T I P S , Q U O T E S , I M A G E S A N D S T O R I E S

Wit & Wisdom from Chesapeake’s

Welcome to the “Wit & Wisdom” from Chesapeake’s Women in Energy.

“This digital booklet has been a labor of love born from

an idea that originated from you — our Chesapeake

Women in Energy! It contains tips, messages, personal

stories, quotes, pictures and other information from

many of your Chesapeake colleagues. This amazing little

booklet is meant to encourage, uplift and promote women

throughout our Company. We hope you enjoy it.”

Aleida Socarras and Cheryl Martin

We Can & We Will

Have a vision and direction for your life — know

who you are and what you stand for.

Build your network and coalitions — surround

yourself with people who want you to be your best

and want to celebrate you.

Be open to new opportunities — say yes! Don’t be

afraid to take risks and make mistakes. Learn from

them.

Celebrate success — reward yourself. Be proud of

your accomplishments and include those who have

helped along the way.

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Shared by Anonymous

“We as women often compare ourselves to each

other. We compare our careers, marriages (or lack

thereof), our outfits, our parenting skills, what

stage of life we are in and the list goes on!

We are each perfect and uniquely made, destined

for our own individual purpose.

Celebrate and embrace who you truly are and the

season of life that you are in. Your contentment

and confidence will become infectious and

inspiring to every woman that you come in

contact with.”

“Celebrate the

uniqueness of you and

enjoy your individual

journey while doing it!”

Danielle Roach

“What you sow into the lives of others is the harvest you will reap tomorrow.”

Anonymous — Shared by Suzy Hutchison

“It is only through change that you grow.”

Anonymous — Shared by Devon Rudloff

“Learn to value yourself, which means: fight for your happiness.”

Ayn Rand — Shared by MQ Riding

Quotes From Strong Women

Thriving is Not a Destination—

It is the Journey

If you are determined to get the most

out of your life and your 24 hour day, pay

yourself first. Claiming the time for you and

the health you crave is not a luxury—it’s an

investment that will pay you back over and

over again. Accept your limitations (with

relief), spend your time and energy with

care and respect, and pay yourself first.

You won’t get it perfect (guaranteed!), but

this formula will keep you on the path to

creating a life that works for you.

“Sometimes, you need a little

inspiration to get yourself back

on track to being your strong,

intelligent, all-powerful self!”

GREAT EMPOWERING

movies you should watch again

Fried Green Tomatoes

Steel Magnolias

Under the Tuscan Sun

Hidden Figures

Wild

A League of Their Own

Shared by Syd Davis

NEED A POWER BOOST OF ENCOURAGEMENT?

This Girl Power Playlist is for you! Shared by Syd Davis

I’m Every Women — Whitney Houston

I Will Survive — Gloria Gaynor

Roar — Katy Perry

Express Yourself — Madonna

Run the World (Girls) — Beyonce

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun — Cyndi Lauper

Nothing in Between — Meredith Brooks

R-E-S-P-E-C-T — Aretha Franklin

Man! I Feel Like a Woman — Shania Twain

Sisters are Doing It For Themselves —

Eurythmics & Aretha Franklin

TIP: Overcoming

Obstacles

It’s ok to ask for help and it’s okay to say no.

Have a positive attitude — it is an opportunity to

learn and grow.

Be inquisitive — ask questions, get clarity, research.

Define the issues and break them down

into manageable parts.

Brainstorm solutions and execute.

Trust the people around you.

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“Stand for

something or you

will fall for anything.

Today’s mighty

oak is yesterday’s

nut that held its

ground.”

Rosa Parks, American

Civil Rights Activist

TIP: Be Good to

Yourself

Schedule time for yourself. Find an activity

that relaxes you and allows you to decompress.

Commit to and schedule this time. Let your

family and kids know, depending on the age, that

this is your time to recharge. Set the boundary

and stick to it. My activity was going to the

movies a couple times a month. I would take

time on Friday's before picking my daughter up

from daycare to see a movie.

