Teri's Voice

Teri Gray Franta is an alumna from the University of Southern California School of Journalism. For years she enjoyed a unique perspective observing the relationships—both personal and professional—between men and women. As the head of an advertising agency that specialized in the male-dominated motor sports field, Teri was considered “one of the guys.” Somehow she managed to retain her femininity, and most importantly, her sense of humor. She may have worked with the boys, but the sisterhood of “chicas” was always on her mind. As she wrote tirelessly about motorcycles, snowmobiles and all terrain vehicles (ATVs), another voice was silently screaming to be heard. This voice was finally unleashed when Teri decided to take a short break to concentrate on the homefront.

After taking a leave of absence that included a month long European pilgrimage to “clear her mind” of 95-hour work weeks, deadlines that took priority over anniversaries, birthdays and other special occasions that “normal” people enjoyed, Teri planned to rest and relax for a few months before going back to work. Life, it seems, had other plans for her—including a husband with prostate cancer, the death of a cherished neighbor, and the death of her "marvelous" mother-in-law. Never one to look back or lament over what was not to be, Teri dug in and nursed her husband back to health, provided nurture and "nourishment" to her neighbor's family, and helped her mother-in-law as she entered hospice and subsequently passed away in peace. As Teri reconnected with life in a manner that had eluded her for years, she realized that while Europe was fun, and certainly a diversion, it was the happenings in her little corner of the earth that gave her the sense of clarity and vision that she had not experienced in years.

During this transition time, Teri reached out to some of her long-time neighbors who knew her only from a wave of her hand as she entered or exited her community. Eventually the women in her neighborhood seemed to laugh and smile more as they encountered Teri’s wit. Helping these women understand, cope with, and even embrace their significant other’s point of view, soon became commonplace for Teri. Her home became an informal meeting place for telling stories, sharing experiences and enjoying entertaining observations in irony. One day Teri decided to write about some of the issues discussed at her informal roundtable. To her surprise, she found that she could still write about something other than motorcycles. She found a new voice—and a way to deal with her feelings as she put months of serious issues of her own to bed. She also found that her voice was one that others longed to hear. Her first effort was "No fondue for you!" She wrote this piece to make a friend laugh and to save a private and cherished fondue celebration. It worked. Once unleashed, Teri's voice took over and nothing was sacred. Family and friends realize that anything that happens when Teri is around may end up in one of her essays. For this reason, she changes the names, relationships and other details to protect their identity and privacy. Sometimes she's so good at it that they don't recognize themselves. Or as Teri says, "won't" recognize themselves. Denial aside, they are all avid readers of Teri's musings on life, love and friendships. Many of these friends call her from the road, and ask her to read them an essay so they can laugh while stuck in traffic. Others stop by with coffee or tea (or something stronger) to hear that week’s topic. They all like to think that Teri is writing about each of them individually. The truth is that she writes about them all collectively, and they love to hear her dish out her advice and observations in a humorous manner that they can connect with in their everyday lives.

Like you, Teri’s neighborhood is rife with a subject matter called life, and there is always an interesting topic for discussion. Now, people that she’s never met call her up, or email her, and tell her their stories, hoping they’ll end up in one of her essays. As Teri’s roundtable continues to grow, these normal, healthy, sane, tired, frustrated, overworked and underappreciated, married and single women try to achieve Teri’s unofficial mantra. As they raise a cup of coffee, tea or something a wee bit stronger, the first toast is always the same…“To happy women.” This will have to change soon, as several men have infiltrated the ranks.