The members of Connect: Professional Women's Network share what they're grateful for this year. To learn more and join the group for free, visit http://www.linkedin.com/womenconnect.

1. BROUGHT TO YOU BY
What Are You Thankful For?
The members of Connect: Professional Women’s Network
reflect on what they’re grateful for.

2. Career talk tends to revolve around what we
hope to attain—how high we can climb, how
much money we can make, how many people
we can influence.
In a refreshing twist, the women of Connect:
Professional Women’s Network focused instead
on what they’re thankful for. From family and
friends to major life achievements, the responses
prove that sometimes, everything we need is
right under our nose.

3. “I am grateful that my business allows me to be
myself, removes the worry and doubt of
working for someone else and helps me meet
wonderfully interesting people.”
Mary Jane Weigel, Small Business Bookkeeper & Trainer

4. “I am thankful for realizing that I can’t
and don’t have to do everything. It’s
been a real blessing to have been able
to let stuff go.”
Janice Taylor, Blue Sky Consulting

5. “I am thankful for all of the wonderful friends I have
made while attending college as a non-traditional
student. I am especially thankful for my best friend,
who has encouraged me to get not only my
bachelor’s but also my master’s degree.”
Beatrice Skelton, Associate at Kohl’s

6. “I’m grateful for the strength that gets me through
the hard times—and the knowledge that these
tough times will help me grow and be stronger.”
Allison Desatnick, Art Director/Studio Manager

7. “I am thankful for 15 years at a wonderful
company, 18 years with my husband, three
of the best children ever, and two of the best
(and most spoiled) dogs!”
Janice Benshoof, Advertising, Senior Sales Administrator

8. “Over the past few years, I have struggled to balance my work
responsibilities and increasing family needs. So, I find myself feeling
thankful for the clarity I needed to make decisions about the job
responsibility I could accept in order to give me the flexibility I needed to
be available for my aging mother.”
Rhonda O'Bannon, Senior Director, Human Resources

9. “I am thankful for befriending a few homeless individuals and
experiencing some of the greatest examples of humanity in the
most dire circumstances. I am grateful to know of the gaps in
services and shelters for homeless women, as well as a lack of
individuals to work with them. Knowing of the problems means I
can do something to improve their situation.”
Carolyn A. Cook, Women’s National Work/Life Agenda

10. “I have found that a focus on blessings eases the rough passages in our
lives. I am humbled, honored and sometimes overwhelmed by the
kindness and generosity and love I have received. It is a blessing to
support people and to accept support from people, and I am thankful I
have been able to experience both.”
Nancy Purdy Educational Leader, Curriculum Developer

11. “I am thankful that this amazing group of
women has shown the courage to share their
gratitude and the vulnerable side of life.”
Jeannette Oliver, Senior Recruiter

12. Join the conversation!
Connect: Professional Women’s Network, Powered by Citi, is an
online community on LinkedIn that helps women achieve the careers
they want and discuss the issues relevant to their success
For more great insights from Connect members, check out the
discussion: What Are You Thankful For?
Visit linkedin.com/womenconnect for more information
and to join the group for free!
PHOTO CREDITS:
1: gabczi/Shutterstock
2: Rodina Olena/
Shutterstock
3: Lukas Eklund/Flickr
4: lithian/Shutterstock
5: UC Davis School of ED/Flickr
6: Pressmaster/Shutterstock
©2013 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
7: Tony Alter/Flickr
8: Lighthunter/Shutterstock
9: The Advocacy Project/Flickr
10: whologwhy/Flickr
11: Fortune Live Media/Flickr

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CONNECT: PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S NETWORK 13