empowering perspectives

"Si" and "Am" wreaking havoc

2010-07-14T09:29:00.007-04:00

The following was written by Nell Fleming - Racial Justice Coordinator at the YWCA of Charleston.

As Racial Justice Coordinator at the YWCA of Charleston, people increasingly come to me with questions about what is or isn’t considered racist. I was recently asked the following question:

“I was [viewing the scene from Lady and the Tramp with the havoc-wreaking Siamese cats] on YouTube and saw in the comments that some people think this is racist. Having had Siamese cats all my life, I see it as more of a depiction of a typical Siamese personality. Does it strike you as negative towards Asians?”

I admit the question surprised me because the person asking it is someone whom I usually go to for advice. The piece seems so obviously negative to me that it gave me pause. I wondered, if a trusted friend did not recognize the racist elements of the scene, where do we stand as a society in our education about what is racist, especially outside of our binary paradigm of black and white?

I knew why it felt racist to me, but in order to analyze the piece fully, I took a look at the opposing comments referred to in conjunction with the song clip the YouTube video. The comments had very little substance, but made general claims that the piece was racist or the piece was not racist. The main claim to prove the piece was not racist was that Siamese cats “really do act like that.” And so I watched the clip again to see what exactly Siamese cats do and don’t do in real life as opposed to cartoon life.

Here is what I found. If you watch the video without the sound, indeed you see two Siamese cats ("Si" and "Am") wreaking havoc in a house, though to the extreme and in slap-stick fashion – much like two cats might do given enough time and opportunity. As a cat lover, I remember not so fondly being afraid of a friend’s Siamese Cat, who used to sneak up on me when I arrived, and grab my arm when I would walk by. I have no trouble suspending disbelief that Siamese cats would have ulterior motives when it comes to humans or dogs.

However, the two things that you can “see” that are not realistic to Siamese cats are the eye shape and the tooth shape. The exaggerated slanted eyes and the buck teeth are not drawn on the cats as a cat caricature, but as a personification of Asian persons – in this case, Siamese (Thai). It is a stereotypical representation that is extremely negative in origin. This shouldn’t surprise anyone who knows the history of Disney and racist content, which has improved moderately over the years, but in small degrees at a time. (Aladdin came under fire for the depiction of Jasmine and Aladdin as “white middle class persons” whereas the villains and the commoners otherwise were very ethnically Middle Eastern in their appearance and talked with significant Arabic accents, among other things.)

When you listen to the song without watching the clip, however, this is what you hear: Siamese cats talking not like the Lady and the Tramp are talking in white middle- or lower-class English, but with accents of Asians speaking broken English that is obviously their second language. The fact that these cats are considered the “evil element” in the story makes it clear that being foreign, or Asian, or an immigrant is being compared with the characteristics of being dishonest, conniving and most definitely not trustworthy. When you put the images and the song lyrics together with the animation, you get two things: 1) A clever, fun, rhyming song that is fun to sing (for some) with two entertaining characters who resemble the cats we love to love or love to hate, and, 2) One of the most horrible representations of racism in children’s entertainment in the twentieth century.

For further analysis of Disney and racism, visit:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1329215/disneys_most_racist_films_and_characters.html

http://www.cracked.com/article_15677_9-most-racist-disney-characters.html

http://www.nhaeyc.org/newsletters/articles/Racism_in_Childrens_Movies.pdf

Some definitions of racism:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1C1RNNN_enUS362&defl=en&q=define:racism&sa=X&ei=xuooTIK-GMH98AaS-dCaDg&ved=0CBUQkAE&cts=1277749802556

Murder of UVA lacrosse student intimate partner violence, not “quarrel gone bad”

2010-05-26T14:33:00.003-04:00

The following is an op-ed written by Ellen Allen, the Director of the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program in Charleston, W.Va. If you are a victim of intimate partner or dating violence, please call the local 24-hour domestic violence crisis line for Kanawha, Clay and Boone counties 1-800-681-8663 or the national domestic violence hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

He came from generations of wealth, educated at an exclusive boys school. He was all-everything: an all-American lacrosse player and the starting quarterback at his high school. She was the daughter of an investor, educated at a private girls prep school. She was a math nerd who volunteered at a soup kitchen and counseled kids from housing projects at a summer camp. They both ended up at the University of Virginia, playing on champion lacrosse teams in a league that gave its players the respect and deference typically reserved for final four basketball teams.

Yet during the early morning hours of Monday, May 3, the privilege of class and wealth no longer served as Yeardley Love’s protector. George Huguely V kicked down her bedroom door and, according to his account, grabbed her and shook her head, slamming it repeatedly into the wall. He then seized her computer, where it is believed she read his threatening and angry e-mails. Police found her dead, face down on her pillow in a pool of her own blood.

This wasn’t his first episode of violence against a woman. In November 2008, he received a suspended sentence after a drunken scuffle with a Virginia patrolwoman. Officer R.L. Moff recounted his use of racial and sexual slurs and other vulgar terms. He also threatened to kill her or anyone attempting to take him to jail.

What I find most troubling about media reports of this incident are the diluted tones of the headlines. The Washington Post referred to it as the “Virginia lacrosse tragedy.” A local paper’s headline read: “Students’ quarrel turned violent, then deadly.” Some media outlets reported the story as a sports feature, and individuals like myself who don’t give the sports page a second glance would have easily missed it. It was not widely reported as a case of dating violence and stalking – a violent attack against a woman, where the perpetrator was asserting power and control over his victim.

We know domestic violence, stalking, intimate partner violence, and violence against women is not relegated to the projects and neighborhoods replete with subsidized housing. It crosses all socio-economic strata. One may wonder, however, if this type of incident had occurred at a state university in an impoverished region of the country between an African American football player and a white softball player, would it have ended up on the sports page, the front page? Or no page at all?

What the reports often fail to mention is this: According to Justice Department figures, three women are murdered every day in the U.S. by their intimate partners. Eighty-five percent of intimate partner violence is perpetrated against women (overwhelmingly against women ages 20 - 24). Four out of five stalking victims are women, and 50% of the victims are between the ages of 18 and 27.

While the details of this incident make it the story seem atypical – a varsity lacrosse player at a prestigious school allegedly killed by her lacrosse player ex-boyfriend – statistically, it fits the fateful pattern. Violent and controlling behavior often begins early on in teen dating relationships, where one in three teens report having a friend who has been hit, kicked, slapped, or punched by a dating partner. However 81% of parents believe teen dating violence is not an issue – an equally shocking statistic.

This incident was not a “deadly quarrel.” It was not an “altercation.” This verbiage only minimizes the life of the victim and the violence she endured. It was a case of stalking by a jilted partner that could not accept that she no longer wanted to see him. It was much more than an anger issue – it was about power and control.

Let’s call it what it is and hold it up for others to see in full light. Intimate partner violence and stalking are not “quarrels gone bad.” They are violent acts of often learned behavior perpetrated to assert power and control over one’s partner. The use of such insubstantial language in crucial life-or-death matters such as this denies the victim the justice she or he deserves. When will we, as a society, demand complete and appropriate attention to this gravely prevalent issue? I say we start today.

Taking a Stand

2010-05-06T17:02:00.011-04:00

The following is a guest blog post written by Robin Holstein, President of Robin's Desktop, LLC and the coordinator of a local Stand Against Racism event in Rand, WV last Friday.

When I was the young bride of a soldier in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, I felt the stares and noticed the whispers when I went out with other soldiers’ wives. They were African-American. I am not.

Some years ago after running into a local police officer I knew, an ex-husband cursed me and “ordered” me to never hug a black man again. Recently, family members have argued and struggled with their own insecurities because a biracial child was going to be born into our family. Many still struggle, two years later.

At my age, I have seen many acts of intimidation. I’ve been shouted at, cursed, and punched. I’ve had people go behind my back and spread untrue stories. I’ve had people disclose very painful, personal events in an attempt to embarrass and upset me. Nothing has made me stop and shake my head as what I saw the morning of April 25, 2010.

Eggs, splattered against the front fender of my truck overnight. Eggs that were thrown in a childish, passive-aggressive attempt at intimidation. The act intended to send some message of disapproval, done in the cover of darkness, by someone who dared not speak to me in person.

The sun was not quite up when I left, so by the time I noticed the goo on my truck, I had already driven 25 miles. I did not need Jack Bauer to tell me, I knew what prompted the vandal. I was hosting a Stand Against Racism event. The only question was what would do more good? Do I draw attention to it or do I let it go as if nothing happened?

