Supporting Green Spaces Worldwide - Hariyo Chowk

With only 11 more days to go, please help support in any way you can this Kickstarter project - Hariyo Chowk!  Hariyo Chowk, meaning a "green square" in Nepalese, offers the community members in Katmandu, Nepal a much needed vibrant urban green space to play, create, and learn.  For more information visit their blog and Kickstarter page!

Genderqueer Support Group - Studio 34

GENDERQUEER

SUPPORT GROUP

Feeling at odds with the gender binary system?

Looking for a safe space to explore your

gender identity?

Want to connect with others who

understand your experience? 

JOIN US!

7-8:30pm Biweekly Wednesdays, Start Date TBA

Studio 34 Yoga/Healing/Arts

4522 Baltimore Avenue

$300 for 10 sessions

Discussion topics include:

pronouns, passing, public bathrooms, family, relationships, sex, sexual identity and much more.

Facilitated by Marcie J. Wood, MA., MFT,

Individual, Relationship and Sex Therapist in Private Practice.

For more information or to register, please contact Marcie at 215-514-5766 or info@marciejwood.com

MAC Cosmetics + WCC = Fantastic Event!

Dear Beautiful and Unique You,

There is no doubt in my mind that beauty truly comes from deep within.  Of course, a little lipstick or a fabulous new eye shadow can never hurt!

To support your great new look from MAC this evening, the following questions are offered as a tool to help you get to know one another and more importantly, yourself.

 

With Much Admiration,

Carly Goldberg, MSW, LCSW

Founder and Executive Director

Beautiful You

What does beauty mean to you?

Who are the people in your life that you consider beautiful?

Where do you see beauty in the world?

When did you first learn you were beautiful?

When did you first accept you were beautiful?

What makes you unique, distinct and beautifully you?

How do you nourish and care for yourself?

Who in your life can you turn to and rely on to help you reflect on the unique and beautiful person that you are, especially on days when you can not see it for yourself (and we all have them!)

Voices from the WCC/MAC event:

Thanks for a fun event last night…The best thing about the event was the camaraderie with the other women. It was like we were all cheering each other on. Everyone was very complimentary to everyone else, even if we had just met that night. – Cara

Thanks so much for including us last night! It was such a fun evening with so many wonderful ladies! - Kate

I had a great time at the MAC event. It was a great night for trying something new and over the past few months I have been pro "try something new." It was great to be around other beautiful women and to have candid conversation about beauty as well as honest and frank conversation about when we first knew ourselves to be beautiful.  So thank you for organizing a fabulous event that simply allowed us to re own ourselves through our words, our diversity, our laughter, and of course makeup!  Thanks again! – Ahyana

Hey! I went to MAC today and saw one of the makeup artist from last week. She said we were an easy going group and we inspired her so much! – Bridgette

Hey Carly, thanks for having the event tonight. My wife was really happy to get out and I think she really enjoyed it. She was really in a different world on the car ride home. – Husband of a Participant! ;)

A Tribute to 9/11/01 - My Social Work Perspective

     I was 23 years old the morning I got on the 1/9 subway line from 235^th street station down to Christopher Street and 7^th Avenue. I was basking in the calm and quiet that is the West Village in early morning beginning anew and recovering from the rhythms of the previous night. Small Ecuadorian men were washing and sweeping the sidewalks clean, keeping up appearances outside hot spots such as Babbo Ristorante and charming four-story brownstone residences where wealth resides and poverty sleeps overnight on its stoop.  The contrast is striking; it always is in major urban playgrounds. The lines of vulnerability are not often blurred and everyone knows their place. 5^th avenue and Washington Square north was no exception; until that morning. That morning, everyone was vulnerable.

     September 11, 2001 was my first day of classes as a transfer student at New York University’s then Ehrenkranz School of Social Work (NYU).  Walking to class that morning I was not consciously thinking how entering the academic and professional world of social work would change my life or how the sense of a plane “flying low” would change thousands of people’s lives.  Moments later on the corner of Washington Square North and University place word instantaneously spread that a plane was indeed flying low and hit a building –the world trade center. 

