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Pauline Duncan-Thrasher has lived her life in front of an audience; first as a public school teacher for 35 years, then, for 20 of those same years, as a Continuing Education teacher at Fanshawe College, where she wrote and developed courses, and evolved into an award winning keynote speaker/trainer and author.
Surprisingly, her personal life was much more solitary and private. After her parents separated Pauline’s early life was spent at all girl's schools until she finished high school. She lived at home with her mother until 1977. Following her mom’s sudden, early death at the age of 54, Pauline traveled for the first time in her life. In 1978 she traveled with a friend in a Volkswagen to Honduras for six weeks of scuba diving.
In 1979, Pauline went to Europe for a year by herself. After backpacking for four months she found work as a security guard at the famous Tate Art Gallery in London, England. “It was absolutely what I needed to do. I learned to be independent by living alone for the first time in my life before stretching my wings in Europe. “
Joining Toastmasters in 1978 has enabled her to develop platform presence and coaching skills. Pauline began teaching adult education at Fanshawe College in her hometown of London, Ontario in 1980. With two colleagues she co-wrote and learned to facilitate “Personal Possibilities”; then she wrote “Victim to Victor” to teach herself and others the skills of assertiveness.
After leaving Fanshawe, Pauline wrote “Out of Frenzy …Into Focus” ,a workbook format showing readers how to be cool under stress and how to get what they want by focusing. Pauline was teaching “Personal Possibilities” on her own when she met her husband who was one of her students and, at the age of 55, she became a bride.
“I find writing a delight and a thrill. My love of swimming along with my admiration for courageous women led to my first book - a book for anyone who wants to live more completely, love more openly, rejoice more simply and resurface more energetically. It’s a book about strengths and options”.
“My mother had such potential, but she didn’t know how to age. She became reclusive and her life revolved around me. My life needed to expand beyond my inter-dependency with my Mom”. The result, “Swimmin’ Women” tells Pauline’s story and the lessons she’s learned, along with the stories of many other heroic women.
In 2004, Pauline retired from teaching and in 2005 renamed Ignite a Spark (her theme since 1988 and title of her part time company while she was teaching ) to Communication Excellence.
Pauline incorporates humour, energy and warmth as an inspiring keynote speaker for audiences of all ages.
A virtual assistant, hired to find women’s networking groups, found Roaring Women for Pauline. “At first, I wasn’t sure about the name; I thought it was kind of aggressive, but I really understood the analogy of women standing up for themselves just like in the song of the 1970’s “I am Woman, Hear Me Roar”, by Helen Reddy. “My favourite audiences are women, I write for women and I want to be part of a women’s network – women who are making things happen”.
Pauline’s insight for other women? “Success comes from inside. Choose to stay in the swim no matter what your age may be. Know when to float. Know when to tread water. Find your best way to ride rather than fight the waves of change. Let laughter and love buoy you up when you feel most down. Speak your convictions. Instead of feeling timid or unworthy, learn to express yourself with confidence and joy. Share smiles and they will come back a thousand fold”.
Written by Marcia Barhydt, February 2009
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