Less than twenty-four hours before someone lobbed eggs at my truck, I placed physical posters up in my community. Nothing happened when I posted the event on popular social networking Internet sites. Nothing happened following the article published in a local weekly paper. It was not until there was an actual, physical poster up that someone decided to “say” something to me.

After discussing the incident with the Racial Justice Coordinator at the YWCA and Deputy Attorney General Civil Rights Division, I decided to contact my local Sheriff. A Deputy was dispatched to my home. We discussed the situation, my support and sponsorship of the Stand, and the reality of trying to find the culprit.

The Deputy explained that, since there was no damage to my truck, there was nothing on which to file a formal complaint. I really could not prove the act was related to my upcoming event. His visit to my home was on record. If there were any incidents the night of my Stand, the vandalism would be included in the investigation.

Everyone handles these things differently. When people try to stop me from doing something I believe is necessary, I generally become more determined. I do not back down easily, or often.

I became involved with the Stand because of my grandniece. She is a beautiful and bright child. She has no preconceived ideas about race or sex. Before she was born people making racial comments or slurs upset me. I would tell them that I did not appreciate the comments. Now, it is different. The comments and slurs are no longer against “people” they are against family.

The Stand Against Racism event I hosted was held as planned. There were no incidents. No more eggs have been wasted on my vehicles.

I explained to the attendees at my event that we have come a long way in race relations over the many decades. Yet, there is still so much more to do. While this was just eggs, it seems someone out there felt as though they could attempt to intimidate me because I took a public stand.

2010 YWCA Women of Achievement Empowerment Award Winner: Star Hogan

2010-02-10T13:29:00.010-05:00

Meet Star Hogan - our 2010 YWCA Women of Achievement BrickStreet Empowerment Award winner and the last in our 4-week series of blog posts leading up to this inspirational event on February 18. The BrickStreet Empowerment Award recognizes and rewards a YWCA program participant who, through great perseverance and with the help of the YWCA, overcomes obstacles and transforms her life.This year marks the 14th annual YWCA Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon, honoring the outstanding women in our community whose personal and professional achievements inspire and empower other women to strive for their highest goals.

STAR HOGAN has dreamt big all her life. Even while growing up in a Charleston housing project, she aspired to be the first in her family to graduate college, become a professional, raise a family, and live happily ever after. Unfortunately, Star’s life hasn’t always been a fairy tale. During her sophomore year in college, she met the man she believed to be her “prince charming.” However, after being diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease and suspending her education indefinitely to undergo chemotherapy, Star became completely dependent on her significant other for daily support.

For the next 15 years, she withstood a relationship that was physically, emotionally, psychologically and financially abusive. In 2004, she filed a domestic violence petition and was introduced to a legal advocate from the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program during a child support and custody hearing. With the information and legal representation she received from the program and the encouragement and support from her friends and family, Star finally found the courage to leave her abuser once and for all. She returned to school and obtained both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mountain State University, which opened new career opportunities.

Today she works as a benefits administrator at a large financial institution and lives in a new home with her two children. She also teaches the YWCA Resolve Program’s Keys to Financial Freedom financial literacy course, which enables domestic violence survivors to fully understand their financial circumstances and helps them engage in short-term and long-term financial planning to accomplish their personal goals.

Cultural values: Do they define me?

2010-02-08T15:58:00.014-05:00

The following post was written by YWCA Racial Justice Program Coordinator Nell Fleming. As we celebrate Black History Month, Nell's insights lend to the larger cultural and racial dialogue the YWCA of Charleston wishes to promote this and every month as part of our mission to eliminate racism and empower women.

One of the reasons my parents cited in their argument against my marriage to a black man, was that we were from two different cultural backgrounds (which they pointed out would make marriage harder). They gave me statistical evidence that persons who marry someone who lives within a mile of where the other person grew up have an astronomically higher rate of staying together. I must admit, my husband and I did grow up 380 miles apart – he in an urban all black setting, and I in a rural mostly white setting. We do have very different cultural backgrounds in that respect. However, when I traveled to Japan in 1990 and experienced the shock of some of my friends’ parents upon seeing a photo of me and my fiancé, I calmly explained that we were both American and that we had the same culture and values. This was something of a revelation in such a homogeneous country where people view culture and language to be synonymous with ancestry and ethnicity. They accepted it to the extent that I was allowed to continue having tea and be in their homes; how they really felt will forever be a mystery.

Although my husband and I do have distinctly different communication styles and have had our share of challenges in the past 22 years, the bigger challenge for me has always been with other people who who look more like me – white women, who were my teachers and colleagues over the years. I have been picked on endlessly for not smiling enough, looking too serious, being too serious and even accused of being stuck up. My facial expressions were such a thorn in my side, I took to reading books on communication styles and looking in the mirror to practice appropriate faces so that I could be viewed as a friendlier person. I took a Dale Carnegie course and won an award for “most improved.” However, no matter how much I’ve learned, grown, adapted and practiced, my natural state of being is to show the true emotions on my face. If I am concentrating or tired, I look severe and, to my dismay, almost angry.

Imagine my surprise when another parent who was from Eastern Europe befriended, saying: “You are one of the few Americans who don’t smile all the time. You show what you are really feeling.” She went on to say: “In my country, when Americans visit, they are always smiling and people say ‘Why do those Americans smile all the time those fake smiles? I wish they would show how what they are really feeling.’” It is no surprise that my mother’s family roots are Eastern European and that the women in my family are the dominant sex with regards to communication. It is nice to know that my way of being is not a flaw in me but a cultural difference that I can explain if given the opportunity.

What is unfortunate is that when we talk about cultural differences in groups, we assume that to be different, one has to have a different skin color. In the same manner, we assume that if persons have a different skin color, they must be culturally different. It is a root of the angst many Asian Americans feel when people ask them “Where are you from originally?” or “What other languages do you speak?”

Perhaps for Black History Month, we should challenge ourselves to think about what we as peoples of many races and colors have in common. Remember that being “white” or “black” isn’t a thing that can be defined by one set of rules or cultural attributes, but is unique to each region, each time in history, and each individual. Part of learning about other cultures is also learning about yourself. If you understand who you are and where you came from, it will be easier to understand others and what impact the past and present has on who they are.

In closing, what would you like people to know about you and your cultural values? Is there anything about your culture that you wish you knew more about?

Photo: Nell Fleming pictured with her daughter, Ronnell.

2010 YWCA Women of Achievement Honoree #3: Kay Goodwin

2010-02-03T12:55:00.013-05:00

Meet Kay Goodwin - one of this year’s 2010 YWCA Women of Achievement honorees and the third in our 4-week series of blog posts leading up to this inspirational event on February 18. This year marks the 14th annual YWCA Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon, honoring the outstanding women in our community whose personal and professional achievements inspire and empower other women to strive for their highest goals.

KAY GOODWIN is a lifetime forerunner in arts and education. She was reappointed Cabinet Secretary for the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts in 2005 by Governor Manchin and currently serves on the WV Higher Education Policy Commission, the WV Humanities Council, and the Professional Staff Development Advisory Council. Named a Distinguished West Virginian, WVU’s Outstanding Alumna, and recipient of the WVU President’s Distinguished Service Award, she was inducted into the WVU College of Human Resources and Education Hall of Fame in 2008.

Secretary Goodwin is co-chairman of the Center for Professional Development Board, chairman of the West Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, co-chairman of the West Virginia Council on Civics Literacy and the Governor’s designated chairman of the Educational Broadcasting Authority. She is a member of The Workforce Planning Council, a lifetime member of the Governor’s Honors Schools Advisory Council, a member of the Board of Advisors for WVU’s Blaney House and serves on the HB 3009 Workforce Development Initiative Committee.

Formerly, Secretary Goodwin served as chair of the University of West Virginia System Board of Trustees, the WV Commission on the Arts, the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, and the Financial Aid Coordinating Council. She was appointed in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush to serve on the Independent Commission to Review the Grantmaking Procedures of the National Endowment for the Arts. In 2004, Secretary Goodwin was designated one of only four recipients of the National Public Service Award and was recognized as Daughter of the Year by the WV Society of Washington, DC.

For more than 20 years, Secretary Goodwin directed community and high school musical theatre in Jackson County, in addition to staging opera performances in other state venues. Secretary Goodwin was honored by both the National Educational Theatre Association and the West Virginia Thespian Conference for her support and advancement of student theatre in West Virginia and the nation. Secretary Goodwin has taught at both WVU and WVSU and has received five honorary doctoral degrees.

