Diva Cafe
Women's Networking and Social Community
How would you define Diva? Tell me about a true Diva moment.
By Webster's definition, a Diva is ""the female lead in opera.""
But, by my standards, I look at a Diva as being "" a woman who is not afraid to step out of her comfort zone and push her limits to do something different, and not just do it to get it done, but to do it with confidence, attitude, style, grace, etc...""
I"m wondering what it means to each of you... how do you define Diva? I'd love to hear about some of your "Diva moments" and the story behind it.
One of my greatest Diva moments was when I first started my charity, Madelyn's Closet.
Madelyn's Closet is a NPO that collects clothing, household items, etc.... and gives them freely to the needy. We don't set terms as to who is needy and who isn't, we just help and give to anyone we can.
I started this charity in October 2007, out of the basement of my home. I obtained a lawyer who worked pro bono (making her a Diva in my book) and went to work collecting items, and giving them out. My very own Momma made the first huge clothing donation when she cleaned out her closets for the first time in over 20 years. Then, the rest of the women in my family followed suit (more Divas shining bright).
It started small, helping one or two families here and there.... Finally, I had a venue... I partnered with a church organization and an American Legion hall who was doing a food give away. While I didn't have nearly enough clothing to pull off an event so large, I just kept the faith and believed I would have by the time the day came.
Meanwhile, I had to have a couple meetings with the Minister of the church with whom I had partnered. He was tough as nails, and very skeptical that one lady and her van could pull this off. He did make an agreement with me, however. If I could pull off this first event, and prove myself to him, his church, and the AL post to which he belonged, going forward, they would also help collect clothing and begin to support my charity.
The old phrase "never let them see you sweat" really applied now. I knew, as I sat there, I did not have enough clothing on hand to pull this off. My inner Diva stepped up to the challenge.
I quickly pulled volunteers together, spread the work thru other organizations to which I belonged, and posted notices on every virtual and real bulletin board I possibly could.
Sure enough, my faith and works were rewarded and about 6 days before my "big give" event was set to happen, I got a huge donation. A charity in town had been sending me so many clients one or two at a time, that they closed down their own clothing closet and gave me 100% of their inventory. On top of that, the local Goodwill Industries employees all cleaned their closets and called me in to do several large pick ups at their headquarters.
Goodwill Ind. asked me to partner with them to help their clients get clothing for their Back To Work programs as did Michigan Works. I was amazed at what was happening.
The day of the "big give" arrived and I began to take my full inventory to the venue. Once I finished, brought my last load, the minister caught my attention for a minute and told me.... "Okay, Berniceann, you have proven yourself, next time you want to do an event, you will have the full support of our church, and the AL post."
I was thrilled. My inner Diva sang with joy, danced the happy dance, and my outer self very calmly said, "Thank you very much, I was sure we were going to be able to work it all out."
In this one moment, where I had to prove myself to this tough-as-nails ex-marine, I had succeeded beyond my wildest dreams. I had pulled it off, and not just "gotten it done" but really did it with style, grace, and a heck of a lot of sweat, hard work, and attitude.
But, by my standards, I look at a Diva as being "" a woman who is not afraid to step out of her comfort zone and push her limits to do something different, and not just do it to get it done, but to do it with confidence, attitude, style, grace, etc...""
I"m wondering what it means to each of you... how do you define Diva? I'd love to hear about some of your "Diva moments" and the story behind it.
One of my greatest Diva moments was when I first started my charity, Madelyn's Closet.
Madelyn's Closet is a NPO that collects clothing, household items, etc.... and gives them freely to the needy. We don't set terms as to who is needy and who isn't, we just help and give to anyone we can.
I started this charity in October 2007, out of the basement of my home. I obtained a lawyer who worked pro bono (making her a Diva in my book) and went to work collecting items, and giving them out. My very own Momma made the first huge clothing donation when she cleaned out her closets for the first time in over 20 years. Then, the rest of the women in my family followed suit (more Divas shining bright).
It started small, helping one or two families here and there.... Finally, I had a venue... I partnered with a church organization and an American Legion hall who was doing a food give away. While I didn't have nearly enough clothing to pull off an event so large, I just kept the faith and believed I would have by the time the day came.
Meanwhile, I had to have a couple meetings with the Minister of the church with whom I had partnered. He was tough as nails, and very skeptical that one lady and her van could pull this off. He did make an agreement with me, however. If I could pull off this first event, and prove myself to him, his church, and the AL post to which he belonged, going forward, they would also help collect clothing and begin to support my charity.
