WOMANIFESTING

WOMANIFESTING (WOMA) hosted “WOMA’S 2nd Annual Mother’s Day Luncheon” on May 7, 2011 to support survivors of domestic violence who are clients of the non-profit WEAVE (Women Empowered Against Violence). This event was designed to uplift and encourage the women by providing them with support and encouragement in a relaxed, fun setting. Approximately 25 women and children attended the event. The program included a welcome by WOMA Founder and Executive Director Tracy Chiles McGhee and Deputy Director Lindsay Young, a catered lunch, a presentation of gifts and prizes, and impromptu dancing. And just like last year, everyone of all ages loved the teddy bears donated by Hugs Across America.

One attendee, Maria, stated “Gracias por el opoyo y por darnos fuerzas para sequir adelante y ensenarnos a que la vida es muy linda. (Translation:Thanks for the support and for giving us strength to move forward and teaching us that life is very beautiful.) Another attendee, Sally, added “Thoroughly enjoyed your presentations both last year and this year. Hope you continue to get sponsors for events like this. Thanks for sharing.” At the conclusion of the event, a very pleased McGhee stated that “WOMA will continue to partner with WEAVE and other organizations to produce events that promote self-empowerment, sisterhood, and service.”

WOMA would like to thank the event committee for their fruitful efforts: Lindsay Young (WOMA), Sasha Ariel Alston (WOMA), Liz Harens (WEAVE), and Anna Garcia (Corazon)

WOMA would also like to thank the following for in-kind and/or monetary donations: Africuria (caterer), Naline Salone, Helen Lewinski, Constance Young, Courtney Young, Michelle Morales, Hatshepsitu Tull, Caira Woods, and Samah Elsayed.

Event Photos: http://www.womanifesting.org/apps/photos/album?albumid=11542939

My name is Aiesha Turman and this is my womanifesting story.

I was coordinating an afterschool cultural arts and literacy program for high school students in Brooklyn when I observed that my female students were experiencing a lot of the same issues that I faced when I was their age and thought it would be a great idea to explore these issues with them in a girls-only group because it was important for other young women and girls to realize that they are not alone and there are ways to reach out.

My passion urged me to do more. So I decided to do make a film---First I needed to learn how to make a film, and since I learn by doing, I came up with the idea of having our culminating project that year be, well, a film. I found a curriculum from the Directors Guild of America and set about spending two and a half months teaching a group of 20 12th and 10th graders how to write a movie while I served as director. After we made the film and had our "premiere", it gave me the confidence to do make The Black Girl Project.I called on the help of the young women I initially worked with who were now all either in college or entering college. It took two years, but I made an hour-long documentary, but I wanted to do more.

Knowing that I wanted the film to spark dialogue, I sought fiscal sponsorship and the organization, The Black Girl Project, whose mission is to help equip young women andgirls with the tools needed to become healthy, self-actualized women, was born. I then called on the help of some fabulous scholars, educators, business-womenand creatives to be on my advisory board. Our first big accomplishment was pulling off a big premiere screening at the Spike Lee Screening Room on LongIsland University's Brooklyn campus. We faced challenges with having a very little budget, but what we did have was will. I am fulfilled because of the feedback I have received from the film and the work that the organization hasbeen able to do, such as safer sex outreaches, workshops, and more.

Right now, we are planning an all-girl youth-symposium, co-leading twice-monthly workshops with the Urban Yoga Foundation, and developing a workshop series with the hopes of: expanding, duplicating and packaging the film so that it can get into the hands of as many wonderful folks as possible. I'm creating mini-docs or digital stories of between 10-12 minutes each which will take you a bit deeper into the lives of the young women featured in the film; Publishing a book! The BGP book will explore the why's, what's and how's behind the origins and process of the project, as well as take a look at the young women's lives since the initial filming; and creating curriculum and screening tool-kit. The whole of The BGP is intended as a teaching tool and the curriculum will explore the themes that were explored in the film: family, obstacles, dreams, love and relationships, the media andmore. The screening tool-kit will assist anyone who's interested in hosting a screening create a memorable, educational, and enlightening experience.

How can you help? We're on Kickstarter until the end of March to help raise funds to do all of this, and if you pledge support, there are many tangible rewards you can receive at any level. But we'd also love to hear from you. We're on Facebook and Twitter as well.

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Now this is some pretty awesome womanifesting. PLEASE SUPPORT The Black Girl Project. Also, if you have a womanifesting story, please share it with us at woma@womanifesting.org. You may be feautured in a future WOMA blog.

Black Girl Project Around the Web:

WEB: http://blackgirlproject.com/

Kickstarter  http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/810890058/the-black-girl-project

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblackgirlproject?ref=ts

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/blackgirlproj

On March 19, 2011, WOMA hosted an event, in conjunction with the District of Columbia (DC) Public Library, entitled WOMANIFESTING IN ACTION, in honor of our 1st anniversary and Women’s History Month. The event was held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library and brought together local women leaders to share how they use collaboration, community building, and social activism to further their causes and to make a difference. It was a well-attended event with a fair share of men in the audience supportive of the spirit of womanifesting.

The event opened with a welcome from Kathy Jenkins, Manager of the Popular Division, DC Public Library. She spoke of her excitement of partnering with WOMA to bring the event and looked forward with great anticipation of doing more collaborations in the future. Kathy also expressed passionately her vision of the library as a central and neutral meeting place for diverse groups to connect and broaden their circles based on shared interests. Next, Tracy Chiles McGhee, Founder & Executive Director of WOMA, welcomed everyone, explained the definition of womanifesting and promised that several examples would be witnessed at the the event through a conversation with the panelists who epitomize the definition.