Children's Book Connections

2010-01-28T16:32:00.014-05:00

The following post was written by the YWCA's new Racial Justice Program Coordinator Nell Fleming, pictured at right with her husband and daughter.

It's not every day that an award winning children's picture book author calls a mother two days after the purchase and reading of her book. But let me start at the beginning (if there is such a place), as this tangled web of connections is hard to unravel.

It all started when a librarian at the University of Illinois Center for Children's Books responded to my request to diligently search for any fictional picture book ever published with a white woman and a black man as a couple, married, parents or otherwise – preferably on the cover of the book. I was starting my proposal for a study on the demographics of children's picture books in the current century. Only one book was referred and the librarian who found it thought that perhaps it was a non-fiction book but wasn't sure. I can understand why she thought so, because the main character, Tyler, is a real person and the source of the inspiration for this rhyming tale of how we view people based on their perceived skin color.

This was so far the only book I was able to identify that had a white woman as the spouse or partner of any person of color or in any interracial relationship in a children's fiction picture book and it isn't even completely fictional. Why does it matter if it is fiction or non-fiction you may wonder? The reason is because fiction speaks to our imagination and what is possible, desirable, and worth wishing for. Non-fiction is valuable because it speaks to what is true and real now and in times past.

My proposal was approved and I started my research last week. On the third of 2,500 pages of book covers to research, I spotted the book in question: Am I a Color Too? by Nancy Vogl. I asked myself why I had not yet purchased or checked the book out. And so, I obtained a copy and read it myself and then to my daughter, who is biracial also. Imagine my surprise when the author called me two days later to say she had found me on the Not in Our Town website. She had been following my work as the Racial Justice Coordinator at the YWCA of Charleston – specifically the Women with Biracial Children Support group we just launched last week. It took my brain a minute to figure out what was happening. As I listened to the voicemail, I wondered if she was calling about my work life, my school life, or my personal life. When I returned her call, we discussed a series of additional connections, including mutual friends in Illinois (although we both live in other states), parallel interests and odd coincidences mostly learned through Facebook.

Although I've never been one to believe in fate or purpose behind random synchronicities, it is not hard to see why people would attribute meaning to these kinds of experiences. There is a kind of otherworldly quality when the odds of meeting someone at just the right time and place to connect on so many different levels is statistically improbable at least in the world I was raised in before the internet. The issues that I hold dear used to make me the odd one…the black sheep…the eccentric one. However, now I'm connected with so many thousands of people like myself in my community, nation and the world, that I seem more average all the time. If racial equality becomes the average lifestyle, I’ll take it. I can always dye my hair blue when I turn 65.

2010 YWCA Women of Achievement Honoree #2: Nina Denton Pasinetti

2010-01-27T10:13:00.004-05:00

Meet Nina Denton Pasinetti - one of this year’s 2010 YWCA Women of Achievement honorees and the second in our 4-week series of blog posts leading up to this inspirational event on February 18. This year marks the 14th annual YWCA Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon, honoring the outstanding women in our community whose personal and professional achievements inspire and empower other women to strive for their highest goals.

Nina Denton Pasinetti has been passionate about the arts since early in life, when she studied with the National Ballet of Canada, Ballet West, Cecchetti Ballet Council of America, Luigi and the Gus Giordano Center. A former Miss West Virginia, Nina graduated summa cum laude from Morris Harvey College (now the University of Charleston) with a major in mathematics and obtained an M.A. from Ohio University.

Nina returned to Charleston to teach math at George Washington High School, where she also managed, choreographed and directed musicals and plays and later opened Ballet and Musical Theatre Dance Arts Inc. During her early GW teaching days, Nina operated the YWCA’s top floor as a ballet, tap and jazz school of dance. Fifteen years later, she moved to the Oddfellows building and opened Ballet and Musical Theatre Dance Arts Inc. where she continued to teach ballet, tap and jazz for the next 10 years.

During the 1980s, she originated the Appalachian Youth Jazz-Ballet and served as president of Dance West Virginia, where she arranged master classes and dance scholarships to professional schools for talented dancers throughout West Virginia. She began choreographing for the Charleston Light Opera Guild 38 years ago and became their artistic director 26 years ago – choreographing 136 musicals and directing 96 of them to date.

Nina volunteers as board vice president FestivALL Charleston, dance chair on the Clay Center’s programming committee, and adjudicator for the WV State Thespian Festival, while also serving as a member of the University of Charleston National Alumni Board. She is listed in several publications including Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World. Nina is extremely proud of her many successful students that have continued professionally in theatre, film, television and dance, including actress Jennifer Garner.

2010 YWCA Women of Achievement Honoree #1: Deb Copeland

2010-01-21T14:00:00.006-05:00

Meet Deb Copeland one of this year’s 2010 YWCA Women of Achievement honorees and the first in our 4-week series of blog posts leading up to this inspirational event on February 18. This year marks the 14th annual YWCA Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon, honoring the outstanding women in our community whose personal and professional achievements inspire and empower other women to strive for their highest goals.

Deborah L. Copeland leads a life with multiple starring roles, including educator, entrepreneur, philanthropist, life coach, community activist, motivational speaker, religious group leader, survivor, wife, mother, and author of the best-selling book, Attitude Therapy. Her greatest joy, however, comes not from her business successes but from her maternal role in a blended family of eight – including three youngsters adopted from abroad. She also takes pride in her strong and abiding faith, which has seen her through many of life’s most challenging trials and tribulations.

From 1981 to 1994, she served as President and CEO of Smart Temporary Services – a recruitment company she started and grew from just one employee to 4,000 employees serving seven states. After selling the company to a global firm, Copeland started Work Smart Business Consultants – a training and development firm that readily became a leading supplier of consultant services to hospitals and major corporations across many industries.

As a speaker and seminar leader, Deb’s compelling messages continue to draw audiences throughout the United States. Her most requested courses enable corporations to get better results from their employees while maintaining and promoting their physical and mental well-being. She is an active community volunteer, serves on numerous boards, and has received numerous awards and accolades, including being named “Entrepreneur of the Year" in the Services Division in 1992 by The Institute of American Entrepreneurs, and being selected as one of 10 business executives profiled in “Who Who’s in West Virginia Business” by The State Journal in 1995.

In June 2009, Deb committed to working one year for God, with her new motto being “where He leads me, I will follow.” She has now officially “retired” (November 2009) to do a lifetime of God’s work, including starting a nonprofit called For Him that will raise money for worldwide charities and a division called A God Thing, which will raise money for local charities on a continuous basis.

A Year in Review: The volunteers who have furthered our work in 2009

2009-12-30T10:53:00.038-05:00

As 2009 comes to a close, we wish to pay tribute to the countless volunteers who have furthered our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women throughout the past year. While these photos capture just a tiny fraction of our volunteer base, we thank ALL of our volunteers from the bottom of our hearts for thousands of hours contributed, hundreds of donations collected, and countless lives touched by their generosity.

Jeanne Cochran and WSAZ's Jessica Ralston pose with Soroptimist Club chairwoman Margi High at the annual Soroptimist Fashion Show to benefit YWCA Sojourner's on April 4.

Morgan Miller won WSAZ's "Hometown Hero" award for her Easter basket surprises for homeless children at the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter.

Volunteers at the YWCA's "24: The Underground" rave party on April 24.

DJ Brian Blackout and creative volunteer extraordinaire Alex Morgado.

Volunteers at the India Heritage Fair on May 16, who donated all of the proceeds from their delicious home cooked Indian dishes to the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program.

Members of the Vandalia Rotary Club donated a truck full of laundry supplies along with two sets of washers and dryers to the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter.

Local artists Kemp McElwee and Susan Poffenbarger again volunteered as co-chairs of our annual Vintage Art Auction.

Erin Brewster and Julie Jarrett volunteered countless hours to the planning of our 2009 Girls Night Out "Girls in Pearls" event to benefit victims of domestic violence through YWCA Resolve.

Graphic designer Amanda Easter and Girls Night Out co-chair Karen Farmer were instrumental in organizing and spreading the word about Girls Night Out.

Volunteers from the Kanawha County Association of Retired School Employees spruced up the grounds of the YWCA Alicia McCormick Homes.

Immogene Bennington volunteers more than 40 hours each week in the front office of the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter and saves our program the cost of an entire full time staff member's salary each year.

Volunteers from BB&T cleaned windows inside and out at the YWCA Shanklin Center during the United Way Day of Caring on September 16.

BrickStreet Insurance volunteers spent their Day of Caring completing landscaping projects outside the YWCA Past & Present Gently Used Clothing Store.

