Today we are celebrating Whitney Mask, Director of Development!
Whitney joined our team this summer, just after graduating from Texas A&M, and we don’t know what we did before her. Whitney, we are so grateful for your thoroughness, attention to detail, and love!
How did The Magdalen House become part of your life?
I learned about The Magdalen House through Facebook! Kate Dorff had posted a description of the position along the lines of “looking for someone who wants to learn about grant writing, donor relations, and fundraising for a nonprofit, ideally someone just out of college,” which described my exact situation. One of Kate’s friends from high school saw the post, thought of me, and tagged my mom.
I had been struggling to find a job because, one, COVID and, two, most of the jobs I was applying to required years of experience. Fortunately, I was a perfect fit for The Magdalen House’s needs and the position was exactly what I had been looking for, so here I am. ????
How is your life different, knowing alcoholic women in recovery?
Not being an alcoholic myself, I didn’t know what it really meant to be an alcoholic before working at Maggie’s. But every woman I have met who is in recovery seems to have a great outlook on life. Based on my experience so far, it appears that being a recovered alcoholic woman means you are thoughtful, gracious, and always grateful. Like how Lisa Kroencke says, “being an alcoholic is the best thing that ever happened to me.” It’s like they know the secret to living a more fulfilling life – and it’s true, they do it by putting their faith in their higher power! I learn from them every day and it has allowed me to take a closer look at my life, my attitude, and my relationships with family, friends, and my higher power.
What has been the biggest blessing in working at Maggie’s?
There are so many things to be grateful for in working at Maggie’s! I love that I am constantly learning, not just about development but about alcoholism and how I can apply the Steps to my life, even as a non-alcoholic. I appreciate the flexibility of the job and the trust the team has among each other to lean on one another through highs and lows in work and personal life. In the past, I have struggled with finding a true passion in life, and Maggie’s has given me an unexpected purpose through the lifesaving work we do. But the biggest blessing has been the people. I knew it would take working with good people for me to love my job, and the culture here is better than I could have hoped for in a workplace. I feel so blessed to be a part of this team and can’t wait until I can work in person with everyone on a regular basis!
What is the most impactful thing you’ve come to understand about alcoholic women and recovery?
One of the things I have learned about being in recovery from the women I work with and around, is that they have to constantly work on maintaining it. It’s not enough to go through a program, get sober, and expect to stay sober. Alcoholism isn’t a switch that can be turned on and off, and it’s something that will be a part of them for the rest of their lives. Because of that, alcoholic women have to live intentionally to maintain their recovery. I try to live my life with intentionality, but for alcoholic women, the choice to be intentional is the choice to live. That understanding was impactful for me because even on my worst days, I don’t have to worry about how the way I live my life will affect myself and those around me. I’ve learned that that isn’t necessarily true for everyone and it’s another reminder to always be compassionate and considerate because you never know what others may be struggling with.
About Whitney Mask, Development Assistant
Whitney graduated from Mays Business School at Texas A&M University with a double major in both Business Honors and Management, while simultaneously earning a Nonprofit and Social Innovation Certificate. Her educational focus and past internship experience are concentrated around the nonprofit sector, where Whitney’s passion for helping others became a driving force behind her position at The Magdalen House.
Whitney’s understanding of development in the nonprofit sector was particularly cultivated during her participation in the Strategic Philanthropy course, during which nonprofits submitted applications to be awarded grants by students in the class. This unique experience allowed for a better understanding of the grant request and award process from both the perspective of the for-profit and foundation-based sectors. It also prepared her to better serve as a stronger advocate of causes for which she so deeply cares while also reinforcing her interest in the nonprofit sector and its achievements for those in need.
She is looking forward to continuing her education through a more in-depth study of alcoholism to better understand the women for whom and with whom she will be working. Working at The Magdalen House is an incredible opportunity to begin her life’s mission of championing all women seeking positive change in their lives.
