Member Monday: Tricia Magee

This Monday, we are featuring Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) member Tricia Magee as part of our Member Monday series. Tricia is the JLC’s President-Elect and currently works as an attorney.

1) Thanks for taking time to share some personal insights with us today. Can you give us some background information- tell me about your family and early years?

I’m a third (maybe fourth?) generation native Charlottean, basically a triple unicorn – haha!  My parents divorced when I was young and both remarried, so my two sisters and I always felt like we had four amazing parents and the BEST extended family.  I graduated from Charlotte Christian School, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Campbell University School of Law.  I work full-time as a lawyer in the federal court system, with some of the smartest and most humble public servants I know.  I’m married to a good looking guy named Patrick, who runs a mortgage business by day and plays bluegrass in the living room by night. We get to love and raise two spunky girls, Anne Louise (aka “Weezy”) and Spencer, who both beg to come to JLC meetings and also argue over whose turn it is to feed our dog Banks.

2) What is the best and worst decision you’ve ever made?

Best decision – My number one best decision is choosing to trust in God’s love and plan for my life.  Close second is accepting my friend Davis’s invitation to go to a party at Hampden Sydney College (even though I was already out of college and in law school) since that’s where I met my husband, Patrick.

Worst decision – Insisting on Glamour Shots pictures in the early 90s.  Why? Just WHY??? [Editor’s Note: we requested, but were quickly denied, copies of said Glamour Shots.]

3) What woman inspires you and why?

My mother, Patricia Rixon Fox, who was the perfect combination of brains and heart.  During college at UNC (where she completed undergrad and her masters in social work in record time), she tutored student athletes in math and would beat Alexander Julian in backgammon on the reg in the upstairs of his Franklin Street shop.  She taught herself to take (and pass) the Series 7 exam (not for work, but for “fun”), achieved international recognition for accomplishments in bridge, and got her contractor’s license when she built her house in the mountains.  In addition to her intelligence, my mom also had a remarkable ability to genuinely listen to and sacrificially help those she loved, as well as strangers.  Despite struggling with health challenges her entire life, she didn’t let that slow down her drive to learn, teach, and love unconditionally.  I cherish the support and advice she gave to me and to others.  I pray my own children will see a fraction of her in me someday.

4) From start to finish, what would your ideal day be like?

Honestly, I get to have lots of ideal days in this wonderful city we call home.  It always involves my family, and it usually involves a bike ride, brunch (with bubbly!), and sunshine.  My most ideal twenty-four hours out of town would start by waking up with Patrick and our daughters Anne Louise and Spencer at the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island. I’d love to say “wake up early,” but honestly, my family likes to sleep in (even the girls)!  We’d first enjoy coffee (and sparkling rosé) on the balcony watching the ocean.  Next, we’d all four take a long bike ride on the beach, have lunch on the porch at the Ocean Course, followed by a bike ride back for some time relaxing by the pool.  We’d then catch the fastest jet ever (flown by either Tammie Jo Shults or Captain Sully, who are heroes I’d trust since I hate to fly) and head to see my sister’s family in San Francisco, where we’d snack on soup dumplings from Yank Sing and then have a late dinner in the city (still holding out for State Bird Provisions) with family and friends.  We’d wake up the next morning in Napa.

5) What keeps you up at night?

Wondering if I’m being the best wife, mother, sister, friend, employee, and citizen I can be.  And praying that if not, God will help me get there.

6) If you could tell your 23-year-old self one thing what would it be?

You’re not in charge.  Despite wanting to control your own destiny and all the plans you think you have, life brings unexpected blessings and suffering, so you have to be prepared to adapt and adjust . . . and trust God.  Oh, and spend quality time with your parents because some day, you’ll miss their advice and love.

7) One thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

I used to be a competitive jump roper (shout out to the former Queen City Skippers from CCS Middle School!).

8) How has the Junior League helped you develop your potential, taught you something unique,

It seems simple, but I’ve learned the importance of making and keeping an agenda for meetings.  The “Agenda Queens,” Shannon Vandiver and Arina Kirk, taught me how to set goals (and time limits) and to articulate clearly defined items of business for a group.  This helps facilitate orderly discussion, while also ensuring timely decision-making and resolution on issues.  Everyone’s time is valuable, and a thoughtful agenda shows respect for participants.  When I attend committee meetings hosted by other organizations, I’m secretly judging their agenda and ability to stick to it.