31 Aug Member Spotlight: Syd Gibson
Personally, I was born and raised in a small town in Michigan, home to Dow Chemical. After high school, I attended a small liberal arts college in Wisconsin for two years and then transferred to the University of Wisconsin in Madison, receiving my BS degree. A few years later, my husband and I moved to Atlanta where our son was born. He is now a partner in one of the oldest law firms in Florida, living in the Tampa area.
In 2006, I joined BPW/Englewood-Venice to become more involved in my community and to help provide scholarships for young women graduating from high school and women in transition to improve their lives and their families. During the first few years as a BPW member, I had the opportunity to serve as Corresponding Secretary as well as leading our empowered group as President. I was able to attend state conferences with other BPW members opening my eyes to the Public Policy Platform and the Equal Rights Amendment as well as programs for individual development. This was a much needed time of healing and growth as my husband had died of brain cancer prior to my joining BPW. I was able to help rebuild myself through the camaraderie of other BPW members locally and at the state level as well as the speakers at our meetings. I had the opportunity to serve as President again for a three-year term, ending just a few months ago.
Professionally, my background has included elementary teacher in a parochial school, administrative assistant to a Regional Vice President of Avis Rent-A-Car, realtor in Charlotte and Sarasota counties (of which I maintain my real estate license), retail merchandising assistant for two nationally known stores, and supervisor for developmentally disabled adults on the weekends. Currently I have started my own business specializing in pet sitting and checking on properties while the owners are away. Many times combining pet sitting and home watch while the owners travel for business or vacations and I am able to care for the pets in their homes and check on my home and rescue cat.
I look forward to serving as Nominations Chair for BPW/FL with the positions of Vice President, Secretary and Nominations Chair available in 2021 and for the BPW/FL Education Foundation seeking three Directors in 2021 for the Board of Directors. We truly are Stronger Together.