Volunteers from Star USA Federal Credit Union gave rooms at the YWCA Child Enrichment Center much-needed coats of paint.

Ladies volunteered their time to make our Guys Night Out event on October 1 run smoothly.

Tom and Bobbi Grant, co-owners of Wellington's of Scarlet Oaks, have donated their time, talent, and restaurant space for 23 consecutive years to host the annual Thanksgiving Benefit Dinner to Aid the Homeless.

Volunteers serving a delicious meal at the Thanksgiving Benefit Dinner.

NFL superstar Randy Moss and his entourage surprised the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter with a truck full of new bedding, games and toys for the children on November 25.

Volunteers from Read Aloud West Virginia brought Santa to the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter, along with boxes of books for the residents on December 9.

Not In Our Town

2009-11-23T12:16:00.007-05:00

Patrice O'Neil producer and filmmaker traveled to Charleston, WV last month in a whirlwind of follow up presentations to her award-winning PBS documentary “Not in Our Town." Patrice, along with NIOT Civic Engagement Coordinator Jason Wallach, toured West Virginia and led a series of open discussions about how to build safe, strong, hate-free communities throughout the state. Their new NIOT website was created in response to an overwhelming interest nationally as a tool for more discussion on race and tolerance and anti-violence measures.

Individuals from Morgantown, Logan, Charleston, and Montgomery, among others, attended the various sessions to learn more about continuing the dialogue, putting a stop to hate crimes and creating inclusive communities. At the first meeting held at the Charleston Area Alliance, the crowd was larger than expected and quite diverse. Guest speakers from Montgomery, WV were present to tell their story about being the target of a racially motivated harassment and beating (the officers have since been sentenced and incarcerated for their crimes). Attendees were moved by their story and expressed mixed feelings on how to move past dialogue into action and what kinds of dialogue and/or actions would be practical and useful. The crowd was motivated to make use of the new NIOT web page for continued discussion and brainstorming.

The subsequent meeting held here at our YWCA headquarters was also well attended, and several young people expressed their disappointment at the failure of their local school board for not including language to protect the rights of gay and lesbian students under the anti-violence policy. It was encouraging to see young people tell their stories and continue to voice their concerns.

The YWCA of Charleston, in conjunction with its umbrella organization OneKanawha, has since decided to become a virtual NIOT organization to put Charleston, West Virginia on the NIOT map. OneKanawha is a coalition of Charleston area organizations and individuals who share a commitment to living as a part of an inclusive community. Born during the summer of 2008 out of a series of community dialogs, OneKanawha's central purpose is to foster dialogues and conversations that will increase understanding among diverse people. OneKanawha is based out of the YWCA of Charleston, whose Racial Justice Coordinator serves as a facilitator.

Any person who shares a commitment to insuring that the greater Charleston continues to develop as an inclusive community is welcome to join the OneKanawha online network and keep up on the activities and events of OneKanawha. Email nfleming@ywcacharleston.org if you'd like to join the OneKanawha network - OR put yourself on the map by telling us what you've done to take positive action against hate and stand up for inclusion!

Plus, click here for a slideshow of photos from NIOT's visit to Charleston.

Hate Crimes Prevention Act signed into law after a decade of advocacy

2009-11-11T13:53:00.007-05:00

More than 10 years after the brutal murders of gay college student Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., an African-American man, President Obama signed legislation named for them on October 28, 2009: The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The new law updates existing federal hate crimes statutes by expanding the legal definition of a hate crime to cover crimes committed because of a victim’s actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability and lift restrictive requirements regarding engagement in a federally-protected activity. Also, the law provides resources to law enforcement officials including federal training and direct assistance, to combat violent, bias-motivated crime.

President Obama offered words of praise and encouragement to those who worked tirelessly on this legislation. "You understand we must stand against crimes that are meant not only to break break bones but to break spirits. Not only to inflict harm but to instill fear," the President told a crowd gathered in the White House East Room on October 28. The President cited FBI statistics of more than 12,000 reported hate crimes based on sexual orientation over the last 10 years. He noted that many incidents are never even reported.

Together with teary-eyed family members of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., President Obama stood at the podium and announced: "No one in America should ever be afraid to walk down the street holding the hands of the person they love. No one in America should be forced to look over their shoulder because of who they are or because they live with a disability." We encourage you to watch the full video below on this milestone celebration.

The Southern Poverty Law Center has cited a rise in the number of hate groups resulting from anti-immigration rhetoric, the severe recession and the election of a black president. The FBI has reported an increase in hate-motivated violence particularly against Hispanics and lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Hate crimes victimize both individuals and communities and tend to be much more violent than other crimes.

Passage of the legislation culminates more than a decade of advocacy by over 300 organizations including the YWCA USA. We are so encouraged that measures such as this bring us small steps closer to our mission and the mission of YWCAs across the globe: eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

"The Choice" - Poem by a domestic violence victim's father

2009-10-30T09:25:00.009-04:00

As National Domestic Violence Awareness Month draws to a close, we would like to illuminate an often overlooked aspect of domestic violence: the perspective of parents who see first hand the devastating effects domestic violence has on their children and grandchildren. The following is a personal testimony and poem submitted to the YWCA Resolve Program by Philip Jarrett - a caring father whose life has been changed by violence in his daughter's life.

Philip Jarrett: "My situation is shared by many. I have a daughter who is in an abusive relationship. I have five grandchildren watching their mother and father in violent, physical confrontations and learning that this is normal behavior for a man and a wife - that you're either the one giving the beating or you're the one getting beaten. I didn't know what to do. I really believed the best thing to do was to go along silently. Being a pacifist means I take violence out of my repertoire of reactions. It doesn't mean that I can't fight back in my own way. And the first step was naming what it was and what my daughter's abuser was aloud. I told him he was an abuser and a user."

"It's especially hard on a man in our culture of violence and vengeance under the guise of protection and love. I listen to people…men and women…on a bus talking about how they would beat up or kill someone over some minor offense to their worn out and unjustified pride. I watch movies that show victims of abuse learning to fight back, whicn can even end in the murder of their abuser. The wrongness and futility of using violence against violence both saddens and angers me."

"It has been difficult for me, as a man, to learn the only thing I can give my daughter, the best thing I can give her, is the choice to make her own decisions. So, as odd as it may seem, I am offering this poem for your use...or the use of any domestic violence group anywhere...in the hopes that other men who are faced with this nightmare I am living can be taught that violence from one man cannot be solved by violence from another."

the choice by Philip Jarrett

if i could catch you like a dark firefly
and hold you in my hand
prick my thumb with your mosquito’s tongue
till your eyes glowed bright again
then i would think my life completed
that i had finally done my part
and as my soul depleted
give my blood, not just my heart

but you are not an insect
to spare or slay with a swatter
and i am not so perfect
yet i claim you as my daughter
and life is not so gentle
and fate is never kind
and the price of love parental
is to give up love that’s blind

so i sit in stony silence
as befits a man who’s died
watch you suffer another’s violence
bear the bruises of false pride
i scream behind lips tightly stitched
burning bile has stole my voice
knowing you, alone, must come un-bewitched
and the best i have to offer you
is the choice

Flowers of appreciation

2009-10-19T16:56:00.005-04:00

Tomorrow, (Tuesday, October 20) KIDS COUNT will honor West Virginia's 2,400 professional childcare providers by sponsoring a statewide "Take a Flower to Childcare Day." We encourage parents, young children and community leaders to show their appreciation for childcare providers by showering them with flowers of appreciation! Roses. Daisies. Carnations. Lillies. Real flowers. Silk flowers. Homemade paper flowers. Anything goes!

Take a Flower to Childcare Day is part of KIDS COUNT’s Kids First Communities Campaign, a statewide effort to build broad public support for new state dollars to improve childcare. In the Kanawah Valley, the YWCA Child Enrichment Center serves as the regional leader of the Kids First Communities campaign. If you don't have a childcare provider but simply wish to show your support, we would welcome your flower at the YWCA Child Enrichment Center at 201 Donnally Street in downtown Charleston. Join us in recognizing the importance of early childhood development and showing childcare providers how much we appreciate them!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

2009-10-06T13:10:00.010-04:00

As our president so poignantly stated in his official proclamation last week, October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month - a month to recommit ourselves to ending violence within our homes, our communities, and our country. An excerpt of his proclamation can be read below:

"Domestic violence touches the lives of Americans of all ages, leaving a devastating impact on women, men, and children of every background and circumstance. A family's home becomes a place of fear, hopelessness, and desperation when a woman is battered by her partner, a child witnesses the abuse of a loved one, or a senior is victimized by family members. Since the 1994 passage of the landmark Violence Against Women Act, championed by then Senator Joe Biden, our Nation has strengthened its response to this crime and increased services for victims. Still, far too many women and families in this country and around the world are affected by domestic violence. During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we recommit ourselves to ending violence within our homes, our communities, and our country."

