April 30, 2014
Today's Quotes/News: Girls Kidnapped in Nigeria and Forced to Marry
Scores of girls and young women kidnapped from a school in Nigeria are being forced to marry their Islamic extremist abductors, a civil society group reported Wednesday. Parents say the girls are being sold into marriage to Boko Haram militants for 2,000 naira ($12), Halite Aliyu of the Borno-Yobe People's Forum told The Associated Press. She said the parents' information is coming from villagers in the Sambisa Forest, on Nigeria's border with Cameroon, where Boko Haram is known to have hideouts. READ MORE via Fox News
Meet the Womyn: Kimmika L. H. Williams-Witherspoon, PhD
PhD (Cultural Anthropology), M.A. (Anthropology), MFA (Theater), Graduate Certificate) Women’s Studies, B.A. (Journalism); is an Associate Professor in the Theater Department in the Division of Theater, Film and Media Arts at Temple University. The 2008, $50,000 Research and Creative Scholarship Seed Grant Co-recipient, 2003 Provost’s Arts Commission Grant recipient ($5000); a 2001 Independence Foundation Theater Communications Group Grant, the 2000 winner of the PEW Charitable Trust $50,000 fellowship in scriptwriting, and the 1999, winner of the DaimlerChrysler “Spirit of the Word” National Poetry Competition (Seattle), Kimmika Williams has also been the recipient of a host of awards and honors, including: the DaimlerChrysler Regional Poetry Contest (Philadelphia), the 1996, Lila Wallace Creative Arts Fellowship with the American Antiquarian Society and a two-time returning playwright with the Minneapolis Playwrights’ Center and Pew Charitable Trusts Playwrights Exchange. The author of Through Smiles and Tears: The History of African American Theater—from Kemet to the Americas. (LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing: 2011)and The Secret Messages in African American Theater: Hidden Meaning Embedded in Public Discourse” (Edwin Mellen Publishing, 2006) Williams’-Witherspoon is the author of nine books of Poetry, has published essays and articles in a host of publications and is a recipient of numerous Residency, Teaching and Community Service Awards including citations from City Council, The Goode Admin., the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and the key to the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania (1992)
April 24, 2014
Letters/Notes: from Awinda Otieno-Pala [Younger Self]
Dear Beautiful One,
The truth is, you were born to stand out. Yet somehow, sometime, & somewhere you have convinced yourself that you can "chameleonize" yourself-change your outward image to blend in with your environment; and yet despite your skillful (and somewhat successful) efforts, you have yet to figure out how and why you're so easily spotted in the hardest of places! A zebra cannot hide within its own stripes because the zebra was made for those stripes inasmuch as they were made for the zebra. In the same way, the sun cannot hide within its own light-the result would be catastrophic. It's time to own your stripes. Only you can wear them. Stop holding back your light-there are others who depend on it to glow-be their sun, and let them reflect your light.
You spend your time searching the heavens for those things that the naked eye cannot see. Your vision is a gift I pray you are allowed to develop early.
The world will see you and despise you for what it sees you do.You, however, need to learn to challenge what the world sees -the so called world view-and never agree with their "NO", because you were born for assignment. You can never take on their view, you can seek to understand it, but you can never agree with it. The moment you accept their view is the moment you accept blindness-do not forfeit your vision. This message may seem too difficult for some to understand, but only you know what you have seen, and as much as you want to, you cannot ignore the yearnings of your heart.
You will have to learn that fear is your nemesis. To be afraid is to be silent-it does not help your purpose. Something within you requires you to speak hope into the lives of others-do not let your voice be stifled.
Learn to love your family and your siblings. The things that define them will also distinguish you.
It will take a while for you to realize your true worth, but when you do, no one will able to cheapen your value any longer.