Shared by Nicole Carter

Michelle Obama

“As women, we must

stand up for ourselves. We

must stand up for each

other. We must stand up

for justice for all.”

I remember how thrilled I was when I was chosen to be a

draftsman in the structural engineering department for a nationally

recognized structural engineering firm. I was given a choice cubical

with a window, a drafting board, and a stool. Our dress code

instructed me to wear only ‘feminine clothing’ (no pants) and to

keep my waist length hair ‘modestly kept.’

It was 1980. I was the first female draftsman employed in the

structural department in the company’s history. A year later, in

1981 there was a recession. The firm partners worked hard to keep

everyone busy and it paid off. We won a contract which put the

structural department on mandatory overtime for 6 weeks. We

were all relieved.

At the end of the project the partner I worked for called me into his

office and commended me for the work I had accomplished over

those 360 production hours. He then told me, “We’ll be letting you

go today, because with the project complete, there’s not enough

work to keep you on.” I asked, “…are David, Chris, and Ted going

too?” Mr. Farthing said, “No, we are keeping them on because they

are the breadwinners of their families, we’re only letting the female

technical employees go, because you are not the breadwinners in

your families.”

I left his office devastated. I had to walk past David, Chris, and Ted’s

design stations. They all knew what had just happened. I thought to

myself, the best thing I can do is finish the sheet I was working on

and collect my things and go home. As I packed up my things, my

friend David came to me and said, “You’ll be stronger after the shock

wears off.” And he was right. Within weeks I had a higher paying

position and worked at a firm that treated women nearly equally

to men. The structural firm that I formerly worked for didn’t exist 5

years later.

Could it be they didn’t value the benefit of diversity in an evolving

world, or were they just too old school? I don’t know for sure, but

what I do know is that I was better for having worked there and

having faced adversity straight in the eye without blinking.

Amy Snyder

“I’m not one to follow rules,

ask permission first, color in

the lines or stay within a box. I

find that the best things in life

come when you take a chance,

go out on a limb and fight for

what you believe in!”

“No one can make

you feel inferior

without your

consent.”

Eleanor Roosevelt,

First Lady of the U.S.

A Survey Showed

Words C O U N T F O R

Tone C O U N T F O R

TOTAL

Body Language C O U N T F O R

Face to

Face

Over the

Phone

7%

38%

55%

100% 100%

7%

93%

0%

Years ago, I was excited to attend one of my first industry events.

I was finally going to have the opportunity to put faces with

all of the names and voices that I had either spoken directly

with or heard mentioned numerous times. Unfortunately, it was

decided that I would not be able to sit in on a meeting with one

of our vendors because it would be attended by an experienced

gentleman with a wealth of knowledge and insight, whom it was

perceived would not share openly with a woman at the table. I have

to admit, I was both devastated and humiliated to walk back to the

hotel room when the meeting was about to begin.

Later that evening, when we were in the hotel lobby waiting for

the group taking us to dinner, who walks in the door? That very

same gentleman! When the time came for introductions, I looked

him straight in the eye and shook his hand firmly. He was friendly

and courteous, but did not necessarily pay much attention to me

until during the course of a conversation regarding a possible

opportunity between the two companies, I was the one who could

answer his questions. He was impressed and asked for my card.

From that moment on, I was never left out of a meeting again and

that experienced gentleman has reached out to me several times

for help and advice on different projects over the years.

Key Takeaways: The “Good Ole Boy’s” network is not impenetrable.

Always portray confidence by looking them in the eye and

having a firm handshake.

Never be afraid to speak up and share your knowledge.

“The question isn’t who is going to let

me; it’s who is going to stop me.”

Ayn Rand

TIP: Leadership &

Management

As a leader, make sure you’re available — people

can’t follow a leader they can’t see

Don’t let lack of qualifications hold you back

Think of your potential not your limitations

Just do it, despite the fear!

Replace self-criticsm with positive self-talk (yes,

talk to yourself!)

