In Letter to the Editor, Good Things Happened on Spring2Action

The April 17 Spring2Action online philanthropic and giving event was a day filled with excitement, energy and dedication. The whole Alexandria community came together to raise money and left a lasting and meaningful impact on all of the non-profits involved during the event.

Perhaps the most important footprint this special day left was none other than here at the headquarters of Empowered Women International. With the help and support of everyone involved we were able to raise $30,497 and won an additional $2,850 in prizes from ACT for Alexandria.

This huge milestone for EWI and the women in our Entrepreneur Training for Success was recently documented in a letter Marga Fripp wrote to the editor in Alexandria Times, which was laster picked up by the Nonprofit Roundtable e-Newsletter. The letter, “When city residents get together good things happen,” highlights the mission of EWI and what it stands for, and expounds how people with similar visions coming together can accomplish huge results in a single day. With ACT for Alexandria’s meticulous work, our contributor’s relentless support, and our wonderful board members, volunteers, and staff we have made great strides to make the world a better place leaving a lasting legacy and a community of change-makers.

We thank Alexandria Time’s for publishing the letter and deeply gratified for the generous and continuous support of all who made Spring2Action a day to remember!

To read the letter, please visit:

http://alextimes.com/2013/05/when-city-residents-get-together-good-things-happen/

Chithra Jeyaram Selected with her Film Mijo to enter in PBS Online Film Festival

Chithra Jeyaram is the founder and creative director of Real Talkies, and a graduate of our Entrepreneur Training for Success, Class 2012. She is an award winning documentary filmmaker who communicates the realities of life as it unfolds, focusing on nuances that cannot be dwelled upon or deliberated in mass media. Through her films she breaks societal barriers, builds bridges, changes attitudes and takes risks.

  

MIJO TRAILER from Real Talkies on Vimeo.

One of her amazing films, Mijo, an evocative portrayal of a mother and child’s intimate relationship in the midst of life altering medical events, was selected in the PBS Online Film Festival. Watch and vote for her film from March 4 through March 22; the film with the most votes will receive the People’s Choice Award. Congratulations, Chithra!!!

Have You Reserved Your Tickets Yet?!

BE OUR SPECIAL GUEST

Join us to celebrate 10 years of innovation and social change, and invest in the next decade of women entrepreneurs.

December 1, 5-8pm
Rock Creek Mansion, Bethesda MD

RSVP & RESERVE YOUR TICKET HERE

Event Program

Keynote Speaker
Congresswoman Connie Morella

Former U.S. Rep. Constance A. Morella (R-Md.) was the first female member of the Maryland General Assembly to be elected to the U.S. Congress, where she represented Maryland’s 8th District from 1987 to 2003. During her 16 years in the House of Representatives, Morella was known as one of the few remaining moderate Republicans and developed a reputation as an advocate for women, children and families.

Inspiring Women Innovators

Velma Crawford, an EWI graduate entrepreneur sharing her passion and inspiration for making one of a kind aprons.

Ingenious Art from Salvaged Materials

Alison Sigethy’s Striking Sea Core Bublle Tubes will be on display during the event.

Art and Culinary Demonstrations

Artful Desserts by EWI Entrepreneurs Elda and Lyzbeth

Sit-down Buffet Dinner and Cash Bar

Enjoy a Wonderful Selection of Culinary Dishes from Around the World

Aida May, a gourmet chef and EWI graduate, will be presenting dishes from Egyptian Cuisine.

Silent and Live Auction

A fine selection of auction items including:

Weekend Vacation in an Idyllic American Town
Spa Gift Certificates
Gourmet Gift Baskets
Original Paintings and Quilts
Exclusive 10th Anniversary Jewelry
Silk Art Scarves & Aprons
In-home Wine Tasting
Tickets to Musical Perfomances
and much more…

Live Music with “Hurricane” Howie and the spirited band Rita Clarke and the Naturals

Special guests to include

Flory Jagoda, Jewish-American and Bosnian guitarist, composer, and singer; a lifelong supporter of EWI.

Andy Shallal, Washington’s most successful entrepreneur-artist-activist and the owner of Busboys and Poets.

