VMP Covergirl - Gail Brenkus
This week’s VMP Covergirl is……Gail Brenkus!
This week’s VMP Covergirl is….. Gail Lally Brenkus!!!
I met Gail several years ago as part of Women's Business Network, Inc. I loved her “yes” attitude and she jumped right in to help when we were revamping the website. The more I got to chat with her the more I got to know how much she values mentoring others, including those where she works at CENTURY 21 Frontier Realty, and giving back.
For her session we of course got some beautiful new images for her business, but we also got to do a little glam and she brought in a gown - and twirled - which I love We should all twirl more in our lives, don’t you think?
Here’s what she had to say about this time in her life.
Did you have any older female role models when you were younger?
My grandmother, Catherine was a very strong role model, particularly since my mother was a teenager when I was born. Catherine was a career women, out of necessity, being a young widow, with my then eight year old aunt to raise on her own. Even after she remarried, Catherine continued her career as a school secretary in an all boys vocational high school. She was instrumental in starting the clerical workers union in the school district, facing much opposition. A widow for the second time, she moved to Florida upon retirement and traveled extensively. Gram continued to be my closest advisor and confidant, as I navigated through college, marriage and my own career. Her final gift to me was stating in her will that I was more a daughter to her than a granddaughter. I still think of her when facing an important decision.
How did you mark turning 50? How did that feel to you?
Although I turned 50 many years ago, I still can appreciate where I was at that time in my life. I was working as a sales counselor at a retirement living community, with active seniors living their best lives. They set an example for positive aging by staying active, being social, continuing to learn and to be involved in the community. In their eyes, I had the best years of my life to look forward to. That mindset has guided me this far as I still work full-time in a new career , remain active in service organizations and keep an open mind for new experiences.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Definitely to be kinder and less critical of myself and others.
Do you feel like you've changed since you've turned 50?
At 68, I am in a position to be a mentor as Manager of Training and Recruiting for five real estate offices. Earlier in my career I would not have had the patience and insight to provide guidance to new and existing agents in reaching their business goals. Rather than being competitive as I would have been in the past, now I am gratified to see agents become successful and grow both professionally and personally. The reward is more satisfying than my own success as a salesperson.
What positives have come from being over 50?
The most positive benefit of being over 50 is sharing life with my husband of 45 years. We have been blessed with a wonderful life as we have grown together over the years. Our journey starting as a frat boy and sorority girl dating at Slippery Rock University (State College then) has been one filled with adventures, navigating the peaks, valleys and everything in-between together. I still don't know what impulse made me ask him to my sorority formal, but I like to think it was divine intervention.
Do you have any goals or projects you're working on?
I am active in a fraternal organization and currently the state chairman of the Fraternal Committee which provides financial assistance to our members in distress. Another project in the works for the same organization is that I will be the Chairperson for the 130th Session, the annual conference, to be held at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, PA in June, 2025.
What is your best advice for other women who are coming up on turning 50? What do you 'know' now.
Be resilient and don't place limits on your potential. " If you want something you have never had, you have to do something you have never done."
How would you like people to describe you or see you? What do you most want people to remember about you?
I hope to be thought of as having made a difference, that something has been made better because of my impact.
Why are beautiful photos important to you right now?
Although I have certainly lost the glow of youth, there is something unique about this stage of life that is worth celebrating. As I transition to whatever is the next stage of life, I want to capture who I am today.
Congratulations Gail!
If you missed the Gallery Exhibition November 10th, you’ll be able to catch it on December 7th @ 7:30pm on KDKA with Kym Gable KDKA segment “On a Positive Note”
If you’re interested in being elevated and celebrated as part of the 50over50 Project for 2024 and being part of this growing Legacy Coterie, you can see more information HERE
There are only 50 spots for 2024 and almost 10 are already taken!
