The women of Grace are the women who wake up every morning and help set the world going again; who make sure that words like "community" retain their significance and impact. We are proud to talk to them. We are proud to share their stories.

Here's a look at what's in the October/November issue, which you can find in The Day on Wednesday:

Southeastern Connecticut is getting ready to welcome Emmy-winning television journalist and Inside Edition host Deborah Norville, the keynote speaker for the 2011 Lawrence & Memorial Well Healed Woman Conference on Nov. 6. Grace staff writer Katrina Gathers recently spoke with Norville, who shared her insights on the power of civility and gratitude in everyday life. She gave a gracious interview, and in her spare time - as it turns out she has just a little - she is a knitting/sewing/crocheting diva! Click here for more information on the event.

In this economy, it is no small thing to declare a space for oneself in the marketplace — to put your name behind a product or service, operate a storefront and stake a place, firmly, in your community. As part of National Women in Small Business Month, Grace is also proud to continue to highlight local entrepreneurs, which in this issue include Candace, Bunny and Rachel Devendittis, Ivy Mellow, Barbara Crowley, Mara Beckwith, Elayne Lynch, and Denise Thompson. These women inspire loyalty in their customers, and they will inspire you with their ingenuity and love for what they do.

Helping businesswomen build meaningful friendships is the dynamic board of directors of Fresh Connections: Mary Lou Lamontagne, Maura Laudone, Anne-Marie Foster, Lorraine M. Sanborn and Kathy O. Kane. They talked with us about what sets this rapidly growing networking group apart.

Grace is proud as always to celebrate the creativity of local artists, which in this next issue include singer/songwriter Nancy Parent and mosaic artist Gwen Basilica.

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we also spoke with Eileen Kaplan, a cancer survivor and author of "Laughter is the Breast Medicine." We are happy to share her strong, unique vision for patient advocacy.

On the lighter side, Donna Purdy of Stonington shares her kitchen secrets for making exquisitely decorative cookies; while the women of the Mohegan Sun Senior Dance Team shake their stuff and keep audiences entertained at halftime. 

Finally, we are proud to profile New London principal Jaye Wilson, whose regard for her students lasts long after they have left the shelter of her care.

What seems to define success in life is a spirited combination of love and vision. Love for one's work, and a vision of the world that is unparalleled in other places. In sharing so richly of themselves, the women of Grace show us snapshots of the world as we wish it to be, and help us to understand things as they are. Their lives solace and inspire, generate and motivate the more beautiful human instincts — awe, compassion, charity and love.

It is always a pleasure to spend time in their company. We hope you will agree.