Recap: The Oprah Show

Dreams really do come true!

So what can I say….When Oprah Winfrey invited me to a taping to her show in Chicago, I trusted that it was going to be the experience of a lifetime. Boy was that an understatement! I took my sister, Sandy, with me and together we took in the sites and delights of Chicago. There was some speculation as to whether or not this taping would be her notorious “Favorite Things Show.” However, on the morning of her taping, the producers quickly put that theory to rest when they explained that we were all invited because we were “Ultimate Fans of Oprah” and we practiced all different forms of philanthropy in our communities. They told us that we were going to be on her “Heroes Show.” My sister and I concluded that being invited was a complete honor and that was a gift all on its own.
As most of you know the fairy tale ends with a surprise from Oprah……we were in fact on her famous Favorite Things episode. The experience was overwhelming, and my sister and I were ecstatic! There were lots of spotlights from the show where we’re jumping up and down, screaming, laughing, and sweating. It was very surreal! We were certainly grateful for the opportunity to be there and delight in the presents, but more importantly, the validation of what our group is doing on a local and global level is tremendous. I would like to thank all of you for your role in making “The Fabulous Women” a great success! It may have been Oprah that inspired the group, but it is the spirit of our community that makes this group so dynamic and worth while! It is nice to know that we have redefined the role of charity. Instead of having feelings of obligation, we feel privileged…..and instead of viewing charity as a chore, we gain an understanding that service and philanthropy are fun and rewarding.



One of the reasons why I originally wrote Oprah was to tell her about our group and to thank her for her inspiration. I wanted to share the simple concept of our group. I believe that this vehicle of kindness completely transcends Petaluma. It is a unique grassroots approach to giving…..and it is easy to replicate. How wonderful would it be to invite others to start a group of their own in other towns…..can you imagine the impact? Well,you’ll be happy to learn that our presence on Oprah has opened the door to new parts of our county. I have received three different e-mails from women wanting to start a group in their area (Novato, Santa Rosa, and Lake County). Now that’s exciting!