You have faced a hard life. When you share your story with others, they always ask you HOW you made it, but you question WHY you’re still living. Be patient, your purpose will unfold in due season. The things you have experienced only you can carry. Your strength goes beyond the physical, because your spirit is so ALIVE in you, that nothing-NOT DEPRESSION-nothing-NOT LACK-nothing-NOT even LONELINESS can kill you.
You have made sleep your best friend-because you think sleep can keep you from facing the fears of the day, or the troubles that come with it. But time is eternal, my friend, and so are troubles. Learn to choose wisely how to handle your day, and you will go far in your life.
Do not dismay when others realize their dreams while you are in waiting-you’re time is coming.
There are three things you must never forget
Always be thankful-even for the little things. Don’t take for granted the air you breathe, the food you eat, or the ground you walk on.
Always give - your gift will make room for you
Stay Humble- never get too full of yourself that you forget to show kindness to those who have helped you along the way. You are only entitled to the rewards of your choices - Mercy belongs to the Holy One, and kindness is scarce in this world nowadays, so act accordingly.
Never settle-keep striving-keep pushing-keep moving. Keep your eyes forward. You may rest a while but pick yourself back up. Keep yours eyes focused on your destination and you will surely arrive.
Sincerely,
Your Loving Sister
Learn more Awinda HERE!
April 22, 2014
Wednesday Womyn Crushes: Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg
Actress, comedienne, radio disc jockey, producer, author, singer-songwriter, talk show host, Broadway star
FUN FACT: Founder/Curator of The Sincerely, she Project (TS Hawkins) greatly ADORES Whoopi Goldberg! She thinks Whoopi is better than sliced bread!
Follow her on YouTube: http://youtu.be/zEPmheK3Gio
Follow her on YouTube: http://youtu.be/zEPmheK3Gio
April 21, 2014
Today's Quotes/News: Spotlight on Maiya Andrews
My name is Maiya Vashti Andrews. I was born with Sickle Cell Disease. Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder that is characterized as abnormal blood cells that are rigid and shaped like a sickle; hence the word Sickle Cell disease. There are so many formal medical terms that I could copy off the internet about the disease to define its nature and the pain that it has caused me however this disease does not define who I am. So let me begin again. My name is Maiya Vashti Andrews. I am an honor roll student; I am the president and a member of the Macedonia Baptist church youth choir as well as a liturgical dancer. I am an active member of the Interact Club and Central Steppers step team at Central Regional High school where I attend school.
When I was much younger, I struggled with keeping up in school because I spent most days in the hospital. I never had an issue with making friends but I worked very hard to keep them from asking too many questions about why I missed so much school. I was smaller in stature than most of my peers and I required a lot of tutoring due to missed days of school. I spent many days worrying about whether my peers would think that there was something wrong with me and I was fearful that my peers would think they could “catch” the disease. More often than not I would lie about where I was when had to be hospitalized for days and weeks at a time. Sometimes I would tell peers that I was on vacation or I just did not feel like going to school. I felt ashamed to lie but it was the best I could do to keep kids from asking about the disease that I hated so much. Being a small kid that had to be hospitalized every 3 to 4 weeks can take its toll.
Today, I don’t have to lie to peers about being in the hospital so frequently. Today, I am blessed to see the inside of a hospital room only once year. I don’t have to worry about going back into the hospital week after week, matter of fact I forget I have sickle cell most of the time. I use to over think things when it came to having sickle cell and by doing that, it held me back from reaching my goals. But now my mom has to actually remind me to make sure I take care of myself to avoid having to go back to the hospital. Typically my current hospitalizations are due to other minor issues unrelated to Sickle Cell. Much of this is due to the chronic blood transfusions that I receive every four weeks. My life is blessed. I’m blessed in that I don’t think about the earlier part of my life where I struggled in pain all the time. I can focus on here and now and the future that I feel will be so bright. I am not defined by this disease that doctors have labeled me with. I am so much more. I am Maiya Vashti Andrews, student, dancer, activist, daughter, child of God.