One of the highlights of the event came when Yasmine Arrington, a local DC high school student, delivered a riveting "Call to Action" speech to the attendees.Yasmine spoke with great wisdom and clarity of purpose. She uplifted and inspired the audience with her mandate that we not be stingy with our gifts but instead share them by making a difference in the lives of others. As a surprise to Yasmine, Councilwoman Muriel Bowser, Ward 4 of the Council of the District of Columbia presented her with a resolution from the Council honoring her in essence for her outstanding accomplishments, for taking the initiative to establish a scholarship fund for aspiring students with incarcerated parents called ScholarCHIPS, and for being an excellent role model to youth and an inspiration to us all.

After Yasmine effectively set the tone for the event, the moderators, Marita Golden, Acclaimed Author & Master Teacher (pictured to left above) and Nikita T. Mitchell, a young professional and Writer (pictured to right above) introduced the panel and got the discussion going. Both Marita and Nikita did an excellent job in facilitating the informative interchange. Each panelist brought a unique perspective to the table, discussing a range of causes from HIV/AIDS issue advocacy for women to the use of art to promote peace and social justice to "digital sisterhood" to build relationships and deepen impact to the theatrical storytelling of women to claim our place, voice, and awesomeness to the importance of the community coming together to ensure safe places where children can play and learn and have fun. All were passionate and had big dreams for their endeavors. There was a general consensus that in order to realize those dreams, collaboration through a pooling of resources and innovative ideas and unique offerings coupled with a willingness to support one another is crucial.

Members of the audience asked questions and spoke of being inspired to raise their level of involvement and to offer support. One said, "Great event today! I hope that these events continue! I look forward to participating!" Another said, "This was such a moving event. I learned so much and I was touched by these women." Still another said, "The entire panel was very informative. Truly blessed by the knowledge that has been provided here today." Finally, one young lady summed it up, "FABULOUS!"

Tracy closed by offering WOMA as a platform to do just that and invited everyone to become a member of WOMA to continue the conversation and the work. Then to conclude the event, a lucky audience member received a copy of Marita Golden's latest book entitled, "THE WORD: Black Writers Talk About the Transformative Power of Reading and Writing Edited by Marita Golden"and admittance to WOMA's Annual Award event to be held in June 2011.

WOMA sincerely appreciates all the contributors for sharing their brilliance with us and showing us what WOMANIFESTING IN ACTION looks like. We ask that you support the worthwhile missions of WOMA, the moderators, and the panelists. You can learn more about them from their bios below and by visiting their websites. Please check the WOMA calendar for upcoming events. Your presence will be most appreciated.

WOMA would like to thank all that contributed to the event including a lively audience. In addition to the above mentioned participants, a special thank you goes to the following:

CO-PLANNERS, Kathy Jenkins, DC Public Library, Lindsay Young, and Samantha Kirby Caruth; PRESENTER: Ward 4 Councilwoman Muriel Bowser; SPONSOR: Kimberly A. Woodard;  VOLUNTEERS: Enchanta Jackson, Sasha Ariel Alston, and Takeyah Young & SUPPORTERS: Divine Chocolate, Josephine Bias Robinson and Carolyn Woodson

MODERATORS

Marita Golden (http://maritagolden.com/)

Marita Golden is the award-winning author of 14 works of fiction and nonfiction. As a teacher of writing, Marita Golden has held appointments at George Mason University, and Virginia Commonwealth University, where she served as a member of the MFA Graduate Creative Writing programs. She has also taught at Emerson College, The University of Lagos (Nigeria), Roxbury Community College, and American University. She served as Writer in Residence at the University of the Districtof Columbia, in Washington, D.C. Marita Golden has lectured on the topic ofliterature, women’s studies, African-American Studies and African American literature nationally and internationally.

As a literary activist, Marita Golden founded and served as the first president of the Washington-D.C. based African-American Writers Guild. In 1990 she co-founded the Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation, which presents the nation’s only national fiction award for college writers of African descent and an annual summer writer’s workshop for Black writers, Hurston/Wright Writers’ Week, as well as the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award for published Black writers. She now serves as President Emeritus of the organization. Marita Golden holds a B.A. from American University in American Studies and English and a Masters Degree from the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University.

Nikita T. Mitchell (http://nikitatmitchell.com/blog), Twitter: @NikitaTMitchell

Nikita T. Mitchell is a management consultant at Deloitte Consulting, providing facilitation, communications, strategic planning, organizational strategy, performance measurement, business case analysis and financial management services to her federal clients. A graduate of Howard University, Nikita earned her Bachelor’s in Business Administration (BBA) in International Business with a concentration in Finance. During her four years at Howard, she held various leadership positions on campus, studied abroad in France and worked in the financial services industry – both in New York City and in London. 

Nikita is a passionate and involved member of her community, dedicating asignificant amount of her time to local non-profits committed to youth and women. As a Board Member for the Cultural Academy for Excellence, a localnon profit committed to the development of youth through the performing arts,Nikita continues her early and engaging leadership. She also works with the DC Rape Crisis Center as a counselor on the 24-hour hotline and as an advocate for sexual assault survivors in local hospitals. 

