I Like Her Already

Please - may no one dig up any dirt on new Supreme Court Justice nominee, Sonia Sotomayer. Listening to President Obama introduce her in a live press conference this morning, I was thrilled that such a worthy and well-rounded candidate had been selected. When Ms. Sotomayer made her remarks, I was sold. She had me at thank you. This is a grateful woman, to be certain. Grateful for every blessing, every good thing, every person, every experience, every baseball game that has made her who she is. I'm a big fan of the gratitude attitude. It takes one far in life and makes the journey a joy.

A first generation American whose father died when she was 8, Ms. Sotomayer has journeyed from a public housing project to Catholic schools to Ivy League schools and to an array of corporate and judicial experiences. She was vetted by two presidents (George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton) prior to today's announcement by President Obama, and the person she admires the most in the world is her mother. ('Nuff said??) Take aside all of her judicial and personal successes and focus for a minute on the fact that Ms. Sotomayer has achieved all of this while battling diabetes since childhood. Add her to my list of most admired women and my inspiration for the day.

That's Good News! Michigan Athlete Breaks Her Own Records

Following up on my May 8th blog posting, if you want to gain even more confidence in our future, read about another young lady who shows remarkable leadership and discipline. She's my niece, Katie Cezat, one of Michigan's best college athletes. Check out her story at http://www.hillsdale.net/sports/x529241552/Cezat-honored-as-states-best

The (Good) Week in Review

Sometimes, a litany of negatives is easy to compile, although I generally don't roll that way. (Do others "roll" or do we just roll in the D?) The last 7 days of have been filled with a long list of positives, some work-related, some personal, all people-related. Here goes...

On Friday, May 1 and Monday, May 4, the Rochester Community Schools Foundation (I'm a board member) said "Let's Do Lunch," and hosted about 1000 5th graders from Rochester Schools for an inaugural career day event. I served as a table sponsor and was able to share with 11 5th graders over 1/2 a turkey sandwich and macaroni salad (they didn't say "Let's Do a Big Lunch") the exciting world of public relations. I think a few must have been listening because one young lady said, "Your job sounds really fun!" I assured her that it is.

This event required a great deal of community sponsors and I have to give sincere thanks to my client and friend, Ewa Matuszewski (in purple blouse), CEO of Medical Network One (www.mednetone.net), who agreed without hesitation to be one of two leading corporate sponsors. That's the way Ewa rolls. She is one of the most generous people I know. True generosity - generous of spirit and with her resources.

Saturday was a hole in one for my husband Eric at Brookwood. There is a media connection: Eric was listed in the Detroit Free Press sports section on May 6 under the hole in one headline - a headline I did not know existed until Wednesday.

Tuesday night was a community scholarship celebration of Rochester area high school teens who received college scholarships of varying amounts from local foundations and charities. My anxieties over the future have since eased as I see and hear from these remarkable young people who have combined scholarship, community service, athletics and the arts to make their mark on the world before they even graduate from high school. Our country will be prosperous (for the right reasons) and secure with them at the helm.

On Wednesday night, my client and friend, Patricia Nemeth (pictured on left), an attorney with Nemeth Burwell (www.nemethburwell.com,) received a distinguished alumni award from Wayne State, where she received her law degree and master's degree in law. Being in public relations, I attend many awards events but I never tire of them. I sincerely love to see people honored for their accomplishments - and Pat's are numerous. In March, I watched her receive an award as one of Michigan's 25 Leaders in the Law. And on the PR side, thanks to my new part-time staffer Sue Davis who does research and other fun stuff for me, Pat was included in a CNN website feature on 13 people who live in Detroit and love it. Here's the link - Pat's is #6.

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/news/0904/gallery.why_I_love_Detroit/11.html

On Thursday morning, I attended the Rochester Prayer Breakfast at Oakland University with 900 others to hear the incomparable and beloved Ernie Harwell hit one out of the park with remarks that were funny, sincere, nostalgic and hopeful. Kudos to client and baseball fan extraordinaire Jim Lionas of the Hunter Group (www.huntergroup.com), who served as chairman of this year's prayer breakfast and was responsible for nabbing Ernie as the speaker.

On Thursday afternoon, my son Peter returned home from his freshman year of college as a responsible, maturing young man. He had his old job back within a few hours of being home and was basking in the glow of a freshman year that was memorable for all the right reasons.

Oh yes, one final reason i had such a great week...my former Greek professor and long-time friend Ernie Ament said he enjoyed reading my blog - and that I should write more often. This is for you Ernie. Now you must post a comment to keep me inspired.

Okay, a final final reason: Dave Bing is the new Mayor of Detroit. This is a two for one because interim mayor Ken Cockrel (who I think did his best) now goes back to being city council president and Monica Conyers' (think Shrek, birthday tiaras and chaufered rides to her son's private school) power trip is over.