Four Women

 I sometimes go to a coffee shop, go for a walk, visit historic sites and museums, etc.  And, I meet people.

Chantal was working on her laptop at Starbucks.  She is originally from Haiti.  Chantal is an insurance broker.  The day before we met, she had been in my small home town in Massachusetts.  Small world.

Alexis works after school at Queen B, a coffee shop on Main Street.  She lives in an ABC (A Better Chance) house with seven other Black girls while she attends Ridgefield High School.  ABC puts high-performing students of color in position to grow into leaders by placing them in the nation’s top public and private schools.  Alexis graduates this month and will attend the University of Tampa in the fall.

Rachel is a neighbor who often goes out for a walk.  She is an artist and an art teacher.  Beyond getting exercise, I think the walks are ways to cleanse her brain and to put new ideas into it.  

Megan owns an award-winning running store.  I saw a Boston Marathon badge on her arm and asked if she had run the race.  "Yes, many times, including this year."  

Megan is extremely civic-spirited.  She and her store sponsor many events in Ridgefield.  A promotion she ran last year with other store owners raised $15,000 for low income high school students in Bridgeport.