In her spare time, Nikita can be found with her head in a book. She has aninnate passion for professional and personal development. She loves social media, writing, and traveling. She dreams of one day running a travel program for young women that promotes cultural education, self-esteem building andacademic achievement.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Yasmine Arrington, local high school student credited with starting a ScholarCHIPS for aspiring college students with incarcerated parents. (http://www.facebook.com/scholarCHIPS)

Yasmine Arrington is a senior at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School. She was born and raised in Washington, DC. She is a published and award winning poet.Yasmine has recently earned her Girl Scout Gold Award-the highest communityservice award in Girl Scouting! She lives with her grandmother and two younger brothers, Gary and Michael. Her mother died her freshman year of high schooland her father is currently incarcerated. Despite these setbacks, Yasmine has taken life’s challenges in stride. She has launched her own non-profit entitled ScholarCHIPS (for Children of Incarcerated Parents). ScholarCHIPS is raising $30,000 to gift three graduating seniors with incarcerated parents, who wish to pursue a college degree, with $10,000 each.

PANELISTS

Patricia Nalls, Founder & Executive Director, The Women's Collective, 2010 Washingtonian of the Year (www.womenscollective.org)

Patricia Nalls founded The Women’s Collective after several years of living in isolation about her own HIV diagnosis. Patricia committed herself to finding, supporting and organizing women with HIV/AIDS. At first it was from her kitchen table, then from acommunity space and now from offices on U Street with several integral programs for women living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS and families. Unfortunately, her journey, although wonderful, also contains the memories and pain from losing many sisters along the way to the disease. Each day, she recommits herself to the struggle and she is energized by the work she and others have accomplished in combined efforts.

Carrie L. Ellis, Director of Project Management, KaBOOM! & Board Chair, Teaching for Change

Carrie L. Ellis is a graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta,GA where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.  Following her undergraduate studies, Carrie moved to California to teach middle school English and Mass Media in LosAngeles through the Teach For America program. She was inspired to pursue a master’s degree in Communication Management from the University of Southern California, where she concentrated in Educational Children’s Media.  Once she graduated, Carrie headed to Washington, DC to work for several years on the national staff of Teach For America.

In 2005, Carrie joined the staff of KaBOOM! as the Directorof Project Management, a national nonprofit that creates play spaces throughthe participation and leadership of communities.  Every year, her team oversees the planningand installation of over 200 community-built play spaces throughout NorthAmerica.  Carrie also serves as the Chairof the Board for Teaching for Change, a nonprofit that provides teachers and parents with the tools to transform schools into centers of justice for students.

Jessica T. Solomon, Founder, The Saartjie Project & ChiefVisionary Officer, Spark Creativity (http://sparkcreativity.info)

As a community artist, Jessica T. Solomon, founded The Saartjie Project,an award-winning theatre ensemble using story and collaborative performance as a vehicle to promote social change. Jessica also serves as a member of the Connectivity Committee at The Woolly Mammoth Theater Company in Washington, DC.She views her work in the performing arts as an extension of her work as an Organization Development practitioner. As a capacity builder and organization development practitioner, Jessica has worked internationally with universities, non-profit organizations, government agencies, creative businesses and individuals to increase impact + uncover solutions. Jessica holds a B.A.’s in African American Studies and Communication Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a M.S. in Organization Development from American University. She is the 2007 Starting Bloc for Social Innovation Fellow and the 2009 American University Hal Kellner Awardee.

Marielle Mariano, East Coast Coordinator, Chalk4Peace (chalk4peace.org)

Marielle Mariano is an art educator, art therapist, East Coast Coordinator of the non-profit organization CHALK4PEACE,Inc., and a fine artist. Since graduating from Georgetown University in ’93, working in the medical sciences and then graduating with a Master of Science in Art Therapy from Eastern Virginia Medical School in ‘99, Marielle has chosen to commit herself to using the creative process to help heal and better others’experiences. She has encouraged them to do so through her work in art education and art therapy in Fairfax County Public Schools and her work with CHALK4PEACE,coordinating outdoor chalk art events that encourage international peace expression and education in a variety of communities around the world. Marielle is passionate about C4P because she feels it challenges people to not just create a visual representation of one’s idea and wish for peace, but to also make peace an active part of one’s life in the hopes that it will spread to others. 

Ananda Leeke,Founder of Digital Sisterhood Month & Author of upcoming memoir (www.anandaleeke.com)

Yoga+ Creativity + Internet Geek = Ananda Leeke. Leeke is a lawyer turned “Jill ofmany trades”: innerpreneur, author, artist, coach, and yoga teacher. Hermission is “Empowering U2BU through creativity coaching, Reiki, self-care,social media, volunteerism, and yoga.”  She has penned That Which Awakens Me: A Creative Woman’sPoetic Memoir of Self-Discovery (2009) and her debut novel Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One(2007). In December 2010, she launched the Digital Sisterhood Network and Digital Sisterhood Month to give women in social media an opportunity to celebrate their connections, conversations, communities, collaborative partnerships, and commerce. She traveled to Haiti as a blogger ambassador for The Heart of Haiti Campaign, a partnership between Macy's, Fairwinds Trading, and the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund in February. Currently, Leeke is working with wounded warriors as an artist-in-residence for Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts at the National Navy Medical Center and writing Digital Sisterhood, a memoir (2011). 

