Honor the women of wisdom in your life

I’ll never forget the moment last year when Myrt Burnett learned that she had been selected as a Woman of Wisdom.

It was “Friends and Family” night at Sandpoint’s Bridge for Assisted Living. After dining with my mother, I hung around, hoping for a phone call from Women Honoring Women chair Kathy Chambers.

The call came. Myrt had been chosen.

Kathy and nearly two dozen other Women Honoring Women board members, listening on the speaker phone, were clearly jubilant while waiting to share the good news with Myrt.

I ran downstairs to Myrt’s apartment where she and family members sat visiting.

When my cell phone rang again, I immediately handed it to Myrt.

At the other end, Kathy congratulated the longtime Oden resident for being chosen as one of five 2011 Women of Wisdom.

As Myrt listened to Kathy explain the WOW program, Burnett family members and friends in the room beamed with pride. Some wept tears of joy.

That same evening Barbara Eacret, Helen Tapp, Jane Gould and Sally Transue also received calls.

“Most are speechless,” Kathy Chambers says. “They never feel deserving of the honor, which always makes for a fun challenge to the committee to convince them.

“‘I am not wise,’ or ‘I haven’t done anything big to deserve this recognition,’ are commonly heard responses from women first learning of the honor.

WOW honorees represent all walks of life. Their “resumés” range from highly visible shakers and doers to quiet, behind-the-scenes angels.

“It’s not the big things but the small everyday things that matter to us (when making selections),” Kathy explains.

In 2011, these five women’s lives changed forever, as have those of dozens of prior recipients since founder Marsha Ogilvie and friends started the Women of Wisdom program in 1998.

Some aspects of the annual celebration have changed but certainly not the passion, excitement, elements of surprise, classy celebrations or overall joy associated with the program.

When making selections, the committee considers a nominee’s inspiration to others, her sense of commitment and leadership to chosen causes, her selfless but meaningful contributions to the community, her continued interest in education and her strength while facing hardships — to name a few.

During WOW season, it’s hard to tell who’s having more fun: the women honored or those honoring them.

Committee members take on various roles in organizing the WOW activities. Events include a get-acquainted luncheon for honorees, the annual gala at Tango Café (this year Saturday, June 16) for honorees, their families and friends, and a fall tea.

Each year new friendships and deep-felt admiration for the honorees energize WHW committee members.

“For me, it is celebrating the spirit of the heart of each woman doing what she sees as ordinary,” says WHW board member Diane Arrants. ‘Many have no idea how extraordinary their efforts are. What I love most, is being in the company of these women. Their humility and love is effortless. You can almost touch it.”

With that in mind, it’s time to nominate 2012 Women of Wisdom. During the next few weeks, WOW nomination forms will appear several times in the Daily Bee or online at www.bonnercountywomenofwisdom.shutterfly.com.

Letters of support, outlining specific reasons why nominees deserve the honor need to submitted by Friday, April 6, to Women Honoring Women, c/o 1481 Wrenco Loop Road, Sandpoint, ID 83864 or by email to Kari Saccomanno at WomenHonoringWomen@gmail.com.

We look forward to reviewing this year’s nominations and helping the magic happen for the 2012 Women of Wisdom.