we can have our cookies and look fabulous, too!
Jill Bader, Beth Alexander
Alice Steinkamp, Maria Elekes, Grace Davis, Caroline McGee, Michelle Sidwell, Lauren Levy
NANCY FLOYD PHOTOGRAPHS BY SINCLAIR KELLY
40 >> OCTOBER 2013 | nfocusnashville.com
Laurie Eskind, Sandra Lipman, Julia Landstreet, Joyce Vise