Volume 15: November 2008

pasadena-foothill valley

Last month I had the privilege of attending the nations premier forum for women hosted by First Lady of California Maria Shriver. Wow! What an empowering experience. I was particularly interested in the conversation between CNN's Campbell Brown, Dr. Condoleezza Rice and Indra Nooyi (Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo) which attributed success to hard work and remaining true to yourself. These women exemplify empowerment and the elimination of racism.

My efforts and goals as Executive Director will be guided by the YWCA's mission statement: "….the YWCA draws together members who strive to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership, and power in order to attain a common vision: peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people. The YWCA will thrust its collective power toward the elimination of racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary." Priorities during my first year as Executive Director will include: Stabilizing and increasing the YWCA's funding resources, evaluating the agencies programs for effectiveness, and increasing public awareness regarding the magnificent work that is being done by the YWCA.

While drafting this missive, I took the opportunity to reflect on the things that are important to me. I am a mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend, who will proudly serve as the Executive Director of the YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley, ensuring that our programs serve the Pasadena community with a focus of empowerment and independence. In the coming months, I look forward to sharing more regarding my vision and direction for the YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley.

Respectfully,

Tamika Farr
Executive Director

In Case You Missed It
The YWCA 'Women for Racial Justice Breakfast' was pleased to receive many strong accolades from the Pasadena community

More than 500 Pasadena community leaders saw renowned educator Renatta Cooper receive the 2008 YWCA Racial Justice Award on Monday, October 20, at the YWCA Women for Racial Justice Breakfast at the Hilton Pasadena. The award recognized Cooper's long history of outstanding work to ensure that children of all ethnic, racial, and economic backgrounds receive a quality education beginning with preschool.

Renatta Cooper receives YWCA Racial Justice Award

The audience also heard keynote speeches given by U.S. Congresswomen Loretta and Linda Sanchez who have recently documented their struggles against racial bias in a jointly authored book entitled "Dream in Color: How the Sanchez Sisters are making History in Congress." The event was chaired by former state assemblywoman Carol Liu. KNBC reporter Beverly White was emcee.

Heather Romero, an eighth grade student at Blair International Baccalaureate School and a participant in the YWCA "Just for Girls" program opened the program with an inspirational reading that reflected the event theme, "Embracing Our Diversity."

Heather Romero with KNBC reporter, Beverly White

Event chairwoman Carol Liu told the audience, "The YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley began 100 years ago as a response to the needs of newly employed young women who sought safe housing and with concern for girls of every race and color throughout the world. Today it is sustained by the richness of many beliefs and values with a mission that continues to be one of empowering women and eliminating racism." Liu also introduced newly appointed YWCA executive director Tamika Farr.

Just for Girls  (JFG) News
In November JFG groups will be discussing issues and participating in activities that focus around the theme 'Celebrating Diversity'

In the past month, girls at all of our program sites have benefited from the opportunity to discuss healthy relationships in a safe environment where no question or curiosity is off limits.  As we move into November, the girls will be able to have this same opportunity around issues of tolerance, race and diversity.

As we delicately talk about the reality of these issues in our society, it is our hope that these discussions and activities will allow for a higher conscienceness to be nurtured in these young girls who will become our leaders moving us forward as we strive to see equity become a reality for all genders and races.

Tuesday:
YWCA, Middle School: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Blair IB School LEARNs (7th-9th): 3:00pm- 4:30pm 
Mustangs on the Move at Muir: lunchtime

Thursday:
YWCA, High School group: 4:00 - 6:00pm
Blair IB School LEARNs (7th-9th): 3:00 - 4:30pm
Mustangs on the Move at Muir: lunchtime

You can help us connect to more young women. 
If you have a daughter at one of these schools or would like her to be a part of one of the groups here at the YWCA then let us know! We would love to connect with more young ladies and are excited about the opportunity to continue to expand!

For more information about how to connect your daughter or someone else you know to a JFG group, please call our Program Manager, Jasmine Guerrero, at (626) 296-8433 or jguerrero@ywca-pasadena.org

Donate Online NOW!

Your contribution to the YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley allows us to continue to offer our community:

• Just For Girls enrichment and development program for the school aged young women of Pasadena.
• Racial Justice work in our community.
• Community Building efforts through public dialogue and our program initiatives.
• Ensuring that women from all walks of life have a voice in our city, region and nation!

