Kate Atwood | Believes the Children are our Future

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Kate Atwood is the founder of Kate’s Club, an atlanta-based non-profit organization that supports children and teens facing life after the death of a parent or sibling. She started the organization as the result of the personal loss of her own mother when she was just 12. She is also the Creator of Living by Giving, a media and communications initiative through which Kate inspires and educates individuals on creative ways to give back that best fit one’s own life. She is an author, speaker, blogger, and a media contributor.

Occupation: I’m not sure there is one category. I think these days they call folks like me social entrepreneurs.

I live in: Atlanta, GA

My work: Allows people to discover their own happiness by connecting to a cause and giving back around the block, around the nation, and around the world. 

My favorite possession: My mom’s engagement ring that my Dad gifted to me when I was 18. My mom passed away when I was 12, so this ring keeps her close in good times and bad. (And no, I didn’t advise Prince William to do the same for Kate Middleton, but I liked his move.)

My hometown: Charlottesville, VA

Words I live by: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” - Maya Angelou

I can’t live without: Music

I am most proud of:  The kids at Kate’s Club who walk each day with such courage and who show-up at our programs not just for themselves but to support each other as well.

I’m inspired by: Compassion and Humility

What keeps me awake at night: My dreams (ironic, huh?)

One thing I never want to do again:  Disappoint someone I love. 

If I could be totally wild, I would:  travel the world and adopt children in need, a la Angelina Jolie.

My passion: is people.

I am guilty of:  Googling myself.

Right now I’m reading: this questionnaire. But you should pick-up and read my book, A Healing Place, available on Amazon.com – It’s a great book about helping kids through grief and loss.  If you or a family you know is grieving, it’s a wonderful gift especially as we head into the holidays.

The one item that has changed my life: the to-do list. It changes my life every day.

My theme song: “The Greatest Love of All” – I mean come one, the first line is “I believe the children are our future.”

The food I could eat every day: Banana and peanut butter

The food I never want to eat again: liver pate

If I were a superheroine, I would be: Wonder Woman

The best thing I ever won: I won a life-sized Hello Kitty in the dentist drawing when I was 6 and I think relative to age, I have never felt so much joy winning something as I did that stuffed animal.

My best friend says I am: her Oprah and she is my Gayle. So whenever she complains I am not available, I share with her I am working on our Oprah-Gayle plans.

I still can’t get the hang of: my balance. No I don’t mean life, work, etc. I mean my physical balance…I stumble too much.

I wish I’d known:  Eleanor Roosevelt. I bet she would have been one heck of a mentor.

The world would be a better place, if only:  we all realized how much happiness comes into our lives, even in times of struggle, when we reach outside ourselves and help others.  Trust me, it’s a win-win. Never would I have imagined that the catastrophic loss of my mother at such a young age would have ended up being a vehicle to bring me joy, such as it has with Kate’s Club.

I’d like to learn to: better manage my finances

Something most people don’t know about me: President George W Bush once called me a “soldier of compassion” when I met him at the White House.

My mother always said: Good night my Kate.

The worst idea I’ve ever had: was to not try.

My first job: I sold hot dogs and drinks at the lunch-stand at Monticello (The historic home of Thomas Jefferson) It was miserable.

What are you most vain about? Scent. A bad smell can override any great beauty.

What do you fear the most? Not reaching my full potential.

Early bird or night owl?: Night owl.

Favorite color and why?: Blue…Not sure why exactly, but I just find it soothing and optimistic.

I feel strongest when: I feel purposeful.

When I grow up, I want to be: a mother.

At the end of a long day, the first thing I want to do is: put on comfy clothes.

Always...be nice to the person across the table, you have no idea what they may be going through.

Never...try to overcome an obstacle alone. That which makes us extraordinary is found in our ability to ask for help.

I wish…I was in love