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Spring
2003 Workshops
Orientation
Introduction to Everywoman's Center/Women of Color Leadership Network:
An overview of the services provided by the EWC and the mission
and vision of the program. By the end of the session, students will
identify themselves with the work of the program and understand
their part in it.
Maskmaking Workshop
Maskmaking: Uncovering Your Identity:
An exploration of self, this workshop devotes time and sacred space
for women to look within and get in touch with the "masks"they
wear in order to go through their daily live. Participants will
walk away better informed about themselves and aware of what works
and doesn't work for the masks they wear.
Voice
& Self-Expression
Voice & Self-Expression:
Intro to Writing and Listening Skills: Effective leaders communicate!
This workshop will allow participants to hear the power of their
own words as well as give them fundamental guidelines for writing
well. In addition, participants will be introduced to basic listening
skills and have the opportunity to practice using them.
Demystifying
the Academy
Demystifying the Academy:
You and the University: A look at the whys and wherefores of being
a successful student at the University. Understand the power dynamics
between the university, professors and students. We want to increase
students' confidence about engaging faculty and staff in appropriate
and empowered ways in pursuit of their studies and asserting themselves.
Home
Away From Home
Home Away From Home: You and
the University: Come on now, tell us: How does it really feel to
be away from home? Can't get used to walking down the hall in your
bathrobe? Trying to make a dorm room be home? Needing to branch
out and make new friends, or just some friends? This session will
deal with the dilemmas students face in living independently for
the first time. Students will discuss how to set boundaries; how
to say, "NO!" when necessary, how to make decisions that:
1) are healthy and; 2) reflect your individual values and integrity.
The
Journey to Self
The Journey to Self:
Dealing with negotiating the process of moving from a group voice
and identity to the voice of self and how to recognize the difference.
In addition, this module will explore the risks involved as one
makes the decision to step out of familiar and known groups, including
family or origin, hometown friends, college friendships and relationships.
Presenting
Self
Presenting Self: We
shift now from written expression to personal/self expression as
you integrate the artistic elements of the workshops to date and
any others of your choosing into a collective presentation montage
that will be showcased at the graduation and certification ceremony.
Writing From the Belly I
Writing From the Belly
I: Your first of two encounters with playwright, author and activist,
Magdalena Gomez. This workshop will be an adventure in self-expression
through words. It will engage all parts of you: mind, body and spirit
and will ask you to reflect on what youíve learned thus far
in the training.
Creating
Internal Balance
Creating Internal Balance:
This workshop will introduce you to the beauty and power of your
breath. The breath is a free and readily available asset to induce
calmness in moments when you need to relax or energy when you need
to re-energize yourself from a busy, or exhausting day. Coupled
with simple yoga postures you will learn, you will have tools to
take care of yourself that don't require money, accessories or anything
except your good intentions.
Connecting
to the Cycles of the Moon
Connecting to the Cycles
of the Moon: Women lives are ruled by the cycles of menstruation
and childbearing, either planning for it or to prevent it. Our culture
has indoctrinated us into believing that we should either minimize
the effects of our menstrual cycles or ignore them all together!
Learn how to tap into your innate power through a redefined appreciation
and high regard for this most elemental aspect of womanhood.
Writing
From the Belly II
Writing From the Belly
II: Part two of the exploration you began previously will expand
your skills at self-expression and bring you in touch with aspects
of yourself that you may have not known heretofore.
Community Service Event
At WOCLN, we feel strongly that leadership
is a form of service. So, our commitment to instilling values, skills
and behaviors that create internal stability for women of color
assumes that the women who receive the training will use it in service
to others.
As such, we have built
into the training several mechanisms to enable you to begin your
practice of service and leadership.
During the training,
you will be required to engage in a community service project. Several
are listed below but do not be limited by this list. It's merely
intended to "prime the pump" or in other words; it's intended
to give you an idea of some of the kinds of things you can become
involved with. You may work with others or by yourself. In fact,
the whole group can decide they want to pool their resources and
work on one specific project. But, whatever you decide to do, let
it be something that engages your heart!
