President
LETTER FROM THE OUTGOING
A few weeks ago, I was reminded of the fable of The Willow and The Oak: In the same field stand both a mighty oak tree and a willow tree. The willow tree envies the power and strength that the oak tree possesses. One day a storm, with whipping winds and torrential rain, makes its way through the field. After the storm passes, the willow tree notices that the oak tree has fallen over in the storm. In a state of confusion, she asks the farmer what happened to the oak tree. The farmer tells the willow tree that although the oak was mighty and solid, it was also rigid and inflexible and when the winds were too much for it to resist, the oak tree collapsed under the pressure. The willow thought about herself for a minute. She realized that her ability to survive the storm was due to her flexibility and adaptability as she was able to bend with the wind to weather the storm.
I am thankful to have been surrounded by a forest of willows this last year—elegant and mighty women who
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Saige Solomon
stand tall but are easily able to adapt and be flexible under pressure. Because of all of you, the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier remains strong and relevant and continues to impact this community in a powerful way, regardless of the challenges we face. Because of you, we were able to serve children at the Boys and Girls Club of America last summer through Health Literacy; we were able to connect and mentor young women through the VOA and MAGIC; we were able to share lifesaving safety information with community members far and wide during Super Safety September; we were able to get creative STEAM projects into the hands of area school children through Artist for a Day; we were able to train middle school girls to start their own small business through Safe Sitter; and we were able to NEVER miss a distribution day AND expand our client base and offerings through the Red Apron Pantry. You all inspire me, and it has been a joy and incredible honor to serve as your President. I’ll be honest. There were times over the past year that I wasn’t sure I’d make it to this point—writing to our membership as the “outgoing president.” I am not sure how it is possible for time to pass so slowly but also fly by simulta-
