As September rolls into October, I become obsessed with apples. This could be provoked by the ripening fruit clustering on trees in orchards, and this fall I am embracing the idea that stimulating thought ripens in me, too.

This month of 2020 we are doubling down to rid the metaphorical skeletons in our lives. This has been a challenging year but I embrace the notion that life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall. And I am excited about the activities we have in store for the friends and alumnae of Greater Missouri as we each aspire to do great things. I invite you to begin with little ones.

Join us for one, two, or all three of our “Inspiring Conversations Series with past Greater Missouri Women of the Year’ Recipients.

• Meet and learn from these distinguished change makers, thought leaders, and influencers.
• Each conversation allows our featured speakers to share their insights on important challenges, opportunities, and issues of the day.
• Reconnect with your class members and other Challenge Graduates and Alumnae
• Every person in the audience will be encouraged to learn more or do something to influence and participate in solutions important to Missouri.

Our board embraces the notion that we should not cancel our fundraising to support Challenge Class scholarships and our newly named Jan Grossmann Scholarship Fund because — even though it’s hard — we have benefited from our sponsors’ support from across the state for over 30 years. Although our Challenge Class and our alumnae can’t meet in person we need to come together for connection, inspiration, and networking. In addition, we think it is a good time to recognize women leaders of the past while inspiring those of the future.

Share this experience with your friends and colleagues. Reach out to class members from your challenge year and encourage them to join you! Your support is important for all of our activities and we hope you will set aside these three Thursdays to learn from our speakers who will share lessons of their journey in their business or industry, as well as their community.

In the meantime, enjoy the change of seasons. In the heartland, we have hot summers and cold winters. But in the fall, there are a few days so perfect, I swear I’d never live anywhere else. The trees are ablaze, the sky is azure blue, and the air is crisp and cool, sweetened with the smell of falling leaves and wood smoke. This year, I’m resolving to thoroughly enjoy autumn. I hope you will join me and find inspiration by tuning in.