To reflect on the women in our lives with fondness is something we should cherish – our mothers, aunts, teachers, and doctors – each woman creates a ripple effect in our lives. For some, it’s a moment of kindness that changes the way we see the world. For others, it’s a long-lasting friendship that forever changes the way we carry ourselves.
For Women’s History Month, we asked some of the people who have made Arlington Thrive the organization it is today to share stories of the women who have left the greatest impact on their lives.
Arlington Thrive’s Community Navigator, Melany Amao, is more than just a staff member providing care and support for neighbors in need. She is also, a daughter, a sister, and a passionate advocate for the most vulnerable members of our community. Melany’s personal experiences have shaped the ways she approaches her role at Arlington Thrive. Growing up, she witnessed firsthand the impact that social workers and caseworkers had on her family – navigating unfamiliar systems, resources, and finding support during some of the most challenging times.
“I wanted to be that source of support for others to embody empathy, provide guidance, and connect individuals and families to the resources they need, just as someone once did for me.”
Today, Melany’s ongoing dedication to building connections and stability for families has opened doors for so many neighbors who aspire to build safe, stable, and successful lives here in Arlington. Through the Community Navigator Program, each client benefits from a tailored, thoughtful approach to growth. Whether her clients are contending with language barriers, cultural differences, or unfamiliar systems, Melany understands, on a personal level, how overwhelming that can feel. Whether through mentoring on financial literacy or connecting clients with training and certification programs through the Employment Pathways Program – Melany’s impact on our neighbors is not fleeting – it’s life-changing.
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Before Martha Henderson passed, she lived a life of service, working as a nurse at San Francisco General in the 60’s and then teaching nursing in Vietnam during the war. Martha later became North Carolina’s first geriatric nurse practitioner.
Martha didn’t just leave a lasting impact on the people she nursed back to health. She also marked the life of her niece, Camilla Taft, an Arlington Thrive Board member. Camilla studied public health and has stayed involved in her community, thanks to inspiration from her aunt.
Before Martha passed, she wrote book The Gift of Life, Aging Well, Aging Smart, and Wisdom for the Journey. Though she didn’t get the book published during her lifetime – her greatest regret – she left the book to Camilla, who had it published. It’s been a gift that shares their family’s story and important life lessons with the next generation.
“Martha’s unending energy and enthusiasm for being a helper inspires me to bring my best self forward for others, including as I serve through Arlington Thrive. Martha constantly thought of those in need and how she could be part of the solution. She believed deeply in people’s potential, and her cultivation of the little light within others was a hallmark of her life. I carry her with me as I strive to live up to her legacy.”
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Needing someone to believe in you is all it takes to go from good to great. For Dennis Middleton, an Arlington Thrive Board member, that person was Nancy Gifford, a former colleague and life-long mentor. Nancy was a force of nature, deeply respected by all her colleagues, and, with her recent passing, Dennis looks back fondly at the time when they worked together and she built up his confidence, paving the way for the way he carries himself today in the Board room.
“Nancy and our executive leader came to me and said, ‘You are the new team leader.’ I wasn’t sure I was ready for the role, given the size of the client and the scope of responsibility, but Nancy told me something along the lines of, ‘I wouldn’t have recommended you if I didn’t think you could do it and you will be successful.’
Her advocacy for me in stepping into that role, and her ongoing support over the ten years I worked on that client, fundamentally shaped my career trajectory. More than that, her confidence in me and her example of working collaboratively, where colleagues and clients become almost like family, has stayed with me.”
At Arlington Thrive, we are grateful for all those who have shaped the ways we give back to our communities with dignity, respect, and confidence. To the women who have left lasting impacts, thank you. The futures of our neighbors are touched by the care you’ve given to those who are carrying your legacy forward by caring for this community.
