Women to share wisdom Friday at Lake City Playhouse

COEUR d'ALENE — Dancer. Writer. Motivational speaker. County commissioner. Activist.

Daughter. Sister. Mom. Grandma. Wife.

Human.

Whatever hats they're wearing, bedazzled or otherwise, the ladies who will comprise the discussion panel at the NIA-Women of Impact event — Words of Wisdom from Wise Women — possess a wealth of experience they will share with each other and audience members at 7 p.m. Friday at Lake City Playhouse.

“I just think it’s a thrill to be a part of this group,” said Evalyn Adams of Coeur d'Alene, who was elected as Kootenai County's first female commissioner in 1984 and served two terms.

“I know most of them pretty well," she said of her fellow panelists. "One is a brand-new friend."

Adams said the W.O.W. event will give opportunities for people to have a better understanding of some of the challenges these women have faced throughout their careers and work in public service. Attendees will benefit from hearing about their experiences, Adams said.

“It’s not a scripted evening," said Marilee Wallace, founder of NIA, a women-based leadership company that works to inspire, uplift and impact women’s lives.

"It’s just real candid conversations of all these women and they’re all threading together the synergy that we have when we hit a topic,” Wallace said.

Other W.O.W. participants will be: Katie Brodie of Hayden Lake, who serves as the chair of the Kootenai Health, Inc. Board of Directors, was formerly a representative for Idaho Gov. Butch Otter and also served as a Kootenai County commissioner; Kerri Thoreson, a 40-year newspaper columnist who served a record four terms on the Post Falls City Council; image creator Linda Davis, whose career spans real estate, construction and elderly care; and Liz Thorpe, dancer, choreographer and special advocate for drug and alcohol addiction.

Wallace will emcee the evening. Lake City Playhouse Artistic Director Brooke Wood will serve as the panel moderator.

"Collectively, these extraordinary women bring years of experience, encompassing joys, heartbreaks, careers, motherhood and relationships," Wallace said.

The ladies gathered for a run-through at the Playhouse the morning of Friday, Feb. 28, just before the calendar flipped to March, which is Women's History Month. 

"From a selfish point of view, this is about us being together and (the audience) just gets to be a part of it," Davis said with a smile.

Thorpe said it would be an honor to be among such astounding women from the community. She said much of her personal story revolves around recovery from alcoholism.

“There are a lot of habits that women take on that weaken us, thinking that they’re strengthening us," she said. "I’m an advocate for the recovery community; I go into the jail every week and share a message with the girls. That’s a big passion of mine, plus I’m a local dance teacher.”

The W.O.W. panel will also explore what it means for women to accept their age. She said she tries not to think of her aging body as betraying her.

“It’s served me so well. I had a really long career," she said. "Being a former professional dancer coming into the world of aging, it can be really challenging, so that’s another component of aging gracefully, embracing the changes.”  

Despite it all, she still dances. After reading the newspaper in the morning, she takes the time to go into her basement dance studio and put on the music.

“And I turn it really loud,” Thorpe said. "I can’t say I can work up a sweat anymore like I used to, but it gets my heart rate up, it gets the endorphins and I do this for one song.”

Wallace said she draws inspiration from the stories of women from diverse backgrounds and aims to spotlight those who uplift and inspire others within her community.

"We often hear about women around the globe achieving remarkable feats, and they can seem 'untouchable,'" Wallace said.

NIA-Women of Impact seeks out local women and invites them to share their relatable and tangible accomplishments, she said.

"We are fortunate to have exceptional women right here in North Idaho, who are not only impressive but also accessible," she said. "These wise individuals are eager to share their stories and engage in one-on-one conversations over coffee or wine with those who reach out — an opportunity that is often rare in larger cities or with high-profile speakers."

Doors open at 6 p.m. for live music with a no-host wine social. Wine bar proceeds will benefit Lake City Playhouse.

Tickets begin at $42 for general seating.

Info: nia-impact.com

    The ladies share a laugh Friday morning as they prepare for their upcoming panel at Lake City Playhouse. Front row, from left: Evalyn Adams, Katie Brodie, Linda Davis and Kerri Thoreson. Back row, from left: Marilee Wallace, Liz Thorpe and Brooke Wood.