ONE OF THE THINGS many women often neglect in their lives is friendship. In the bustle of kids, jobs, housework and volunteer duties, sometimes there just isn't the time to nurture relationships with other women.
Jonell McLain probably wasn't thinking much about forging friendships when she first spied a $37,000 diamond necklace four years ago in the window of Van Gundy Jewelers in Ventura. She definitely wasn't thinking about book deals. But she's ended up with both thanks to a necklace she and her friends have named "Jewelia."
The fancy bit of bling caught McLain's eye right away but the price tag was a bit offputting. "Oh my God, who would spend $37,000 for a piece of jewelry?" she recalled thinking at the time.
But McLain saw in that necklace a higher calling. So she rounded up 11 friends, each putting in $1,000, and offered the store $12,000. The store's owner sold it to them for $15,000, provided they include his wife in their group. "She was going through a rough time because her sister just died and she had cut herself off," McLain explained. They happily agreed.
McLain and her friends represent a vibrant segment of America: the Baby Boomers. Now entering their 60s, they refuse to go gently into that good retirement. McLain is a whirlwind of activity with 20 plates spinning in the air at once. And when it's her turn to wear Jewelia for a month, it shares space around her neck with a gold peace symbol necklace a friend gave to her in the '70s.
THE WOMEN OF JEWELIA have a definite philanthropic bent. "We aren't just women who wanted a necklace," McLain explained. Their combined energy has produced more than friendship. It's raised money for many charities including the Coalition to End Family Violence, CareGivers, Easter Seals, the Salvation Army, Miracle House and an orphanage in India.
They recently "adopted" a homeless woman who spends all her time Downtown and helped turn her life around, even convincing a local dentist and oral surgeon to restore her missing teeth for free.
These ladies are pretty good with their own public relations, too. They landed a book deal with Random House detailing the whole story. "The Necklace: Thirteen Women and the Experiment That Transformed Their Lives," by Cheryl Jarvis, is being released on Sept. 9.
"It's about being 60 years old, what's missing and what you've done," McLain explained. The life of each woman in the group is examined and woven together in a look at friendship.
THEY'RE GOING ON A cross-county tour to promote the book next week. McLain's excited. "It really will be kind of a lark!" The ladies kick off the tour with a Sept. 9 book signing event at 7 p.m. at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore on Telephone Road in Ventura. This weekend they're taping interviews for "Good Morning America."
What's next? McLain is working to organize a volunteer and part-time cadre of Baby Boomers in Ventura to provide a workforce for the social services.
The generation who helped change the world is not going to leave it sitting down.
Update: Janet Maslin of the New York Times gave the book glowing reviews! Click here for her review.
This sounds kind of like Ann Brashers Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, only with a necklace instead of blue jeans
Hi Marie,
How's my old friend and fellow blogmeister doing?
Coming at you from Arkansas, as we speak. I will be back in town the middle of next week. Looking forward to coming home.
I haven't been blogging very much the past few weeks. Too busy! Just a little here and there on Dennert.
I have been tuning in to the convention when time permits (I'll let you guess which one). Well, hope all is well with you. Sorry, but I didn't have much to offer on this thread (a little too chicky for me).
Take care.
I was wondering what happened to these ladies - they bought the necklace right around (I think even before) the first Traveling Pants movie came out. I'm glad they are still together and they got a book deal (maybe movie?) out of it.
Mongo, we missed you. Have a safe trip home.
When I first saw this story in the Star some time ago...I thought "What a hoot!"
I'm so very glad to hear that it continues and that the ladies have moved beyond passing around some fancy rocks to doing good where they can.
Thanks for the update Marie!
Marie,
Your blog just got CAP and Flamo to post nice thoughts.
Good job!
I have always thought people will rise to the level of the material you present to them.
I love this story. You women are amazing. Thank you for sharing you and bringing light to the importance of SISTERHOOD and how we all should learn to share and help one another. I was born in a family of 4 sisters but I also have a wonderful group of sister friends so I can relate to your story. I wrote a song thats on my Myspace.com/thornettadavis page please check it out and let me know what you think. May God keep on Blessing you and your organization.
Thornetta Davis
I love this story. You women are amazing. Thank you for sharing you and bringing light to the importance of SISTERHOOD and how we all should learn to share and help one another. I was born in a family of 4 sisters but I also have a wonderful group of sister friends so I can relate to your story. I wrote a song thats on my Myspace.com/thornettadavis page please check it out and let me know what you think. May God keep on Blessing you and your organization.
Thornetta Davis
Thanks for posting, Thornetta, all the way from Detroit!
I'm happy to report that the book signing here in Ventura was packed and the ladies did a great job on national TV. Their message of friendship and philanthropy seems to resonate.
The one on the right kinda looks like Pam from The Office -- I'd totally hit it.
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