April 19, 2014
Today's Quotes/News: Women Prisioners Sterilized to cut Welfare Costs in California
In California, prison doctors have sterilized over 150 women. Why? They don’t want to have to provide welfare funding for any children they may have in the future. The sterilization procedures cost California taxpayers $147,460 between 1997 and 2010. The doctors at the prison argue it is money well-spent. Dr. James Heinrich, an OB-GYN at Valley State Prison for Women, said, “Over a 10-year period, that isn’t a huge amount of money compared to what you save in welfare paying for these unwanted children – as they procreated more.” READ MORE via TellMeNow
Meet the Womyn: Awinda Otieno-Pala
Born Vanessa Awinda Otieno-Pala, but among my close friends, and colleagues, I prefer to be known by my middle name Awinda. I was raised in Nairobi, Kenya where I learned first-hand about plants mainly by climbing the avocado and loquat fruit trees in my family’s front yard, and by watching my aunt grow leafy greens and onions, in our backyard to supplement the household income & food. My real journey began when I attended college at Temple University. I was undecided on my majors my first 2 years attending. The answer to my prayer was Horticulture- Ironically; I was staring at a leaf at the exact time the answer came. From then on I began on the path to reconnect with my love for plants and nature. In 2005, I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Temple in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture. After Temple, I was introduced to Skip Weiner, Executive Director of Urban Tree Connections (UTC), and to UTC, where I have helped oversee after school programs in the Haddington area of West Philadelphia, as well as assisted with teaching a work ready summer program in South West Philadelphia. I also helped design and teach a landscape design program for the Green Jobs Training Program in the West Oak Lane area of Philadelphia funded by Foundations Inc. I strongly believe in shaping the ideas and concepts I learned throughout my career into teaching tools that can be used to strengthen or grow communities.
April 18, 2014
Meet the Womyn: Terri Clifton
Terri Clifton is a writer of fiction and non-fiction and was awarded a fellowship as 2013 Emerging Professional in Fiction Literature by the DDoA. Her non-fiction book, A Random Soldier, is a memoir of her son, Chad, who was killed in action in Iraq and fulfills a promise made. She has recently completed her first adult novel and is near completion of a middle grade novel. Her interests include photography, music and time with nature and friends. She is involved with her community, literacy issues, and is the director of a foundation benefiting Veterans. She makes her home on a historic farm at the edge of the Delaware Bay with her son Ryan and husband Richard, an internationally known wildlife artist.
Meet the Womyn: Kaci Fannin
Kaci M. Fannin is a native Houstonian and independent filmmaker hailing from the University of Texas @ Austin film school. After her education there, she spent the following 15+ years building a successful performance and filmmaking career while based in Los Angeles and New York, respectively. Kaci has worked on several studio films and more than a dozen independents as both talent and crew. She has most recently served as Producer on the documentary DRAMA MAMAS!:The Film and as Consulting Producer for the independent feature, DREAMS AT THE END OF A ROPE, which is currently in distribution. Throughout her performance and production career, Kaci has had the good fortune to work with and be trained by industry leaders such as directors Duane Clark, Peter Werner and Paul Hunter; casting director Linda Phillips-Palo (Virgin Suicides, The Rainmaker); and broadway veterans director/choreographer Susan Stroman (The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys) and John Kander (of the legendary songwriting team Ebb & Kander, Cabaret, Chicago), to name only a few. Kaci is Founding Producer at BanjiGirl Productions, a collective committed to discovering, developing and producing new and under-represented voices/visions in independent theatre and film. www.imdb.com/name/nm0266816/
Meet the Myn: The Ignant Intellectual
Thought Leader. Social & Cultural Critic. Published Writer. Social Justice Trainer/Facilitator. Curriculum Developer. Professional Blogger. Epidemiologist. Statistician. Poetry Facilitator. Drug & Alcohol Therapist. Spelman Dude. New Orleanian. Non-conformist. The Bridge between the Hood & the Ivory Tower. The Ignant Intellectual. Master procrastinator. In 2011, The Ignant Intellectual launched the brand The Ignant Intellectual: The Bridge Between the Hood & the Ivory Tower. The Ignant Intellectual Brand began as a socio-political blog providing social & cultural critiques. Since, it has expanded to include radical critically-engaging speaking engagements and education around LGBTQIA issues including novel curriculum development services and content development/editing. www.facebook.com/TheIgnantIntellectual
