Reva Tankle
Past President, JFS Board 2010-2011
Since its inception, JFS of Metrowest has valued and relied upon the leadership of many strong and talented women to champion the JFS mission and shape the agency for future generations.
We asked Reva Tankle who served as the JFS Board President during the 2010-2011 session to offer some thoughts on what it was like to serve in this role, particularly at a time when these positions were predominantly held by men. As a trailblazer and a leader of the agency, we are proud to share the following reflection and count Reva’s legacy as an important part of the agency’s history.
“When I first joined the JFS Board, Kathy Anbinder (Covarrubias) was Board President. As I learned about the history of JFS’s leadership, it became evident to me that JFS has long been a place where women have had a strong role in all areas of the agency. Since its creation, there have been 10 women Presidents and many other women in important leadership roles. Along with Kathy Anbinder (Covarrubias), past women Presidents include Julia Michaelson (z’l), Judi Raphael, Judy Bernstein, Marcia Rosenberg, Carol Chudnofsky and Roberta Molliver (z’l). What an illustrious group of women. This is clearly an organization that does not have a glass ceiling as other organizations and businesses might have. I always felt that through engagement and participation there was an opportunity to move into leadership positions in the organization.
JFS as an organization supports inclusion and diversity both in the leadership and the services provided. I have always been and always will be very proud of my association with this agency. While I have moved away from Massachusetts and as such am not able to participate directly with the work of the agency, I will always consider myself part of the JFS family.
To everyone involved with JFS – both men and women – what you do every day is so important to many people. You really do make a difference!”