Dear OWA Members,
Our industry is strong, and so are we.
September has arrived and throwing us yet another potential obstacle in the path to COVID-19 recovery. School has commenced across the country, introducing a whole new set of challenges and worries for parents, caregivers, teachers, companies, and of course, students.
I'm fortunate to have one son in college and one in high school — ages that make them easy and self-sufficient when it comes to distance learning and Zoom proficiency. But I have also witnessed my friends, family, and colleagues with younger children face the daily struggles of what "Back to School" means in 2020. Many of them are juggling school and work while continuing to make sure patients' eye health needs are met and that our optical businesses continue to thrive.
These women and men have shown true grit, agility, cooperation, and flexibility that is inspiring. I would expect nothing less from our industry and those who give their lives to helping people see their best.
This time of year, we're usually packing our bags for Las Vegas and getting ready for Vision Expo West. This year, with the health and safety of our members paramount, OWA will be presenting our first ever virtual event, ELEVATE: An Evening to Celebrate the 2020 OWA Award Recipients and "Master the Art of Hello" on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. EDT. (Register by Wednesday, September 16 to receive the Zoom link to join us!)
During this celebration, we will honor our amazing award winners: Jean Sabre, Dr. Millicent Knight, and Sheena Taff, three deserving professionals who personify the leadership qualities OWA values so highly. Our keynote speaker Paula Calise will lead us in crafting the perfect professional introduction.
Thank you to our sponsors and members for all your support and dedication, and for continuing to demonstrate passion and resilience as we look ahead to safer times when we can once again meet in person.
I hope to see you all as we connect in a new way!
Be well,
Robyn Crimmins
OWA President
Join the OWA this Thursday, September 17, at 7:30 p.m. EDT when we'll be celebrating the OWA 2020 awardees + learning "The Art of Hello" via the exciting OWA ELEVATE virtual event.
Get ready to bid for good! The annual OWA online auction is back, September 20-25, with your winning bids helping to support OWA's programs of educating, mentoring, and connecting women.
We catch up with the three OWA 2020 Award Honorees on what winning this special award means to them, their vision for women in the industry today, and much more.
The OWA Coffee Break regional virtual event series supports women with connection and inspiration as we deal with the changes to our lives and work with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Food for Thought — where food breaks down barriers and brings us all to the table! Introducing our latest program created to connect and inspire women of the OWA.
Looking for support and connection in today's world? Learn about the seven OWA committees that support women through networking, education, and peer support — and get involved.
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