Virginia Werner has been a team member of the Language of Love Telethon since its inception in 2015 first as a guest speaker, then as part of the team producing the Telethon in 2018 and 2019. She is honored to have just been named to the ReneMarie Language of Love Foundation Board of Directors. It is an honor to be working with this dynamic team and looks forward to adding her energy to promote the Foundation’s success.
Virginia has been an office manager in a variety of fields in companies large and small, but outside of the “day job” has always looked for new and interesting endeavors to challenge herself and stay sharp. In 1980 she started studying Middle Eastern Dance and in a few short years she became the director of a volunteer dance company working with recreational therapy in major NYC facilities, assisted living homes and senior centers. It was a labor of love for 25 years. She was honored by Newsday as an Everyday Hero. Virginia was also a member of Matteo Vitucci’s “Castanets in Concert” – the only castanet chamber group in the USA.
In 2017 Virginia helped to develop a new pageant system for Senior Women based in Las Vegas. Along with Kay Ray, Ms. Senior Nevada 2013 who she met at the 2013 National Senior America Pageant, and a group of amazing senior women Ms. Senior USA/Senior Universe was born. Virginia was the Pageant Director for the 2017 inaugural pageant. Now in its third year Ms Senior USA/Senior Universe is a thriving organization and the Language of Love Telethon is proud to be a partner.
Virginia M. Werner
ginnie.renemarielanguageoflove@gmail.com
Language of Love Telethon Board of Trustees - Executive Telethon Producer Entertainment/Speakers
Ms. New York Senior America 2013
New York Senior America Board of Directors
Ms Senior USA - East - Founding Board of Governors 2017
In 2009 Virginia suffered a small stroke/aphasia and while she was extremely lucky to not have any residual physical issues, the aphasia left her with some insecurity about her clarity of speech. At that time she was unaware of the various forms that stroke could take thinking it would only manifest as a large seizure and so did not realize that she had been having issues for two days prior to going to the hospital for diagnosis. The condition believed to have caused the stroke, fibro muscular dysplasia, has been stable since the stroke and with any luck and daily medication there should not be a recurrence.
In 2013 Virginia participated in the Ms. New York Senior America Competition. She felt that the left-over issues with her speech when she was nervous might be an issue during the interview portion of the competition so it was a challenge to herself – and was very happy when she had no problems at all during the interview or presentation of her Philosophy of Life during the “stage” portion of the event – and was thrilled and honored to have been crowned Queen that year. And because life is circular – it was another member of NY Senior America who introduced Virginia to ReneMarie and her mission.