Davie Business Women’s Association (DBWA) summer outing was held at Wild Mountain Designs and Art Studio in Farmington.

Attendees were able to socialize, eat refreshments, and of course, paint. Bruce White, owner of Wild Mountain, guided each painter through the process of painting a colorful sunflower topped with an insect of their choice. Each painting was designed to be unique just like each member of DBWA.

Pam “Cissy” Reynolds was voted as the 2017 Business Woman of the Year. She co-owns 158 Auto Sales, Mocksville, with her husband, Wayne. She resides in Advance. Reynolds is vice president of DBWA. She has served the organization’s executive board for more than three years.

“I enjoy helping others,” she said. She’s known for sending cheer, cards, and gifts to others who may be ill, depressed, and just because. She is involved in community service along with being a member of the Pearls of Empowerment. Reynolds assists her daughter, T.J. Reynolds-Emwanta, with advocating and feeding people experiencing homelessness.

She is an active member of Redland Church of Christ in Advance. She enjoys being a servant for God. In her free time, Reynolds enjoys traveling, reading, and being a grandmother.

In September, DBWA’s guest speaker was Linda Coplin with Davie Domestic Violence Services and Rape Crisis Center. She gave an overview about the services offered including but not limited to 24 hour crisis line, victim and court advocacy, support groups, outreach, and emergency shelter assistance. Domestic violence is physical, mental, and emotional abuse that can result in injury, psychological trauma, and death, she said.

Coplin highlighted several domestic violence statistics such as an average of 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute in the United States and in a typical day domestic violence hotlines receive more than 20,000 calls nationwide. One in three women and one in four men are physically abused by an intimate partner. One in 15 children are exposed to domestic violence with 90 percent witnessing the violence.

Coplin discussed sexual assaults, stalking, and teen dating violence. An alarming United States sexual assault statistic is that one in five women and one in 59 men have been raped within their lifetime. Should you or someone you know need assistance due to domestic violence and/or sexual assault, contact Davie Domestic Violence Services and Rape Crisis Center’s crisis line at 336-751-HELP (4357).

DBWA’s October meeting gave members time to network with one another. Program Chair T.J. Reynolds-Emwanta discussed the importance of self care for professionals and the need to find ways to help with daily stressors. She brought along coloring pages and markers to encourage members to give adult coloring try.

Nancy Luckey with the N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs (VA) was the speaker for the November meeting. She is a veteran and serves as a Veterans Service Officer for the VA.  Previously, she was located in Mocksville. Her office is now located in Clemmons. She explained the services provided such as assisting veterans with applying for benefits.

DBWA held its Christmas party on Thursday, Dec. 7 at United Way in Mocksville. It was planned by the social committee, Diane Albon and Janice Schmitz. The food was prepared by J Randal’s Catering and More. The meal consisted of beef tips, herb roasted chicken breasts, tossed salad, twice baked potatoes, roasted baby vegetables, mashed red skin potatoes, and toasted pound cake with vanilla ice cream and strawberries.

For entertainment, members enjoyed karaoke sung by members. In lieu of playing Dirty Santa, attendees were encouraged to make a donation of $10 or more to The Dragonfly House. DBWA was able to collect $145 for this organization. The social committee and executive board provided parting gifts for all attendees.

Usually, DBWA meets the first Wednesday of each month excluding July and December at Suntrust Bank in Mocksville starting at noon. However, in February it will meet at Davidson County Community College-Davie Campus in Mocksville. The group also holds business spotlights to highlight businesses owned and/or operated by members on the third Monday of each month. Join DBWA Facebook page for more information about upcoming events.