In my employment at the National Headquarters, Episcopal Church, I recruited/assigned persons worldwide, traveled extensively outside the USA to identify positions and within the country to recruit people to fill the positions, I was stressed. I pursued my hobby: photography, joined the Flushing Camera Club (FCC) and served on the Board without portfolio! I served as Chair: Programs, Hospitality, Membership and Newsletter Editor. My Field Trip leadership encouraged us to pursue week long trips to Florida and Maine. I served as President for 3 years: not the regular two years!

Russ Burden(FCC member) started conducting photography trips, I traveled extensively with him to National Parks and loved my exposure to landscapes. I competed in FCC competitions: going from B to A in one season and next season from A to within one point of entering Honors. My office demands continued and without the time to delve into digital editing, I stopped competing!

My FCC involvements encouraged me to active participation in the Photographic Federation of Long Island (PFLI) and I noticed very few people of color at PFLI events. I knew that people of color had extra funds, took vacations and had cameras; therefore, why not introduce them to a camera club? I contacted Ron Caldwell and Hughe Williams (FCC) and Jim Grant (Freeport Camera Club) about exploring the creation of a camera club in Southeast Queens. We advertised widely, included an
article in the Queens Chronicle on our Open House scheduled for January 31, 2005. Forty residents arrived to learn about creating a camera club. The vote was unanimous for the creation of the Southeast Queens Camera Club (SEQCC).

We worked endlessly to insure the successful creation and operation of our SEQCC…I served as Chair: Membership, Newsletter, Publicity, Programs/Education, and Planning. Go to Our Beginning, SEQCC, for our initial achievements.

I do not know why I pursued a leadership role in the PFLI! However, I was the 2nd Vice President, PFLI, during Leon Hertzon’s Presidency and he asked me to redesign the annual 3 hour Friday photo shoot for photographers. My Committee designed an all day Sunday annual photo shoot for camera club members entitled: the Photorama and I served as its Chair for some time.

I was elected PFLI President for 2 years and served for 5 years (2006-2011)! I reflected on how to strengthen the PFLI and leave it better than when I started as president! At night, I periodically have “light bulb” moments where ideas emerge! These “light bulb” ideas enabled me to create/encourage the following programs during my PFLI Presidency. I had the support of a great Board and these programs are still in existence today (in some format):

In 2007 we developed an agreement between the PFLI and the Plainview-Old Bethpage
Library for us to provide a lecture series. I created an Education Committee, Ron Caldwell as Chair, and he used the PFLI resources to design the Library’s photography programs and obtain the speakers. The Library provided the meeting space, paid $100.00 for speakers and advertised the lectures.

Created the PFLI Hall of Fame in 2009 “to honor photographers who have shown exceptional photographic skill over an extended period of time.” We had 9 inductees in 2009; in 2023, we have 25.

Encouraged Dick Hunt, PFLI Master Photographer, in 2009 to write a book: “The Keys to Great Photographs.” All copies were sold and the book is posted on the PFLI Web. The Education Committee scheduled Dick to present his book at the Library; we had an attendance of 175!

Encouraged the PFLI in 2010 to participate with the Photographic Society of America in their worldwide annual Youth Showcase competition for high school students.
My PFLI’s awards: Associate (APFLI) in 2003 and a Fellow (FPFLI) in 2007. After my Presidency I received a Special Award for extraordinary dedication and service as President of the Photography Federation of Long Island for the years 2006-2011.
During Women’s History 2024, Program Committee, SEQCC, asked me to present My Photography Journey through PowerPoint. This was a unique and enjoyable experience for me to reflect on my journey …and I learned PowerPoint!

As I reflect on my photography journey, this hobby has provided me much joy and pleasure. I have met so many wonderful and creative photographers who have assisted me along the journey. I realize I made some mistakes …and I learned from them. During this great photography journey, I have learned, I have celebrated and there was lots of fun. I also celebrate the changes as I left some programs not as I found them. …and created some new programs! I’m celebrating this fantastic journey!