About 20 years ago, I was approached to become a Branch Advisor at my church, the Memorial Church of St. Luke, in Philadelphia, PA. My daughter was a teenager and I felt that she might benefit from joining. The rest is history! I was able to utilize my teaching and craft skills with our girls. I have served in many ways in the Diocese of PA and served as president of the GFS/USA board from 2010 – 2013. What I value most are all the women that I have met. Their dedication, spirituality, and resolve have been a model for myself as well as the young women and girls in GFS. The opportunity to mentor young girls appealed to me. I really feel that I have grown as much as any of the young women I have worked with. Attending World Council in 2008 changed me forever, by giving me a new global view that has impacted me in countless ways. It never ceases to amaze me how the GFS mission works to provide the common ground that energizes so many to work together despite our cultural differences. I am so grateful to those women who first offered me the chance to become a leader!