An Insider's Guide to Education for Parents

Meeting First Lady Michelle Obama - In Support of Work Life Solutions

Periodically, I welcome a guest to join me on my blog. This week, Fran Durekas, Chief Development Officer of Children’s Creative Learning Centers (CCLC) is joining us to discuss her recent trip to Washington D.C. and her opportunity to spend time with First Lady Michelle Obama.

During my visit to DC on May 7, 2009 I had the opportunity to attend Corporate Voices’ 2009 Annual meeting. This was my first opportunity to attend a Corporate Voices event and clearly this was not a typical meeting. What made this meeting unique was a visit from the First Lady, Michelle Obama. I was truly anxious and unsure what my experience would be like. How long would she stay? Would she engage with the audience? What information would she share with everyone in attendance?

When the First Lady entered the room, there was a common reaction amongst the more than 80 guests. First, complete quiet followed by quick commentary at the tables. My reaction was more of disbelief that I was one of a few honored guests to be so close to her while she sat and listened to Donna Klien, President and Founder of Corporate Voices, gracefully introduce her. As the First Lady began her speech, she immediately added humor and brought a sense of ease as she shared her past experience as a working mom. She was really no different from the many working moms in the room. The difference now is that she has the awesome responsibility of raising her two girls, supporting her husband’s new career and balancing her life in the public eye.

The First Lady did not mince words when sharing her support of sick days with pay and flexible work schedules. She strongly believes that workers should have paid sick days, schedules that give them time for their family responsibilities—such as picking up children from school or taking an aging parent to a doctor’s appointment—and quality child care on the job. As a provider of Work Place Child Care I was pleased that she noted the need for this benefit. She also praised the work that Corporate Voices was doing and commended the audience for their commitment to providing the best work environment for their employees.

As she wrapped up her speech, the First Lady kindly approached the audience and took the time to shake hands and greet members of the audience individually. When she approached where I was standing, I was in disbelief that I was only seconds from meeting the First Lady. Many things ran through my head. What do I say to her? Do I tell her my youngest daughter wants to have a play date with her daughters or that my passion is providing quality learning experiences for children? Do I thank her for her support of early childhood education? Well, there simply was not time to share all of my thoughts, but simply an acknowledgement of my appreciation for her time and for her outstanding work.

Meeting the First Lady

Once the First Lady left the room, I sat for a while and reflected on the important message she delivered. We have an awesome responsibility as mothers in the work place. It is our responsibility to set our own path and to ensure we are giving 120% all the time. This is how we can make a difference in the life of a child and for ourselves as women.

Want to be inspired by the First Lady? You can review the transcript of her speech online.

About Fran Durekas, Founder and Chief Development Officer, CCLC

Fran Durekas is Founder and Chief Development Officer for CCLC, a leading provider of employer-sponsored early childhood education and care. In this capacity, she provides executive leadership and support for new center openings, long-term strategy development for centers and client relations. She also assists with CCLC center design, construction and program recommendations.

Durekas brings to her position over twenty years experience in early childhood education and care. Her experience in early childhood education, new center development and extensive knowledge of LEED certified requirements for green construction, coupled with an impressive client list also led to project management and consulting relationships with dozens of other childcare providers throughout her career.

Over the years, Durekas has been an active member of state and national child care organizations. She is currently an active member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and a Board member for both the California Polytechnic State University’s Child Development Department and the Eco-Healthy Child Care Advisory Committee. She is also actively involved in planning and public speaking for the World Forum on Early Care and Education, World @ Work and Milken Global Conference. In October 2005, Durekas was chosen as the Alumni of the Year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for her contributions to the field of Early Childhood Development.

Fran has had all three of her children at CCLC and enjoys not only being the Founder, but also seeing our programs from a parent’s perspective. She holds a degree in Human Development from the California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo and has been certified through Boston College’s Work/Life Program.