Kindred Spirits: Davidson Brings Single Women Together For Fellowship and Support

Davidson Brings Single Women Together For Fellowship and Support

BY » Jean Spangler

When I moved to Davidson a little over three years ago, I was retired from a long career in advertising and marketing. Although I loved my work, at 65 I was tired of the daily grind and stress.

Prior to my retirement and move, I led a full life that included women friends I’d made throughout my life. There was seldom a day that I didn’t connect with one of them. Yet, as most of us know, things can change on a dime and sadly, friendships become the casualties of our circumstances.

When I decided to move to Davidson, all I knew was that it was“the place off I-77 on the lake.” Two years into living in Davidson I had discovered the town of my dreams with a unique vibe, great neighbors and a community that pulls together in so many ways. However, I still missed my “tribe” of single women friends now scattered all over the country.

I went to bed one night deep in thought as to how to go about meeting more women in a similar situation - over 50 and single. I posted a message on NextDoor that read: “If you are a woman over 50 and are widowed, divorced or never married and need a new tribe, private message me.”

I awoke the next morning to more than 25 women who were as eager as I to meet new people. While the reasons that drew them to Davidson were both similar and different, they all shared my hope that this would be a place where they too could build a new “tribe of friends.”

In June 2019 I hosted approximately 25 women at my home who had responded to my NextDoor message. One was Karen Stewart, a widow and a retired software writer that I discovered lived just a block away. The first meeting revolved around a discussion about what we wanted the purpose of the group to be. It was decided that the main goal would be to build friendships and to share and enjoy events in and around Davidson. At that first meeting, we decided to call our organization “Kindred Spirits: Davidson.” The organization also was formed to be a support network for each other during the good times and bad.

Karen, being the group’s “techie” designed and developed our private Facebook page, only open to members.

One of our first outings was to Davidson College’s Holiday Concert. Another event was enjoying cocktails while watching the Davidson Christmas Parade from the comfort of a local restaurant with a perfect view of the parade route.

Then members who had no plans for Thanksgiving or Christmas found solace in other members in the same boat and joined forces for holiday potlucks.

Cathy Tisdale, a retired CEO of a national nonprofit, is one of the group’s original members. “I was newly retired and just arrived in Davidson when Jean posted the June 2019 invitation that created my path for making a new group of friends and acquaintances. It’s much harder to establish yourself when you no longer make friends through your children’s parents, or a group of professional colleagues, or an existing group of “old” friends. Kindred Spirits created a path for so many of us,” says Cathy.

Another member, Pam Foltz said she wanted to meet women brave enough to show up at a party hosted by a stranger. “I am glad I did,” says Foltz “because I’ve made some trusted friends who have helped me find new adventures and share good times.”

Prior to COVID, the group had monthly gatherings at someone’s home, and then smaller outings to movies, festivals and other events. When COVID hit, things stopped on a dime, yet, this new “community of friends,” could now support each other through those awful months. Never was it a more important time for staying connected. The group had two, “Happy Hour” zoom calls and members stayed connected through its Facebook page.

Although activities for Kindred Spirits are suspended because of COVID, if you would like to learn more about the organization, send your name, address, email and telephone number to jeanspangler165@ gmail.com who will contact you when gatherings resume.

Meet Jean Spangler, creator of the organization Kindred Spirits: Davidson.