Patricia Stokes – On the move in the time of Corona

Hi Everyone!  Welcome to my home office in New Jersey.  Within the next month, after 28 years in New Jersey, we are making a move south to Chapel Hill, North Carolina to be near our grandchildren.  WFH is not something new to me as I have been remote for the last 10+ years, although the stack of moving boxes adds a new twist. 

My role as Requirements Analyst for the Benefits Appeals and Memorials Program (BAM) affords me the luxury of working virtually with my clients.  Most days I find myself facilitating or attending client meetings, as well as providing requirements support on the BAM project. In addition, I am currently working on a pro-bono project for the Shakespeare Theatre Company, which has been extremely fulfilling. In my spare time, I enjoy watching ‘Ted” talks, Yoga, Zumba, and most importantly taking long walks with my husband.

The pandemic has been challenging, but has allowed us the opportunity to appreciate all the people that make our daily lives function, from the health care workers on the front line, the workers who keep the food supply flowing, to the sanitation workers who pick up each week.  It has provided a clear reminder of the shortfalls that remain unresolved in our society.   Surveying the progress we have made over the years, it’s easy to lose sight of the fragility of those changes. As a former president once said, “Change is never easy, but always possible.”