June Martin learned about Island Women from a patient’s family while volunteering at New Hanover Hospital in 2019. June had just retired from nursing and moved to Carolina Beach from Kernersville. The woman had said, “’ You’ve got to find out about this group of women down there.' She didn’t know their name, but her friend was part of it.”
June went home that day, found Island Women on the internet, and she’s been involved with the organization ever since.
After joining, she checked the calendar for upcoming events and attended a S.E.A (formerly S.H.E) committee meeting. “I met a realtor there who ended up finding my condo.
She closed on her condo just as COVID shut the world down, and in-person meetings moved to Zoom. June attended a membership meeting that way and learned the membership committee co-chairs had just stepped down. Eileen Clute announced she would take over but needed a co-chair. "When Eileen introduced herself and said she had twins. I said I have twins too, I’ll co-chair with you. That’s how I got really involved.”
Eileen is now president of Island Women, and June co-chairs the membership committee with Beth Wrobel. June has also been a Bingo team leader and a sea turtle nest volunteer.
“I like helping out and I like meeting people,” she said. When her kids ask her why she does so much, she responds, “Why not? I’m retired and I can do what I want.”
June encourages new members to jump in with both feet. “Go to a committee meeting, go to one of our social events. Try us out in different ways. There’s so much you can get involved in. I’m sure they'll find something that clicks.”