LOUISE TUCKER JONES

What’s Your Story?

By Louise Tucker Jones

I often watch a program on TV called The Story Trek where the host travels across the country knocking on anonymous doors and asking people to tell their stories.

“What story?” they ask. “Whatever story you want.”

The surprise is that most agree. Some tell sad, heartbreaking stories while others share old, wartime stories or how they came to this country. The beauty is that every story is unique.

During my weeks of physical therapy, I found much the same thing in the waiting area of the therapy center. Sometimes the closed caption TV, which showed how to knit, paint, and more, brought comments from people. But other times, conversation simply flowed.

One day, a lady told me how she came to the U.S. from Mexico as a teenage bride and settled in Texas where she learned English by watching TV. “It’s been so long since I spoke Spanish that I’ve almost forgotten it,” she said, without a trace of an accent.

I was shocked and asked, “Didn’t you speak Spanish in your home?” She did not. “Why?” I asked, totally mesmerized with her story.

“I figured it would be easier for my kids in school if they were raised totally English speaking. But now, I wish I had taught them my native tongue,” she said with a smile and a hint of regret.

Having studied Spanish in college, I told her I also had forgotten much of the language since I hadn’t used it regularly. We agreed that the old adage, “If you don’t use it you lose it,” must be true and that we needed to get together and speak a little Spanish to refresh our memories.

Then I was called back to therapy and never saw the woman again. Each PT session would present a different person and different conversation because everyone has a story!

And one thing I know. If The Story Trek ever knocks on my door and asks if I want to tell my story, I’ll definitely say, “Yes.” What story will I tell? Hmmm, I just might tell about the months of sheltering-in-place during the Covid-19 pandemic!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Louise Tucker Jones is an award-winning author, inspirational speaker & founder of Wives With Heavenly Husbands, a support group for widows. LouiseTJ@cox.net or LouiseTuckerJones.com.

Purse

Power By Maggie Murdock Nichols

Donna Miller, Co-founder and CEO of Purse Power

Women drive the majority of consumer purchasing, making between 73-85% of all spending decisions. What if women harnessed their spending power and used it to support other women? Glass ceilings would shatter, and lives would be changed. This is the vision of Purse Power.

Purse Power was born when three sisters discussed their shared frustration with the lack of female representation in leadership positions. Their mother was a nursing professor and the sisters each have an MBA, two are medical doctors. This family of strong and educated women is not unfamiliar with challenges. Their mother, now deceased, was a domestic violence survivor as an adolescent. A desire to elevate women in the workplace and fight domestic violence laid the foundation for what is now Purse Power.

Donna Miller, owner of Executive Resource Center and Edmond resident, has spearheaded the effort with the support of her sisters. Purse Power, in startup phases, is housed in the Launch Pad at Francis Tuttle’s Business Innovation Center. Purse Power desires to be THE source for accessing and buying from women owned businesses. Purse Power offers an online listing, a Google Chrome Extension, and an app that connects consumers with purposeful purchases. To qualify as a listed business, the company must be at least 50% women owned or, have at least 20% females on their board or, have a female CEO/President.

Purse Power makes meaningful connections for women, allowing them to share ideas and experiences. Donna leads weekly “Let’s Share the Journey” calls, speaks at women’s events, attends marches and gatherings, and serves as a sounding board for women business owners nationwide. Recently Purse Power facilitated a connection between a local, woman-owned business and a large corporation. Shabby Chick Natural Cleaners, based in Duncan, was connected with UPS to supply their urgent

“Every time you spend need for hand sanitizer for their employees. Donna money, you’re casting a says, “Women want to vote for the kind of world support other women, you want to live in.” but it can be hard to find

Anne Lappe each other.” In addition to making consumer to business connections, Purse Power is also focused on encouraging business-to-business transactions between women owned companies.

Many notable women and one exceptional man in Oklahoma are behind Purse Power. Investors may be found listed on the Visionary link on the bottom of the pursepower.com website. Tatiana Bonnefoi, Global Supply Manager for Apple, now serves as the board chair. Purse Power has broad appeal among women. Donna says, “Ifwe can fight violence against women, while supporting other women in business at the same time - it’s a win-win.” The startup has committed to donate 20% of its profits to reducing domestic violence.

To learn more go to www.pursepower.com

80 East 5th St., Ste. 130 Edmond, OK 73034