Delia Owens, best-selling author of “Where the Crawdads Sing,” spoke at an event on Kiawah Island a couple of years ago. She addressed a group of women readers about her novel, which chronicled the journey an abandoned young girl who turned to the company of nature for solace and survival in an isolated environment. The author, who also spent time in tribal regions of Africa further discussed the importance of women enjoying the presence of other women where they live, work and play. Her character was robbed of this necessity of life and mimicked it with what she had, shining light of the blessing it is to exist in places with ample opportunity to discover community and friendships. Owens stressed to the group, “You need your tribe. Lionesses do it; we should do it. Find your tribe now.” They were words not easily forgotten.
In recent years, more groups than ever are popping up with the goal of fostering community for women. Some are athletic, some are social and many are business related. However, all of them aim to pull other individuals off their solo islands (and sometimes actual islands in Coastal South Carolina) to connect with likeminded people. Joining a group isn’t always just to find support for a specific goal such as getting into shape, finding more clients or making ones name more known in the area. Though those are positive outcomes, sometimes it’s just healthy to be part of a community. It feels healthy to escape isolation and find others to whom we can relate. In coming issues of Charleston Women, readers will find a compilation of networking groups specially curated for women from all walks of life. Groups for high-income, high-producing women like The Dames will be highlighted, as well as groups intended to foster friendships from niche interests like Hey Birdie. We think it’s healthy to connect, and were here to help you do it.
Amy Stasiukaitis, the founder of one of these groups, called The Helm, is a firm believer in the power of connection. Boasting an impressive resumé, the chief of staff at Low Country Case and Millwork, mother of four and entrepreneur seems like she can tackle anything. She is also a 2023 Forty Under 40 honoree and was named a 2024 Woman of Influence. However, she has experienced her fair share of grief. She is a child loss survivor and battled health issues in a following pregnancy. Shes built teams and businesses from the ground up. She has experienced alienating circumstances and uphill battles but found a lot of reprieves in her abilities to connect and make a difference.
She’s the proof in the pudding that reaching out to other humans matters. Stasiukaitis prides herself on being that community builder. Her work building a strong retention culture at LCCM, fostering deep connections between members of The Helm and leading the Charleston Metro Chamber’s women series “Thrive in 2024,” has revealed a natural talent for bringing people together through passion, empathy and resilience – things all people need at times, no matter their mental fortitude. Beginning in 2026, she will also serve as Harbour Club at Westedges first female chair of their Board of Governors. These are all impressive fetes, but through it all, people are able to feed one another, which makes it work and worthwhile.
Stasiukaitis said of her networking group, “The Helm is an intimate membership community for executive mothers founded in Charleston, South Carolina. Curated for women leading from the helm of their families and organizations, The Helm is a space where women can show up holistically to embrace both their motherhood and ambitions. With a growing membership of over 50 women, the community gathers monthly to support, learn and collaborate with each other. From CEOs to successful entrepreneurs of well-established businesses, the members all have one thing in common… they are passionate about being #ChiefMatriarchs and raising leaders at work and at home.”
The Helm is one group of many. You might find your community there or with one of the countless other establishments. Like Stasiukaitis, you might be inspired to spearhead your own networking effort. You might see an empty space for other women like yourself. The important part of it all is that like the main character from “Where the Crawdads Sing,” that you sometimes look outside the self to nature around you. Look for the support systems close to home, and find the tribe your soul longs for, whether its based on ambition, escapism or something else entirely. Your people are waiting.
Be sure to check out ChiefMatriarch.com/helm for more information on Stasiukaitis group. Also stay tuned for our magazine’s next issue, the entrepreneur issue, which will take deep dive into the sea of groups available to you throughout the Lowcountry. We wish you the best on the journey to the place that feels like home.
By Lorna Hollifield