"During this month, we rededicate ourselves to breaking the cycle of violence. By providing young people with education about healthy relationships, and by changing attitudes that support violence, we recognize that domestic violence can be prevented. We must build the capacity of our Nation's victim service providers to reach and serve those in need. We urge community leaders to raise awareness and bring attention to this quiet crisis. And across America, we encourage victims and their families to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. Together, we must ensure that, in America, no victim of domestic violence ever struggles alone."

The YWCA of Charleston echos President Obama's sentiments and encourages you to get involved and show your support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in and around the greater Kanawha Valley. Our October calendar highlights domestic violence awareness activities occurring in our area throughout the month. We also encourage you to participate in the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence's (WVCADV) “Light In the Window” public awareness campaign and display a purple candle in your window this month to show support for survivors of domestic violence. Purple electric candles can be obtained by calling the YWCA Resolve Program at (304) 340-3573 or the WVCADV at (304) 965-3552.

With Domestic Violence Awareness Month in mind, please consider that:

A domestic violence homicide occurs once every 8 days in West Virginia.
Domestic violence is the single greatest cause of injury to women in the United States – more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.
Homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant women in the United States.
1 out of 3 women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused during her lifetime.
40% of teen girls ages 14-17 know someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend.
Domestic violence costs the U.S. economy $3 to $5 billion annually in job absenteeism, and another $100 million annually in medical expenses.
Gay and bisexual men experience abuse in intimate partner relationships at a rate of 2 in 5 – comparable to the amount experienced by heterosexual women.
Approximately 50% of the lesbian population has experienced or will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes.
While 73% of domestic violence victims are female, domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender.

Be more than aware. Help us end domestic violence in our homes, our communities and our country.

WVIDA Program Launch - A new resource for domestic violence victims

2009-09-30T11:20:00.006-04:00

Tomorrow morning marks the launch of an initiative that could change the lives of countless domestic violence victims and their families in West Virginia: the West Virginia IDA (WVIDA) savings match program. Both the media and the general public are invited to join us tomorrow (Thursday, October 1) at 10:00 am at BB&T Bank on Summers Street (6th floor dining room) to celebrate this groundbreaking opportunity to economically empower domestic violence victims in our state. Below we've answered some frequently asked questions about this new WVIDA initiative, as well as how it relates to our mission and programs.

What is an IDA savings match?
Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) are special matched savings accounts designed to help families and individuals of modest means establish a pattern of regular saving and ultimately purchase a productive asset – something of value that is likely to return substantial long-term benefits to its owner, like security, stability and opportunities for more income. A savings match is a promise to supplement a WVIDA participant’s savings deposits at a specific rate. For example, a 3:1 savings match means that for every dollar a WVIDA participant saves, he or she will have another $3 added to his or her total account balance.

What does an IDA have to do with domestic violence?
Economic abuse is a tactic commonly used by abusers to control their victims' finances and prevent them from leaving the relationship. Many people associate domestic violence with physical attacks, but damage to your credit score and being cut off from access to money create lasting scars that make it hard, if not impossible, for abuse victims to recover. Many victims stay in abusive relationships due to lack of resources to stand on their own two feet.

How does the WVIDA program fit into YWCA Resolve’s services?
The YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program is the pilot domestic violence agency in the state to launch this initiative. Our ability to offer the WVIDA savings match to qualified program participants is a valuable tool in our overall Keys to Financial Freedom financial literacy program, which enable domestic violence survivors to fully understand their financial circumstances and how to engage in short-term and long-term financial planning to accomplish their personal goals.

What can the WVIDA savings match be used toward?
The WVIDA savings match can specifically be used for the following productive assets: homeownership, home repair, small business development, and post secondary education.

Is there more to the WVIDA program than just savings matches?
Absolutely. Most people need more than just cash to become economically independent. For this reason, WVIDA participants must attend both a 10-part personal finance and money management workshop series, and a special asset-specific preparation program. These workshops are designed to help participants acquire or polish personal and financial skills that are essential for long-term success – skills like long-range planning, household budgeting, credit repair and savvy consumer habits.

What is required of IDA participants?
IDA participants are asked to commit to make monthly savings deposits of at least $25 for at least 12 months, attend a personal finance and money management workshop series, participate in asset-specific ownership preparation training (homeownership and business plan development) and support one another through on-going peer support meetings.

How is the WVIDA program made possible?
The WVIDA program is made possible through a partnership between KISRA, the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program. The 3:1 savings match is funded by a grant from The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation and from the DHHS Administration for Children and Families.

YWCA and WVJC Helping Students "Dress for Success"

2009-09-09T12:29:00.006-04:00

Tomorrow, West Virginia Junior College (WVJC) will begin its partnership with the YWCA Past & Present Gently Used Clothing Store to help students learn to dress for success. The college's new "Dress for Success" program will provide students with an opportunity to collect inexpensive interview-ready and career-appropriate attire and/or accessories. Donated business attire for both women and men will be supplied by YWCA Past & Present and made available to students in a make-shift clothing shop tomorrow in Room 102, and will become a recurring program to take place once every 12 week quarter.

Rose Winland, WVJC Student Services Coordinator and initiator of the "Dress for Success" program states:

"While it may be cliché, it is certainly true that individuals who 'dress for the position they want, not for the position they have,' tend to find this among other strategies they employ to achieve success in the business community. Our goal at West Virginia Junior College is to assist the students in obtaining the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in both professional and personal environments – and the ‘Dress for Success’ program is a way to further that goal."

All proceeds from the sale go to YWCA Past & Present, which generates critically-needed revenue to support the YWCA Alicia McCormick Homes for battered and homeless women and children. Donations of business attire and accessories are greatly appreciated, and can be dropped off at YWCA Past & Present, located at 1598 Lee Street, East, Charleston, WV 25311.

The YWCA of Charleston is proud to partner with WVJC in helping empower students who are working to create better lives for themselves and their families. Comments or suggestions regarding the Dress for Success Program can be addressed to Rose Winland, Student Services Coordinator, West Virginia Junior College, via e-mail: rwinland.wvjc@gmail.com.

YWCA Racial Justice Position a New Opportunity for West Virginia

2009-09-01T15:47:00.006-04:00

The following post was written by Hallie Chillag Dunlap, a member of the YWCA of Charleston's Board of Directors and Chair of the YWCA Eliminating Racism Committee.

In the early weeks of the summer, Paul Sheridan came to me, and to the YWCA of Charleston with an idea of reaching out to the United States Justice Administration in the hopes of acquiring federal stimulus dollars to further the work of the Eliminating Racism Committee of the YWCA Board of Directors and our associated community group, One Kanawha. Members of these groups are consummate community activists, motivated by a strong social justice imperative. Members quickly recognized an opportunity to develop a staff position dedicated to this end through personal and community commitment and federal dollars.

As conversations evolved regarding how we could develop a social justice position to support our existing work, we realized that a grant application that reflected the YWCA's mission as well as community needs could truly empower a potential employee to do thoughtful and critically needed work in our community.

Furthermore, this would be a chance to meet both the requirements of the stimulus money (put someone to work) and to hire an individual to help to fulfill the mission of the YWCA, specifically our "eliminating racism" call to action. YWCA staff members (thank you Felicia Bush and Deb Weinstein) and community partners (thank you Paul Sheridan, Tracy Dorsey Chapman, JoEllen Zacks, Crystal Good, and Margaret Chapman among others) worked tirelessly to complete an intensive grant application in less than two weeks!

The dream of having a dedicated employee to push our equity work forward was an exciting and unprecedented opportunity. This individual would not have another job to distract him or her from our important mission! We realized that having a paid YWCA staff position could really grow what had been before exclusively volunteer work. Last month we were notified that we would have the opportunity to hire such an individual, which was an extremely exciting revelation for our community and committee members!

To this end, we are currently looking for a Racial Justice and Hate/Bias Crimes Statewide Coordinator. This position will coordinate a one-year, statewide, racial justice training project. In addition, the position requires that this individual facilitate statewide trainings in racial justice and hate/bias crime issues. This individual will also have the opportunity to develop a model community dialogue. We are looking for an enthusiastic, energetic individual with social justice priorities to come and dedicate themselves to the call to eliminate racism.

For more information, please see extended position specifications here.