Tis’ The Season To Gain Awareness about Domestic Violence:

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

-- Melissa Maddox-Barnes

Autumn is a favorite time of year for many. As the holiday season begins and the year draws to an end, it is customary for us to take a little time, reflect and give thanks for the things that are important to us such as family, friends, relationships, our health and overall well-being. As we count our own blessings, let us consider that there are families and individuals in crisis due to a very serious and sometimes deadly ill that is prevalent in our society, domestic violence. Domestic violence is a crime, but unfortunately it is one that many turn a blind eye to because it is considered a personal or family matter.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, it is described as a “pattern of abuse in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power or control over another intimate partner”,

http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/domviolence.htm . The term “any” means just that, it is any form of physical, emotional, psychological, economic or sexual abuse or threats of abuse. “Any” also refers to any form of intimate relationship, spouse, familial, dating and same-sex. Domestic violence incidents occur irrespective of race, national origin, sexual orientation, age, educational or socio-economic background. In the United States alone,

· Approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually.

· Over 1,006,970 women and 370,990 men are stalked annually.

· 34% of women were victims of sexual coercion by a husband or intimate partner in their lifetime.

· Approximately one in five female high school students reports being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner.

· Fifty to eighty percent of teens report knowing someone involved in a violent relationship. *

* Statistics available at the American Bar Association’s website at http://new.abanet.org/domesticviolence/Pages/Statistics.aspx#prevalence

In light of these harrowing statistics, increased efforts are necessary in order to bring awareness to this issue. We ask that you TAKE ACTION during the month of October. Why get involved? Because it is very likely that one of your co-workers, clients or customers, classmates or family members may be suffering in silence. Below are just a few steps you can take to bring awareness.

· Print the official poster in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month from the Department of Justice and post it in your places of business, churches, organizations, neighborhood community centers, social service agencies and schools. The poster is available at http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/images/OVWposter_websmall.jpg.

· Contact a local advocacy group or victim’s shelter and ask what types of donations in items and/or services are needed. Domestic violence shelters can always use paper products, cleaning supplies, food, clothing and toiletries for their residents. Counseling services are also always in demand for domestic violence matters.

· Become a volunteer legal advocate on domestic violence issues. The American Bar Association’s (ABA) Commission on Domestic Violence offers a number of methods in which attorneys can volunteer to combat domestic violence. If you are an attorney, contact the ABA to find out how you can volunteer at http://new.abanet.org/domesticviolence/Pages/default.aspx.

· Contact The National Women’s Health Information Center at http://www.womenshealth.gov/violence/state/

to find out more information about domestic violence prevention efforts in your state.

As you consider how you want to help, reflect on the words of our President Barack Obama, the first President to issue a proclamation in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Let the words inspire you to learn more about this issue and contribute towards its prevention. No matter how small your action is, you can make a difference and possibly save a life.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

October 01, 2010

Presidential Proclamation--National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH, 2010

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

In the 16 years since the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), we have broken the silence surrounding domestic violence to reach thousands of survivors, prevent countless incidences of abuse, and save untold numbers of lives. While these are critical achievements, domestic violence remains a devastating public health crisis when one in four women will be physically or sexually assaulted by a partner at some point in her lifetime. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we recognize the tremendous progress made in reducing domestic violence, and we recommit to making everyone's home a safe place for them.

My Administration is committed to reducing the prevalence of domestic violence. Last year, I appointed the first-ever White House Advisor on Violence Against Women to collaborate with the many Federal agencies working together to end domestic violence in this country. Together with community efforts, these Federal programs are making important strides towards eliminating abuse.

The landmark Affordable Care Act also serves as a lifeline for domestic violence victims. Before I signed this legislation in March, insurance companies in eight States and the District of Columbia were able to classify domestic violence as a pre existing condition, leaving victims at risk of not receiving vital treatment when they are most vulnerable. Now, victims need not fear the additional burden of increased medical bills as they attempt to protect themselves and rebuild their lives.

Individuals of every race, gender, and background face domestic violence, but some communities are disproportionately affected. In order to combat the prevalence of domestic violence and sexual assault in tribal areas, I signed the Tribal Law and Order Act to strengthen tribal law enforcement and its ability to prosecute and fight crime more effectively. This important legislation will also help survivors of domestic violence get the medical attention, services, support, and justice they need.

Children exposed to domestic violence, whether victims or witnesses, also need our help. Without intervention, they are at higher risk for failure in school, emotional disorders, substance abuse, and perpetrating violent behavior later in life. That is why my Administration has launched the "Defending Childhood" initiative at the Department of Justice to revitalize prevention, intervention, and response systems for children exposed to violence. The Department of Health and Human Services is also expanding services and enhancing community responses for children exposed to violence.

Ending domestic violence requires a collaborative effort involving every part of our society. Our law enforcement and justice system must work to hold offenders accountable and to protect victims and their children. Business, faith, and community leaders, as well as educators, health care providers, and human service professionals, also have a role to play in communicating that domestic violence is always unacceptable. As a Nation, we must endeavor to protect survivors, bring offenders to justice, and change attitudes that support such violence. I encourage victims, their loved ones, and concerned citizens to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1 800-799-SAFE or visit: www.TheHotline.org.

This month -- and throughout the year -- let each of us resolve to be vigilant in recognizing and combating domestic violence in our communities, and let us build a culture of safety and support for all those affected.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2010 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I call on all Americans to speak out against domestic violence and support local efforts to assist victims of these crimes in finding the help and healing they need.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA

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Melissa Maddox-Barnes serves on the Board of Directors for Womanifesting, Inc. Ms. Maddox-Barnes is a volunteer legal advocate for domestic violence issues and a state-wide Project Coordinator for the Voices Against Violence Committee of the South Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division which educates attorneys on issues related to domestic violence and serves as a

community resource for victims and victim advocates.

