Tea and Inspiration is a monthly gathering at Sewickley Public Library where guests share a warm beverage and their thoughts through meaningful conversations while tea and cookies are served.

Cards with inspirational quotes and messages related to a theme are available to be read and discussed.

“My favorite part of Tea and Inspiration is that every single time I am surprised at some aspect of a topic, some perspective I had not seen or thought of before,” said Sharon Eakes of Sewickley, who co-founded the event with Judy Washington of Glen Osborne in 2017. “And these insights seem to happen organically. It’s as if we actually feel the understanding deepen as we share and listen well. And that’s exciting for me. I am a lifelong learner.”

Washington first met Eakes 15 years ago, when she was speaking at a convention about addiction. Eakes worked 25 years in drug and alcohol treatment at Gateway Rehabilitation Center in Center Township.

“I loved working with addicts and felt both the pain of addiction and the amazing transformation of recovery,” Eakes said.

Her speech was hopeful, encouraging and positive, Washington said.

The two women ended up talking more when they met for tea.

“I feel like with each Tea and Inspiration event we are creating a collage of how people can interact with differences and connect,” Washington said. “People have told us they can’t remember the last time they had a meaningful conversation.”

The quotes and messages for the monthly conversations are chosen by Eakes, Washington, Grace Williams of Sewickley and Margot Shaw of Moon.

The four women meet to select the quotes from scripture and other sources.

Quotes they’ve used include “Be yourself – everyone else is already taken” by Oscar Wild or “Don’t trade your authenticity for approval” by Yung Pueblo or “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment,” by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Participants can also bring their own quotes.

The women are members of Baha’i faith, which Eakes describes as “an independent global religion dedicated to the oneness of humanity.”

They also host the Spiritual Café virtually at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays. Their Baha’i faith inspired them to do something to bring people together for meaningful conversations.

The upcoming monthly conversations will be related to the theme “Build a Better World.”

“It is about more than tea and cookies,” Linda Michael of Leetsdale said. “It’s a lovely group of people. The thought-provoking conversation is wonderful.”

There are some rules, such as no politics, debate or proselytizing, and to be respectful, even if you disagree.

Michael said she missed conversations with people once she retired and that she has made friends at Tea and Inspiration.

“They are an emotional support team,” Michael said. “They check on you.”

That extra level of care is what the women hope can come from these interactions, said Eakes, who co-authored two books. The first was with her late husband, Hal Williamson, “Liberating Greatness: The Whole Brain Guide to an Extraordinary Life.”

A second book was written with Nancy Smyth, “Chocolate or Lunch: How Choices Impact Relationships.”

Eakes wrote a third book, “Fresh Views on Resilient Living,” a collection of 15 years of monthly blogs, before a blog was a thing, she said.

“That’s the hope,” Eakes said. “Some of that has already started organically, where we’ve gotten to know people well enough that we support each other after surgery, for instance. Or help each other in some other way.”

Richelle Klug, head of communications at the Sewickley Public Library, said the group offers a warm and welcoming space for people to connect, reflect and leave feeling uplifted.

Each woman brings a different talent to the table, Washington said. Those who attend are mostly females, but males are welcome and some have attended. The organizers love having viewpoints from all people, they said.

Some of the themes they’ve discussed are finding balance, elimination of prejudice, decluttering our lives and finding peace in a world of turmoil.

Williams said the four women make a good team and have inspired others.

“We often see people soften up and that is beautiful to watch,” Williams said. “It’s magical.”

“It’s a labor of love,” Washington said. “We get so much out of it.”

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