     In disbelief, a group of us rushed to 5^th avenue and Washington Square North and at the crossroads of extreme wealth, sickening poverty, starving artists, underserved domestic workers caring for others’ children, inquiring academics, and international passersby – in that moment, the portrait so often photographed through the outline of the arches with its iconoclastic shapes and romantic visions were awash. Beyond the historical Washington Square Arch I stared in disbelief at an unthinkable an unimaginable sight. A sight so unimaginable my brain could not comprehend the unfolding atrocity that would forever make its mark on our individual and collective histories. Amid the confusion, noise, chaos and unfolding reality that the United States was under attack by terrorists, I clearly heard our school’s faculty members mutter to one another, “this is going to change our profession forever.”  Those words felt profound, daring and prophetic, but at that time I couldn’t imagine how. 

     I have held onto those seemingly prophetic words for nearly a decade, though throughout my academic and clinical career I have only seen glimpses of how I expected those words to manifest.  In obvious and direct ways the NYU social work faculty as well as neighboring schools and community social workers participated in provided crisis counseling, assisting with victim services and relief efforts of various sorts.  There was no shortage of volunteerism, and I was aware of our faculty and the social work community at large working tirelessly on behalf of the victims, survivors, City of New York and our country.  The obvious applications of social work was apparent in providing trauma based therapeutic interventions, concrete social services such as navigating survivor funds in years to come and assistance with benefits, shelter, clothing, food, etc., and shortly in subsequent years research and literature supporting our knowledge base of trauma work.  However, I had a sense that this attack, this literal crash would shift perspectives and consciousness as to the environment and global world that we are now living and working in as social workers.  

A WCC Event - Sponsored by MAC Cosmetics and Nordstrom!

WHO: M.A.C Cosmetics and the Women's Collaborative Circle.

WHAT: A FREE 2 hour workshop! Come out to relax, have fun, play and receive a free makeover! Learn and share how to bring out your inner and outer confidence, power, beauty and sassiness.

WHEN: Thursday, September 22, 2011. Arrive at 6:00pm for socializing, food and raffle prizes courtesy of Nordstrom!

Workshop will be from 6:30pm-8:30pm.

WHERE: Nordstrom at the King of Prussia Mall - 190 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA19406.

WHY: Because we love you!

*** Please RSVP to carly@womenscollaborativecircle.org by September 19th.  

Space is limited to 15 women, so act fast! ***

... AND BECAUSE MY MOTHER LOVED NOTHING MORE THAN TO TALK TO WOMEN AND PUT LIPSTICK ON THEM!

My mother's vanity. Photo by Yael Glick.

My mother, Jane, died a year ago this past August.  With the many wonderful memories, great sadness and life lessons she left with me, she also left her deluge of empty M.A.C cosmetic containers.


She used to tell me that she came out of her mother's womb wearing a full face of makeup!  I never doubted this. One part artistic expression, one part profession, but mostly a way to "show face" even in the midst of grave illness, my mother loved her makeup.  Rarely would a day would go by that I did not see her artistically and with verve put on her makeup and get dressed to perfection.  Rarely would a day go by when I would see her and she wouldn't comment, "Don't you want to just put on a little more lipstick?"  The answer for me was almost always a resounding, NO! While I did and do wear makeup, it is not at all in the same spirit as my mother.
   
My mother reaped much joy from spending hours at the M.A.C counter at Nordstrom, often buying something that I deemed she didn't need. What she needed more, however, was what went with the purchase: striking up a conversation with another customer, listening to her life story and telling her that there isn't anything a great new lipstick couldn't fix! These impromptu M.A.C-counter-therapy-sessions were just what Jane ordered.


