Vandy mom leads outreach

By Marcela Creps
Diversity Institute Fellow

03.29.04

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Misa Culley was the only member who showed up for Thursday's meeting of the support network known as Vandy Moms.

But Culley, one of the organization's co-founders, said she still believes in the group and looks forward to the next meeting in two weeks.

"It's important for us to reach out to one another," Culley said of the group that is open to mothers - partnered or single - who are Vanderbilt faculty, staff and students.

Meetings typically draw from three to 12 women, she said, but the mothers who regularly attend were out of town on Thursday.

Vandy Moms began in April 2003 and usually meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month at the Margaret Cuninggim Women's Center located in the Franklin building on the campus' West Side Row.

Initially, the group was called Vandy Working Moms, but "mom and working is a redundant phrase," Culley said because all mothers work.

She said that she personally strives to strike a balance between career and motherhood in order to present a positive image to her children, and the network helps her achieve that balance.

"My kids are growing up seeing me as a well-rounded person," said Culley. "Mom is a multifaceted person."

The group's first monthly meeting usually features speakers on a variety of topics ranging from breast cancer to organizational skills. The second monthly meeting usually provides mothers opportunities to network and share advice.

"It's whatever people are interested in. The group sets the course," said Culley.

The group's success is dependent on other Vandy mothers who contribute to the group.

"What would be a measure of success for me is that eventually when I leave the Woman's Center that there's enough interest in it that the program continues," said Culley, who is editor of the Women's VU, a center publication.

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