HISTORIC TRIANGLE — “Ten Questions with” is a series that allows readers to get to know local business leaders, volunteers and community members in the Historic Triangle.
This week, meet Lana Wingate.
What is your job title and description?
My title is Founder and member-at-large on the board of the Nightingales (a group of retired nurses in Williamsburg).
When we moved to Williamsburg in 2005, I didn’t know any [local] nurses. I happened to receive a call from the Administrator of the nursing section of The Landing and I spoke about trying to gather retired nurses together to form a group. The purpose would be to have lunch and talk over “war stories” of our careers and maybe raise a small amount of money to help someone going into nursing school.
He said if I got the nurses together, The Landing would provide a luncheon for us and challenged the group to collect $300 to pay for a person to go to CNA training. We ended up having 50 retired nurses attend. By the time lunch was over, we had collected $6,000 dollars and were able to pay for the whole class of students taking the CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) course!
That was the start of the Nightingales.
Who do you interact/work with on a regular basis?
We are a private organization, so we mostly interact with each other; we pay dues on an annual basis and the money that we receive, we give a scholarship to a person entering the nursing program at Virginia Peninsula Community College.
How do you/your organization interact with the local community?
We have interacted with Sentara Hospital before COVID, they invited us to attend their monthly medical program where we were able to receive credits for retaining a nurse’s license for anyone still having an active license.
Many of our members are volunteers at various organizations and the Virginia Volunteer Medicorp.
What is something about your job most people wouldn’t know about?
Actually, few people know about the Nightingales and I certainly “talk it up” when I can.
How do you define success?
I have been active in nursing organizations and have mentored young girls to become nurses. Success has been through the organizations that I have been a member and, where I have been able to lead and contribute to local communities including Williamsburg.
What is your most successful accomplishment to date?
I helped form the organization “From His Hand” in 2006. We started feeding the poor and homeless in the Grove community, from a very old Salvation Army Food truck. From His Hand has grown from feeding Grove to also feeding the homeless in motels. This group is still going strong in the community through religious organizations.
Of course, the Nightingales is my favorite because of the wonderful, retired nurses in the organization and how we keep surviving in spite of COVID!
How long have you lived/worked in the Historic Triangle?
My husband, Bo, and I moved to Williamsburg in 2005, after I retired as a geriatric care manager. It was a good move to come here and never regretted it.
What is your favorite part of being in the Historic Triangle?
Living in a historic area where people appreciate their heritage and keep the history going. My favorite part is knowing wherever I go in this area, I will know someone, and we always respond to each other.
What do you do for downtime/to relax?
I love to read and being a part of book clubs. I enjoy coloring, which is very relaxing. Traveling is at the top of the list and naps are fun too.
What is the next step in your journey?
I will continue my work with the Nightingales. I will be rotating off the Resident’s Council at Windsor Meade, where we live, as vice president and chair of the Health and Wellness Committee and start a year of being a president of a local organization; continue as Parish Nurse at King of Glory Lutheran and continue working in the community,
Do you want to learn more about your community and the people who live and work in the Historic Triangle? We are looking for people with interesting jobs, super volunteers, or community leaders to showcase. Reach out to let us know if you (or someone you know) would like to be considered for Ten Questions.