WOMA CHALKS 4 PEACE by Simona Noce, WOMA Student Intern 

This year 9/11 was expressed in vibrant, rainbow colors on the corner of 14th & V, NW in Washington, DC. WOMANIFESTING (WOMA) joined the non-profit CHALK4PEACE in creating and promoting messages of peace outside of DC’s cultural and trendy restaurant, Busboys and Poets (B&P). Bright and early Saturday morning, knees were on the ground, old and young, using chalk of different colors to draw images and write words to encourage peace. A large blue peace sign and a beautiful white dove captured the attention of many passing by who were used to seeing the usual gray and dirty sidewalk, typical of a busy urban street. This day there was a  different scene.

The children enjoyed the event the most. They had a much larger space to express their creativity with thick, colored chalk and a concrete canvass. The inner childhood of the “grown-ups” was also tapped as they joined in the fun.

Marielle Mariano, the East Coast Coordinator of CHALK4PEACE, was there to help coordinate the event with the host, B&P. Mariano, who is both an artist and Art Educator, has been a long time advocate of the power of art. “Art is a natural way to learn peaceful responsibility,” said Mariano.

The event was a huge success. A diverse group, some strangers to each other, others family and friends, gathered in remembrance of a day that caused deep hurts and destroyed so many lives. WOMA and other participants of CHALK4PEACE turned the day into an inspiring, uplifting, and fun one. The pain of the memory of 9/11 was quieted by voices shouting messages of peace and hope through colorful art, from the ground, and from the heart.

Mariano offered a special note of appreciation to WOMA, “A million THANKS to the amazing women of WOMA for coming out to CHALK4PEACE at Busboys! They were the force to get everyone started!”

For more information on CHALK4PEACE:

http://www.womanifesting.org/apps/blog/show/4711003-chalk4peace

More pics... 

http://members.webs.com/MembersB/editAppPage.jsp?app=photos&pageID=157346787&token=null#photos/album?albumid=9946322

Recently, WOMA, caught up with Marielle Mariano, the East Coast Coordinator of CHALK4PEACE (C4P), to learn more about C4P’s mission to encourage, inspire, and create peace through art, education, and community.

WOMA: What is CHALK4PEACE?

Marielle: CHALK4PEACE is a non-profit organization that promotes global arts through coordinating chalk art events in communities. Its mission is to promote the arts by bringing together participants of all ages to draw their vision of peace with sidewalk chalk as a scheduled worldwide event; to advocate for peace in a non-partisan manner such that all people may share their visions and messages of peace without regard to their nationality, ethnicity or political beliefs; and to encourage relationships between municipalities and artists so that communities around the world become united in supporting the expression of peace.

WOMA: Who founded CHALK4PEACE and when was the first event held?

Marielle: John Aaron is the founder of C4P. He is an artist, educator and events coordinator who is internationally recognized for his contributions to the art community and for creating the atmosphere conducive to make C4P a global event. John organized the first worldwide C4P event in 2005 starting with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, DC during the “Arts On Foot Festival”.

WOMA: Congrats on your 5th Anniversary! How has C4P evolved since 2005?

Marielle: Thanks. C4P grows each passing year and spans several continents. The global campaign spread coast to coast across the United States, to Cape Town, South Africa, Bethlehem in the West Bank, and in places in Europe, Asia, and South America. Because of increased support and participation, C4P has gone from being a small, one-day community project to a month long event every September. However, we don't require that an event occurs in September. Many organizations have held events at other times in the year. Most events happen in September because the United Nations International Day of Peace is celebrated on September 21st. C4P has grown through the efforts of hundreds of event organizers, teachers, parents, community outreach coordinators, libraries, arts centers, local businesses and other peace-minded individuals and organizations. It has received support by the Arlington Arts Commission, the DC Commission for the Arts and Humanities, the DC Mayor's Office, the Humanities Project of Arlington and Whole Foods Markets,

Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace campaign, and the esteemed Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

WOMA: How did you become involved with C4P and what is your role?

Marielle: I initially became involved in C4P in 2006. John and I had met at an art event in 2004 and he

had included one of my works of art in an exhibit at his art studio in Clarendon. He remembered that I am an Art Therapist and Art Educator working with at-risk students with disabilities in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and sent me an email in 2006... or was it a phone call... anyway, he had moved to California by then and asked me if I would be interested in doing a C4P event at my school with my students. I thought it was a fabulous idea for not just my students with special needs but all of the students and even the staff. The C4P event would be a fun activity to get the kids started in discussing their roles in creating peaceful environments. Having the event take place at the start of the school year was perfect for team-building and an opportunity to introduce school rules which help to create a safe and peaceful environment. I incorporated the event into my art lessons for all grades to teach about the theme of peace in famous works of art, to teach about design because the kids draw sketches of their peace ideas, and I even included a little math and language arts. The experience of actively creating, conversing and collaborating with others to express ideas of peace helps to keep the idea of peace alive and in practice. The hope is that these kids will grow up working to increase peace in their homes, communities, and the world.

As you can tell, I am very passionate about C4P. After the first event I organized, I thought everyone should do it so I started emailing other art educators in FCPS and the following year more schools got involved. To date, over 40 FCPS participate. The students look forward to it every year. Organizations have also joined in. One of my students who did it that first year loved it so much she organized her Girl Scout Troop to do an event in their community. She's done it for 3 years now. I am extremely proud of her.

