Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Kaufman.
Hi Wendy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have been involved in community affairs my entire life – and have always been a big history buff! Growing up in Florida, I was a Girl Scout, Candy Striper, and senior class treasurer. I also interned for my congressman and worked on political campaigns. I moved to DC to attend American University as a political science major. After graduation I worked as a Congressional aide and earned a master’s degree in legislative affairs. After getting married in 1989, I moved to Bethesda, started a family, and became involved in the community as a school volunteer, Girl Scout leader, and political campaign staff. In 2006 I graduated from Johns Hopkins with a master’s degree in special education and started teaching with Montgomery County Public Schools as a special education/history teacher. When I retired I reflected on my past experiences of serving as a volunteer docent for area historical societies, then realized I knew little about the history of my own community, Bethesda. Since Bethesda did not have its own historical society, I decided to start one. In 2019 I started the Bethesda Historical Society with the help of family, friends, neighbors, and new acquaintances, and we have been going strong every since!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am long-time history lover, and around a decade ago I wanted to get involved with a historical organization for my town, Bethesda. When I discovered one did not exist, I decided to create one. That is how I have become President and Founder of the Bethesda Historical Society, and Secretary-Treasurer and Founder of our affiliated Bethesda Meeting House Foundation, a secondary non-profit that began as an offshoot of the Bethesda Historical Society. As an unpaid volunteer, I work daily as an ad hoc executive director of both organizations. I initiate and manage meetings, plan and execute events, process our paperwork and pay our vendors, manage our part-time archivist (contract worker), answer inquiries about our work, give tours and presentations, publicize our activities, and collect Bethesda memorabilia for our collections. I am most proud of the fact that our all-volunteer organization has created a local historical society and acquired a local historic landmark, both of which have shared a great deal of local, little-known history with the community and visitors.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We are far from completing the restoration of the Bethesda Meeting House, but we are on our way! It definitely has not been a smooth road. Challenges include funding and partnership needs, in addition to understanding the buildings’ structural needs and best way to proceed. The property was neglected for decades, so we have had to dedicate efforts to remedying problems that included broken windows and gutters, dead and overgrown vegetation, and a leaky roof.
How do you think about luck?
I have been very lucky throughout my life. My parents gave me a wonderful, nurturing upbringing – and we lived three blocks from the beach! I was able to attend the college of my choice – American University – and even study abroad in Denmark and the Soviet Union. I was able to obtain several legislative positions with the U.S. House of Representatives and attended a White House gala. In 1987 I agree to go on a blind date with “Steve” who I married and have been with ever since. I have two wonderful daughters and one adorable grandson – all who live nearby. My friends and family wholeheartedly support my Bethesda Historical Society work and enthusiastically help when they can.
Contact Info:
-
- Website: https://bethesdahistoricalsociety.org/ https://bethesdameetinghouse.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BethesdaHistory/
