One of the best things about working at George Mason University is the countless opportunities to get involved outside of your paid position! I just celebrated my 20th anniversary as a Mason employee and while my campus-wide accomplishments may not have earned me a promotion or raise, this work is much more meaningful to me.
As a new mom in 2002, I craved reassurance that I wasn’t the only one feeling overwhelmed and a support group seemed to be the answer. Knowing the unique problems working mothers share, I wasn’t interested in joining a group of stay-at-home moms who might not have offered the kind of support I needed. Instead, I turned to the resources at Mason hoping that I might find a group already in existence. While I didn’t find the group I was seeking, my inquiries resulted in an amazing amount of interest and support for starting a support group for working mothers.
Through the cooperation and encouragement of the Women and Gender Studies Center, who offered to host the group, I was motivated to start making it happen. In the process of generating publicity and interest for the support group, I found that by reaching out to help other women, I began to feel better about myself.
The first meeting of the Support Group for Working Mothers at Mason was held on February 20, 2003. We have continued to meet regularly in the Women and Gender Studies Center, and lately via Zoom. Our group has been a focus group for the university quality of work life task force, and we’ve helped influence Human Resources’ efforts toward promoting telework/flextime options and best practices for using FMLA. Most importantly, our advocacy for the GMU Child Development Center helped to move the construction of a new facility to the top of the list, and the center opened its doors at the current location on Patriot Circle in 2007.
Campus community building comes with additional responsibilities and starting the Mason Working Moms Group led to being nominated to the Quality of Work Life Task Force and the Staff Senate (2004 – 2006). I continue to serve on the QWL Task Force and believe that our work has contributed to many improvements for faculty and staff over the years. Parenting in a pandemic is especially challenging and I have partnered with Sean Cox, the leader of the working dad’s group, members of the Staff Senate and HR Work-Life to look at strategies for Mason parents to find a better balance in this virtual reality where we now live.
In 2012, I decided to improve my public speaking skills partly because I was being invited more frequently to speak to groups on behalf of working moms or quality of work life issues at Mason. I wanted to have the confidence to share these messages professionally, and GMU Toastmasters was the answer! I just achieved the highest honor of Distinguished Toastmaster last spring. It was almost as much work as graduate school, but so worth the effort! I am currently the VP of Membership in our club which continues to ZOOM! Following guidance from Toastmasters International, we were able to move our weekly meetings to an online format and we have made the most of the current situation, and continue to practice our speaking and leadership skills. Guests are welcome to join us! The meeting details can be found on our website with Zoom meetings now scheduled through the end of 2020. https://toastmasters.gmu.edu/
I love working in higher education and have pursued opportunities where I can make a difference at Mason. For example, a group of champions for student-parents at Mason has come together to look at strategies to support and connect to this important student population. This work has led to streamlined services and resources in the Office of Contemporary Student Services . I am honored to be a part of this creative and collaborative team coming together to change our campus community for the better.
The Support Group for Working Mothers at Mason is the place where Mason faculty, staff, and students can discuss the issues confronting working mothers, and perhaps motivate changes on campus. The 19th year of group meetings will look a bit different, as we plan to meet virtually for the fall semester. We also adjusted the time as the lunch hour is not ideal for working moms with young
children at home! If you are interested in sharing stories and being part of an informal organization of working mothers, please contact me at haleknav@gmu.edu.
October 08, 2020