Meet the Womyn: Yarilis Vázquez Guzmán
Yarilis Vázquez Guzmán [west coast liaison] Born in Puerto Rico and raised dually on the island and in Philly, her heritage is mixed with cultural pride, musical diversity, and regional flavor. She is committed to her arts (Music, Photography & Personal Styling above all), and is an active participant with TMC CA Productions. Raised by a single mom primarily, she learned at an early age what a powerful female looks like. "My mom is a complete inspiration of the kind of mother I want to be. Powerful, engaging, an excellent cook, and forever encouraging my individuality & passions. She always reminded me to live and honor my truth, and always always allow my feelings to be felt. 'Never lose that', she'd say."
Yarilis lives with her Fiancée, Bre, and their two dogs, Odin & Priscilla. Passionate about supporting personal truth, she staffs weekend-long workshops that focus on identifying limiting beliefs and replacing them with the empowering truth. Excited to come on board as the West Coast Liaison for the Sincerely, She Project.
April 17, 2014
Letters/Notes: from Isee InPoetry [Reflections]
You are an elaborate memory
Of a once upon a time happily ever after kind of dream
Of what endless determination toward forward progress really means
And I am lost in descriptions of you given by others
With high admiration and high cheek bones
The say you went to college and stayed home to be a mother
You even left to fight for your country
Damn, you are a celebrity by the stories created about your history
But wouldn’t you believe it
Someone told me the other day
That you were just another around the way girl
With many notches on her belt
Little room left for self-esteem or self-respect
You know they gone’ say what they say, BUT IT DON’T MATTER
Your stomach got fatter
Because of procreation or procrastination;
The bruises on your knees
Could have been caused by suck D
Or pray to my man Jes’
You know they gone’ say what they say, BUT IT DON’T MATTER
You had dreams of being President of the United States
And now you work behind a counter serving dinner plates
In a paper bag
Cashing paycheck that barely provide enough sustenance
To make your pants fit tight
But from where I sit they look alright.. .to me
See, they say you got on welfare because that’s all you are worth
And they say you left your kids
To be free from restrictions, and domestic duties, and responsibility
Not to serve your country
Man, you always seem to be in their mouth?
You know they gone’ say what they say, BUT IT DON’T MATTER
Your pants may not fit like they used to
And your life may not be going the way you want it to
That empty frame hanging on your wall where your college diploma should be
But isn’t because of activities that babies bring
You know they gone’ say what they say, BUT IT DON’T MATTER
You misunderstood your purpose and used your body for sex;
Coming in second best
Gaining mound of labels and discontentment
From the prescriptions you now take
Because of the attention you so craved;
STD is not the title to a video game
You know they gone’ say what they say, BUT IT DON’T MATTER
Come on now, dry those tears falling down
I mean many lives have been lost before they begun
Maybe this time it would have been a daughter or a son
By father time’s watch the procedure went quick
But you heard the heartbeat coming from it
Right before they suctioned it
You threw away your night of a passionate mistakes
A procedure that could have been prevented
By the restraint of using birth control
You feel your hopes turn cold
As you become consumed by should haves, would haves, and maybes
A young woman with angels for babies and you hate yourself for it
You know they gone’ say what they say, BUT IT DON’T MATTER
You now wear depression as a business suit;
Using it as an excuse
For your outward appearance
Turning your inward pain into outward gain of sympathy;
Hoping that someone will notice and come rescue you
You don’t want this bottle of Vicodin to consume you
Oh, what about the pint of alcohol you drank too
No one wants to hear about how many times he violated you
It happened when you were in high school
And it was probably all your fault too
How dare you walk around with eyes
That seduce the old and young at heart
Without understanding the intentions of those with rancid thoughts
That scar still burns deeply doesn’t it?