Diana Katz and Joane Kasprovicz, fouders of the Giving Circle of Hope

Tickets are tax-deductible and available online, by phone or check:
Phone: (571) 312-4781
Check: 320 S. Henry St.
Alexandria VA 22314

Get Yours HERE

Sunday Plans?

Sunday looks to be a lovely day, a beautiful 70 degree day in our nation’s capitol.  And with the Washington Redskins on bye week, there really is no excuse to be sitting at home all day.

I just wish there was something fun to do…. Something the whole family could enjoy…. Something interesting, interactive, and intellectually stimulating…

OH WAIT!

I just remembered…

This Sunday, Sushmita Muzumdar will be holding her first solo show and workshop featuring her lovely artisan-handmade-books, Chai, Stories, & Art!  A place where one can appreciate intricate art, the beauty of old-fashioned story-telling, and walk away with something one created all on their own.

Either way, I know where I’ll be this Sunday from 2-4 pm…

Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park 

7300 MacArthur Boulevard
Glen Echo, MD 20812

Care to join? We’d love to see ya! So please let us know if you’re coming with an RSVP HERE

Sushmita received her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Arts from Bombay University in India and then worked as an art director in the advertising industry in Mumbai! She volunteers as a docent with the Smithsonian’s Freer & Sackler Galleries of Art in Washington DC where she was trained in Asian art history. She is a graduate of EWI’s Training for Success program and lives in Arlington with her son, daughter, and husband. For more about her interesting life, view her website at Handmade Storybooks.

Steel Magnolias Review

A Touching Story with an Empowering Message, Group Therapy’s Production of Steel Magnolias was a Hit! This adaptation of Robert Harling’s original 1987 stage-play featured an all-female cast to portray the six heroines living in a small Louisiana town.  Centered onTruvy’s Beauty Spot, these women gathered regularly to share their triumphs, tragedies and celebrate love and family. With no scene changes and the absence of male characters, these empowered women shined bright as their individual stories unfolded in the Mecca of femininity, the hair salon. As I intently watched the play, I also noticed that the audience laughed and cried, clearly as moved by these sincere portraits of strength and compassion as I.

“I was incredibly impressed by the performance; it was both a treat and a pleasure to attend opening night!” EWI Nonprofit Development Intern, Melinda Allen said of the production.

The show shared many memorable messages. A quote that stood out to me came from Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie when she exclaimed, “I’d rather have 30 minutes of something wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special!” Lucky for us, we had 90 minutes of something spectacular!

Hosted in Alexandria’s Convergence Sanctuary, which formerly housed the EWI office, this weekend-long enactment donated all proceeds to EWI and contributed to fundraising efforts  for our upcoming 10 Year Anniversary Benefit.

- Charlia Acree
Rockville ETS Intern

Sushmita Muzumdar: Chai, Stories & Art

Sushmita Muzumdar, 2007 ETS Graduate and artist, has her first solo show entitled, Let’s Tell Our Tales: Everyday Stories as Artists’ Books & Collages.

Sushmita is a book artist and writer, she specializes in writing stories with handmade books.  She believes in the power of storytelling, and seeks to create art through each wonderful tale.  Her pieces are beautifully intricate and articulate, combining literature and fine art.

Sushmita’s show will be held from Nov 3rd to the 18th at the

Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park
7300 MacArthur Boulevard
Glen Echo, MD 20812

In honor of EWI’s 10th Anniversary, she is holding a special Chai, Stories, and Art Tour for EWI friends and supporters!

Join us for the free event on Sunday November 11th,
from 2-4pm

Click here to RSVP!

Learn more about Sushmita’s bookarts and her special invite to you:

Sushmita received her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Arts from Bombay University in India and subsequently worked as an art director in the advertising industry in Mumbai. Sushmita volunteers as a docent with the Smithsonian’s Freer & Sackler Galleries of Art (National Museum of Asian Art) in Washington DC where she was trained in Asian art history. She is a graduate of EWI’s Training for Success program and lives in Arlington with her son, daughter, and husband. For more, view her website at Handmade Storybooks.

Steel Magnolias Show to Benefit EWI, this Thurs/Fri/Sat!

