From our Editors

What happened to high school reunions?

A few weeks ago, one of my younger sister’s classmates contacted me to get her address. She said they were planning a high school reunion and would like to let her know so that she could attend. Her class has not had a reunion since their 20 year.

She is one year younger than I am and it made me realize that my class has not had a reunion since then either. In fact, the last reunion either of us had was a combined get together with both the 1972 and 1973 class.

I wonder what happened to change the way we look at reunions. My parents loved their five-year get togethers. Their class made a weekend out of it. Because so many were coming in from out of town, they had a Friday night get together at a more casual restaurant, the Saturday night formal dinner dance and then a Sunday morning brunch or picnic.

I know that someone has to take charge and that it must be a lot of work to plan the event and to reach all of the graduates. I think that those volunteers should be thanked and praised for their efforts. If you are one of those volunteers, please send us an email with your contact information, the school you graduated from and the year you graduated. We will select a few of you to share your plan on putting together a successful reunion with our readers.

Lani Renneau

She managing director

Women take on new roles

I’m not that old, but when I was growing up, there were really only two jobs for women: teacher or nurse. At least that’s the way it seemed to me. Other than moms, who labored overtime every day at home, the only working women I knew had careers in education or health care. I didn’t know any female pilots or female architects or female lawyers. I’m sure they were around but not in my small world.

Things have changed, and I’m so glad they have. Women are working in every field, from aeronautics to zoology. So I’m thrilled to introduce you in this issue of She to three women who not only are working in male-dominated fields but also hold management positions. They are Shelly Billingsley, director of engineering and deputy director of public works with Kenosha’s Department of Public Works and Stormwater Utility; Cathy Austin, an assistant city engineer with Kenosha’s Department of Public Works; and Julie Anderson, director Public Works and Development Services for Racine County.

As you will come to learn when you read their stories, they’ve faced some professional challenges, but they’ve overcome them all. They are perfect examples of the kind of role models all young girls — and even older ones — need today.

Kathleen Troher

She editor