Introducing Suzanne Hammer
A few years ago I was ready for a big adventure in my life and was presented the opportunity to spend a long, dark, cold winter at McMurdo Station Antarctica. What an amazing experience! I had a lot of time to think, contemplate and plan. It was also a time to see how 211 fellow “Winter Over” residents could raise almost $10,000US for charitable organizations in Christchurch, New Zealand (including an orphanage, a rape crisis center and an historic exhibit on South Pole exploration). Margaret Mead once said "Never underestimate that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world, indeed it’s the only thing that ever has." I think about that quote when I think about my time at McMurdo. We didn’t change the world that winter, but we did make a difference.
Another benefit of spending a winter in Antarctica was that Hammer & Associates was born! I returned to the USA knowing how communities working together can help each other. Communities that include businesses, non-profit agencies, foundations, neighborhoods, government and media.