I guess John was impressed by the way I organized my event and how I was able to enlist others to participate. By the next year, he asked me to be C4P's East Coast coordinator. As the East Coast Coordinator of C4P, I contact communities and organizations to get involved in showing the world their peaceful expressions at chalk drawing events. I bring awareness of C4P

and how the chalk events can benefit organizations, businesses, and communities.

WOMA: How does C4P impact the communities where the events are held?

Marielle: I strongly believe in the power of art to encourage learning and understanding on all levels. To engage youth in an event like C4P, one is making an investment in peace for the future. C4P is a great cooperative event to start the school year as it supports the art and character education curriculums. C4P carries the message of peace throughout the rest of the year and beyond.

Essentially, it is a great cooperative event for any group, organization, or community.

WOMA: If someone wants more information about C4P, including a list of scheduled east coast events, or if they would like to coordinate a C4P event, what should they do?

Marielle: They should go to our website at (www.chalk4peace.org) for information about our organization and for photos of the events. Go to (www.chalk4peace.blogspot.com)

 for an updated list of events around the world. They can also contact me directly at (mariellechalk4peace@gmail.com).

I should note that many participating organizations coordinate their own C4P events and create programs that fit within their vision. You may also ask a designated C4P coordinator to be present and facilitate an event with a donation to C4P. We ask that if you are going to connect the C4P organization with your event, please stress that this is a NON- PARTISAN event to encourage peaceful conversations and interactions through the creative process.

WOMA: What kind of support does C4P need?

Marielle: So glad you asked this question. We are in most need of sponsors, participants to come to the events, and DEFINITELY donations!! People can donate through the website (www.chalk4peace.com) or you can join the C4P "CAUSE" on Facebook and donate there too. (http://www.causes.com/causes/401301?m=0d43bb06)  CP4 would really appreciate your support.

WOMA: In two sentences, please tell us why we should support C4P?

Marielle: A picture is worth a thousand words so let's make a statement for today and our future. Let’s get the whole world creating thousands of chalk drawings of peace in their lives and in their communities!

WOMA: Thank you Marielle. You are SO WOMA!

On Saturday, 9/11/10, in honor of 911 National Service Day & CHALK4PEACE & Busboys & Poets 5th Anniversary, we will meet on the patio of Busboys & Poets, 14&V, Streets, NW, Washington, DC to share our messages of peace for the planet. RSVP to woma@womanifesting.org or on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/womanifesting?v=app_2344061033#!/event.php?eid=123608844356437&index=1) and bring yourself, friends, and the whole family.

Photo above: CHALK4PEACE 2009 Waples Mill E.S., Oakton, VA photo: Marilyn Miyamoto

WOMA

WOMA volunteered at Prevention Works in August. The mission of Prevention Works is to curb the spread of HIV and other blood-borne diseases among injecting and other drug users, their sexual partners, and their children. We made safer sex kits and wound care kits. In just a few hours,we made a big impact assembling 350 kits to be distributed to the community.

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Don’t Think You Have Time to Volunteer? You May Want to Think Again…

by Melissa Maddox Barnes, Esq.

When we think of volunteering, we usually think that it is a good, right and necessary thing to do. What may hinder us in actually engaging in community service is finding the time to do it. Women are busy, whether we are at work outside or inside of the home. In our efforts to manage our personal lives, professional lives and now even our social media presence and internet lives, when does one actually find the time to volunteer?

Although there seems to be no end to our responsibilities and not enough time to complete them, volunteerism is more crucial in helping you accomplish your goals and managing your life than you may think. There are limitless opportunities for personal and professional growth through volunteer service. Volunteerism may be the missing aspect in your life to help you reach personal fulfillment or to develop the professional skills and obtain the career of your dreams. How can that be possible? Consider the following common issues we face in our lives and the ways volunteerism can help.

Challenge #1 – Finding Balance in Family/Personal Life vs. Career Life through Volunteering

According to the U.S. Department of Labor women today comprise over 46% of the entire labor force in the United States and over 51% in management and professional occupations. There are more women in the workforce than ever before. However, despite the increase in numbers of women that work outside of the home, responsibilities within the home have not decreased. Even in the most cohesive of households, there is simply not enough time in the day nor energy to accomplish all that we would like to for our families, ourselves and for our careers. Regardless of how many hours of sleep you may have missed to tend to a sick child, that project is still due, that meeting must happen, the show must go on. Add to the equation the challenges in assisting a child with different abilities, caring for elderly parents, or single parenthood, managing our schedules ends up becoming an art form in itself. Women that work primarily inside the home face similar challenges in balancing life’s tasks as they carry the responsibility of being an unpaid Chief Executive Officer of their particular Department of Family Affairs (insert your home address, Anytown, USA). Given the demands, lack of time, and constant state of physical and mental fatigue in which we must manage our lives, how can we fit volunteer service into our schedules and, more importantly, why should we?

As for the when, you don’t find extra time to volunteer, rather you incorporate community service activities into your daily routine. For instance, volunteer at your child’s school, your church, local shelter or food bank and bring your family and friends with you. What better way to teach those you love about your core values or discuss solutions to socio-economic problems than by showing them the need and what an individual can do to help. As for the why, whether you are a paid but unappreciated professional or an unpaid CEO of a DFA (see above), staying involved in your local community can help prevent feelings of isolation, lack of appreciation and serve as an unexpected source of inspiration. We all know that on some level our families, friends or maybe even employers appreciate us, but when a perfect stranger tells you they would not have had a meal that day if it weren’t for you or that they are grateful for the bed they can now sleep in because of your help, something magical happens. You experience a new sense of purpose and meaning that you can take back with you to better handle your own affairs. You may even find that some of your stress triggers are not as significant as you think. After all, it becomes difficult to complain about the inconveniences of a temperamental Blackberry after helping someone who has to share a phone with others at a shelter. Volunteerism in this respect offers perspective which can provide meaning to all the other things you must balance in your daily life.