Present yourslef as a leader:

Speak Up — Claim “air time”

Show Confidence — Act like you belong

Be Kind — Play hard, play nice

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“It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now

that I have it, I am not going to be silent”

Madeleine Albright

“She was twelve years old when she told Eddie Willers that she would run the

railroad when she grew up. She was fifteen when it occurred to her for the first

time that women did not run railroads and that people might object.

To hell with that she thought — and never worried about it again.”

Dagny Taggart, from “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand — Shared by MQ Riding

Quotes From Strong Women

TIP: Make Personal

Connections

Live your life as if you are a mentor. Give a reason to be respected and valued.

Look for people you admire and respect. You can have multiple mentors to assist and support you in different areas. Pay it forward — mentor as much as you can. You’ll find that you’ll learn just as much from your mentees, young and old(er).

Proactively engage in events and/or activities where you have the opportunity to meet new people.

Always connect with people you meet via email, phone, in person and social media (e.g., LinkedIn). It’s so important to reach out to your network at least twice a year — sometimes all it takes is a quick email to say “hello” to foster a relationship.

Be available to those around you.

Let others know that you are listening and interested.

Compliment others. Encourage them. Believe in them. Allow them to Shine Bright.

Encourage your team and others in the company to share their ideas and give them credit for them. They will feel empowered, valued and excited to continue to share.

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Shared by Jackie Mayan, Darcy White, Stacie Roberts, and Heidi Zanecosky

TIP: Decision Making

Do your research — consult experts and data to collect

facts.

Trust your gut — trust your instincts and have

confidence in your experience.

Accept failure and learn from mistakes — turn your

failure into growth.

Don’t compare yourself to others — your path is unique.

Focus on the present — focus on what the factors

influencing your process are in this moment when the

decision needs to be made.

Limit second guessing — move on. Be confident in your

choice and look to the future.

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Shared by Kisha Brown

As I see you today, I saw myself one day and as you see

me, you will see yourself one day.

Once I was traveling from Miami to Tampa along Alligator Alley

with a coworker. That particular stretch of highway is, as the name

implies, desolate and at that time not frequently traveled. It was

already dark and an unusually cold night in Florida. We were

surprised to see a homeless man walking on the side of the road.

He looked disheveled and cold, dragging himself as if with his last

bit of strength. My coworker said something I had never heard

before, “There but for the grace of God.” I asked him what he

meant. He said it was an old Southern expression meaning it could

be one of us.

My father-in-law often told me a similar expression. One day when

he was returning home from a party, he was complaining to his

drinking buddies that his mom was old and that she would give

him a hard time every time he went out. An old man overheard him

and asked him to come close. He said to him, “As I see you, I saw

myself one day. As you see me, you will see yourself one day.” The

memory of that bus ride stuck with him for the rest of his life.

These simple sayings teach an important lesson. A lesson that

is especially important to young people just starting out in their

Vice President, Chesapeake Utilities

careers. When you get the big promotion you wanted, when you

land the important assignment, when you are singled out for your

accomplishments, it is normal to feel you are special. It’s a good

feeling and you should enjoy it. But, don’t get carried away and

start believing that you deserve all the credit for getting there.

When you feel that way, it’s a good time to stop and reflect. Your

talent, ambition, and skills can get you to where you want, but so

does being in the right place, at the right time. Luck plays its role.

You didn’t do it alone. Others that came before you, have helped

open doors. They have influenced you directly or indirectly. Their

contributions also matter.

Whatever position we hold at any given time is only temporary —

whether we are leading a corporation or starting out in an entry

level job at any company. Everything is temporary and subject to

change in a minute. Fortunes shift. Having empathy for others and

humility in your actions helps you stay grounded. In those moments

when you are on top of the world, it is the best time to make others

feel valued, empowered, and appreciated. You may need someone

to do the same for you one day.

DANIELLE MULLIGAN A few years ago, as I was taking on more responsibility

at FPU and undergoing a lot of stress due to family

illness, I knew it was time to focus more intently on my

own self-care. I underwent a full self-care program, led

by a self-care coach, with a group of other high-level

professional women. We cheered each other on as we

made careful and effective shifts in our own self-care

habits — mind/body/spirit — and encouraged each

other through the hard moments of change.