• Volunteer. We are always recruiting women and girls to join a committee or to volunteer in the office.
  Contact the Program Office.
• Make a gift of stock, real estate, or money.
  Contact the Development Office.
• Join the Racial Justice Committee.
  Be a part of the conversation.
  Contact Denise Jones, Chair.
• Contribute a brief article to our blog, "What's the Difference?"
  Contact Ashley Phillips, Community Outreach Coordinator

An Everyday Advocate
Reflections on the Women's Forum in Long Beach, hosted by California First Lady Maria Shriver

by Susan Carrier

Call me a shameless name dropper, but I recently spent the day with Maria Shriver, Gloria Steinem, Condoleezza Rice, Billy Jean King, Indra Nooyi (Chairman & CEO of PepsiCo), Warren Buffet, Bono and dozens of other of the most influential and inspiring people on the planet. Yes, I'm rubbing elbows with some pretty elite company these days.

But I wasn't alone. Our YWCA's Executive Director Tamika Farr, Board President Carmen Vargas and Board members Judy Brown and Phlunte' Riddle and I attended the Governor's Women's Conference in Long Beach on October 22, along with nearly 14,000 other women. The reputation of the conference, which is growing faster than the national debt, and the all-star lineup of speakers made this the hottest ticket in town, selling out in just three hours.

When I think about these remarkable women who have crashed through glass ceilings, achieved the near impossible, influenced or improved the lives of thousands of others and, in the cases of Billie Jean King and Gloria Steinem, changed history, I feel like an inadequate underachiever. But it's not long before I realize that all of these women, by their own admission, face the same challenges and insecurities that we all face. We are not the same, but we are very similar. We are a powerful sisterhood.

I hang on every inspirational word that these great women (and men) dispense. I could spend hours mulling over any one line or reference. I am intrigued and inspired by the last line of a poem by Mary Oliver, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

I think about Sister Joan Chittister's reminder that the great spiritual question is not "Is there life after death?" but "Is there life before death?" I contemplate her challenge to stop worrying about "How can I be happy?" and instead focus on "How can I lead a life that matters?"

I am still mulling over Maria Shriver's keynote speech about fear. She tells us to not wait until the fear stops before we take action. We must do the things that scare us while we're in the state of fear in order to vanquish the fear.

I consider Bono's keynote speech for the Minerva Awards and his reminder that a 20 cent immunization can mean the difference between life and death in poor African countries. He is a worldwide rock star with an international political platform and enough clout to influence policy-making and raise millions of dollars. He encourages us to make a difference to fight against AIDS and poverty in Africa.

Nearly two weeks later, I'm still trying to figure out what I can do with my life, how I can live a life that matters, face my fears and make a difference in the world.

Instead of trying to figure out how to change the world, I decide to focus on some practical advice from Marian Wright Edelman and Gloria Steinem, two icons who have changed the world for women and children. They are accustomed to advocating on a large-scale basis, but they still struggle with the challenges of being an every-day advocate.

Ms. Steinem revealed that she felt helpless when she recently witnessed a parent verbally abusing a child in public. Ms. Edelman has faced the same scenario and suggested, rather than confronting the parent, to take a moment to deliver a positive, affirming message to the child. "That child will not forget it." That's something we can all aspire to do when we see abuse, injustice or racism as we go about our daily lives.

Both Ms. Steinem and Ms. Edelman encouraged us to find our inner nine-year olds. Ms. Steinem, whose face is typically hard and serious, noticeably softened when she spoke about the magic of this age group. It was a time when most of us were endlessly curious, spirited, open, trusting and fearless. Anything was possible. I remember that girl, and now I'm trying to have a play date with her every day. Imagine the power of that nine-year old girl combined with the wisdom and life experience of a middle-aged woman. And imagine the potential we have to empower "our girls" to embody these same characteristics.

Can I change the world? I'm no Bono or Edelman or Steinem, but I can make a difference and so can you. I'll start by striving to be an every-day advocate and by awakening the nine-year-old girl within me (and others). These are goals that fit right in with the YWCA's mission to empower women and eliminate racism.

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley 1200 N. Fair Oaks Ave. • Pasadena,CA 91103

Phone: 626-296-8433 • Fax: 626-296-8434

www.ywca-pasadena.org