Just around her one-year anniversary with Young Women’s Alliance, we checked in with member Jeannette Lafreniere, to find out how her experience as a member is going. Here’s what she had to say.
What brought you to YWA?
Jeanette moved to Austin for her Pediatric residency three years ago, and has since fallen in love with the area. She stated that she plans to stay, and was ready to broaden her horizons here.
As many may guess, the schedule of a resident is busy, and it can be easy to live most of your life at work. By last January, Jeanette said, her group of friends was largely coworkers due to this. While this is great, she also wanted to meet some new people. She wanted the opportunity to “talk about different things…not medicine,” and gain some new experiences.
When a friend suggested YWA, Jeanette attended an info session, then quickly joined the group!
“YWA makes it really easy to get involved quickly, and to meet a lot of people.”
What do you enjoy about being a member?
Most of the events she’s been able to attend have been great. But two of the things Jeanette says she’s liked most this year are book club, and the golf lessons. Mainly, book club. “I love reading, and I think I’ve been to every meeting since I joined,” she said.
“YWA book club has gotten me to read a lot of things I probably otherwise wouldn’t have, which is great.” Her favorite session was after reading White Fragility. She felt everyone had a positive discussion, at just the time for it.
She even met another book club attendee, and through her discovered another club, which she’s now also a part of. YWA friends – broadening the circle ever further to those both inside and out of the group!
“It takes the guesswork out of how to make friends.”
Takeaways?
Despite a packed work schedule, Jeanette found YWA to be a choice that could fit into her life well. Membership has helped her to meet the more diverse group of people, with a range of backgrounds and interests, that she was looking for.
In a few months, Jeanette will have finished her residency program. She’s very excited to be able to participate even more in YWA, and hopeful that in-person events can begin again very soon (as we all are!).
One of the best parts overall? “It takes the guesswork out of how to make friends.”