Challenge #2 – Overcoming Personal Loss or Health Problems? Try Volunteering

There is no magic pill to overcoming tragic experiences, circumstances or illness in our lives. Whether the challenge comes through the loss of a loved one, divorce, financial hardship, difficulties in child rearing or dealing with an illness, the challenge itself can leave us feeling as if we are at a standstill. As we try to cope with hardship, the tendency to withdraw and retreat can lead to other more serious issues such as depression, substance abuse and other disorders. Volunteering becomes the furthest thing from our minds as we tend to believe that we have to be at our personal best in order to give anything of value to anyone else.

What if I were to tell you that your hardship or illness is of great value? Sound crazy? Consider this, your personal challenges enhance and increase your capacity for an underrated quality, empathy. What’s so important about empathy? Empathy according to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary is, “the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner.” There is a great deal of power in the ability to understand and relate to the experience of another, and it is often one that is overlooked. This power can be lifesaving and can be quite effective in changing the trajectory in someone’s life and maybe even your own. The lifesaving claim may seem far-reaching, however, each challenge you face can serve as a guidepost or marker for someone else in a similar circumstance. Empathy is the key to opening the ears and hearts of persons in need.

They can receive your help and overcome their challenges because they know you understand.

You also receive an added benefit as you assist others. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, there are documented physiological and psychological health benefits to engaging in volunteer service. There is no more profound salve to assuage the pain of dealing with your own challenges than in providing encouragement and comfort to others in similar circumstances. There are people that only you can reach because of your particular understanding of their situation. Name your hardship; is it physical or sexual abuse, substance abuse, depression or having a different ability or particular illness? Whatever it is, know that at all times you are one step ahead of someone who simply needs a listening ear or just a visual of how they can make it to the next day and eventually move on with their lives. The world is not waiting on you to have it altogether or to have all the answers; rather the world is waiting for you to just give of yourself.

So as you are enduring your trials, don’t wait for the trial to end before you reach out to someone else in a similar circumstance, your difficult moments are extremely valuable to an individual, local organization or a support group. The inspiration you provide by sharing your experiences has a reciprocal effect upon yourself. You might find yourself beginning to feel better mentally and even maybe even physically, as the meaning of your experiences becomes clearer and clearer. Who knows, you might even be inspired to start your own support group in the hardship of your choice.

Challenge #3 – Finding Professional Development and Career Opportunities through Volunteer Service

We are conditioned to believe that our ongoing professional success is contingent upon our personal drive, educational credentials and job experience. All play a major part in ensuring we have the stamina as well as the basic requirements to be a success in our particular field. However, even if all of the above aspects are in order, career advancement requires something more, it requires mentorship. No matter what industry you are in it is difficult to advance without mentorship. Mentorship is the key in finding the individual guidance needed to hone your skill, avoid unnecessary pitfalls, give you the encouragement to keep pushing past failures and provide the honest feedback needed for you to nail that interview, presentation or project. Mentors help introduce you to other persons that can get you one step closer to your dream job or maybe even a job if you’re seeking employment.

But what if your current job doesn’t offer a mentorship program, or even if they do, your mentor is less than enthusiastic about ensuring your professional development? What if you are seeking employment and do not have direct access to training or mentorship programs through an employer? The answer is simple. Find your mentor through volunteer service. Join a club, committee or group in the industry and/or cause of your interest. Seek out tasks and projects that can develop and increase your skill set. As you are serving others, ask fellow volunteers and leaders of those organizations for feedback on your performance. Volunteers are an inspiration to the organizations they serve. Leaders of those organizations are, for the most part, more than willing to provide guidance to you personally as you assist them in reaching their organization’s goals.

What type of job are you searching for? What skills do you need to develop to take your job to the next level? Is it leadership, organizational management, public speaking or presentation skills? Whatever skill is needed, there is an organization in dire need of your time and more than willing to accommodate your learning curve. If you are unemployed or are interested in entering another field altogether and need to test the waters, try volunteering with a company in that field. You will feel more confident as you stay active and gain valuable inside knowledge in order to make a more educated decision on your next move. In addition, nothing impresses interviewers more than an interviewee that not only has prior knowledge and experience at their agency, but has freely given their time and services to further the mission of that organization. It shows investment on the part of the prospective employee and leads to their investment in you by way of employment. Who knows, you may be able to volunteer your way into your dream job.

Conclusion

Opportunities for personal and professional growth abound through volunteer service at no cost to you except in the cost of your time. However, the cost in time is far outweighed by the benefits of personal gratification in knowing you have served and helped others and also now have access to professional development opportunities that did not otherwise exist. In volunteering, your personal and professional growth will never be capped. As long as there is a need (and there always is), therein lies an opportunity, for the betterment of all.

