Beacon Celebrates Women's History Month

Melissa Kolcz |
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In honor of Women's History Month, Beacon has been celebrating all month long on social media by sharing some of our team's history and favorite quotes from women who they look up to or has influenced them. We are extremely proud of our female owned and operated team and as always we are so thankful for your continued support. We hope you enjoy learning more about our team!

 
Katie Brennan Kane, Vice President, Operations & Client Services, Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) Candidate

“I'm a washashore from New York City. I was dating my future husband long-distance from NYC to the Cape for over 3 and a half years and we were both exhausted from traveling back and forth. He somehow convinced me to quit my job in the city and move in with him. I thought, I'll give it a year and then I'll convince him to move back to NYC with me. April 1, 2021 will be my 7th year living on the Cape and I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. There's something really special about this little peninsula and the community that calls the Cape home. I feel so lucky I took the leap almost 7 years ago!”

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is mere tenacity. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward” - Amelia Earhart


 
Kelli Grew, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

“I look forward to Fall every year on Cape Cod. The weather is still beautiful and the local favorite dining spots aren’t as crowded. But Fall also brings cranberry harvesting, and that’s what I look forward to the most. I live on a functioning cranberry bog owned and operated by my father-in-law. The harvesting tradition brings people from all over town; some stop by to see the process, some come to lend a hand, and others drop off food and drinks so our bellies stay full. Whether you’re a stranger, neighbor, close friend, or family member, there is a sense of community that envelops the entire weekend as we watch a 200-year-old tradition commence. It’s that tradition, and that feeling, that I await each year.”

“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” – Helen Keller


 
Beth Opishinski, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

“During my childhood I attended an 8-week summer camp in Orleans, Lake Farm Camp, which was run by a single woman, Marion Currier. There was a farmyard and, daily we had animal chores before breakfast and dinner, a reminder that we had to take care of other beings before ourselves. After breakfast, before our daily activities began, we all had to clean our cabins, with results for each cabin announced during lunch. The amount of activity that went into getting the cabin clean was unheard of with a bunch of kids because nothing gave Miss Currier greater pleasure than to stand at the head of the dining room and announce, "We have a perfect camp." It took years for many of us to realize it was not about the dust bunnies under one of the bunks, or the messy clothesline, but rather about working together as a team to accomplish a goal. Miss Currier is long gone but her campers and counselors continue to be a big family always available to lift each other up across many years, miles, and memories.”

“Matriarchal societies predate patriarchal societies. Matriarchal societies were not centered on dominance, but rather the promotion and nurturing of life during a time when each life was critically important to the survival of the society.”


 
Melissa Kolcz, Client Services Associate

“I volunteered as a ‘Big Sister’ with ‘Big Brothers Big Sisters’ for many years before I had children. I always looked up to my big sister as my #1 role model and I wanted the opportunity to do the same for an aspiring young woman in the community. I went into our friendship determined to teach her everything I could and be the best ‘Big Sister’. What I didn’t realize was how much she would teach me. It is such a rewarding friendship and I felt honored to be someone else’s role model. One of my favorite activities we did together ended with her saying, “today was the best day ever.” That is something I’ll never forget!”

“Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud” – Maya Angelou


 
Alina Leon, Client Services Associate, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Candidate

“Once Eleanor Roosevelt said that “A woman is like a tea bag-you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” When I turned 21 years old, I moved to Cape Cod from Ukraine right after graduating university. I had $1000 with me and a suitcase. I did not have a car or the means to buy one, so I walked 4 miles each way to work every day for 6 months until I had enough savings to buy one. To grow my savings faster, I allowed myself to spend only $10 a week. It was hard especially not having my family and friends close by. Despite all the difficulties on the way, I would not change this experience for a more comfortable one. Now I know that we do not grow when we are comfortable. This experience helped me to find inner strength and taught me to appreciate little things. It also proved the importance of setting goals and creating a plan to achieve them. Without a rainy day there is no real appreciation when the sun comes out.”


 
Lauren Lindsay, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

“Before I was a financial planner, I was a high school English teacher, mostly in London, where I did my graduate degree. I think I have always been and always will be a teacher to some degree. I love educating clients on how to achieve their goals, to empower them to take control of their financial future. I also utilize my education background as a Girl Scout leader, which is my favorite volunteer position. My quote is from Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts. She was in a very unhappy marriage, but her husband passed away before he divorced her. She took the money she inherited and used it to found Girl Scouts, to teach girls "unladylike" skills such as camping. Her quote I love is: 'Right is right, even if no one else does it." I taught Ethics to other CFPs for many years and used this quote in those seminars. It is one of my guiding principles today.”


 
Michaela Herlihy, President & CCO, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

“During my college years, I spent two summers living in a single wide trailer in McCall, Idaho. I reflect fondly on this adventure as one of the happiest in my life. I was unaware of it at the time, but this was one of my first lessons in how money and materialistic objects do not make one happy. It's the people and relationships in one's life that contribute to true happiness. I loved the simplicity of my life in Idaho and connected with genuine people who taught me the importance of community. Certainly, money makes the journey easier, but a journey towards inner peace surrounded by people you love is well worth the ride.”

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” -- Coretta Scott King