So, here I am last week with several bulging bags of half-used and empty M.A.C containers.  I know that M.A.C has a recycling program - bring back six empty containers and get a free lipstick.  What was I going to do with twenty new lipsticks?! I mean I got one (Lady Bug - a tomato red) but more than one would take a lifetime to wear.  So, in the spirit of my mother I spontaneously gave away her empty containers and gave nearly 20 women (mostly mothers and daughters this past Sunday) all new lipsticks! It was bittersweet but mostly sweet.  


This impromptu act caught the attention of the makeup artists at the M.A.C counter that morning and in the spirit of paying it forward, they offered to give me and a group of women free, private makeovers!  I was touched and wanted to take things one step further.  I thought, what better way to share in the spirit of giving than to offer the WCC community a FUN and EXCITING night out! 

Don't miss out on this fantastic event! 

RSVP by 9/19 to reserve your spot to carly@womenscollaborativecircle.org. 

{While this is a free event, donations would be greatly appreciated! The WCC thanks you for your support!}

Behind the Scenes at the WCC - TEDx Philadelphia Coming Your Way!

Well, what can I say - I am TED obsessed (as you can see by the various posts here on this blog with TED speakers)! Then, I was invited by TEDx Philadelphia committee member E Bond of rough draft books (a totally amazing, creative and awesome woman and bookbinder) to share my ideas for the upcoming TEDx Philadelphia event.  Well, I was honored.  I never have a shortage of ideas so I couldn't wait to meet with like minded folks and brainstorm.  This idea hour did not fail!  There were so many amazing men and woman from various walks of life in Philadelphia.  I wanted to share with you a sneak peak of the behind the scenes look of the making of the November 8, 2011 event at Temple University's Performing Arts Center!

Gladwyne Montessori School Tuition Scholarships Available!

Gladwyne Montessori  is a wonderful community of learning: fostering creativity, individuality, curiosity, responsibility, flexibility, connection, acceptance and joy in children ages 2-12.

We have limited spaces available for 3 and 4 year old students to attend Gladwyne Montessori for the 2011-2012 school year on a scholarship.  

Please refer to the scholarship guidelines below:

Per EITC scholarship guidelines, families are eligible if their annual household income is not more than $60,000 plus an additional income allowance of $12,000 for each student and each additional dependent living within the household.

  

If you are interested in finding out more, please visit our website:  www.gladwyne.org or call Robyn Stearne today at 610-649-1761 x 101.

Speaking Their Voices - Rehabilitation Through the Arts

From guest contributor Anne Twomey Lloyd:

I work in an arts program with women who are incarcerated in the only maximum security prison in New York state. I feel free when I’m behind bars with the women. Our classes are a combination of profound and sometimes heartbreaking moments and absolutely hilarious silliness. It’s three hours each week when nobody is judged on past actions, and all of us are witness to the innocent, radiant creativity that binds us together.

We open each session with meditation and yoga stretches, which can help provide tools for living in an environment as highly stressed as the facility in which our students live.

Currently, we’re exploring myths. We frequently discuss how these stories can be recognized in our own lives.

Just this morning, one of our students wrote a monologue from Ariadne’s point of view at being abandoned by Theseus on the island of Naxos after he promised to marry her. She wrote about Ariadne’s shock and anger at being left there as Theseus sailed off. When she read her work to us in class, Ariadne became a sorrowful, heartbroken woman sitting right in front of us. Talk about bringing a myth to life.

We meet in a huge gym inside the prison, and my workshop partner, Kim, is choreographing a dance piece telling the story of a Hawaiian myth. We work to CD recordings of beautiful, evocative, modern music that refreshes the cavernous gym’s humid, stale air.

We are beginning to create a performance piece on myths, collecting and polishing the best of our weekly work. We’ll present it using the stage in our gym to fellow inmates and prison teachers and administrators. 

Kim and I say good bye to our students and exchange wishes with all to have a good week. We come out of class energized, exclaiming about the acting of one very shy woman, or the writing and surprising wit of another. We move on to the rest of our lives, keenly aware that we get to come out of the prison. As we pass through endless heavy gates slowly sliding open and then closed behind us, past fences of barbed wire, we know that some of the closeness and commonality we share with our students is left behind the walls.

