EMPOWERED & INFORMED

Welcome to the Women's Resource Center Blog: Empowered & Informed. This space to trade ideas and generate conversation about empowering women.

Speak up and Share Your Voice!

1.29.2009

What Issues are Important to NC Women?

North Carolina Women United, a statewide advocacy group, hold meetings around the state every other year to ask local women what concerns and issues are on their mind and how our state legislature can help. The release below showcases the results of the 2008 discussions.

2008 NCWU AGENDA ASSEMBLIES COMPLETE AN HISTORIC YEAR

2008 marked the 20th anniversary of the local Women's Agenda Assemblies across the state of North Carolina. Since 1988, members of the public have been meeting once every other year to discuss and prioritize social and political issues of importance to women and their families.

Last year, between August and December, eight agenda assemblies took place across the state, comprised of a total of 388 women, in the following counties: Buncombe, Alamance, Guilford, Orange, Mecklenburg, Cumberland, Wake, and Pitt.

Although every category received significant support, the total of the counties' assembly votes prioritized the four general categories of importance in the Draft Agenda for 2008-2009 as follows:

1st - Health Care
2nd - Economic Self-sufficiency
3rd - Civic Participation
4th - Violence Against Women

Many thanks go to the women and men who donated their time and effort to see that the 2008 assemblies were a success: NCWU Agenda Assembly Committee members (Anne Mackie, Polly Williams, Becky Mock and June Kimmel) Authors of the 2008-2009 Draft Agenda, and Anne Mackie for her special introductory section Authors of the assembly handouts from Planned Parenthood, Democracy Now, and the NC Justice Center NC Council for Women Regional Representatives Local Women's Agenda Assembly Leadership, Organizers, and Donors Elena Everett and Independent Voices for the DVD production of the Agenda Assemblies AND MOST OF ALL - a special thank you to all of the 388 assembly participants from across North Carolina!!!

For more information, please contact: Jenny Brobst, NCWU 2008 Statewide Agenda Assembly Coordinator, jbrobst@nccu.edu (representative from the NC Association of Women Attorneys to NCWU). Post was written by Jenny Brobst.

1.27.2009

Thoughts on 2009 Inauguration Event at Ridgeview Recreation Hall

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to share in the experience of watching the Inauguration event at Ridgeview Recreation Hall with my co-workers from the WRC and with a community of people. We all stood together, applauded together, prayed together, and cheered together as we watched our 44th President take his oath of office. The atmosphere felt like I was right there in Washington. I know that I would not have had the same experience watching the highlights of it later in the day at home.

The Ridgeview community also made the event extra special by having three talented youth read their essays on their thoughts of the election. Also, two community groups of Hmong and African-American young ladies shared their cultural dances in celebration. Bravo to the Ridgeview community! There are times when we should all take a few moments out of our busy schedules to come together as a community and celebrate the very important events of our country.

Posted by Twila Hartford, WRC Support Services Coordinator

1.26.2009

A Word About The Woman Who Influenced Me The Most

The most influential African American woman in my life is my mom, Frances Willette Goode Dula. My mom, known by those in our community as Willette Dula was born and grew up during the Great Depression. She and her family had precious little possessions. As so many did during that era, they struggled just to have food on the table and a roof over their heads. However, through all of these difficult times, she learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and faith in God, values she passed along to my siblings and me. She also taught me the great value of education. My mom was the first person in her family to graduate from high school. Many days she had to walk to school in all types of weather. But, no matter how harsh the conditions, she went anyway. She wanted to go to college but was unable because her family couldn’t afford to send her to college. In spite of lacking a formal college degree, she became a well respected nursery school and daycare teacher. She is a natural teacher who instinctively knew how to inspire, encourage, and motivate the scores of children she taught over the years, including me. For you see, she was my first teacher who taught me the power and the importance of the 3Rs and so much more. Where I am today is because of who she is.

Arnita M. Dula - City of Hickory Staff Attorney
WRC Board Member

1.14.2009

Lighter Side of Divorce...

Did anyone hear Bob and Sheri last week? After attending the seminar about "The Legal Aspects of Separation and Divorce," I felt much more informed about my rights as a woman and mother, but the next morning on my morning commute was so pleased when I heard a much lighter conversation regarding what can be a very scary time for many women. Lisa talked on the show about her new book that discusses dating post-divorce. Check out the following link to hear it for yourself.

Posted by Connie Connelly, WRC Intern

1.09.2009

The Power of Thank You and Sharing Our Needs

Happy New Year to everyone and I hope that you had a restful, happy holiday. The WRCstaff is gearing up for 2009 and one of our collective goals is to take better care of ourselves personally. It's a pretty common New Year's resolution, but how can we keep the momentum going after the newness of 2009 wears off.

One of the benefits of working at WRC is that self care and improvement is our mission. Our programs and services are designed to offer tools, support, and encouragement to women looking to improve the quality of their life. WRC staff and volunteers continually think about how to promote self care to women and their loved ones. (As service providers, we just need to remember ourselves as well).

Personally, I'm learning that part of self care means clearly stating my needs. Sometimes that means asking for a little validation or pat on the back. In this 3 minute video below, Laura Trice explains the power of sharing these needs and being a good listener as well. I thought her message made for a good New Year's Resolution and wanted to share it with you.

Please feel free to send me an email or leave a comment about this post. We want to get the ideas and conversation flowing, so take a moment to share.

Posted by Lisa Miller, Executive Director