Women Helping Women
Pat Meier’s Lesson On Empowerment
Today I’d like to introduce you to Pat Meier, a life coach and financial consultant. Pat and I met first virtually as Facebook connections, before becoming real life friends. She is someone with whom I have so much respect, for the life challenges she has faced head on and overcome, her resiliency, and her wanting to use those experiences as motivations for inspiring other women to gain strength, purpose and forward direction.
In this interview, Pat opens up about a deeply personal challenge that has impacted her on so many levels. It was not easy to share, and her willingness to do so speaks volumes for her inner growth. She wanted to tell her story in hopes that it may help others to reach within themselves and find their great capacity to flourish as well.
Lisa: Where did your inspiration come from for becoming a life coach and financial consultant?
Pat: I became a life coach and therapist because I am passionate about inspiring and empowering women to get unstuck and move forward with creating their best life and living their vision. I found that psychotherapy wasn’t allowing my clients to move forward quickly and that life coaching didn’t always seem to include room for emotional healing. I call my work a hybrid, it helps my clients heal, grow and thrive more holistically and completely.
I recently added financial education and consultation to my services because I came to believe that it’s difficult, if not impossible, to build a life you love without a healthy financial foundation. I have a business partner who has been a financial advisor for 20 years and I am currently studying to get my securities license.
Lisa: Please tell us about someone who has been a positive influence on your life.
Pat: If I had to pick one person who has greatly impacted my life I’d say it was my high school art teacher, Mrs. Bolin. She set the bar high regarding the expectations she had of her students. She encouraged quality craftsmanship and presentation, creativity, commitment, consistent production and thinking outside the box. She inspired us and believed in ourability to create high quality works of art as well as exhibiting our work. She also” walked her talk” as she was a productive artist herself. She was a great role model for me, especially as a life coach.
Lisa: Please tell us about something you have overcome in life and how you have grown from it.
Pat: A personal challenge I’ve overcome in my life is learning how to manage my PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) in order to live my life full out. I was sexually assaulted at age 28 while living in NYC and was challenged for many years with the symptoms of PTSD.
Because the body becomes stuck in a continual “fight and flight” mode I experienced years of often feeling hyper-vigilant and over-stimulated by any kind of environmental factors such as sound and temperature, and difficulty focusing. I developed fibromyalgia due to the toll that “fight and flight” mode and the contraction of muscles had on my body. I felt stuck emotionally and paralyzed to act and tap into the tremendous potential I knew I had.
In the 1980’s there was not a lot known about how to treat PTSD effectively. There were some therapies that worked on stimulating the brain and de-sensitizing the trauma. (EMDR). I researched and experimented for years on ways to heal from my trauma. I have always been really spiritual and my spiritual beliefs and understanding helped a great deal. It often felt like I was trying to cross the Grand Canyon to feel whole again, and although I didn’t know why I was meant to live such a challenging life, I had faith there was a silver lining and someday I would fit the puzzle pieces together. I went to therapists, energy healers back in the day when it was considered weird, body workers, did a lot human potential work, attended workshops and seminars, have been a long-time meditator, and more.
I managed to go back to school and get a master’s degree at Columbia University and to work and support myself. It was never easy as I looked normal on the outside but suffered on the inside from the symptoms of PTSD. Over many years I have eventually healed for the most part from the fibromyalgia and rarely do I experience PTSD symptoms anymore. Every now and then I get triggered and I need a few days to get back on track. Because I have lived my life for so many years from the inside–out I am very perceptive and in tune with my own internal compass and know who I am. I feel highly equipped to help others get to know themselves better in order to create a life based on true authenticity and their own personal values.
I have come to find that because of the circumstances I experienced earlier in life, my life purpose was revealed. My journey to healing through the trauma led me to my mission in life, which is to inspire and empower women to live their best lives. I also find it extremely empowering to give back to others who are still struggling. I am currently serving on the communications committee for The Board of Directors for Women Helping Women here in Cincinnati.
Lisa: What are some phrases by which you live?
Pat: Some of the mottos I live by are ‘The meaning of life is to live it” and “ It’s neither good nor bad, it just is.” I often remind my clients the second motto because we won’t make lasting change if we are judging ourselves. We need to learn to be compassionate with ourselves.
Lisa: Please tell us about your bucket list.
Pat: Some things on my bucket list include parachuting out of an airplane, traveling to Tanzmania in Africa and spending some time with the various tribes there. I recently became friends with a woman from Tanzmania whom I lived with in San Francisco. I’d like to travel with my work and give talks and workshops, nationally and internationally. I’d like to write a couple of books and live in the countryside with my future husband. I’d like for us to invite friends and family to visit and we would dine and wine them! As I get older I crave intimate connection and rejoicing in shared friendships with like-minded people.
Kathy Davis Believes In Empowering Women
When I think about Kathy Davis, I am reminded of her smile that so often shines from her face. I think about her giving heart and all that she does for others.
Kathy is the private dining manager for Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse. She also volunteers a huge amount of time to help others, mainly through Women Helping Women, a Cincinnati nonprofit organization that empowers survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking; and educates the community about these issues. Kathy is a former crisis team coordinator and Board member of Women Helping Women, who continues to stay involved through fundraising, leadership and other volunteer work.