Anne Twomey Lloyd works through RTA (Rehabilitation Through the Arts), a program of Prison Communities International.  For more information about RTA and their women's program, visit http://www.rta-arts.com/.

Exciting News - The WCC Is Growing!

I am very excited to share with all of you that the Women's Collaborative Circle is growing.  We are in the process of developing a new website and blog that will allow for further growth of the organization and ourselves.  

The new website will feature more reasources, information about services, opportunities for community organizing, volunteering, a new and improved blog, and much more!

Stay tuned for updates and more information! If there is something you would like to see on our new site, let us know.  Email us at info@womenscollaborativecircle.org. 

Don't forget to wear your support of the WCC. Order your WCC bracelets today! You contribution helps the WCC to grow!  Thank you!

Speaking Their Voices - The Kitchen Sisters

The Women's Collaborative Circle recently received an email from the Kitchen Sisters introducing us to their latest radio story about the Traveller Girls in Ireland, which is part of their new NPR series on the Hidden World of Girls.  This Peabody Award-Winning dynamic duo are a gem in the world of story telling and I am so excited to share some of their work with you!

From the Hidden World of Girls website - The Kitchen Sisters are launching a new NPR multimedia series exploring the hidden world of girls. Stories of coming of age, rituals and rites of passage, secret identities—of women who crossed a line, blazed a trail, changed the tide.

About the Kitchen Sisters Davia Nelson and Nikki Silva from their website: 

The Kitchen Sisters, Davia Nelson and Nikki Silva, are award winning NPR documentary producers who have been working together for more than twenty-five years. They are the creators of the popular Hidden Kitchens series on Morning Edition, the Peabody Award winning NPR series Lost & Found Sound and the post 9-11 Sonic Memorial Project, co-produced with colleague, Jay Allison. They are currently producing an NPR and online series about girls around the world.

As independent producers, they are the creators of more than 200 stories for public broadcast about the lives, histories, art and rituals of people who have shaped our diverse cultural heritage. They are the recipients of numerous awards including the duPont-Columbia Award, two Peabodys, three Audies and many others.

They are the authors of Hidden Kitchens, Stories, Recipes and More from NPR’s The Kitchen Sisters, a 2005 New York Times Notable Book and a James Beard nominee.

The Kitchen Sisters are involved in educating and training new voices for public media. They teach at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, the Social Documentary Graduate Program at UC Santa Cruz and give presentations and workshops at universities, radio stations, and public events throughout the country and abroad. They have an active internship program and participate in the public radio community throughout the country.

Their non-profit organization, The Kitchen Sisters Productions is dedicated to exploring complex cultural issues through personal stories, bringing seldom heard voices to air, and building community through storytelling.

In addition to producing radio, Davia Nelson is also a screenwriter and casting director. She lives in San Francisco. Nikki Silva is also a museum curator and exhibit consultant.  She lives with her family on a commune near Santa Cruz, California.

One of my personal favorite stories is that of  Georgia Gilmore.  In the 1950s, a group of Montgomery, Ala., women baked and sold pies, cookies and cakes in beauty salons and on street corners to help fund the Montgomery bus boycott.

The Club from Nowhere, as the group was known, was the brainchild of Georgia Gilmore, a cafeteria worker fired for her organizing efforts. She was one of the unsung heroes of the civil rights era. The Kitchen Sisters and producer Jamie York tell her story.  For the full story, transcript and audio visit npr.org.   

I encourage you to visit their website to hear excerpts of their work, full stories and more about the impetus behind their amazing work!