To paraphrase the timeless words of Mahatma Gandhi, come and be the change you want to see in this world!

First Lady says "August is Girls Night Out Month"

2009-08-11T12:29:00.003-04:00

The following article is a Monthly Message by West Virginia's First Lady Gayle C. Manchin, published on HuntingtonNews.net. The First Lady shares the YWCA of Charleston's passion for making each home in our community a safe place free from domestic violence. We thank her for her voluntary post on this issue and on our Girls Night Out event this coming Thursday that benefits victims of domestic violence through the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program.

August is 'Girls' Night Out' Month

August, 8, 2009 (HNN) -- August is a month of reining in our last summer activities, thinking of our new beginnings--whether it be the opening of school, band and athletic practices, or fundraisers as fall quickly approaches. My mind goes to the ‘Girls’ Night Out’ event which has become an annual favorite, not only here in Charleston, but across the state and nationally.

The theme this year is Girls in pearls: the black and white bash on Thursday, August 13, 6-11 p.m. at the Sunrise Mansion. All of these similar events were designed to draw attention and awareness to debilitating effects of domestic violence and the essential need for women to know they can and should be able to turn to other women for resources, support, and maybe above all, unconditional friendship. The YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program offers 24/7 shelter and supportive services for victims of domestic violence.

Unfortunately domestic violence is a horrific problem that continues to plague West Virginia at alarming rates; therefore, the YWCA of Charleston has begun a discussion on ending the cycle of domestic violence in our state. The YWCA of Charleston believes that all people – women, men and children – have the right to live their lives free of violence, oppression, and intimidation. Our very nation was founded on this premise; however, domestic violence directly violates these rights and makes the home a place of terror instead of a place of peace.

In our most recent data, the West Virginia State Police Crime Statistics Report, noted 14,315 reported incidents of domestic violence. Of these, 10,530 of the victims were female and 3,518 were male, illuminating the fact that violence and abuse is not limited to one gender and certainly no one race. Domestic violence is defined as any of several acts between family or household members causing or placing another in jeopardy of physical harm; creating fear by harassment, psychological abuse or threatening acts; committing sexual assault or abuse; and confining or abducting another person against their will.

Yearly, YWCA representatives are joined by other domestic violence advocates from around our state for Domestic Violence Prevention Day at the state capitol in a continuing effort to educate lawmakers and the public about this ongoing appalling dilemma in our state.

Although these are all steps in the right direction, it takes more than government, law enforcement, and service providers like the YWCA to fully combat this issue. Women empowering women is one more way that we can be advocates and a voice for all who are intimidated into silence. It takes the entire community to look after our friends and neighbors and be positive role models to our children and students. It takes all of us in rising up as a community and saying “no more” to the cycle of violence.

I would invite all women who would like to join us in Charleston on August 13 to register online at http://www.ywcacharleston.org/ or contact Carol Carroll, Phone: 304-340-3573 or Email: ccarroll@ywcacharleston.org or check for events in your community----better yet-start one in your community to insure that we eliminate victims and engage advocates!

United We Serve

2009-07-29T13:30:00.007-04:00

This summer, President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama launched the "The United We Serve" program, encouraging all Americans to volunteer and improve their communities this summer through September 11, 2009. YWCAs across the country have joined hundreds of other nonprofits and community organizations in posting their volunteer opportunities to the site http://www.serve.gov/. This site was specifically to be a comprehensive clearinghouse of service opportunities throughout the country. First Lady Michelle Obama even released a special video about this project.

We have posted numerous YWCA of Charleston volunteer opportunities on this site, from reading to children at the YWCA Child Enrichment Center, to cooking healthy meals for residents at the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter, to sorting donations at the YWCA Past & Present Gently Used Clothing Store. Click here for a full list of our volunteer opportunities in Charleston, WV.

Like the President and First Lady, we encourage you to get involved and give back to your community during this last month of the summer. Sign up for one of our opportunities, contact a YWCA in your hometown, or go to http://www.serve.gov/ and look for special projects that fit your interests and talents. Whatever you choose, you will be helping someone in need and improving the quality of human life in your community. United, we serve.

Economic Abuse - Wall Street or Main Street?

2009-07-16T10:04:00.005-04:00

A term commonly associated with Wall Street could apply on Main Street more often than you might expect. According to a new national poll released by The Allstate Foundation, 86 percent of Americans fail to see a connection between domestic violence and "economic abuse." In fact, when given a choice of definitions, the survey revealed that nearly eight out of 10 Americans link economic abuse to Wall Street woes or irresponsible spending.

On the contrary, economic abuse is a tactic commonly used by abusers to control their victims' finances and prevent them from leaving a dangerous relationship. Many victims stay in abusive relationships due to lack of resources to stand on their own two feet. In a recent press release by The Allstate Foundation, Jennifer Kuhn - manager of the Economics Against Abuse program - stated:

"Many people associate domestic violence with physical attacks, but damage to your credit score and being cut off from access to money create lasting scars that make it hard, if not impossible, for abuse victims to recover. For victims of domestic violence, economic abuse is much more personal - and dangerous."

The poll also found that more than 70 percent of Americans know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence. With millions of Americans touched by domestic violence in some way, here are some of the warning signs of financial abuse the Allstate Foundation has identified:

Taking money, credit card or property from a partner without permission
Racking up debt without a partner's knowledge
Purposely ruining a partner's credit score
Preventing a partner from earning money or attending school
Being forced by a partner to hand over paychecks
Canceling insurance or credit cards without the partner's knowledge
Harassing a partner at work to negatively impact a job

Building financial skills is an important key to overcoming economic abuse. Now more than ever, it is important that domestic violence survivors build economic skills to overcome financial instability - the leading barrier to exit and stay out of an abusive situation. Here at the YWCA of Charleston, we empower domestic violence survivors with the tools to become financially self-sufficient by providing shelter, clothing, transportation to work, money management classes, education, and job readiness assistance. Furthermore, we offer individual counseling and support groups free of charge and assist victims with obtaining free court and legal representation so they can receive the support they desperately need.

Thanks to The Allstate Foundation and the "ClickToEmpower" Campaign, the YWCA USA has been selected as one of four national organizations to partner in friendly competition to raise national awareness about economic abuse – specifically, how it can impact the personal safety and financial security of domestic violence victims and their families. The organization receiving the most votes at the end of the two-month campaign period will receive $100,000 to support economic empowerment education for domestic violence victims.

How YOU can "click to empower" domestic violence victims through the YWCA:

From July 15 through September 15, visit www.clicktoempower.org and cast your vote for the YWCA each and every day. Also, tell everyone you know to do the same - especially those who know and love the YWCA. Also, please promote this contest on your web site, blog, Facebook, Twitter, or any way you can! We can win this competition, but only with your help. Let's get out there and Click to Empower!

Urge your Senators to support the Hate Crimes Prevention Act

2009-07-10T10:18:00.006-04:00

The following is information from the YWCA USA's Social Action and Advocacy office. Social action and advocacy have been the cornerstones of our national organization since it's inception almost 150 years ago. In communities across the United States, YWCAs like the YWCA of Charleston continue to work to improve social and economic conditions for all people. We work diligently to bring first-hand knowledge of how federal level policies and programs affect women, girls and their families in communities across the country. Historically, the YWCA USA has fought for issues such as the abolition of child labor, the 8-hour workday and desegregation and, today, we urge you to help carry on our long tradition in social action and advocacy.

Call your Senators now and urge them to support the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S.909). The Senate could consider the measure as early as Wednesday, July 15. The Matthew Shepard Act is a much-needed update to existing federal hate crimes laws. It expands the law to protect victims of crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity, and allows federal law enforcement to assist state and local jurisdictions in the prosecution of hate crimes. A companion measure, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, was passed by the House earlier this year.

Call your senators today at 202-224-3121 (Congressional switchboard) to urge them to strongly support this bill so that all Americans are protected from hate crimes.

About the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act

This bill would strengthen and expand current federal law by:

expanding the legal definition of a hate crime to cover crimes committed because of a victim’s actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability;
lifting the overly restrictive requirement regarding engagement in a federally-protected activity. Currently, the federal government can only prosecute a hate crime if the perpetrator intended to prevent the victim from exercising a federally-protected right, such as the right to vote or attend school;
providing local law enforcement officials important resources, including federal training and direct assistance, to combat violent, bias-motivated crime;
allowing the Department of Justice to help local and state governments investigate and prosecute hate crimes and/or allowing federal investigations and prosecutions when local authorities are unwilling or unable; and
demonstrating the federal government’s resolve to address violence based on prejudice.

