“Would you care for a program?” That tall, friendly usher who smiles you through the door at each concert is Bonnie Wakeman, a volunteer whose association with WomenSing goes back nearly three decades, to 1982.

Bonnie began as a singer, then added the volunteer job of Treasurer. After that she took on a series of volunteer jobs, including President, Vice President, and Hospitality Chairman, her longest stint. In addition, she set her fingers flying as assistant costume maker for the Londontown Carolers, an offshoot of WomenSing which performs in December.

Now, at 91, having retired from the chorus, Bonnie is a devoted member of the WomenSing Auxiliary. “The ladies are all such marvelous people,” she says. “I loved traveling with the group. China and Mexico were unforgettable! I volunteer now because I just can’t let go of the associations.”

At concerts after Bonnie hands you your program, she’s off to array tables with glasses, napkins, and plates of baked goods for each post-concert reception. At other times of the year, she joins the volunteers who serve breakfast and lunch at Saturday WomenSing workshops.

Lend a Hand
If you can help, email us at volunteer@womensing.org.

Where is Bonnie when she’s not volunteering for WomenSing? If she’s not skydiving, you might catch up with her at a board meeting of the Contra Costa Certified Farmers Markets, or at one of the markets themselves, since she makes it a point to visit all of them.

Otherwise, you might just as easily find her two-stepping. “I claim I was born singing and dancing,” she says, “because when I was adopted at four, I already knew the Charleston and current songs and sang perpetually, to some annoyance.” We are grateful that she sings to this day.

If you’re still searching for Bonnie, you might find her line dancing or Scottish Dancing. If not, try a few singing rehearsals, either for the Noteables or for the Londontown Carolers and Side by Side, two WomenSing spinoff groups.

We asked Bonnie, “What’s your secret for remaining so vibrant and active into your nineties?”

“Keep moving and keep interested!!”