womanifesting

My name is Jan Hice-Smith and this is my womanifesting story. 

In 1999, I received the inspiration to pair my passion for photography with my love of playing with words and create a book. This wasn’t to be just any book, but a book that inspired by sharing insights. This was my dream and so, my ‘dream book’. And so with the birth of the dream, the journey began.

At the time, I was a sales executive traveling throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. I had realized my first dream of traveling to Rome, Italy and the thrill of that experience propelled me into the pursuit of my next big dream. I began using my flight time to work on my ‘dream book’.

As I developed my manuscript and began selecting photos for the book, I found myself getting back in touch with my photography. I always loved art and had never really appreciated my own. A very dear friend of mine to whom I give credit for being my ‘believing’ eyes saw my talent and challenged me to acknowledge my photography. Following this dream reconnected me to my inner artist. I reclaimed my passions for photography and writing.

Fast forward eights years…Soul Work: Excerpts From My Journey made its way into reality and onto the coffee table. I was ecstatic to see the finished product! My ‘dream book’ features personal reflections paired with photographs that I captured at unique locations around the world over many years of international business travel and exotic vacations.

Realizing that dream was a journey into my heart to reclaim those parts that I had not fully accepted. I consider it my most unforgettable trip yet. I rediscovered my creative Self and the things that make me come alive- my heart’s joy.

Since self-publishing Soul Work: Excerpts From My Journey, I started a new phase of my journey. I now support others in discovering what makes them come alive. Heart alignment and Self-love are the basis of my coaching philosophy. I draw upon the depth and breadth of my education, life experiences, and unique skill set to support my clients in living their heart’s joy. I also coach groups in workshops that I personally design, develop and deliver. I integrate my artwork into my coaching practice and my workshops. I continue to explore my creativity through my photography and writing and am actively chasing my next big dream.

I invite you to support me in the following ways:

1. Explore my website and artwork.

2. Read my blog.

3. Attend a workshop.

4. Buy a book and/or a photography print.

5. Share my website - www.janhice.com - and my book, Soul Work: Excerpts From My Journey by Jan Hice.

WOMA ATTENDS INSPIRING ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE EVENT

By Tracy Chiles McGhee & Simona Noce

Every year, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) brings together a diverse group to educate and learn, ask questions and find solutions, reconnect with old acquaintances and make new ones, and to inspire and take action. Held at the Convention Center in Washington, DC, the 2010 four-day --9/15-9/18-- event was complete with informational sessions, forums, dinners, jazz concerts and more! WOMA was invited to participate in a tribute to Sojourner Truth, “Bridging the Gap: An Intergenerational Gathering of Women” held on Friday, 9/17. WOMA brought members of the community in ages ranging from 12 to 60 plus to add to the forum.

The room was filled with beautiful women who were there to focus on how intergenerational women can connect on a deeper level by sharing knowledge, wisdom, and support. The event began with a reading of the Litany of Truth, written by Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner of the Skinner Leadership Institute. In response to each passage read, the audience declared boldly in unison, “Sisters, we are lifting as we climb!” Dr. Skinner was also part of the planning committee of the event along with U. S. Representative Carolyn Kilpatrick, Dr. Elsie L. Scott of CBCF, and Victoria I. White of CBCF.

The all-women panel, a well-versed and passionate bunch, included both emerging and seasoned leaders. Bishop Vashti McKenzie & Dee Marshall were the co-moderators. Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, Executive Vice President of General Mills, Ms. Kim Nelson, Georgia State Representative Alisha Thomas Morgan and CBCF Executive Staff, Ms Victoria White were among those selected to lead the discussion.

The audience was highly engaged. The social media experts tweeted throughout the event to share the experience with those that could not attend. As Dee Marshall jokingly remarked, she is a member of the generation that speaks four languages: “Twitter, Facebook, Proper English, and Ebonics.”

The panel shared ideas on how mentoring relationships can be developed between younger women and more seasoned women and provided tips on how women can support one another through words and actions. The event also included an innovative activity to bond the participants and to put the concept of mentoring into immediate action. Each woman was asked to pair up with another woman to share something personal about themselves and provide some specific advice that each could take away and apply. The only requirement was the pair should be a seasoned woman and a younger woman. It was a great and effective exercise and one of the most memorable parts of the forum.

Shirley Sherrod was also celebrated, receiving a “Woman of Truth” award. She told her story and shared words of wisdom in the spirit of Sojourner Truth and received a standing ovation.

At the conclusion of the event, many continued to network and take in the positive, womanifesting energy in the room. It was truly a worthwhile event that left many feeling inspired to mentor and be mentored, with business cards in hand and the foundation to form new, mutually beneficial relationships.

Nikita Mitchell, a recent Howard University graduate and young professional attended as part of the DC WOMA Circle and had the following to say,

The event was a phenomenal gathering of women at various stages in life. I was provided with the opportunity to learn more about how to gain, develop and sustain mentor relationships. As someone who believes in the importance of mentors and tries her best to take advantage of the individuals in my life who are willing to share a piece of themselves with me, it was valuable for me to hear the thoughts and opinions of women who are willing and able to mentor my generation.

              .

Her sentiments were shared. The forum encompassed the very mission of WOMA -- to serve, uplift and inspire as we climb to greater heights in our womanifesting journey!

More pics...

http://www.womanifesting.org/apps/photos/album?albumid=10000909