Professional Profile
I have always been interested in people and their stories. As an advocate at a battered women’s shelter I witnessed how women were empowered when talking through their life experiences; as a development officer at a center for children I learned the importance of telling the agency’s story to inspire giving. In graduate school I explored narrative as underscoring the way we make sense of our lives. As a wife, mother, and community member I believe that sharing our stories helps us to become more connected, more compassionate, and more engaged in life.
Experience
2015 - Present
Writing Group, Ink (https://www.writinggroupink.com)
Member 2015 - Present
- Founder of local writing group with Trish Rohr, Tracy Curtis, and Kimmery Martin to participate in, and offer support to, the writing community in Charlotte, NC; and to promote our creative non-fiction blogs and essays, self-published books, traditionally published novels, and other creative endeavors.
- Presenter at the Writers Digest Conference in New York City in August, 2018, on finding balance through a writing group.
2001 - Present
Myers Park Presbyterian Church (https://myersparkpres.org)
Member 2001 - Present
- Civil Rights mission trip to Montgomery, Birmingham, and Memphis June, 2019
- Deacon 2016-2019
- Presbyterian Women Corresponding Secretary, Confirmation leader, Parent Advisory Team, Congregational Care Team, Sunday School Teacher, World Vision, Vacation Bible School
August 2016 - August 2017
Huffington Post
Contributor August 2016 - August 2017
- Essay “To My Republican Friends: Please break up with him” offered a wistful plea to mainstream conservatives.
- Essay “LSL/Liberal As A Second Language: Translating The Rationale For North Carolina’s HB2” explored the disconnect between liberal and conservative approaches to this controversial legislation.
September 2012 - April 2017
The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, NC
QC Playground Contributor April 2017
MomsCharlotte Contributor September, 2013 - January, 2017
- Parenting articles address issues important to tweens and young teens.
- Humorous and poignant blog series include A Few Good Moms, Team Mom, Because Friends, Mom and Pop, Miracle on Curbstone Street, and Worst Mom Ever.
Editorial Page Contributor September 3-7, 2012
- Left Turn, Right Turn editorial page column provided liberal vs. conservative perspective during the 2012 DNC.
July 2014
Tikkun Magazine (www.tikkun.org)
Contributor
- Essay “Co-Creating a Peaceful World Through Love-in-Action” explored the sacred activism movement described in Chris Saade’s Second Wave Spirituality: Passion for Peace, Passion for Justice.
August 2012 - August 2014
DVA Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
Volunteer
- Women’s civic organization acted as Donor Volunteer Ambassadors under the Host Committee for the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.
- DNC duties included assisting at the PPL, the event space that housed bloggers and online media and hosted events at Packard Place during the convention.
- Post-convention contributions include writing profile pieces for the organization’s online newsletter and volunteering for group service projects at local non-profits.
March 2013
Myers Park Magazine, Charlotte, NC
June 2017
- Neighborhood Note contemplates a changing landscape.
Contributor
- Precious Pets article remembered Clyde Kercher
February 2010 - November 2013
Skirt! www.skirt.com
Blogger
- Creative non-fiction blog provided commentary on topics ranging from politics to parenting.
- Featured blogger November 12-19, 2011
- My Formerly Hot Life essay winner, September 2010
- A Beautiful Mind essay honorable mention, March 2010
August 2000 - February 2002
The Family Center, Charlotte, NC
Fundraiser
- Part of a Development Team responsible for raising a million dollars annually
- Served as an agency representative on The United Way Speakers Bureau and coordinated program grant efforts for The United Way
- Assisted with special events including The Best of Charlotte and Palm Night
- Utilized Raiser’s Edge to manage the organization’s donor database
October 1992 - May 2000
CVAN Women's Program, Concord, NC
Advocate
- Offered support for battered women and their children including peer counseling, institutional advocacy, community education, 24-hour crisis line coverage, and fundraising efforts.
- Designed and implemented a teen dating violence prevention program for local high schools.
- Was selected to serve on a 1996 National Coalition Against Domestic Violence resource project to create and publish a resource manual for teen advocates.
- Served as Program Coordinator for the agency’s rape crisis program.
Education
2009
M.A. Organizational Communication
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Queens University of Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
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Board of Visitors April 2014 - Present
1992
B.A. English/concentration Gender Studies
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Davidson College, Davidson, NC
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Alumni Service Award 2012
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Annual Fund Class Co-Chair 2007-2013
Recommendations and References
“Bess Kercher’s blog on the Charlotte Observer’s MomsCharlotte.com site has been a big hit! With candid humor and wit, Kercher shares the pitfalls and delights of mothering, all while proving that our local ‘Worst Mom’ is anything but. Her writing is relatable, good-humored, and sure to elicit a laugh.”
— Mandy Ravin, MomsCharlotte on CharlotteObserver.com
“The DVA Charlotte messages of collaboration, community above politics, and inspiring women to engage are highly conceptual and it took Bess and her insightful writing to bring those concepts to life and make them relevant to our members.”
— Sandra Conway, Chair/DVA Charlotte
“This was incredible work! It is beautifully written and insightful and new. Well done!”