JILL DINWIDDIE: A PURPOSE IN LIFE

Passionate Women's Rights supporter Jill Dinwiddie will receive the Paradigm Award on Sept. 26 during Dress For Success Charlotte's Ultimate Power Lunch. 

Jill Dinwiddie believes strongly that people have to have a purpose in their life. When it comes to her own path, she has a history of being passionate about working on issues that improve the lives of women and families, which led her to an interest in Civil Rights and Reproductive Rights throughout her career. "I’m a firm believer that until we have more women in positions of power and influence, the opportunities for women and girls won’t be equal," she says.

A native of Detroit, Jill has held a variety of interesting positions over the years. Highlights are moving to California to become the deputy finance director for Dianne Feinstein's Senate campaign to being the director of the International Center at UNC Chapel Hill and board chair of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic.

Jill with Cecile Richards and Sen. Dianne Feinstein at a Planned Parenthood National Conference.

Her leadership abilities and success have won her numerous awards including Charlotte Woman of the Year in 2015 and the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 1983. On September 26, she'll receive the Paradigm Award during Dress For Success Charlotte's annual Ultimate Power Lunch. 

What brings her the most joy is her large family, especially her husband of 26 years, Bernie Hargadon; her two daughters; her stepdaughter and three stepsons; and the 14 grandchildren she and Bernie have between them. 

In a Q&A with The O Report, she shared more of her favorite things - from the books she loves the most to her best timesaving tip and the beauty advice that's served her well. 

Where are your favorite places to travel?

The Bay Area of California is one. I’ve just returned from a trip there to visit friends, eat good food, drink good wine and savor the beauty of the area. One of my favorite trips was to the Galapagos and Ecuador while Bernie still had companies in Latin America.  Probably my most favorite city in the world is Paris and I just relived the memories of numerous trips there in the movie Paris Can Wait.  

What's your favorite hotel in the world?

The Bristol Hotel in Paris where we stayed while Bernie was still working for McKesson Corp. The Mayfair Hotel in London is special because we always ran into stars there like Michael Bolton and New Kids on the Block.

What are your wardrobe staples? 

They’ve obviously changed as I’ve gotten older but I’ll always have a good black pant suit (Armani never goes out of style) and a basic black dress that can be paired with lots of jackets, sweaters, scarves, etc.

How would you describe your personal style?

I like bright colors and scarves but other than that it’s pretty traditional.

What are some of your favorite pieces in your wardrobe?

A bright colored Etro coat. Linda Lockman Brooks has the same coat and we both love ours. A recent swing blouse by Worth and a red dress by Lela Rose.

What are your favorite fashion labels?

Armani, Lafayette 148, Akris and Etro.

What’s your must treasured article of clothing?

Bed Head PJs.

What’s your most treasured accessory? 

Scarves and jewelry. 

Where are your favorite places to shop?

Neiman Marcus and Bossa Nova in Sonoma, California. 

What are your must-have beauty products?

Moisturizer, facial sunscreen, bronzer, blush, eye cream, eye liner, eye brow pencil and mascara.

How do you protect your skin from the sun?

Tinted ELTA MD skincare SPF 40

What are some of the best beauty tips you’ve learned?

A good diet and exercise plus 8 hours of sleep equals healthy skin.

Was there any beauty or style advice your mother or grandmother gave you that you’re thankful for now?

Stand up straight! Good posture will serve you well all your life.

How do you stay in shape? 

Yoga and walking.

Jill trekking in Peru. 

What's your favorite restaurant for a big night out?  

The Fearrington House Inn in Pittsboro, North Carolina and Bottega in Yountville, California.

What’s your favorite brunch spot?

Nolen Kitchen.

Any recent art purchases? 

A Mentori vase by Peter Callas from Elder Gallery.

What's your favorite flower?

Tulip. 

Any museum exhibits or arts performances you’ve either seen recently, or plan to see soon?

We took visitors from Colombia recently to the Jean Tinguely exhibit at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. We also enjoyed Jazz at the Bechtler and the Broadway Lights production of The King and I. We're looking forward to the Charlotte Symphony's new season.  

What are some of your favorite movies?

Shirley Valentine, The Help, Terms of Endearment, Fargo and Cinema Paradiso.

What are some of your favorite books?

Seneca Falls and the Origins of the Women’s Rights Movement by Sally Gregory McMillen; My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout; Saturday by Ian McEwan; Clementine: The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill by Sonia Purnell; Woman of Valor: Margaret Sanger and the Birth Control Movement in America by Ellen Chesler; and A Game of Inches by Webster Hubbell.  

What's the biggest mistake people make when hosting a party?

Not paying attention to the details beginning with the guest list.

What's your favorite host/hostess gift to bring to a party?

Something from the Mint Museum Gift Shop like a small piece of pottery that’s really an egg separator. 

What’s your design style?

A mixture. We have Persian rugs and modern furniture that’s comfortable to sit in but looks contemporary.

What does every room need?

Good lighting.

What’s your most treasured home decor item?

Fresh flowers.

What brings you joy? 

My twin grandsons in Charlotte. We have 14 grandchildren between us and most of them live far and wide so we don’t get to see them much.

