Group Spotlight: Puget Sound

A conversation with Josephine Quiles-Negroni, the group organizer for Puget Sound, Washington.

By
Published January 21, 2025
Courtesy Josephine Quiles-Negroni

When did your group start and how many members do you have?

I became the Moderator for what began as the Tacoma Pierce County Ethel Gathering Group on January 26, 2024. Later, after a merger with the Seattle (WA) Gathering Group, we became the Puget Sound, WA Ethel Gathering Group. We now boast more than 600 members — with 505 currently “active."

I have added two co-administrators from among our members — which has been awesome since they were already familiar with our Group, its culture and our members and they were able to join in the rhythm of our group easily!

What has being an organizer of an Ethel group meant to you personally?

Serving as an organizer for The Ethel Gathering Group in the Puget Sound region of Washington has been a transformative experience for me. Like many others, my social circle had significantly diminished by the time we began to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. I harbored concerns about re-engaging with the world, and felt that opportunities to expand my network were rapidly fading. This led to feelings of diminished self-worth and a profound sense of isolation.

Upon learning about the opportunity to establish an Ethel Gathering Group in my area, I decided to seize the chance, recognizing that I could not be the only woman experiencing the effects of social isolation, which was beginning to influence various aspects of my life. Taking on the role of organizer has brought several meaningful experiences for me, including:

1. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone — I had never been big into social media and had to learn so much, so quickly! It was a good reminder to try new things and not forget to continue learning! Learning how to moderate and administer my group has benefitted me and so many others via our FB group and all the opportunities for the members.

2. It means reminding myself to always model what I would like to see in my group. Following our first meet up I was challenged to enter my very first pie contest by one of our Ethels. I was hesitant at first but took on the challenge. I entered a pie contest for the very first time. Not because I wanted to win - but because I encourage my members to always try some thing new. It was my turn to accept the challenge. My daughter was with me as I won a Blue Ribbon as a result. What an amazing experience to share with my adult daughter — thanks to the culture of challenging ourselves and trying new things fostered in our Ethel Gathering Group.

3. It has reminded me that I can continue to play a role in making things better for my community, in some way. More than 600 women have joined our group! I am consistently grateful for the opportunity and responsibility entrusted to me in my role as an administrator. Women frequently highlight the strength they derive from their connections with one another and regularly express appreciation for our Gathering Groups. I am humbled to play even the smallest part in making these important connections possible.

What are a few of the group's most popular events and activities?

When we first began our group — our most popular event was simply meeting up for coffee. Meeting this way initially let our Ethels know that it was safe and fun. A few led the way in showing up and even welcoming our members into their homes. As friendships flourished and conversations ensued — it became apparent that Ethels were ready to start getting out and venturing into places they had always wanted to visit but never had the opportunity to do so either due to work and or family. Our Passport to Cuisine series took us Ethels on a fun journey together sampling cuisines we had always wanted to try before but never had the occasion. Over the summer, walking groups, Concerts in the Parks and other outdoors activities were very popular.

Would you say real friendships have formed amongst the group members?

One of the most amazing benefits our members are enjoying is making new and fun friends! It is happening organically and the women are truly excited to meet one another. By far the most powerful message imparted in conversation among our group members has been the importance of other women in the lives of our participants. Women emphasize over and over again the strength they receive through their ties to other women. They value and trust their women friends. In instances of widowhood, or a spouse's disability, they consider their women friends a lifeline and a source of strength. Our Ethel Gathering Groups make these types of important friendships possible at the local level.

We are social beings. Women do not want to be isolated and alone. As we leave the work world, where we have usually been surrounded by others, we seek social connections to sustain us in the next chapter of our lives. Our Ethel Gathering Groups provide safe places and environments that foster the right circumstances for this important opportunity!

Any plans for new types of activities and events in 2025?

We visited amazing Tea Houses in the Fall and as we contemplate winter and the transportation issues created by the weather, we are looking to try out Silent Reading Clubs both in Person and Virtually, Art Night both In Person and Virtually, Lunch and Dinner Potlucks, Big Batch Cooking Club (our Holiday Cookie Swaps were a huge hit and Ethels enjoyed sharing instead of making it all !), we have a significant number of Ethel who make stuff so we will be truing out some Hand Made Swap Meet Ups and we’ll be looking to host in person and virtual game nights. the Public Libraries are a wonderful free resource and we will be tapping into it!

Had you ever heard of our Ethel Gathering Groups? Let us know in the comments below.

Shelley Emling, Editor-in-Chief of The Ethel Newsletter and The Girlfriend Newsletter from AARP

Shelley Emling is Senior Director, Specialized Media at AARP, and Executive Editor of The Girlfriend, The Ethel, The Girlfriend Book Club, Instagram, The Ethel Circle and The Ethel On-The-Go. Previously she was a longtime foreign correspondent for Cox Newspapers, based first in Miami — covering Latin America and the Caribbean — and then based in London — covering Europe. She's also the author of five books and has three children. She and her husband divide their time between Montclair, NJ and the Catskills. More information can be found at shelleyemling.com.