Branded on you for the world to see
So they can laugh, kick and push you
But never helping you up Queen
Take my hand; understanding is all you need
You know they gone’ say what they say, BUT IT DON’T MATTER
Sleepless dreamer look at me,
Life may not be going the way you though it should be
So wipe the dust off your shoulders and dirt off your knees
Scars exist for the world to see
Because even though we fall down we all have the opportunity
To learn the lessons of the artwork the world left behind by life’s misery
You know they gone’ say what they say, BUT IT DON’T MATTER
Share your story with the rest of the world
Be a scar for some other little girl
And redefine what that means
Because a girl that’s been scarred creates a woman that’s seen
The good, bad, ugly, and in between
And there will be nay-sayers who don’t understand what you are trying to do?
But they are the ones who just might need your testimony more than you
Because all know they say what they say; people gonna talk regardless of how hard you pray; and it’s easier to retaliate than look the other way; and you might from time to time want to slap the shit out their face, but keep your mind on your purpose and again I say
IT DON’T MATTER NO WAY!
It was then that I realized
That sometimes we are our own worst enemy
And “they” was “I” looking back at me
Self-discovery
Silently writing my way toward my destiny,
Poetically
Poetry you save me
~Isee InPoetry for The Sincerely, she Project ©2014
to learn more about Isee InPoetry
Today's Quotes/News: Angela Kollmer & BikeandBuild.org
Angela Kollmer is 21 years old. Originally from Hillsborough, New Jersey she is about to graduate from Northeastern University in Boston this May. She is majoring in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Mandarin Chinese while being involved in Army ROTC and Cheerleading. Though she enjoys the athleticism and good sportsmanship that comes with competitive cheerleading, in Fall 2014, she will begin her 4 year service obligation as a Field Artillery Officer with the United States Army. Before shipping out, Angela will participating in a program called "Bike & Build"!
Bike & Build is a program that raises funds and awareness for affordable housing through the nation! Angela and others will be biking 4,058 miles from Florida to California! Way to go Angela! To find out more information on Bike & Build, Angela Kollmer or on how to donate to the cause, click HERE!
Today's News: The Great Wall of Vaginas
“This is about grabbing the attention,
using humour and spectacle,
and then educating people
about what normal women really look like.”
– Jamie McCartney
WATCH BELOW:
READ MORE on EliteDaily.com
Meet the Womyn: Lisa M. Saunders
Lisa M. Saunders, Marketing Guru, Producer, Entrepreneur and National Motivational Speaker has lent her voice in the areas of film, radio, and television for more than 30 years and now her voice can be heard through print media. Her new book, “Destiny Awaits: The Pouring Out of Wisdom for Humanity to Drink” is a spiritual and motivational book to inspire others to achieve their destiny. She is also the producer/host of her own radio talk show, “A Date with Destiny.” Among various other positions, she is Founder and President of Master Minds, L.L.C. & Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Making It Happen, Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in helping others to achieve their dreams. She sits on the board of directors for “Angels in Disguises,” an International nonprofit organization that helps women and children with AIDS. Lisa is also a nationally recognized Motivational Speaker with a niche in the area of women empowerment.
Meet the Womyn: Kameelah Waheed
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Emcee, writer, producer and educator Kameelah Waheed from Camden, NJ began a career in the music industry over 15 years ago. She began as a solo hip-hop artist who was featured on house music artist Helen Brunner’s single Over and Over which was released on Warlock Records and then Island Records UK. In 2000 Kameelah co-founded and led political hip-hop rock group Gov’t Cheaze. The group went on to release an EP in 2003 under Larry Gold. Gov’t Cheaze also appeared on Larry Gold presents Don Cello and Friends compilation CD (2003) that featured Black Thought, Floetry, Kindred, Jaguar Wright, and the late Gerald Levert.
