PART I
When Penny Chatson took over as leader of Women’s Resources this past June, she brought with her an intimate understanding of the women we serve and what we do. Over her 25 years with the organization, she has seen every aspect of our work and helped shape who we are today.
She was happy in her job with the Children’s Aid Society when her cousin, who worked at WR, encouraged her to come on board. Penny finally relented and was hired first as a relief counsellor in the shelter, then moved into the children’s program and eventually to the women’s program. Ten years ago, she became our Residential Services Manager, responsible for running our shelter for women seeking an escape from violence.
In fact, unsure whether she wanted to work in an environment focused on and entirely staffed by women, she almost passed up the chance to become a part of the Women’s Resources team. “But once I started, I knew right away I’d found my people,” she says. “There’s something unique about women supporting women. You don’t have to explain when you’re talking about sexism and discrimination.”
The women she worked with had all experienced the same kinds of things, from sexism in the justice system to not being seen as a man’s equal in professional contexts. “We all shared stories and talked about what had worked for us.”
In her time as shelter manager, she devoted her energy to ensuring it was welcoming. Women facing the most stressful time of their lives needed to feel cared for and supported. A guiding question: “If your mother was coming into the shelter, what would you want it to be like for her?”
When former executive director Lori Watson decided she was ready to step down, she recommended Penny apply. As she had done initially and again when the shelter manager position came up, Penny’s reaction was “You must be joking! I don’t want that job.”
As she reflected, though, she started to realize that there were new ideas she wanted to try and new possibilities to change some things she’d noticed in her previous roles with WR. It’s not all about change, though, Penny says, pointing to the way WR provides flexible scheduling for employees juggling other responsibilities. (Which, since they’re women, is everyone.) “There’s something special about Women’s Resources. I don’t want to lose that.”
At the core is the women we serve and the staff and volunteers who are there to help. “I have the most amazing staff team. The board are very patient with me and open to new ideas,” Penny says.
Part II with Executive Director, Penny Chatson, coming soon…
By Nancy Payne