Just a reminder, this weekend only, Group Therapy Productions presents Robert Harling’s comedy-drama STEEL MAGNOLIAS, at the Convergence Sanctuary.

In honor of the 10 year anniversary, all proceeds from the show will benefit
Empowered Women International!   

STEEL MAGNOLIAS focuses on the camaraderie of six southern women who talk, gossip, and harangue each other through the best of times and comfort and repair one another through the worst. The play is alternately hilarious and touching with six female characters that are delicate as magnolias yet as strong as steel.

Performances will be:

Thursday, October 25th at 7:30 pm
Friday, October 26th at 7:30 pm
Saturday, October 27th at 5:00 pm
Saturday, October 27th at 8:00 pm

at

The Convergence Sanctuary
1801 N. Quaker Lane
Alexandria, VA

Tickets are a suggested $20 donation, but no one will be turned away, please pay what you can to support EWI.

Tickets may be purchased from any cast member or email us at mailto:gt.productions9@gmail.com

About “Group Therapy Productions”

What do you get when you cross a group of sensitive actresses, a director, producer, little money but an abundance of inspiration and energy, and a burning desire to help others?  Group Therapy Productions.

The roots of “Group Therapy” can be traced to Charles Dickens.  In December of 2011, the members of “Group Therapy” were all involved in a production of A Christmas Carol at the Little Theatre of Alexandria.  Whether it was the show, the holiday, shared values, or just love of theatre, this group of women formed a strong bond that they refused to break.    The women began meeting to discuss and share their new acting ventures, classes, and life experiences.  One member jokingly called it “Group Therapy”, and the title stuck.  It was in April’s “Group Therapy” session that it dawned on them that they had the perfect cast for Steel Magnolias, and the idea took off.  In keeping with shared feelings to provide an uplifting environment of support for each other, they want to continue that objective, the fostering of women supporting women, and all proceeds from the production will go to Empowered Women International.

CAST:   STEEL MAGNOLIAS is produced by Kendall Hermsdorf and Hannah Wolf, directed by Robin Parker and showcases Janette Moman (Truvy), Rachel Gray (Annelle), Suzanne Martin (M’Lynn), Maria Ciarrocchi (Shelby), Tricia O’Neill-Politte  (Clairee), and Mary Lou Bruno (Ousier).

We are so appreciative of your generosity, thank you Group Therapy Productions!

Kate Campbell Stevenson Takes Women Back to the Future

EWI Chair of the Board of Directors, Kate Campbell Stevenson, is finishing writing a new one-woman show, Forging Frontiers: Women Leaders in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Kate’s new show will feature Louise A. Boyd, Arctic Explorer, who led SEVEN Arctic Expeditions in the 1920′s and 1930′s and in a change of format will also feature contemporary STEM leaders from NASA Goddard.
Forging Frontiers will debut in Baltimore and Montgomery County in January 2013.

More information about her various one-woman shows, performance rates, and booking dates contact

Kate:     kcmstev@aol.com or 301-622-1588.

Upcoming Performances with Kate Campbell Stevenson

October 27
Women: Back to the Future Performance and Workshop Women’s History: It’s Real! It’s Relevant!  It’s Revolutionary!
Teachers Retreat
Broward County, FL

 November 29-30
Keynote Speaker and Workshop Presenter
New Jersey Association of School Librarians

For more information, please visit

http://www.katecampbellstevenson.com/

The Journey is Often a Zigzag Line: Marga’s 2012 Commencement Speech

June 23rd, 2012, our president Marga Fripp gave a wonderful commencement speech to our 2012 graduating class.  Luckily, we’ve acquired a copy of that speech!  So please let these wise words of inspiration be a source of strength as we enter into this Fall 2012 season.  And as we near the 10 year anniversary event, may we reflect upon just how much EWI has accomplished in its decade of existence…

“It’s not the destination that matters, but the journey of learning and self-discovery you took to be where you are today.

You’ve come a long way, Empowered Women Class of 2012. You’ve traveled from faraway places – where there were no roads carved for transporting your dreams.  Many of you had to build the road yourself working long hours and often sacrificing days, nights, and time with the loved ones.  The journey of building your own dreams and claiming your freedom is never linear. It’s often a zigzag line.