For a little background on my personal experience, I

invite you to read this article about my brother, Chris,

and his life’s journey. He is my personal superhero and

the reason I try so hard in life and spirit.

Visit cflwire.com/leesburg-man-continues-cancer-

battle-martial-arts-prays-christmas-miracle/

The result of my self-care journey was that not only

did I avoid burn-out during this stressful chapter of

life, but I gained the physical, mental and emotional

skill set that has helped me continue to take on more

responsibility while supporting the people in my life

through their hard times. My own self-care work has

taught me how to become an effective manager

of all things related to my Self, including time and

relationships –personal and professional.

In particular, the self-care that has helped

me the most is:

• Making myself a priority without feeling guilty.

• Knowing how to actually change habits by

understanding that willpower doesn’t work and

committing to the Kaizen philosophy — a long-term

approach to achieve small, incremental changes to

make long-lasting improvements.

• Understanding the importance of supporting and

being supported by other women!!!

• Learning how to set real emotional boundaries with

people to save my energy for when I need it.

• Mindfully calming myself down during stressful

moments when I feel like I’m juggling too much.

• Saying yes to meditation! — Technology Tip: Check

out the iPhone App “Insight Timer” — this tool not

only makes meditation fun and addictive, but it’s

interactive. Users can share their favorite teacher/

practice with friends, build groups and share

experiences. There are hundreds of teachers and

different types and lengths to choose from. It’s

wonderful.

Check out the iPhone App

“Insight Timer”

DANIELLE MULLIGAN

DID YOU KNOW?

Lemur communities

are dominated by females, who steal food

and prime sleeping spots from their male

counterparts.GIRLPOWER

Gloria Steinem

“Women are always saying, ‘We can do anything

that men can do’ but men should be saying,

‘We can do anything that women can do.’”

TIP: Care For Yourself

• Be healthy and focused. Challenge yourself

but be aware of your boundaries.

• Treat yourself to something extraordinary on

occasion, no matter how small or immaterial.

• Take the time to exercise, eat right and get

the appropriate amount of rest.

• Be creative in ways to increase activity; e.g.

walk to lunch or create a challenge with

friends.

• Try new activities until you find the one that

works for you.

• Find the time in your day that is dedicated

solely to you; the time that you can

consistently commit to being active.

• Practice centering and breathing exercises.

When we get stressed our breathing become

shallow. Practice deep cleansing breathing

techniques to increase the oxygen.

• Schedule time to do things you enjoy.

• Meditation can take only 5 minutes a day.

With practice, it can become a reflexive

reaction that helps you deal with many

different situations.

• Massage therapy can relax your muscles

after a long day.

• Make time to reconnect with friends and self.

• Enjoy the friendships that have fostered over

time and continuously make new ones.

• Try prayer and meditation practices.

• Take time for you. Refuel. Recharge; It’s OK

to say no.

Shared by Darcy White, Stacie Roberts, Heidi Zanecosky, Devon Rudloff, Nicole Carter

“The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill,

but the willingness to learn is a choice.”

Anonymous — Shared by Emily Mabrey

Quotes From Strong Women

“When you look at successful women, they have have other women who

have supported them, and they’ve gotten to where they are because of

those women.” How awesome is it, that we, the women of Chesapeake

Utilities Corporation, can be that for each other.Sheryl Sandberg — Shared by DeShaundra Jones

TIP: Personal Style

Thinkers (e.g., Spock or Sheldon)

• Super power — risk reducer/always right/find errors

• Strength — organized/fact finding/accurate/precise

• Weakness — overthink/high standards/stubborn/unimaginative

• When under pressure — become silent/flee or withdraw/exhibit negative behavior

• Strategy on how to deal — know your stuff/use fact, logic and structure/go step-by-step

Directors (e.g., Thor, hammer of truth)

• Super power — get to the point/short and sweet/straight up

• Strength — dependable/decisive/confident/order to chaos

• Weakness — ineffective team members/alienate people/don’t like to delegate

• When under pressure — raise voice/bully and take pot shots at others/behave arrogantly

