Woman
in the Wings / November 2005
Woman in the Wings is a monthly feature about a woman who lives her life not in the spotlight, but behind the scenes, where the applause never seems to reach. Women in the Wings shine as brightly as any star; they just don’t take center stage. Meet a professional woman who conducts her life with harmony and purpose as an instrument of change for the present and for the future.
Hitting a High Note
 Kathy Beckett
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By Pat Lawrence
When Kathy Beckett takes a chair, it means work, not rest. The President Elect of the WV Symphony League is chairing the committee that orchestrates the Symphony Ball for the second time this year. Kathy also serves on the board of directors for Covenant House and for the Friends of the Kanawha Public Library. And, she donates her time and expertise to the Kelly’s Creek Communities Association, a group working to improve the Glasgow area water quality.
A full time corporate environmental lawyer for Jackson Kelly PLLC law firm in Charleston and the mother of two, Kathy personifies both the challenges and the accomplishments of professional women who are active in community fund raising efforts.
She never expected to be in the forefront of an organization like the Symphony League. Invited to join the groups efforts to raise their annual $60,000 contribution by long standing Symphony supporter Sallie McClaugherty, Kathy says, “When I became active in the League, I envisioned a group of privileged women who had nothing but time and money on their hands. As I have learned, that is simply not a correct snapshot of the League. $60,000 is a significant obligation and it is money that goes to the bottom line of the WV Symphony Orchestra budget. Even though it is harder and harder to raise money, last year we exceeded our goal and gave the Symphony even more than expected.”
When Sallie told Kathy the League needed younger women, Kathy replied, ‘I don’t know any younger women.’ “I was surprised that she meant me.” But working with the League members who have spent years in fund raising for the Symphony, she appreciates the distinction. “Volunteerism is changing its face as this generation of women moves in. We work. We have children at home. There has to be a modification of how we go about seeking the support of professional women, from how we appeal to their interests to luncheon meetings that only last an hour. I see the transition happening gently, building on the foundation of the deeply committed women who have given generously of their time and effort for years, like Sallie McClaugherty. I might never have gotten this involved without the example of her community involvement.”
Non profit organizations benefit from the technology and resources available to the new generation of professional women, who bring the resources of their workplace. “Jackson Kelly completely supports community service, from the time I spend to Internet access and emails to making copies of reports. Their support is a considerable gift itself.”
Kathy’s range of community service is marked by contrast. The theme for the symphony ball on December 2nd is A Russian Holiday. Corporate sponsors are courted with elegant invitations created from Sharon Harm’s painting of a Faberge’ egg and Russian specialties like caviar being served at the event.
In her work with the Kelly’s Creek Communities Association, Kathy addresses the consequences of coal mining from the turn of the century and the presence of raw sewage in the water supply She also assists in their applications for grant monies and research assistance.
She admits the only disadvantage to volunteering at the Kanawha County Book Festival is “You’re too busy to get to the book sale!”
Kathy has gone from Parliamentarian to President-elect in only three years with the WV Symphony League. She reports that the League is “open for new members, including ones like myself who work at a number of different tasks and jobs.”
She is committed to the community where she lives and works and where she and her husband are raising their children. And, she hopes to be joined by other professional women who she knows have so much to give. “When non profit organizations respect the demands of time, work and family on business women, they have a well spring of experience, expertise and enthusiasm to draw from. It’s essential that we get the business women in our community involved in volunteerism. Everyone in the community benefits.”
For more information about the WV Symphony League Ball, contact Kathy Beckett,(304) 340-1019 or kbeckett@jacksonkelly.com.
Copyright © 2007 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
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