Karen Eskew

75^th Anniversary Fashion Show Co-Chair and Sponsorship Committee Chair
By Nan Taylor, SNC Historian

“I Can Do That!” is Karen’s favorite response to a new challenge, and luckily for SNC, she enthusiastically joined SNC’s 75^th Anniversary Committee. As chairperson of the event’s sponsorship committee, Karen created a three-pronged approach to raising money: obtain corporate financial sponsors and in-kind donations, set-up an online auction, and create an online “shop” to sell one-of-a-kind jewelry she designed from pieces donated by SNC members. She’s also Jane’s “Girl Friday” as co-chair of the fashion show, helping with organization, scheduling, thrift store shopping, etc. There’s a mutual respect between them, and their talents and skills complement each other. According to Karen, “I’ve learned so much from Jane… who knew there were so many shades of beige???”

Karen’s varied background as a small business owner, teacher, and Air Force officer, has brought a wealth of strengths and skills to SNC. As a military brat and commissioned officer, she traveled the world and now claims Savannah as her permanent home.  Shortly after receiving her degree and K-12 teaching credentials, she found herself looking for a new challenge. So, in the early 1970s, she joined the Air Force (when there were few women and even fewer women officers) and asked to be assigned to air combat units. A general quickly spotted her potential and asked her to create Tactical Air Command’s first adjutant program resulting in her selection as the Outstanding Executive Support Officer for the entire Air Force. This led to her selection to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology where she earned a master’s degree in computer science and was subsequently pulled to do a stint at the Pentagon. Between designing and implementing computer programs, overseeing trade security policy issues, and running intelligence operations during the Desert Storm, she met her husband Corey (a naval officer), and decided it was time the Navy and Air Force got together! They moved to Edwards Air Force Base in California where she served as Director, Inspector General. After twenty years of military service, Karen retired and wanted to embrace her softer side and do something different …and so she opened a Tea Room! Of course!

Molly Kate’s Gifts and Tea Room (named after her daughters) was a beautiful tearoom, and high-end gift and home décor shop. As chief cook and bottle washer, Karen quickly learned the restaurant and retail businesses and discovered she loved being an entrepreneur. Twenty years later, when her husband Corey accepted a job in Savannah, she closed the doors of her popular tearoom.  

Shortly after her arrival in 2016, Karen joined SNC and has held several board and committee positions. Karen’s enjoyed meeting and working with so many intelligent, talented women in SNC. She wholeheartedly embraces the proverb, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens a friend,” as she believes the beauty of SNC is finding friends who can inspire and enrich each other. What an inspiration for us all!