• Strategy on how to deal — get to the point/be businesslike/be task oriented

Relators (e.g., piglet)

• Super power — Feels everything everyone else feels

• Strength — likeable/loyal/team player/patient/ emotional thermometer

• Weakness — indecisive/wasted time/overly emotional/hard to say no

• When under pressure — submit/accommodate/exhibit passive-aggressive behavior

• Strategy on how to deal — slow down and listen/build them up/be casual and sincere

Socializers/Influencers (e.g., set you free or set a grenade launcher)

• Super power — people oriented/helpful

• Strength — open to help/persuasive/encouraging/optimistic

• Weakness — too forgiving/patience/flaky/lack of follow through

• When under pressure — talk more loudly and quickly / throw tantrums/exaggerate

• Strategy on how to deal — let them talk/be enthusiastic/be flexible

Shared by Emily Mabrey

TIP: Ways to change

self-limiting behaviors

I’ll try / I can / I will

Risk being you!

Believe in yourself / know your values

Managing work/life balance There is no such thing as having it all, give yourself

permission to do the best you can in the moment.

Engage help and find yourself a support system.

Remember to take care of yourself, you cannot give to

others if your “cup” is empty.

Being the only woman in the room/at the table You have to remember that you deserve a seat at the

table. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be there. Stand in

what you know. Your opinion, your voice, your expertise

matter! And if all else fails, excuse yourself from that

table – go out, reserve your own room and sit at the head

of your OWN TABLE.

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Within the workplace, everyone is faced with challenges

and at times obstacles. As women we may experience

this more often than our male co-workers. Thus,

I welcome the inspiration provided by the strong

leadership held by many women in Chesapeake Utilities

Corporation as well as the vast expertise of our female

co-workers throughout the entire Company. Chesapeake

continues to provide opportunities where we may work

with and learn from many intelligent, creative, and

enlightening women who have implemented Company

initiatives and set precedent for long-term growth in

our Company. Hence, we are also provided with the

opportunities to be the ones crafting strategy and

leading innovative projects. Year after year, I continue to

gain valuable insight from all of the fascinating women

within our Company, especially through our Women in

Energy campaign.

Along with my experiences at Chesapeake, I grew up

surrounded by inspiring, intelligent and strong women.

My two grandmothers, different as they were, both were

beautiful women and amazing role models. My maternal

grandmother from her late 40s to retirement, was a well

accomplished self-sufficient woman who lived alone,

travelled worldwide and established a successful and

rewarding career. Five years following my grandfather’s

passing, my grandmother sold her home and took on a

role as the director of a school for disabled adults, just

outside of Washington DC. She held many speaking

engagements, planned numerous events and organized

the opening of a second location for the school. My

grandmother embraced life with grace and enthusiasm,

not allowing age to be a limitation.

Likewise, my paternal grandmother was a strong and

incredible woman who inspired me. She was a stay-

at-home mother since marriage and assisted my

grandfather with his family business. My grandmother

passed away in April 2017 at the age of 103, and

throughout her healthy and accomplished life, she

continued to motivate her husband, children and

grandchildren. I was fortunate to have her company and

wisdom for so many years. My grandmother had moxie

with dignity, and always encouraged me to “go for it!”

She also stressed education in all facets whether it be

through school or life’s experiences and emphasized

that I pursue a career as it would provide opportunities

that enrich not only my lifestyle but also my character.

My mom, an artistic and wonderful friend, also is

inspirational and continues to be a mentor. She is

a retired working mom who managed her home as

effortlessly as her career. She never worried about which

rung she was on in the corporate ladder or what she

had to do at home. My mom made sure her family was

on track every day, cheering us on and helping us even

today. She worked full-time, met her deadlines, traveled

and still juggled what my dad, I and my siblings were

doing as well as being very active herself. Of all of my

role models, my mom has taught me that we as women

are invincible.