Whether formerly serving some type of volunteer capacity or just reaching out a helping hand to someone in need, Kathy finds ways to make a difference.
I asked her some questions to get to know more about her. Please read more below.
Lisa: You are so passionate about Women Helping Women. Where does that drive come from?
Kathy: I really discovered them when I was on the receiving end, looking for information on domestic violence because I didn’t know how to help my own daughter when she was in abusive situations. The organization was terrific, not only with information but with other things like helping my daughter to get protective orders and referring her to a shelter.
They provide a very much needed service in our community. It is about empowering women who have had so much taken away from them. Many still are not aware of their services, and are scared and not knowing where to go.
Lisa: How have you grown personally as a result of being involved with the organization?
Kathy: I grew up always thinking that, as a woman, when something would happen that I could always fix it or it was my fault. After going through Women Helping Women’s volunteer program, I realize I need to always trust my gut. I do not take responsibility for someone else’s behavior.
Lisa: How are you currently involved with the organization?
Kathy: My largest role is as serving as the Chair for its Light Up The Night Gala fundraiser. It is an event that I began overseeing in 2007. They had been doing a dinner on a smaller scale and I wanted to make it something really big. I asked a couple of friends to join me for coffee and brainstorm ideas about a new spring fundraiser, and it was at that meeting, Light Up the Night was born.We netted $52,000 that first year and it has grown ever since. It is my baby. Last year we hosted 500 people.
This year will be the event’s 10th anniversary themed ‘A Decade of Peace, Love and Understanding’. It will be April 28 from 5:30 to 9 pm. at the Horseshoe Casino. The Gala includes dinner by the bite with tastings from some of Cincinnati’s best restaurants providing tastes, a silent auction, raffle and more.
Lisa: Outside of that, what are some of your simple pleasures in life?
Kathy: I enjoy working in my yard and garden, and having quiet time at night. I also love beaches. Anytime I go on vacation it is always someplace warm and sunny.
Lisa: Tell us about someone who has influenced your life.
Kathy: I grew up in the 60s, the oldest girl in my family. I questioned alot why my older brother was allowed to do things that I wasn’t. The answer was always, ‘because he is a boy’. Gloria Steinem opened my eyes to equal rights. My mother was a stay at home mom, and I wanted to do more. Gloria helped me realize I could do it all – stay at home, work and volunteer.
Lisa: Tell us about an act of kindness that has touched you.
Kathy: In 2006, our house caught on fire with more than $100,000 in damage. That night, I called a friend who used to work at Crossroads Community Church, where I attend. She dropped everything and said, ‘What do you need?’ She called others she knew who worked in the construction business and they left their Friday activities to come over. They measured my windows, went to purchase what they needed and boarded up my house. Others from my church, many people who I didn’t even know, were donating things to help us with our immediate needs. I went to church one day and someone told me to go to the Information Center where there were huge bins of donations. And people who went with me on an earlier mission trip to South Africa also showered me with donations. We needed to move temporarily, and Upspring, formerly Faces without Faces, provided us with tokens for the bus and gas cards so that my granddaughter) who was staying with Kathy) could continue to go to school. It was a very humbling experience. It is difficult for me to reach out to others and ask for help when I need it but this taught me it is okay to ask.
Lisa: What would you tell other people about giving back?
Kathy: I always get more when I give. It comes back to you ten times over.
YWCA Cincinnati Bark Out Against Battering Event Is October 25
I’m looking forward to participating again in the annual Bark Out Against Battering event next Saturday, October 25 at Washington Park (1230 Elm Street across from Music Hall).
The benefit for YWCA Cincinnati is to raise awareness about the partnership between SPCA Cincinnati and local YWCA domestic violence shelters. 
Local 12 anchor Paula Toti will be the emcee for this family event. The Pet Parade will begin at 12:00 followed by a pet costume contest (please only dress your pet if his body language tells you he is not stressed wearing it). Registration begins at 11am. There were also be a Pet Trick-or-Treat, where attendees can walk their pets from one booth to another for a small treat from a local pet shop or service non-profit. There will be Food trucks, a pet Photo Booth and animal adoptions as well as some really awesome Raffle Prizes.
The festivities begin at 11 am and conclude by 1:30 pm.
This event will help to connect the link between domestic violence and animal abuse. Not only is cruelty to animals frequently both an indicator and predictor of interpersonal, family, and community violence, but an alarming number of women report that threats to their companion and farm animals prevent them from leaving abusive relationships. This event will allow the YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter and Women Helping Women to further emphasize that connection. Funds raised will help to support the Domestic Violence Shelter’s efforts to work with the SPCA in removing the worry women have, by assisting in providing protective shelter for pets during the women’s stay in shelter.
For more information about the YWCA, other Domestic Violence Awareness Month events, and ways to help abused animals please visit: www.ywcacincinnati.org , www.womenhelpingwomen.org , www.spcacincinnati.org
There is also a Facebook page.