What do you love about this stage of your life? 

The freedom to pick and choose how I spend my time.

Do you have a great organizational or timesaving tip that saves your sanity and helps make your life run more smoothly?

I took a course at Carolina called The One Minute Manager where they stressed that you should only touch a piece of paper on your desk once.  I try to deal with something when it is presented instead of saving it for later for further deliberation.

What was one of the defining moments in your life?

Going as an exchange student at the age of 16 to live with a Muslim family in Istanbul, Turkey.

What are your favorite charitable causes?

Planned Parenthood, Dress for Success, Levine Museum of the New South, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library, Playing for Others, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and the Jamie Kimble Foundation for Courage.

Who's your favorite famous person that you've met?

Madeleine Albright

What inspires you?

Nature – trees, flowers, birds – the beauty around me.

What would others be surprised to know about you? 

I have many acquaintances but only a few close friends.

Do you have a motto or words that you live by?

Treat everyone with respect.

What do you like to do in your downtime?

Read.

How do you like to get your day started?

Coffee and the New York Times.

What’s in your glass during Happy Hour?

Conundrum wine.

Any words of wisdom?

My father always said, "If you’re going to do something, do it right."

Is there anything you loved as a child that still influences you today?

Riding a bike although we gave ours to our grandsons when we sold our Kiawah property.

What's your favorite color?

Red.

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?

Debits on the left; credits on the right! And to take risks! When a door opens to you, don’t be afraid to walk through it. 

What is the secret to your success? 

Not planning a career but taking advantage of new opportunities as they arose. Madeleine Albright said, “In life one thing leads to another.” That’s the story of my life also.

DIANNE ROTH: WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Dianne Roth, director of development for the American Diabetes Association Central Carolinas, at the 2016 Father of the Year gala. After 21 years with the nonprofit, Roth will retire after this year's awards ceremony on June 16.

Since 2001, the annual Father of the Year Awards gala has been a bright spot on Charlotte's social calendar. The fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association honors top businessmen who are also outstanding fathers. Honorees over the past 16 years include Carl Armato, Brett Carter, Jesse Cureton, Al de Molina, Rob Engel, Carlos Evans, Alvaro Gurdian, Michael Marsicano, the late Sam Mills, Mike Minter, Felix Sabates, Richard Vinroot, H.A. (Humpy) Wheeler and Richard "Stick" Williams. 

Ironically it's a woman, Dianne Roth, an executive director with the American Diabetes Association Central Carolinas, who has spearheaded the event's success over the years and in the process has won the admiration and friendship of many Charlotte's most prominent businessmen and their families.

This year's event on June 16 honoring fathers Kieth Cockrell of Bank of America, Vinay Patel of SREE Hotels and Chad Utermark of Nucor will be Roth's last for the American Diabetes Association; after 21 years with the nonprofit, she's retiring. 

"The organization is moving in a direction focused more on programs so the timing is good," Dianne says. "I've had such a good time. I don’t know what I'm going to do in my retirement but this is not my last act."

Dianne grew up in Terrell, a small community in the Lake Norman area. Her career working for nonprofits began with her first job. "I knew the executive director of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and he asked me to come work for him," Dianne says. "I worked on his team for five years." 

She has lived in New Jersey and then Florida for 10 years where she was executive director of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She had been looking for opportunities to return to the Charlotte area when the job with the American Diabetes Association came open. Now a grandmother of three, she lives back where it all began - in Terrell with her husband, Michael.

One of her passions is traveling to New York to see theater productions, but closer to home she and Michael enjoy antiquing, cheering on the Carolina Panthers and eating out - especially at the authentic Italian restaurant Caruso's which they discovered in a nondescript shopping center and describe as a well-kept secret. 

Dianne's retirement is still weeks away, so right now she's consumed with the details of organizing a major event. But she kindly took the time to answer The O Report's questions including sharing her style philosophy, her all-time favorite plays she's seen on Broadway and the one thing that others would be surprised to know about her. 

What are your wardrobe staples?

Black turtlenecks. I think it was Nora Ephron who said, “You can never have too many black turtlenecks,” and I believed her!  I order a new one every fall from Joan Vass. They are 100% cotton, but substantial in weight and always comfortable.

How would you describe your personal style?

Classic with a twist. Largely because of my position, I tend to dress in a fairly classic/traditional style.  However, I’ve never been a fan of cookie-cutter style, so I try to add something to add a little personal flair, such as pewter metallic pumps with a black suit, chunky jewelry, etc.

What are some of your favorite pieces in your wardrobe? 

Currently, a Janie Besner scarf that a friend recently gave me. I admired it on her and searched the world (and online) for one like it, unsuccessfully. So, she generously gave it to me. I especially love it for the jewel toned colors that pull together many pieces in my wardrobe.

What are your favorite fashion labels? 

Lafayette 148, Diane Von Furstenberg, Joan Vass, Eileen Fisher and Kay Unger for special occasion dresses.

What’s your most treasured accessory? 

My pearls, which my mother-in-law loaned me as my “something borrowed” for my wedding and later presented them to me as a wonderful gift. I wear them often.