The old phrase "never let them see you sweat" really applied now. I knew, as I sat there, I did not have enough clothing on hand to pull this off. My inner Diva stepped up to the challenge.
I quickly pulled volunteers together, spread the work thru other organizations to which I belonged, and posted notices on every virtual and real bulletin board I possibly could.
Sure enough, my faith and works were rewarded and about 6 days before my "big give" event was set to happen, I got a huge donation. A charity in town had been sending me so many clients one or two at a time, that they closed down their own clothing closet and gave me 100% of their inventory. On top of that, the local Goodwill Industries employees all cleaned their closets and called me in to do several large pick ups at their headquarters.
Goodwill Ind. asked me to partner with them to help their clients get clothing for their Back To Work programs as did Michigan Works. I was amazed at what was happening.
The day of the "big give" arrived and I began to take my full inventory to the venue. Once I finished, brought my last load, the minister caught my attention for a minute and told me.... "Okay, Berniceann, you have proven yourself, next time you want to do an event, you will have the full support of our church, and the AL post."
I was thrilled. My inner Diva sang with joy, danced the happy dance, and my outer self very calmly said, "Thank you very much, I was sure we were going to be able to work it all out."
In this one moment, where I had to prove myself to this tough-as-nails ex-marine, I had succeeded beyond my wildest dreams. I had pulled it off, and not just "gotten it done" but really did it with style, grace, and a heck of a lot of sweat, hard work, and attitude.
- Attachments:
-
-
Food Giveaway Aug 1 2008 066.jpg, 1.5 MB -
Food Giveaway Aug 1 2008 067.jpg, 1.5 MB
-
Food Giveaway Aug 1 2008 070.jpg, 1.6 MB
-
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Dede on
-
Bernice.... YOU are the definition of a TRUE Diva!!!!! I am so proud of you and so delighted that you chose our site. What a privilege to have you with us! We are truly blessed!
Do you have a website for Madelyn's Closet and where can our Diva's help you here? Do you have an address??
-
Permalink Reply by Berniceann Burns on -
I do not have a website, but I have an address if anyone would like to drop off clothing, please contact me directly via the website here.
Things have really slowed down this year. I believe it is the economy; people are having more yardsales instead of just donating their unwanted items. It makes perfect sense to me. So long as they don't just throw items away, filling up landfills, etc...
Thanks for your sweet sentiments. I love this site too, so hopefully, every few weeks I can put up a conversation starter on the forum.
Dede said:Bernice.... YOU are the definition of a TRUE Diva!!!!! I am so proud of you and so delighted that you chose our site. What a privilege to have you with us! We are truly blessed!
Do you have a website for Madelyn's Closet and where can our Diva's help you here? Do you have an address??
-
Permalink Reply by Patti Caviness on -
You inspire me! I am a diva in training. I have an event on saturday that seems to be tanking but now I am going to get it in gear and make it happen. Thank you for posting.
Patti
-
Permalink Reply by Berniceann Burns on
-
YOU CAN DO IT! Work hard, believe in your self, and let the rest take care of itself. Always do your best and the results will happen. I believe in you, Patti!
Patti Caviness said:You inspire me! I am a diva in training. I have an event on saturday that seems to be tanking but now I am going to get it in gear and make it happen. Thank you for posting.
Patti
-
Permalink Reply by Jenny Bee on -
ok- here's a story. I hold a firm belief in a principle taught to me, "If you are going to teach, especially in an inner city school- Do NOT lower your standards. The education you recieved to get you here, should be the same one you give to those kids. If you dumb it down, so to speak, in order that more children pass, you will be giving the world a terrible disadvantage, in that when those kids go to college, they will not be prepared and will not be able to succeed." I took that to the first class I taught last year, and made my science class as hard as the classes i had in highschool. I pushed the kids to their limit, respected them, took questions, let them know i cared, held excellent discussions and had a good time. None of the kids failed my course! It took them a lot. They were not used to the homework, tough content, and attention to detail. We had some arguments, people cried (including me) but we all in the end had a great year. Though I only had those students for one semester (it was set to be a year-long course), and their state exams for my course were optional, 12 students decided to take the exams. out of them 8 passed with a C+ or better. That is almost unheard of! There were 3 grades in the 90's which is definately exceptional. Though I am no longer at that school I still keep in touch with most of my students. When I'm feeling shy to let out my inner diva, I hear one of my former students say as she used to when walking into my class, "Miss Figueroa in the house!"
Birthdays
Videos
Photos
Badge
Music
© 2012 Created by Dede.
Powered by
