Empathic. Problem-Solver. Selfless Volunteer.
Eight years ago, Sheri Sherman’s friend asked her to help at the Midwest Children’s Burn Camp for kids who have been badly burned, mostly due to parental neglect or abuse. Sherman initially thought the experience might be too harsh to handle. But instead, it transformed her, especially how it made her think about beauty. Now, her guiding mantra is: “Our façade is just not important.”
Sherman’s career as a community volunteer began as vice president of her child’s nursery school because, she thought, “A vice president doesn’t have to do anything.” But when the president resigned abruptly, she took the helm and never looked back.
“It felt good to stretch,” Sherman explained. “And do more than you thought you could.”
Sherman, a Woman of Achievement honoree in 2015, sits on the boards of the St. Louis Jewish Light, Edison Theatre, Kemper Art Museum and New Jewish Theatre. She also co-chairs Unsung Heroes, an event that honors people who quietly make important contributions to the community without any public recognition.
Even with all her volunteer work, family still comes first. She met Don, her husband of 47 years, in college. After one encounter, she wrote him off as a “bad date,” only to meet him again two years later when he became the love of her life. Together, they raised Samantha, now an actress in New York City, and Adam, a real estate developer in Hong Kong.
Sherman, who calls herself “such a lucky human being,” shares her thoughts about a life dedicated to family and community.
It’s harder to heal scars on the inside than on the outside.
The first time I chaperoned on the bus to the Midwest Children’s Burn Camp, the kids were absolutely silent. They should have been laughing and screeching. But most of them come from impoverished families, and their burns were a result of parental neglect or abuse. Once we arrived in the Ozarks, counselors met us with signs that read “We love you” and “We’re glad you’re here.” Suddenly, the children came alive and those emotional wounds started to heal.
Some people are intuitively empathic.
Working on Unsung Heroes has taught me about wonderful people who are doing beautiful things in our community. It’s simply in their DNA. They want to go out and make the world a better place. And these people are so humble that I often have to talk them into accepting the award.
For volunteers, the icing on the cake is the friendships you make.
Volunteers work together towards the same goal. You are like-minded even though you may be very different people and come from different walks of life. I’ve met so many selfless, bright and creative people, and the best part is when you become a family.
I don’t have time for guilt.
I’m a natural problem-solver. You need to step back, evaluate and see a different path. I am not aggressive, just focused. If something becomes unsolvable, I can walk away knowing I’ve done everything possible. So I don’t feel guilty.
Cleopatra was the ultimate feminist.
I love archeology and think there’s tremendous value in studying ancient cultures. Egypt is fascinating and mysterious. Cleopatra knew what she wanted and what she needed to do, all while magnificent men were fanning her!
Without kindness and respect, we don’t have a civilization.
My parents were kind and respectful to me, and in return, that’s how I treated my children. My parents were a joyous life force. My father was spontaneous – telling jokes to strangers, singing at restaurants. There was lots of laughter and love and support.
We have to keep artistic parts of our lives vibrant.
I have been involved in the arts because they bring people together and help them connect. Theater approaches topics that are too difficult to talk about, but suddenly there’s a way to discuss them. It’s a community activity that speaks to everyone.
Life is a big candy store of experiences.
There are so many delicious choices that it’s hard to decide how to indulge. At my age, I’m at the oldest point in my life where I’ve developed wisdom, but I’m also at the youngest point in my life where there’s so much more to experience and learn.