Where are your favorite places to shop?  

Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus and Belk. 

Who has influenced your style the most? 

I worked at Ivey’s early in my career and Ida Helms was a merchandise/fashion manager at that time. Ida was a beautiful Italian lady who was the most sophisticated, chic person I had ever known and I hung on her every word! Through Ida, I learned about collecting classic pieces for my wardrobe and investment dressing.   

What would you like to bring back in style?

This is kind of embarrassing, but those 1980s embellished sweaters! I loved them and had many during that time. I liked the shoulder pads, too!

What are your must-have beauty products? 

Anastasia eye brow products. And my signature red lipstick, which I have custom blended by Three Custom Color Specialists.

You have gorgeous skin. What are some of your skincare tips; and how do you protect your skin from the sun?

Sunscreen! When I was about 19, I was at a cosmetic counter and the salesperson told me I needed to be careful with my skin and stop baking in the sun. I now realize it was a sales tactic to get me to purchase lots of skin care products, and it worked. However, it also served me well because I took it to heart and have tried to stay out of the sun and take care of my skin.  I don’t always use the same products, but I do love some of the Lancôme skin care products.

Was there any beauty or style advice your mother or grandmother gave you that you’re thankful for now? 

My mother was a big fan of Jacqueline Kennedy and often quoted Jackie by saying, “Simplicity is always in good taste.”  I do think that when in doubt, you’ll never regret having a more simply chic, more classic style. Interestingly enough though, it was my father who probably shaped my love of clothes and fashion early on. He loved clothes, collected lots of beautiful suits and always looked like he walked off the cover of GQ magazine. My father’s whole family loved fashion and beautiful clothes, and always took pride in being dressed to the nines. 

Dianne with her husband, Michael.

What's your favorite restaurant for a big night out?

One If By Land, Two If By Sea in New York City is my favorite above all. It's absolutely beautiful with fabulous food and amazing service. Locally, we love Caruso’s in Mooresville.  

What’s your favorite brunch spot? 

Terrace Cafe.

What’s your favorite restaurant for lunch?

Mama Ricottas.

What's the biggest mistake people make when hosting a party?

Not hiring caterers or at least help to serve and clean-up.  It’s the only way to truly have time to enjoy guests.

What's your favorite host/hostess gift to bring to a party? 

Wine and flowers…not very original, but always appreciated.

Do you have great organizational or timesaving tips that save your sanity and help make your life run more smoothly?

Make lists.

What are your favorite charitable causes?

The American Diabetes Association, of course!  Also, I support Theatre Charlotte and the Humane Society.

Dianne and her husband with her favorite famous person she's met - Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf.

Who's your favorite famous person you've met? 

General Norman Schwarzkopf, hands down!  My husband and I met him at a sports show in Tampa right after Desert Storm. Through the buzz in the room we heard he was very approachable, but would not sign autographs. But he was very willing to take photos. Fortunately, we had our camera and got a few good shots. I loved it because he was a true American hero to us, and a big teddy bear….charming and a little flirty, which we loved.

Do you have a motto or words that you live by? 

“If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.”  Those words were spoken often by my mother and they echo in my ears every day in most everything I do.

What do you like to do in your downtime?

I enjoy books, the theater, movies and football. My favorite books include Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, which was the first book I ever read that got me “hooked” on reading.  I still love that book. I also loved The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and had the privilege of seeing him and hearing him speak at Ovens Auditorium several years ago.

What are your favorite plays? 

I just saw War Paint on Broadway. It's about the rivalry between Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein. It's a musical starring Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole. It was fascinating and fantastic. Several years ago I saw It’s Only a Play. It had an all-star cast including Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Stockard Channing, Megan Mullally and more. It was fun and glamorous with tremendous talent…everything you want Broadway to be. My all time favorite is Woman of the Year starring Lauren Bacall. She absolutely owned the stage. I saw her several years later in another production and she had “it"...that undefinable charisma that is breathtaking.

What are your favorite movies?

The Devil Wears Prada, Rudy, Steel Magnolias, Love Actually, The Thomas Crown Affair (both versions) and more recently, Hidden Figures. My all-time favorite is Body Heat. I’m not proud to admit that because it was very racy at the time, but it had a strong storyline with unexpected twists. I had to see it several times to figure out how the main character pulled off the plot to kill her husband and get away with it.  

How do you like to get your day started?

Several cups of coffee and catching up on the morning news for about half an hour.  

What’s in your glass during Happy Hour?

Red wine.

How do you stay in shape?

Walking.

What brings you joy?

Being with interesting people.

What do you love about this stage of your life?

Self-confidence.

What are your favorite colors? 

Teal and red.

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?  “Never, never, never give up.” I know that was one of Winston Churchill’s many quotes, but I’ve heard it from others throughout my career and it is something that has served as great inspiration to me during some challenging times.

What is the secret to your success?

Another quote that has served me well is, “You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with," and that is the secret to my success.  It’s not a secret really since I have quoted it often through the years. I have had the privilege of working for several national nonprofit organizations and have always been very intentional in seeking out great people/volunteers.