Barb Berman, 74, of Rockford is an active volunteer.

How you would fill out your social networking “status update”: Kiwanis at 7. Meeting with a prospective donor for EHM Capital Fund Campaign. Hope they say YES! Lunch with Key Clubbers home for the holidays. Key Club at 3:30 and Becca’s Closet fitting at 6; have given away over 600 dresses since Jan. 1, 2009. It has been a good year. Hope Dick has dinner ready. Maybe reservations are in order!

AMY J. CORRENTI | ROCKFORDWOMAN.COM
Barb Berman, 74, of Rockford at Benson Stone Co.

Proudest achievement and why: My proudest achievement occurred unintentionally, as so many do. My friend and former employee was terminally ill and the family was facing staggering medical bills, which meant the purchase of a party dress for their daughter’s school dance was out of the question. My family was able to assist with everything she needed, but I realized there are hundreds of other girls who may not be so lucky. When I learned about Becca’s Closet, I just knew that was something that I needed to do for all young women.

Best job and why: Retirement is the best nonpaying job, as I can continue to use my experiences to help other agencies. As a job, I was the executive director of the Arthritis Foundation for 12 years. This job allowed me to help educate people about their illness and teach them how to live a better life with less pain.

What getting involved means to you: When one gets involved with a project, it becomes more than just signing a check or selling raffle tickets. Involvement requires seeing a project from creation to completion. I enjoy networking, which brings the ability to collaborate, making it easier to see a completed project.

Three words that describe you, or your best trait: My best trait is the ability to mentor students, not as a teacher, parent or friend, but as a nonjudgmental confidante.

Words to live by: The words I choose to live by are a Gandhi quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Biggest challenges, then and now: I was a single parent raising four children with very little money, to the point of having to apply for food stamps. I challenged myself to not have that experience negatively affect my children. Now, my current biggest challenge is balancing my time. I believe in the importance of volunteerism but need to ensure that I recharge by spending time with the activities that I enjoy — gardening, traveling and spending more time with family and friends.

Current goal or wish: I want to leave the world a better place than I found it.

What makes you smile: A smile is brought to my face whenever I have a lunch date with my older grandchildren, cheer on the younger grandchildren at their sporting events or recitals, or spend quality time with those I love.

What motivates you: I know I have a lot of experience to share and want to use it to help others. I like to work with organizations to help organize a walk, run, special event, see the rewards of a successful event and then know they can continue on without my guidance.

Two things you do to relax: In summer, I like to sit on the patio reading a book, drinking coffee while watching the river go peacefully by. In winter, I enjoy meeting a friend for lunch, having a glass of wine and catching up on their lives.

Hours of sleep per night: Seven works well for me. I like to get up early in the morning for my quiet time.

Young women should ... Keep your girlfriends.

If you could only say one thing about life or yourself: I was able to work through the challenges and hardships of my early life and turn my life into one that is happy and productive.

AMY J. CORRENTI | 
ROCKFORDWOMAN.COM

About Barb Berman
Age: 74

Born in: Freeport

City of residence: Rockford

Family: Husband, four children, 11 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren

Education: High school

Accomplishments: Raising four children as a single parent with all of them turning out to be good parents, with respect for me and each other. I feel I have been able to make a difference in many lives through my job at the Arthritis Foundation; also my volunteer work as well as maintaining special relationships with students who have graduated and gone away to college.

Community involvement: I am working on a capital fund campaign for Ethnic Heritage Museum. Mentored Illinois Growth’s Walk 4 Work, Red Shoe Run, volunteer for Greenwich Village Art Fair, Rockford Woman Victory Lap Brunch, Lifescape Senior Breakfast, chair of Ambassador Committee of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, served on the Winnebago County 911 board, charter member of Kiwanis, adviser to Auburn High School Key Club and In Youth We Trust council of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, Becca’s Closet. Next project is helping a friend organize a Rosie’s Birthday Club for underserved children.

Career highlights: The Arthritis Foundation had enough trust in me to give me a job even though I had no experience for the job and didn’t have a college education. I managed six fundraisers a year, a telethon, the All-Star luncheon, a golf play day, two Jingle Bell runs, and an evening-themed party. In addition to raising money, we also raised awareness of the illness. We provided educational classes on living with arthritis, which helped many people live more productive lives. I’ve made many lifetime friends.

< Back to main story