About hate crimes

Hate crimes are committed when a perpetrator intentionally selects his or her victim because of the victim’s membership in a particular social group usually defined by characteristics like race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Hate crimes don’t just cause harm to the victim; they are designed to intimidate and terrorize whole communities on the basis of personal and immutable characteristics.
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, hate crimes tend to be much more violent than other crimes.

Who supports the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEHCPA)/Matthew Shepard Act (S.909, H.R.1913)?

This legislation enjoys strong bipartisan support and is similar to legislation introduced in the 110th Congress.
The legislation is supported by 300 civil rights groups, women’s groups, disability groups, and law enforcement agencies including the YWCA USA. The president and the attorney general also support this legislation.

Change begins with me - National HIV Testing Day

2009-06-26T13:32:00.005-04:00

Tomorrow (June 27) is National HIV Testing Day and the YWCA USA urges all of us to get involved and spread the word in our communities.

Here is a snapshot of the U.S. HIV/AIDS epidemic today from a Kaiser Family Foundation fact sheet:

Number of new HIV infections, 2006: 56,300
Number of people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.1 million, including more than 440,000 with AIDS
Number of AIDS deaths since beginning of epidemic: 565,927, including 14,627 in 2006
Percent of people infected with HIV who don’t know it: 21%

The last statistic is staggaring. It translates to one in every five Americans who are infected with HIV doesn't know it. By finding out early if you are HIV-positive, you can begin treatments now that can help you stay healthy. Click here for many additional resources from the YWCA's HIV and AIDS Resource Center.

Here at the YWCA of Charleston, we believe that change begins with every single one of us. For this reason, we encourage you to follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation for routine HIV screening in health-care settings for all adults, aged 13–64 and especially all pregnant women.

Free and confidential or anonymous tests are available. In Charleston and the surrounding counties, free HIV tests are available at the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, Putnam County Health Department, Boone County Health Department, and Clay County Health Department. Visit www.hivtest.org, call 800-232-4636, or send a text message with your Zip code to "KNOWIT" (566948) for more testing sites, hours, directions, and other details.

Take the test. Take control.

Ending the Cycle of Violence in West Virginia

2009-06-19T15:50:00.005-04:00

The YWCA of Charleston, WV is proud to once again take part in the “A Better West Virginia Challenge” in celebration of West Virginia Day. In last year’s post, we discussed stereotypes in West Virginia and how our organization’s mission of eliminating racism was (and still is) and integral component to redefining these stereotypes of the Mountain State. This year, we want to discuss the issue of domestic violence – a horrific problem that continues to plague West Virginia at alarming rates. Our challenge is to identify an obstacle that hinders West Virginia; therefore, today the YWCA of Charleston is stepping up to start a discussion on ending the cycle of domestic violence in our state.

The YWCA of Charleston believes that all people – women, men and children – have the right to live their lives free of violence, oppression, and intimidation. Our very nation was founded on this premise. However, domestic violence directly violates these rights and makes the home a place of terror instead of a place of peace.

According to the West Virginia State Police Crime Statistics Report, there were 14,315 reported incidents of domestic violence in the state in 2006 (most recent data). Of these, 10,530 of the victims were female and 3,518 were male. The report noted 38 domestic violence homicides statewide that year – an average of one every 9.5 days. Our state’s judicial system defines domestic violence as any of several acts between family or household members, including: causing, attempting to cause, or placing another in reasonable apprehension of physical harm; creating fear of physical harm by harassment, psychological abuse or threatening acts; committing sexual assault or sexual abuse; and holding, confining, detaining or abducting another person against their will.

As a whole, the state of West Virginia is taking a step in the right direction to eliminating domestic violence and making our state a safe place beginning in the home. On April 2, YWCA representatives joined other domestic violence advocates for Domestic Violence Prevention Day at the state capitol to educate lawmakers and the public about this ongoing horrific problem in our state. They showed their support for House Bill 2739 which, among other things, calls for Emergency Protective Orders to be served faster. We are also encouraged by the Supreme Court of Appeals’ initiative to have a new statewide Domestic Violence Registry up and running by this fall, which will facilitate communication about domestic violence protection orders so law enforcement can always access up-to-date information about domestic violence cases.

Although these are steps in the right direction, it will take far more than government, law enforcement, and service providers like the YWCA to fully combat this issue. It takes the entire community to look after our friends and neighbors and be positive role models to our children and students. It was only a matter of weeks before our community fell back into complacency after a young woman was violently murdered by her boyfriend in broad daylight at a Charleston Taco Bell. Where is the outrage now, when domestic violence incidents continue to rise?

Working with statewide organizations like the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the YWCA of Charleston hopes to set an example to other domestic violence programs across the state through the YWCA Resolve Program by offering secure shelter and emergency services to all domestic violence victims regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status. Equally important are the classes we and other organizations provide to help male and female perpetrators end this cycle of violence by identifying abusive behaviors, recognizing the effects of violence on others, accepting responsibility for their behavior and developing healthier relationship skills. Our free counseling, victim support groups, court advocacy and monitored child visitation & exchange further move us toward our goal of breaking this horrendous cycle.

While these are important steps in our objective to eliminate domestic violence in our community and our state, far more work lies ahead. Most importantly, funding for domestic violence programs is critical and we thank the legislature and the governor for providing a supplemental appropriation of $1 million to fund these programs. Please join us in rising up as a community and saying “no more” to the cycle of violence.

Vintage Art Auction - with a twist!

2009-06-17T09:14:00.008-04:00

Vintage art lovers and vintage car lovers unite! A 1955 DeSoto is the newest addition to the items donated to our 3rd annual "Vintage 3" Art Auction being held tomorrow (Thursday, June 18) from 5:30-7:30 pm here at the YWCA on Quarrier Street in Charleston, WV.

The silent art auction will feature more than 180 pieces of original artwork including pieces by our event co-chairs Kemp McElwee and Susan Poffenbarger (picture on the left), June Kilgore, Paula Clendenin, Robert Hart, Carol Toth, William E. Reed, Betsy Johnson, Betty Warner, Steve Payne, Diane White and JoAnne Jacobs. Oils, watercolors, pastels, photography, sculpture, pottery - you name it! Click here for a sneak preview of some of our featured artwork. All at very attractive prices, there's something for nearly any budget. Plus, you'll enjoy a lively social evening complete with music, wine and delicious hors d’oeuvres. It’s guaranteed to be a great party – and we hope you find that perfect piece while you’re at it!

After the silent art auction concludes, the live auction of the 1955 DeSoto will begin promptly at 7:30 with only a $500 minimum bid. All proceeds from Vintage 3 will benefit the YWCA’s social service programs and will be matched dollar for dollar through the $2 Million Challenge campaign. A minimum $25 donation is requested and pre-registration is encouraged but not required.

Calling all girls with pearls!

2009-06-09T10:19:00.005-04:00

The High Hopes committee wants your unwanted pearls to create a fabulous ensemble to auction off at this year’s Girls Night Out event: “Girls in Pearls: The Black & White Bash” to be held August 13 at the Sunrise Mansion offices of Farmer Cline & Campbell. Ladies – check your drawers and jewelry boxes for any pearls you no longer wear and donate them to create a beautiful and unique treasure for a great cause. That old set of pearls or single pearl earring in your drawer could help create a brighter future for a victim of domestic violence.

Scott Petit of Petit Jewelry Designs has graciously agreed to create a beautiful and absolutely one-of-a-kind pearl necklace with these donations to be showcased and auctioned off at the event. The finished piece, entitled “Hope,” will be a collective expression of the donors' commitment to provide hope to domestic violence victims. Depending on the quantities and types of pearls donated, Scott may create additional pieces to be auctioned.

Cultured or freshwater pearls of all shapes, colors and sizes – we’ll take them all! Also accepting donations of gold Add-a-Beads for accents. Drop your pearls off at Petit Jewelry Designs at 1012 ½ Bridge Road by Monday, July 13. (showroom hours are 10-5 Mon-Wed, 10-6 Thurs, and 10-4 Fri-Sat) All donations are 100% tax deductible and proceeds from benefit victims of domestic violence through the YWCA Resolve Program. A tax receipt will be given on the spot.

Online registration is now up for "Girls in Pearls!" Get your ticket today! Tickets are $75 through August 9 and $100 after August 9 and at the door.