Speaking Their Voices - For the Next 7 Generations

For the Next 7 Generations tells the story in 2004, of thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers from all four corners, moved by their concern for our planet, came together at a historic gathering, where they decided to form an alliance: The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers. This is their story. Four years in-the-making and shot on location in the Amazon rainforest, the mountains of Mexico, North America, and at a private meeting with the Dalai Lama in India, For the Next 7 Generations follows what happens when these wise women unite. Facing a world in crisis, they share with us their visions of healing and a call for change now, before it's too late. This film documents their unparalleled journey and timely perspectives on a timeless wisdom.

I am honored to share with you this spectacular documentary and story of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers who came together from all over the globe to harness their power and voice and work towards healing our planet and all her inhabitants.

This Valentine's Day...

Give the gift of V-Day!

Think of this Valentine's day as a day of love for yourself and women and girls around the world.  Take a moment to stop by vday.org and send a e-card with a donation in a loved one's honor and support the worldwide movement to end violence against women and girls.  You can also visit vday's website and donate a the gift from the City of Joy registry to aid in the repair and healing of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In addition to the sweet-smelling flowers and chocolate goodies, you may also want to consider putting the V in Valentine's day to work and volunteer in your community.  Come on folks, show a little love to your  neighbors! 

Or visit SASSY GOURMET's Valentine's Day Specials! A last minute gift can still be sweet!

Heart-shaped items for yours truly. The perfect sweet treat. Available in: Molasses Maple Cookies, Rosemary Biscuits, Almond Jam Dot, and Brownie Bites! Gift Wrapping is available.

Visit SASSY GOURMET Bakery! 

 Let us know in what creative, infinite love-spreading ways you spent your V-day!

Speaking Her Voice: The Sassy Gourmet

Julia Gartland is a self described 20-something vegan obsessed with all things green and gluten-free. She is the creator of Sassy Kitchen, a blog and website sharing with her readers good food, good talk and as she likes to say "a bit of sass."

Julia is a gluten-intolerant vegan with a passion for health, cooking and baking. She started Sassy Gourmet Bakery as a response to the lack of gluten-free tasty baked goods out on the market. "I don't just want a cracker I can eat, I want a GREAT cracker...with some sass. So, with this dilemma, I realized I would have to make it myself."

On her journey through food intolerances, and chronic stomach pain, she's developed an intense passion for holistic health and gluten-free baking. Her blog, Sassy Kitchen, also features cooking recipes, vegan product reviews and personal accounts.

Please read below as Julia shares with the WCC community a bit of her sassy insight and delicious wisdom.

STOMACHS AND WHY WE HAVE "GUT FEELINGS"

By Julia Gartland of Sassy Kitchen and Sassy Gourmet

I believe some people hold all their feelings in some part of their body, and for me, it's my gut. My "pain," we'll call it, started about 4 years ago and it's evolved about 100 times since then. I've seen about 8 different specialists in the meantime, none of whom could diagnose me with anything specific, which was always what I was afraid of.

For anyone with severe stomach pain, or any chronic illness, you know what kind of effect it has on your entire life. Getting up in the morning, being active, being busy, traveling, mood, etc etc etc. The ways it can hinder your life are often listless.

It's hard to even remember where and when it started because it has felt like a lifetime. It began randomly and stubbornly as my digestion is best known for its transformative nature. A chameleon, really. Sometimes it's horrible, sometimes it is OK, for months at a time. It makes diagnosis for a mystery illness very difficult. I've seen countless specialists and done every diet modification in existence. I've eaten all cooked, all raw, all green, all grain, no grain, no yeast, dairy, no dairy and the list continues. Over the course of these years, taking an unbelievable amount of herbs, probiotics and enzymes, only eating this before that, food combinations, taking 6 pills before eating anything, and NOTHING CHANGED. Not once were my symptoms relieved. It was almost comical the way my stomach was so abusive and yet completely unresponsive to everything. Some of you may understand when I say I resented my body, which is a horrible way to feel. I did everything I could for it, fed it all the right things, did yoga and every other exercise I could find, and it was still causing me pain.

