Truly a Day to Remember

The sun glistens a long and wavy tail across the glassy smooth reservoir.  Pointing south the car glides over the ribbon of blacktop on a lazy Sunday afternoon.  My mind harkens back to Friday around noon as I entered Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

After leaving the car with the concierge at the main entrance to the hospital, feeling more than a little self-conscious, I passed through the wide revolving door and stepped across the threshold into the main lobby.  I felt like the eyes of the world were upon me.  Approaching the information desk a pleasant woman asked if she could help.  I told her I was here for the PROUD event and she directed me to the administration building and told me I could have my parking stub validated.  The woman working the information desk was either having a bad day or disapproved of something that was transpiring.  Her expression was one devoid of pleasantness.  Dismissing that distraction I wandered down the hallway towards the event I stopping at the Women’s restroom to check my makeup.  Proceeding towards the event gathering I heard a familiar voice and saw the traffic jam at the entrance to the event. 

This was the RWJ PROUD Business Resource Group (BRG) inaugural LGBT awareness event at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital!  An event that attracted a standing room only crowd and executives of the hospital.

The event was slated to run for an hour. Two hours later, Kimberly Brennan, co-chairwoman of the event was finally given the opportunity to speak.  I’ve watched Kimmy as she wended her way through the maze of red tape and obstacles on the way to the launch.  Nothing short of herculean effort pulled off one of the most successful events of the LGBT community.

I was so moved by the speaker and Kimmy’s beautiful closing that I almost rained on the parade.  How I held back the storm is beyond me.  Maybe the makeup gods were smiling upon me.  Kimmy’s words and her moving a capella song brought most of the room to tears, including the CEO of the hospital system!  How fitting to see support from the highest echelons of the organization for an event that trumpeted their commitment to Promoting Respect, Outreach, Understanding and Dignity for all.

I was proud (pun intended) to have been invited to the event and to have made a small contribution to the program.  Afterwards, speaking with several of our sisters I was gratified to see how they have been progressing in their transition.  Glowing smiles, twinkling eyes and the song of promise on their lips was a perfect closing to the event.

We are truly blessed to have allies in the RWJ family and I am proud to say I am a friend of co-chairwoman Kimberly Brennan!  Kimmy rocks the house and anything else she endeavors to take on.  You go girl!!!!

Love and hugs, Nikki