The pursuit of happiness–a fundamental right we all have in this country– does not come with a remote control where you push a button and it activates your happiness. It’s something you can earn by building yourself, day by day.

I’ve learned through my own pursuit of happiness that nothing is impossible when determination, passion, and creativity meet. The alchemy of these qualities allows people to thrive and empowers them to finally give themselves permission to be creative, to be happy, to make a living doing what they love, and to be fulfilled.  And once you are happy and fulfilled, the world becomes a better place for you, for your family, and for the whole community.

So here is what I hope you will do:

Dream big.

 Don’t be afraid to imagine a world in which you and your children live a fulfilling life. Dreaming at any age gives you a sense of youth and possibility. Inside our souls we’re all dreamers – creatures filled with endless energy, wisdom, and potential.

BE THE VOICE!

Always stand up for what’s right! Learn to stand up and speak up for justice, for human rights, for jobs, for women, for peace and opportunity. If there is no law – you must draft one. If the law is broken – you must fix it. If the law has been forgotten – you must bring it back to life. You see, as a leader, you can’t rest. Your cause is your life!

 Be grateful.

Be grateful and always thank all those who are part of your journey and success. Don’t forget that we are not alone; that our successes are made up of millions of small encounters with people who are helping and shaping our ideas and ideal.

Give back to those in need.

Go beyond the here and now of your life. Identify a real need in your community or in the world and do something about it. You will inspire everyone you know to join you and change the world.

Go the distance!

Life is a marathon, not a race! Prepare yourself to train, compete, collaborate, fail, sacrifice, persevere, endure, complete, and excel. Above all, prepare to rise again every time you fail. Without failure there is no learning; without learning there is no growth; without growth we’re empty shells. Prepare to run the marathon of your lifetime!”

 

See more photos from the 2012 commencement exercises at

View our Flickr album here

PARTY with EWI at the 10th Anniversary Event!

EWI recently put together a team of mathematicians, and after days of calculations, we are able to verify: Empowered Women International will be turning 10!

That’s right, a whole decade EWI has been around.  And in honor of this momentous milestone, we will be partying…

Saturday, December 1st from 5-8 pm at the Rock Creek Mansion in Bethesda, MD.

This is more than just a 10 year anniversary, this is an opportunity to recognize all the wonderful things that EWI has done, and to toast to the next 10 years.

We expect 200 supporters and benefactors to attend.  Our guest speaker will be Congresswoman Connie Morella, who will help transition us into an evening of music, dancing, auctions, and delicious food from around the world.

The  event will showcase EWI’s own changemakers and their micro-enterprises, and will feature live music, culinary demonstrations, and art by graduates of the EWI entrepreneurial program.

The spirited band Rita Clark and the Naturals will be joining us with a live performance of jazz, blues, zydeco, funk, rock and cajun. The band is the capital area’s go-to band for first-class Louisiana-style, ultra-danceable rhythm & blues.

Tickets  are on sale at $75/person until Nov 1, 2012 and include a sit down  dinner of international culinary delights, live music and an inspiring evening of art, creativity and women’s stories.

Tickets are available, and will increase to $100/person after November 1.

Make a tax-deductible donation, to help us empower more women.

Become a sponsor, and be part of this exciting event. Marketing opportunities are available to promote your company!

Our goal is to raise $75,000 by December 1st for our new program “Grow My Business”

Grow My Business will be a 9 month extension of our Entrepreneur Training for Success program.  It will help ETS graduates and other women entrepreneurs to build solid business plans and access capital.  Please contribute.

We  hope you will join with us to celebrate a decade of powerful work in  helping newcomers make America their home, creating jobs through entrepreneurship, and carving new pathways to self-sufficiency for  women.

Thanks for all you do to support our work!

10th Anniversary Special Guests:
Eleanor Clift, Newsweek
Rita Clark and The Naturals Band

Benefit Donors & Sponsors:
Amina H. Shafi, Brian Hartman, Dianne Lorenz, Eileen Kessler, Joanna K. Lyckberg, Larry E. Paul, Melissa Reitkopp, Mimi Hassanein, Risa Bender, Synthia Woodcock-Dang, CariBeat, Awards Limousine Service, Inc.