• Big Brothers/Big Sisters of
Hampshire County
Each year this group organizes a Bowl-a-Thon Fundraiser at the Northampton
Bowling Lanes. Teams of four agree to raise $50 each (for a total
of $200) in order for the team to bowl during a two-hour timeslot.
Of course, more money is always welcomed. Trainees interested in
this project would be responsible for: recruiting a team(s), raising
the money necessary to bowl and attending the event.
This year's dates are: April 5 or April 6
Contact: Jennifer Etienne 253-2591
• The Children's Equitation Center
African-American equestrian, Roberta Wilmore is dedicated to horses.
Sheís even more dedicated to introducing children of color
to the wonder and beauty of working with horses. To that end, she
has founded The Children's Equitation Center to stimulate the environment
of children of color into the horse world and to find a place for
them in horse-related activities.
When asked, "Why horses?"Roberta instantly ticks off responses:
They help teach self-confidence, they teach you how to focus and
ignore distractions, they help you understand what freedom really
feels like, they show you the beauty of wide open spaces, etc.
This project begins with a visit to Roberta's farm in the nearby
hills of Ashefield, MA. Once there, you and Roberta will talk to
each other, and from that conversation anything can happen! You
might assist her in talking to the parents of children of color
in Boston, Springfield or Holyoke; perhaps you'll spend time with
the horses. It's up to your collective imaginations. What is inevitable
is that your life will be altered in some way through meeting this
dynamic, independent and freedom-loving woman.
If you think you're up for a unique experience, pursue this opportunity!
Contact: Roberta Wilmore 413-625-9996
• Healing the Wounded Heart:
A Project for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, April 2003
This is a project designed for anyone who has been affected by sexual
assault. Participants will have the opportunity to decorate a wooden
heart as a way to tell their story. The hearts will then be displayed
in the Student Union Art Gallery as testimony of the impact that
sexual assault has on all of us. The project is open to victims/survivors
of sexual assault and their friends, partners and family members.
Hearts can be anonymous, and will become the property of the Everywoman's
Center.
Interested? Here's how you can take part: Sponsor a gathering of
your friends, sorors, or other women of color who want a safe space
to explore their experiences. Or, you can staff the gallery during
one of the shifts during the week that the hearts are displayed.
Or, you can do both or something else that you envision that supports
this effort.
Dates: Heart creations ~ February- March 31, 2003
Gallery Show ~April 7-11 2003
Contact: Nicole Manganelli 545-2586
• Distinguished Visitors Program
presents Maya Angelou
This on-campus group will bring Maya Angelou to the UMass campus
for a one-night, free event. At the time of printing, a specific
project is undetermined but; once the semester resumes and the students
working on this event return, a number of service-related possibilities
might become available ie. Student security for the event; ushers,
etc. are minimal ways of being involved. Other possibilities may
be available.
Date: Event: March 27th
Contact: Hind Mari 577-3791
• The Black Students Union's
Women of Color Conference
The BSU will again bring women of color together to participate
in workshops on topics of interest to African-American women. They
will feature artist Sista Soulja on the first evening of the weekend
conference. Trainees can support this event in a number of ways
as determined by the conference organizers.
Date: Event: March 28-30th
Contact: Shameeka Leacock 5-0920
• HERS Project
Higher Education Resource Services (HERS), Mid-America, located
at the University of Denver, sponsors professional development activities
designed to improve the status of women in higher education. Currently
the office is engaged in four programs to facilitate the professional
development of women in higher education and their advancement into
positions of greater responsibility and authority. One of these
programs will bring 4 professional South African women to the UMass
campus for a two-week residency. Help plan and host an activity
or two or, in general, make these women comfortable on your home
campus.
Date: March 29-April 12
Contact: Jacqui Pinn 545-1670
These are examples of some of the options open to you this year.
Please feel free to add others that you may be aware of or interested
in.
Graduation
Banquet and Performances
Graduation/ Banquet and Performances: Now it's time for everyone
you care about most to see the product of all your efforts. Good
food and fond memories have characterized this special night in
the past three years.
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