A mutual appreciation society is a group of at least two people who admire and support each other. I’m in one with my Mom–we brag about each other all the time. I’m in one with my housemates–have I mentioned again how articulate and powerful and opinionated and motivated they all are?
I believe Grace Hopper is one big mutual appreciation society. It’s all about affirming and supporting and encouraging each other. Members of such societies are still allowed to criticize, because even the best code has bugs and higher potential efficiencies.
I feel proud of the women I meet at Hopper, even if all we ever did was dance together or gossip about Dr Who over Twitter. In the big dance of Thursday, I felt that mutual appreciation society in action. We all smiled and made space and brought others into our circles.
Dances done right are great metaphors for life; for wholesome communities. Grace Hopper is one such wholesome community, in part because it is also a mutual appreciation society.
Inspiration Quote:
Mal: Okay, help me find our man. He’s supposed to be older, kind of stocky, wears a red sash crossways.
Kaylee: [seeing a large bowl of strawberries being carried past her] Is that him?
Mal: That’s the buffet table.
Kaylee: Well, how can we be sure, u-unless we question it? [grins]
Mal: Fine. Don’t make yourself sick.
