20 Year Anniversary of Charleston Women's Center

The Charleston Women’s Center is twenty years old this year. Twenty years ago I had a different name and a different mission: I founded a not-for-profit women’s center in Charleston, South Carolina and was its first executive director. It was truly a labor of love and, honestly, one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I didn’t do it alone, of course. We had a tremendous set of volunteers, both women and men, who helped it get established. I learned an enormous amount from the experience. And in a way, it paved the way for me to become a writer because I learned how to create something tangible from a dream.

I was still a youngster when I founded it–only in my early 30s–and I was inexperienced in matters of business. I thought if you had a good heart and a good vision that everything would turn out okay. Needless to say, I was incredibly naïve. A lot of people surprised me. Some not in a good way. But mostly I was surprised by the amount of generosity that flowed my way. I remain grateful. Thank you.

Twenty years later I’m happy to report that The Center for Women in Charleston is still going strong and I have gone on to create other things, stories that you can hold in your hands that hopefully entertain and inspire.

Here’s an article that ran in the Charleston Post and Courier after the Charleston women’s center opened:

charleston women's center

What were you doing twenty years ago?

P.S. I’m an ex-shrink who writes award-winning novels. Check out my books here.

4 Comments

Sonja on July 20, 2010 at 11:01 am

Nothing terribly exciting for me. 20 years ago, I was 15. I guess at this particular time (i.e. July), I was up in the Adirondacks at my aunt’s summer horseback riding camp. Now that I think about it, this might have been the summer when I met this woman (my cousin’s fiancee, unfortunately for me!) who I was so attracted to that it literally took my breath away. Hmm, I guess that was rather exciting after all. 😉

Susan Gabriel on July 21, 2010 at 6:19 am

Hi Sonja, a.k.a. Scout,
I love the Adirondacks. I’ve spent some time there myself. And there’s nothing like having someone take your breath away!

Thanks for commenting.

Also, here’s a comment from one of my email subscribers:

Hi Susan,
That’s a remarkable accomplishment. I am very touched and impressed by your caring and efforts on behalf of women. We need more like you. Thank you. Every time one person anywhere steps forward to try and right a wrong, it touches someone everywhere to some degree or another. The beach knows every grain of sand that basks in the sun on her, by name. T.

Thanks, T. You are very kind.