Starting A New Life Chapter - North Carolina NPR News

Starting A New Life Chapter

October 16, 2011 |

Two Winston-Salem women are finalists in a national contest. It's called A-ha Moment, sponsored by the insurance company, Mutual of Omaha. This summer, the company sent an audio crew on a 25-city tour. At each stop, area residents signed up to record their personal 'a-ha' moments for a chance to have it selected as a Mutual of Omaha national commercial. Last June, the tour came to Winston-Salem. Irma Jackson and Carol Eickmeyer were among many who recorded. Now they are two of eight finalist. Carol says her watching her father suffer through cancer after he retired encouraged her to immediately change her life. After teaching for 30 years in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System, Irma says she's found a new way of inspiring people, as a personal masseuse. You can hear Irma's and Carol's stories along with the other finalists on You Tube and Facebook. The public is encouraged to vote for their favorite story. The top five most viewed will become national commercials for Mutual of Omaha in 2012. October 28th, 2011 is the last day when people can vote. The five winners will be announced early in November.