Between the very beginning of this illness and now, I have little clarity on what the actual problem is. From what I can tell, I've had a heavy bacteria imbalance that is effecting my entire body, but most specifically, my intestines. I'm also hypoglycemic. I do little things everyday to help. but as exhausting and heart-breaking as this experience has been, most of it has been about LETTING GO. Stressing about the problem could have been causing the problem. I know now that the worry was hurting me and accepting it has done wonders. For me, it was about "releasing the demon" sort-of-speak, and letting go of the anger I had about the situation.

My life and priorities have completely changed. Through this process I became gluten-free and vegan. I learned about foods and nutrition that I never knew before through all the research. Most importantly, I've grown to understand my body. My body has become even more precious to me. Through food I have reached a clarity about health and what it means to me. It has been the worst and best experience and one that deserved it's very own post. I couldn't even fathom the way my stomach has changed my life, but I know without it, I wouldn't have learned all the things I now know. And that is my peace of mind. I now practice unconditional love towards my body, in all the ways I can. Some days are good, some days are bad, but either way I know I'll be OK.

Things I have learned:

aloe supplements are my savior

always drink your smoothie with a spoon, and chew

drinking during or after a meal does affect my digestion

ginger tea soothes me no matter what

raw onion or garlic are toxic to my body

yoga or physical exercise always help to keep my digestion moving

too many grains will give me "brick in the belly" syndrome

too much raw will also back me up

not enough water causes sluggish digestion and cramping

stressing about my digestion will make it worse, every time

(Reprinted by the author. All rights reserved).

For more information, recipes, words of wisdom or to purchase delicious treats from her bakery, please visit her blog Sassy Kitchen.

Advisory Board

Dear Collaborators,

I am putting out an open letter for anyone interested in becoming a member of the Women's Collaborative Circle Advisory Board. Please review and contact me with your interest.

September 8, 2009

I would like to invite you to participate in the development of the Women’s Collaborative Circle as an advisory board member. I believe that your participation would be instrumental in the ongoing developmental endeavors of the organization.

The Women’s Collaborative Circle (WCC) is a women-centered, feminist-based organization with a mission to support, empower, and educate women, providing an online space as well as a physical, free-standing center that allows for women to speak their minds and have their voices heard. From young girls to older adult women, the WCC provides individual counseling, support groups, workshops, educational programming, and a space to just be you! The WCC is a safe and nurturing environment for women to receive support, exchange information, and through personal and collective empowerment, create change.

At this time, the Women’s Collaborative Circle is an incorporated entity and has a website with numerous resources and information to generate thinking outside and inside of ourselves, provide information about our needs locally and globally, and act as a catapult for networking within the local Philadelphia community and beyond. Through networking efforts, the WCC has already been contacted by a number of individuals and organizations to offer words of praise and collaborative services.

What is needed now is you and your voice. Below is a description of qualities needed in a WCC board member as well as member responsibilities and expectations.

Desired Qualities of a WCC Advisory Board Member:
· An interest in the organization and belief in the importance of its mission.
· A shared women-centered, feminist vision for serving women’s needs locally and globally.
· A willingness to commit time, energy, and resources to the development of the WCC.
· A desire for personal and shared growth for yourself and fellow board members.
· An open mind and desire to have your unique voice heard.

Responsibilities:
· Participate (in person or via conference call) 3-4 board meetings per year.
· Participate in subcommittees.
· Open to other responsibilities as agreed upon by board members.

Current WCC Priorities:
· Form an active advisory board
· Establish 501 c (3) (non-profit) status
· Devise a business plan and budget
· Develop programming
·Networking
·Fundraising

I am aiming to have our first board meeting in November. If you are unable to attend in person, then I will make sure you are able to phone in on a conference call. Again, your voice, knowledge, and skills are very important to not only the WCC but women everywhere. I hope that you will consider becoming a member of the Women’s Collaborative Circle.

If you have any questions, thoughts or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone at (610)930-3025 or by email at carly@womenscollaborativecircle.org.

Sincerely,
Carly Goldberg MSW, LCSW
Founding Collaborator

Food Fight!