April 16, 2014
Today's Quotes/News: GoldieBlox
GoldieBlox is a toy company
dedicated to inspiring lil womyn innovators everywhere!
April 15, 2014
Meet The Womyn: LaNeshe Miller-White
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LaNeshe Miller-White is a native of Bridgeport, CT, currently residing in the Philadelphia area. She is a graduate of Temple University's School of Communications and Theater. In her never ending quest to support Philly's arts community, she is the Marketing Manager at the Painted Bride Art Center, founder of Theatre in the X, and works with many theater organizations in the Philadelphia area. You can keep up with her on her blog, www.nesheaholic.com, and on Twitter and Instagram @nesheaholic.
Meet the Womyn: Isee InPoetry
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A Colorado native, Kisha Jennell Thomas was born on December 14, 1982. Kisha spent most of her childhood raised the old southern way in Yoakum, Texas where most of her maternal family still resides. As a little girl she has always dreamed BIG. When asked at five what she wanted to be when she grew up she would quickly retort, the President of the United States. Now, almost three decades later she has started turning her dreams into reality with the emergence of Isee Inpoetry. Becoming the president of her divine destiny utilizing her gifts for what God intended- teach.
This sultry, confident, and humble vixen would assist Kisha with her own therapy, save her life, and a movement would begin to form; a movement she now calls, Reflections. The concept is to encourage the youth to face their truths and tell their stories their way using art as an alternative. Utilizing her gift for story telling and poetry and her testimony, Isee hopes to help the youth gain a better awareness of self. For more on Isee and her movement visit www.iseeinpoetry.com
April 10, 2014
Meet the Womyn: Adrianna Matthews
Actress, playwright, collaborator; absolutely loves and adores theatre and the art and craft of acting, performing, creating, & writing. She has a passionate desire to create and pursue a lifetime of her own bold original art work. It has always been her dream to build a successful career for herself in the theatre & entertainment business. All of her work derives from her life and personal experiences. She someday hopes to be an inspiration to other artist and anyone out in the world who has struggled while trying to pursue their dreams.
Meet the Womyn: Lexa D.
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My name is Lexa D and I am 8 years old. Recently, I created a blog entitled Little Hands Preserve Our World, a Facebook page; as well as Youth Blogger with the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. I have two sisters and I am home-schooled. I enjoy exploring and having fun. When I grow up, my dreams are to become a Nuclear Physicist, Veterinarian, Chef and a Global Traveler.
April 9, 2014
Today's Quotes/News: Senate Republicans Reject Equal Pay Bill
Despite weeks of heavy messaging, Democrats failed to get a single GOP vote as the third attempt in recent years to pass the wage equality legislation fell six votes short... READ MORE from the Washington Post
April 8, 2014
April 7, 2014
April 6, 2014
Today's Quotes/News: Lizzie Velasquez
Lizzie Velasquez has a rare disease that prohibits her from gaining weight.
Voted on the internet as "The World's Ugliest Woman",
she strikes back with a positive spirit.
WATCH BELOW:
April 5, 2014
April 4, 2014
Today's Quotes/News: Watch WIGS' "Lauren" ft. Troian Bellisario & Jennifer Beals
Breaking new ground with award-winning scripted dramas for the digital age!
Watch the award-winning season of "LAUREN" below
starring Troian Bellisario & Jennifer Beals:
For other WIGS programming including
"Lauren", "Blue", "Susanna" and more
at www.watchwigs.com
starring Troian Bellisario & Jennifer Beals:
For other WIGS programming including
"Lauren", "Blue", "Susanna" and more
at www.watchwigs.com
April 3, 2014
April 2, 2014
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