June 28, 2013 - My last day as an advertising professional in New York. It was a bitter sweet day as I was leaving a company I loved (and help found) because at 55 I knew I couldn't continue doing the same thing until retirement. I needed something new to get me excited and energized about my own life.
I'm in a unique position. At 55, I'm a single gay man, I have no debt and I have saved my money where I can take a year off to give back. A year of service.
So, I left New York and moved to Austin, TX where I will be a volunteer at The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders. Why this school? Well, I was lucky and privileged to have worked on the advertising campaign of the Broadway play Ann starring Holland Taylor. Ann Richards is a hero of mine. I remember her 1988 speech at the Democratic National Convention and thought this woman is amazing. She did not disappoint and we need more like her. And while working on the play, I learned that this school existed. I love its mission statement (getting its graduates into college, teaching young women how to have a balanced and full life, lead with courage & compassion and, my personal favorite, learn to solve problems creatively and ethically! We need more problem solvers!!).
But there were other motivators that lead me here. I read Sonia Sotomayor's book, My Beloved World (amazing!!). The New York Times ran a story when the 2013/14 Senate session started with a record 20 women. It noted that they were better at building consensus than their male colleagues. But what really struck me and gave me direction was when a co-worker and friend at the ad agency asked me to mentor her daughter. I was truly honored and touched by her request but asked her why me? And she said "well, she likes you. She asks about you and she thinks you're funny but when I was her age I was afraid of white men and she's not. I want to encourage that." A truly powerful moment.
So, it is now August 24 and I already have two half days behind me as a volunteer... and I truly feel needed. My first day I helped one teacher set up her class room. It was manual labor but it felt great. She felt guilty asking me to do all this work (probably because of my age) but I could see that I was helping her save time. It was rewarding. Yesterday, I helped one teacher move equipment from one class room (which was outside the main school building) and move it to her current assigned room. Again, a lot of manual labor but it needed to be done and she has more important things to do then move equipment. Finished the day in the front office helping create individual packets for all the students on their 1st day of school which is Monday. It was kind of frantic but organized with a group of women who were a complete delight. Dedicated, professional, warm and funny.
Monday is the first day of school and my new adventure will truly begin. It will be unique but I am so looking forward to it.