Will you be around town this labor day weekend? Looking for something different to do? Interested in seeing a one-woman show about eating disorders? Well, we have just the show for you!

FOOD FIGHT: A Solo Performance about Eating Disorders , Written and Performed by Judy FreedThis boldly honest one-woman show portrays the poignant reality of food compulsions through original music, monologue, and movement. Judy Freed, a psychotherapist and performing artist, takes the audience on a deeply personal journey of recovery - frightening and humorous, touching and triumphant - revealing stories of struggle, strength, and survival. Post-performance discussion.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 at 3 pm,andSUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 at 3 pm.
UU Church of the Restoration 6900 Stenton Avenue (at Gorgas Lane)
$10 TICKETS - AVAILABLE NOW THROUGH THE BOX OFFICE AT:(215)413-1318or online at:http://livearts-fringe.org/details.cfm?id=8966
For further information, please contact Judy:(215)581-3969 or (215)701-7013
Enjoy!

About: Social Entrepreneurship

Distinct from a business entrepreneur who sees value in the creation of new markets, the social entrepreneur aims for value in the form of transformational change that will benefit disadvantaged communities and ultimately society at large - skollfoundation.org.

Organizations like the Skoll Foundation which drives large-scale change by investing in, connecting, and celebrating social entrepreneurs and other innovators are dedicated to solving the world’s most pressing problems. Social entrepreneurs are proven leaders whose approaches and solutions to social problems are helping to better the lives and circumstances of countless underserved or disadvantaged individuals. By identifying the people and programs already bringing positive changes to communities throughout the world, the Skoll Foundation empowers them to extend their reach, deepen their impact and fundamentally improve society.

Ann Cotton, who started the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) in 1993 [is an example of a social entrepreneur] whose simple goal was one of ensuring an education for young girls in Africa whose families cannot afford school fees. By establishing a sustainable model that provides community support for girls to go to school, start businesses and return to their communities as leaders, CAMFED has broken the cycle of poverty for hundreds of thousands of young women in Zimbabwe, Ghana, Zambia and Tanzania. Since 1993, 645, 400 children have benefited from Camfed’s education program across a network of 2,798 Schools. 5,132 young women have received business training and start-up grants to establish their own rural enterprises. 1,067 young women have been trained as community health activists; in 2008 alone, they reached 79, 998 children and young people with vital health information - skollfaoundation.org.

Other notable social entrepreneurs are Muhammed Yunus founder of the Grameen Bank and 2006 Nobel Peace Prize recipient whose work can be found at the Grameen Bank website, and Florence Nightingale, founder of the first nursing school and developer of modern nursing practices.

What do you dream of doing?

Our Sister from Another Mother

I recently discovered the website of The Red Tent Women's Project located in Brooklyn, NY. Their mission statement states that:

The Red Tent Women’s Project is a diverse and dynamic community of women who are catalysts for social change. By creating safe and empowered spaces we facilitate community building, information and resource exchange, and personal growth for women and girls.

As explained on the Red Tent Women's Project website, a red tent [i]n many cultures, such as Chinese, some African cultures, and the Romany culture, red is a symbolic color of strength or female power. The tent itself is rooted in an ancient Judeo-Christian-Islamic history of women’s gathering spaces. Women used to go to the red tent while they were giving birth or menstruating—they had to because the men in their communities feared contamination from these biological processes. Yet in the end, the red tents became community spaces where women went to learn from one another, to be in community, and above all, to celebrate life. We draw upon these numerous rich traditions when we call the project a Red Tent.

The Women's Collaborative Circle is also committed to providing women in our greater Philadelphia community and on the web a space for refuge, information and empowerment. If you are in New York City or on the web, visit the Red Tent Women's Project social networking site and community center for groups. If you are in the Philadelphia area and are interested in seeing events, workshops or groups offered to women in our area, please contact us with suggestions and offer your skills to facilitate them!

Locally and globally we need to come together to create change!