Standing Room only for Women in Winthrop

Special to the Transcript

The raw rainy weather did not keep folks away last Saturday as women and girls  \of all ages, along with a few men, packed the Hazlett room of Winthrop library. 

All came out for the inaugural forum organized by Winthrop working together: Women in Winthrop. The goal of the event was to give attendees the opportunity to acquaint themselves with just a handful of the women that lead the way in town government, civil service, business and  civic engagement. 

Despite the formal looking format including panelists Hannah Belcher – Winthrop Town Council Vice President, Tracey Honan- former town councilor, current business owner, Lieutenant Mary Crisafi – Winthrop Police Department, Meredith Hurley – Director – Winthrop Public Health Department, Nicole Bettano – Lantern Residential, and Clara Arroyave – Entrepreneur, the event took on a conversational tempo “…going beyond the 60 second  elevator speech” as described by moderator Celeste Ribeiro Hewitt.

Panelists did a deep dive as they reflected on their journeys, many of which were atypical. They covered topics, including what inspired them on their chosen path, how we could encourage and support other folks, particularly women to pursue similar careers and some things that may have surprised them along the way. The interplay  between panelists and moderator drew in the audience and garnered lots of head nods and laughs as they seized this opportunity to not only familiarize the audience to them in their stories, but lots of other unknown facts, tidbits and anecdotes about Winthrop.

Truly opportunities for learning and shared experience were limitless. Clara Arroyave coined the acronym NFW while describing what it’s like to get your bearings as someone who was  not originally from Winthrop, while Meredith Hurley discussed being installed as the head of the department of public health just prior to the onset of the pandemic and Lieutenant Mary Crisafi shared just how dynamic the role of a Winthrop police officer is.

“Women in Winthrop” proved to be a very dynamic and much needed opportunity for folks who may orbit each other in some degree of service to the town, to share their stories and get to know one another along with other Winthrop residents. Unanimous takeaways that were echoed by organizers panelists and attendees  were that they “… had no idea what to expect but… feels like I’m walking away with six new BFFs”

Kudos go out to Winthrop Working Together, including Cassie Witthaus, Scott Mahoney Wright, Lee Foley and Julia Wallerce for their vision and organizing.  Clearly folks are looking forward to the next topical forum.

“Women in Winthrop” was recorded and will be posted online by WCAT soon. To learn more about Winthrop Working Together, visit their Facebook page and/or contact them at Winthroptogether@gmail.com