Two minutes with Stephanie Black
February 23, 2004
By Cam Tait
Title: Vice president of communications and marketing for St. Peter's Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario.
Favourite colour: Pink
Favourite television show: Law & Order
Favourite movie: Too many to name. I like powerful dramas.
Favourite book: The last book I read, Road Less Traveled by Dr. Scott Peck.
Favourite food: I'm a meat and potatoes lass, with lots of veggies.
Favourite web site: ask.com
Favourite music: Motown
Favourite destination spot: Cottage country and for a more expensive trip,
anywhere in Italy.
Childhood idol: Elvis Presley, on the celebrity front.
Your hero: Any leader who is willing to take a stand that is not popular - the lone wolf who does not follow the crowd. Gandhi would be one.
Why you decided to work in the nonprofit sector: I wanted the chance to give back and to find
personally satisfying work.
Person who has had the most influence on you: I would say the various
caregivers in my life, like my Aunt Judy and my step-mom, Bonnie.
In three words, describe charity: Giving back without asking for
anything in return; to simply give.
Favourite charities you support, excluding your own: Women's College
Hospital, Toronto Humane Society, and charities I read about and want to give
to. I change it around.
What two things would you like to see changed in the sector in the
next five years?: Less red tape, less politics - the remembrance
by those involved as to why the charity was created in the first place.
Favourite saying: (Right now) Finally, with courage in your heart
and with God by your side you take a stand, you take a deep breath,
and you begin to design the life you want to live as best you can. Another
one: What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet
forfeits his soul? Matthew 16:26.
Favourite hobby: Reading by a fireplace.
If you could spend 30 minutes with anyone, who would it be?:
My
Aunt Cathy - to learn what she knows now. She passed away in Palliative Care
at St. Peter's on April 22nd, 2001.
Fantasy fundraising event: Perhaps, not to have an event and
just spend time with the people you are going to be helping. For example,
if you are helping mentally handicapped children then organize a few
times to go and spend time with them for an hour. You could still write
a cheque (fundraiser part) but you would get to know what you are supporting.
I think it makes it even more meaningful.
Which movie star would you pick as your group's honorary chair?:
I would have
chosen Gregory Peck because he epitomized such dignity in his older age. He
represented quiet strength.
Favourite joke you can share with children and adults: Oh, I never remember
jokes, only ones from my Uncle Paul who use to tell them to me as a little
girl. One example: Did you hear the one about the whale - it was a real
killer. (I know, I know, I told you I was a little girl when I heard them.)
Do you know of someone who deserves to be in Charity Village's Spotlight?
Send us their name, telephone number and details about their community involvement
to cam@charityvillage.com.