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Melissa Maddox-Barnes serves as Vice Chairperson on the Womanifesting, Inc., Board of Directors and is a passionate advocate for the empowerment of women and children. Ms. Maddox-Barnes is the General Counsel for the Housing Authority of the City of Charleston, SC which administers affordable housing programs for low to moderate income persons. Ms. Maddox-Barnes' volunteer experience includes fund raising for world mission’s projects, Volunteer Attorney for Pro Bono Legal Services in Charleston, SC, Project Coordinator for the South Carolina Bar's Voices Against Violence Committee and as Guardian Ad Litem for abused and neglected children, the incarcerated and disabled. Ms. Maddox-Barnes has facilitated several workshops on a wide range of topics, including leadership, team-building, corporate governance, social media, disability law, affordable housing law and domestic violence. Ms. Maddox-Barnes also serves on several local and national boards in various capacities. Ms. Maddox-Barnes is most proud of her role as the mother two children, one having an Autism Spectrum Disorder and in serving as an advocate for children with disabilities.

Melissa Maddox Barnes (left), Vice-Chairperson of the WOMA Board of Directors, poses with Tracy Chiles McGhee (right), Executive Director of WOMA, at the

 1st Annual WOMA Awards

For volunteer opportunities at WOMA,

please contact us through the www.womanifesting.org website

to avoid spamming of our email address. Thank you.

Split This Rock Festival 2010 Rings the Hammer in D.C. by Tracy Chiles McGhee

As a former public interest attorney, I’ve spent over a decade as an advocate  for persons in poverty and for persons with disabilities.I’ve often heard advocates describe their work as providing voice to the voiceless. When personally asked in the past what an advocate does,my basic answer was an advocate essentially speaks for those that can’tspeak for themselves. However, after attending the “Split This RockPoetry Festival: Poems of Provocation & Witness,” I left with an expanded definition of the role of both the advocate and the poet. TheSplit This Rock Poetry Festival was a 4-day event held in Washington,D.C. this past weekend (March 10th thru 13th 2010) where poets, lovers of poetry, and activists for social changeconverged from all over the world to “celebrate poetry that bearswitness to our troubles and that provokes us to think in new ways.”

One of the workshops that I attended was called “Giving Voice to theSilence/d.” Patricia Spears Jones, one of the esteemed poets of thepanel, shared that she seeks to give voice to the unheard VOICED with  much of her poetry so that when she speaks truth to power, that power will not only listen but will act upon what is heard. Often power refuses to listen to those marginalized, oppressed and powerless but  there are also times when they hear but do not understand.  In either case, Jones offers that “we have to engage diverse audiences and wehave to be able to open ears.” How do we do that? According to Jones,“Each time we speak our truth, we must have a level of empathy for ourselves and others.” And according to panelist Annie Finch of the Wolf Song Project, the same holds true when we speak for animals and the many landscapes facing destruction in the natural world. Finch seeks to give voice to the diminishing population of wolves in thestate of Maine. She shares that, “Giving voice to wolves requiresintuition and respect and recognition of their gifts.” So it doesn’t matter what unheard voices of which we speak; it could be the unheard voices of women, men, and children facing a myriad of socioeconomic, legal, and personal barriers as they attempt to speak their truth –the victimized, the ostracized, the imprisoned, those with functional limitations, those that don’t speak the “proper” language, those in  certain geographical regions, those in a certain historical era, those forgotten, those with an unpopular belief or way of life, or the salmon dying in a river of human indifference. They all matter and words matter.

The cross-cultural exploration the workshop and the overall festival  provided was enlightening for the advocate, poet, writer, activist,teacher and emerging leader in me. Clearly I have been called to speak up all over the place. So be it. I am embracing it with the recognition that those who have the gift of voicing and the resources to carry  forth messages for others have a huge responsibility. As a matter of fact, panelist Judith Roche warns that there are dangers when we speak for others and we must always be careful that we don’t misrepresent or allow our own self-interests to drown out their actual message.  It seems to me that the poets at the festival have taken on this challenge because they hear a calling out of voices that demand to be heard and they can’t ignore them. They have experienced or observed something or someone that has awakened them and now bear witness to that through  their poetry. They provide answers and solutions to Marvin Gaye’s timeless “call to action” question, “What’s going on?” (Poetry and song work very nicely together.) Like the advocate, the poet employs the most appropriate and/or most effective language to convey the intended message to the intended audience and when done well, we are touched, made aware, moved, and transformed by and through their words and passion.

If the poet can bring all its wisdom, creativity, insight, intuition, vision, empathy, and respect to the poem in a way that theSILENT and/or the unheard VOICED sees and hears themselves in the poem and the listeners also see and hear themselves in the poem, then BRAVO! The moment the poet, the poem, and audience become ONE VOICE is the moment THAT voice is heard loud and clear all over the land and the  earth shifts.  To be the catalysts for this shift, I believe, is the role of the poet. As the poet seeks to interpret and translate the human and natural condition through poetry, they “split this rock wide”and simply ask that we lend a hand and stand by their side.

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Big Buddy by LANGSTON HUGHES

Big Buddy, Big Buddy

Ain’t you gonna stand by me?

Big Buddy, Big Buddy,

Ain’t you gonna stand by me?

If I got to fight,

I’ll fight like a man

But say, Big Buddy.

Won’t you lend a hand?

Ain’t you gonna stand by me?

Big Buddy, Big Buddy

Don’t you hear this hammer ring?

Hey, Big Buddy,

Don’t you hear this hammer ring?

I’m gonna split this rock

And split it wide!

When I split this rock,

Stand by my side.

Say, Big Buddy,

Don’t you hear this hammer ring?