Through my family experiences and years of working

with successful and fabulous women at Chesapeake, I

continue to learn from very unique women which is just

as fascinating as reaching the next milestone. Thus, I

share the following tips which I have gained:

• Be true to you! Let your personality shine. Being genuine — whom

you really are truly ensues unwavering confidence.

• Remain self-aware. Following a project’s or event’s completion, we

tend to review best practices. Likewise, review your performance.

What were my “roses” and “thorns?” Most significantly, how do I

enhance, change and steer going forward? Refresh your “why” —

what is of value to you and understand your colleagues’ interests as

it folds into engagement and collaboration.

• Lean in! No harm in leaning in and sharing your ideas and opinions.

Sticking your neck out, may be a challenge, it exhibits leadership

and enables your voice to be heard. Remember to support others

as they “lean in” too. You will be amazed of the collaboration

generated as you inspire others and learn that there are those at the

table supporting you as well.

• You CAN do it all. — Women are able to achieve a happy life/work

balance. And for moms, there is no limit to you in exceeding your

ambitions. All are able to balance family time while achieving a

fulfilling career. Just as every employee has their style of leadership,

approach to a project or manner of conducting a meeting, we all

have our own ways of managing home life and careers.

• Me, myself and I — the only person I am competing against.

Competition in the workplace is healthy though keep it fun.

Concerns of who is ahead or getting there before you will only

distract you from reaching your goals and accomplishing fine work.

Eliminate that unnecessary stress, and race against yourself to reach

new heights and exceed challenges. Not only do you eliminate any

distractions that take away from your motivation but you will always

be a winner!

• Age is not a determinant — Never feel that you are too young or old

to take on a challenge, perform a task, learn or change your career

path. Expertise and enthusiasm are held and obtained in all phases

of our lives.

“We must believe that we are gifted for something and that

this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.”

Marie Curie

“I am a Woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal Woman, that’s me.”

Maya Angelou

Quotes From Strong Women

TIP: Managing It All

Create a schedule to manage priorities.

Learn to say no (professionally and personally.)

Enjoy the small things that make up the journey.

Make dinner a family affair and connect with those

around you.

Take advantage of prepared meals or meal delivery

services.

Ask for assistance.

Trust the people around you to help you.

No matter how scary or unqualified you think you are —

seize opportunities and say yes! Sometimes people see

things in us that we don’t see in ourselves.

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Shared by Nicole Carter, Jackie Mayan, Stacie Roberts, Darcy White, Heidi Zanecosky,

TIP: Developing

your personal &

professional self

• What do you want others to say about you when you are

not around? Build your brand. Be consistent. Dare to be

different.

• Make a plan that is flexible for when things go off course.

• Write down your goals. Keep them simple and

measurable.

• Define your wants versus needs.

• Track your progress.

• Good communication skills are key – be clear, concise,

non-judgmental, and mutual.

• Be patient.

• Listen — even if you don’t like what is being said.

• Capitalize on individual strengths to create a team that

complements each other and works well together.

• Have a good sense of humor and have fun during the day.

• Lead by example.

• Be confident and strong.

Shared by Devon Rudloff, Stacie Roberts, Darcy White, Heidi Zanecosky,

“We are a movement, not a monument. We are always on the move.” Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre, 24th National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation during the Obama

administration — Shared by Debbie Smith

“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”

Anonymous — Shared by Devon Rudloff

“If your have made mistakes, even serious ones, there is

always another chance for you. What we call failure is not

falling down, but the staying down.”

Anonymous — Shared by Mary Pickford

Quotes From Strong Women

Women have a tendency to be

hard on themselves.

We often expect perfection and find it

hard to let go of control for fear of being

viewed as weak. Don’t hold on to the guilt

of small mistakes or imperfections and

it is not a show of weakness to delegate.

Forgive yourself and support one another.

Often simple compliments can lift up our

male counterparts, but it takes a deeper

conversation and connection to bring a true

smile back to a woman’s face. Take the time

to make a difference.

Marcy Robbins

DO YOU HAVE WIT & WISDOM

YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE? SUBMISSIONS CAN BE SENT TO MSTAMPER@CHPK.COM