Representing West Virginia women and families on a national scale

2009-05-20T16:13:00.007-04:00

On May 3, West Virginia Assistant Attorney General Janet James stood before the YWCA USA Annual General Assembly in Washington, DC and repeated an oath to uphold the YWCA’s mission of “eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.”James, who currently serves on our board of directors, was one of eight women sworn in that day to the National Coordinating Board (NCB) of the YWCA USA. This 21-member board represents nearly 300 affiliated local YWCAs serving 2.5 million women and girls each year. Globally, the YWCA USA is a member of World YWCA, which has affiliates in 122 countries that serve 25 million women and girls worldwide. James was elected as one of the two representatives of the Mid-Atlantic Region, which encompasses 49 YWCAs in nine states. Below you will find her reflection on being elected to this important position.

"I first became involved with the YWCA of Charleston because its work is crucially needed in our community and because those who do this work have such passion for the people they serve. I served as the YWCA of Charleston’s board president from 1999-2003, and for the past eight years, I have acted as the organization’s liaison to the YWCA Mid-Atlantic Region, along with our Executive Director Debby Weinstein.

When our Mid-Atlantic Region volunteer member came to her term limit on the YWCA's National Coordinating Board (NCB), I was compelled to run for the NCB because of my passion for and belief in the YWCA USA’s advocacy work at the national and world levels, and its development of hallmark programs dealing with racial justice and women's economic empowerment. I was thrilled to hear that I had won the election in January, and humbled to stand before the more than 300 women from across the country to be sworn in to the NCB on May 3, 2009. It is extremely important that the YWCA USA be visible and active on the national and world stages.

On the NCB I will be a part of the decision-making process for the endowment fund, property acquisition and sale, development of peer review standards and other business with local associations, such as gender-neutral petitions and disaffiliation, and maintaining linkages to the World YWCA, including determining delegates to the 2011 World Council Meeting in Switzerland. I am very grateful to the YWCA Charleston for providing me with the opportunity to have a leadership role in the work of the Mid-Atlantic Region and the YWCA USA. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which I will never forget.

The YWCA USA just celebrated its 150th anniversary in Washington DC. It is my hope that 150 years from now, the YWCA will no longer be needed for its current mission because there will no longer be homeless women and children, no one will be the victim of domestic violence, racism will have been eliminated, all employers will have on-site daycare, and women will have leadership roles in every aspect of life. But to get there, much work remains."

New words, same mission

2009-05-11T09:50:00.008-04:00

Last week, the YWCA USA General Assembly voted by an overwhelming 91% margin to amend the organization's national bylaws and revise its mission statement to read:

"The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all."

This new mission statement has been pared down from the former, lengthier version:

"The YWCA is a women's membership movement nurtured by roots in the Christian faith and sustained by the richness of many beliefs and values. Strengthened by diversity, the Association draws together members who strive to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership, and power in order to attain a common vision: peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people. The Association will thrust its collective power toward the elimination of racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary."

The YWCA of Charleston plans to amend our bylaws to reflect this mission statement change during our Thursday Board of Directors meeting. What do YOU think about this change?

YWCA USA Celebrates 150 years of Eliminating Racism and Empowering Women

2009-05-04T15:26:00.008-04:00

The YWCA USA celebrated its distinguished 150-year legacy as the nation's oldest and largest women's organization at a gala awards dinner in Washington, D.C. over the weekend.

First Lady Michelle Obama noted that "the YWCA has been on the frontiers of this nation's history, standing up for gender and racial equality." In a videotaped message to the YWCA, she remarked, "You fought for job opportunities for women and bringing down barriers that were used to limit the ability of all women to achieve their full potential, and your rich legacy has touched generations of women - mothers, grandmothers and daughters. I want to personally thank you for supporting the President's call to service. In these challenging times, we all have something to contribute."

For the past 150 years, the YWCA has been at the forefront of every social justice movement in America - from the abolition of slavery to voting rights, from civil rights to pay equity, and from violence prevention to global health. Today, its nearly 300 local associations represent the largest provider of services to battered women in the country, and offer critical community services such as sexual assault support services, child care and after school programs, transitional housing for homeless women, job training, leadership development, and economic empowerment programs.

"We are very proud of our 150-year history of accomplishments in civil rights, women's rights and human rights," said Lorraine Cole, Ph.D., YWCA USA CEO. "We look forward to another 150 years of serving American women and girls, and advocating for peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all."

Four distinguished American women leaders were honored at the dinner, which was held at the J.W. Marriott Hotel:

Lilly Ledbetter is the Supreme Court plaintiff whose name is attached to the first bill signed into law by President Obama. It stipulates that the 180-day statute of limitations for filing an equal-pay lawsuit can be reset with each new discriminatory paycheck.
Patti Austin is a Grammy(R) Award-winning jazz singer, composer, and staunch activist against domestic violence who started the Blue Movement, a growing national campaign that brings together individuals to help stop violence against women, children and men.
Eve Ensler is an internationally acclaimed playwright, author of "The Vagina Monologues" and co-founder of V-Day, a global movement to end violence against women and girls.
Dorothy I. Height is an icon of the civil rights movement who also worked for the YWCA, leading its racial justice efforts for 33 years, and then later headed the National Council of Negro Women for many decades.

The YWCA USA is a national non-profit organization dedicated to social service, advocacy, education, leadership development, and racial justice. Established in the United States in 1858, the YWCA is the oldest and largest national women's organization, and celebrating its 150th anniversary. The YWCA USA is also a member of World YWCA, which has affiliates in 122 countries that serve 25 million women and girls worldwide. Visit www.ywca.org.

The YWCA of Charleston, WV - established in 1912 - is proud to be a part of this prestigious organization and is honored to further its mission in the Greater Kanawha Valley.

West Virginia is Moving in the Right Direction

2009-04-06T15:55:00.006-04:00

Thursday was Domestic Violence Prevention Day at the state capitol, and West Virginia is definitely moving in the right direction. YWCA representatives joined other advocates for victims of domestic violence to educate lawmakers and the public about the issue. They also showed their support for House Bill 2739 which, among other things, calls for Emergency Protective Orders to be served faster. See the WOWK-TV news story about this day at the legislature.

West Virginia has made another giant step toward ensuring officer safety and better enforcing domestic violence orders, when the Supreme Court of Appeals launched an initiative last week to facilitate communication about domestic violence protection orders to law enforcement. This new statewide Domestic Violence Registry is a tool to communicate the court’s actions on domestic violence cases to law enforcement. The registry will create a bridge between the courts and the police, so police are always able to access up-to-date information about domestic violence cases.

According to Mary Anderson, Court Coordinator at the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program:

"The domestic violence registry will ensure officer safety and
better enforcement of domestic violence orders. This will enhance victim safety.
When law enforcement officers answer domestic calls, being able to physically
see a copy of the protective order and know the history of why the order was
issued will better equip them to assess the scene. When law
enforcement have the ability to use this nationally, it will greatly aid
the enforcement of domestic violence petitions on a national level. Nine
counties within the state of West Virginia are up and running, with a target
date of the fall of 2009 for the rest of the state."

See an additional interview with Mary here.

Make a small commitment. Make a big difference.

2009-03-23T12:55:00.005-04:00

During these lean economic times when charitable giving is dwindling, the YWCA has taken a proactive approach utilizing new technologies to implement non-traditional fundraising methods in our latest initiative: the 24 for 24 Pledge. We are asking individuals to “make a small commitment; make a big difference” by pledging 24 dollars a month for 24 months to the YWCA $2 Million Challenge – a campaign that will ultimately result in a $4 million fund to endow the YWCA’s social service programs.

You can sign up for the pledge by means of text messaging or the web. Watch our PSA video below (courtesy of Dan Shreve of The Media Center) featuring real-life YWCA supporters expressing "y" they give to the YWCA 24 for 24 Pledge. Help us spread the word on Facebook and Twitter as well!

These non-traditional fundraising methods are becoming more and more valuable for all nonprofits because of the ailing economy. With cutbacks in charitable giving from individuals, businesses and foundations across the board, it is all the more critical that we involve our community at a grassroots level. We want this campaign to engage a younger demographic, not only as a fundraiser, but also as means to raise awareness about the services we provide, which are even more critical in today’s economy.

Sign up for the 24 for 24 Pledge today. To many of us, $24 a month may mean buying a few less lattes or packing a lunch rather than eating out; however, to the people we serve, it can change lives.

Where to find the us on the web:

Website: ywcacharleston.org
Facebook: YWCA of Charleston (fan page)
Twitter: ywcacharleston
YouTube channel: ywcacharleston

Students learn about healthy dating relationships

2009-03-17T10:24:00.013-04:00

A few weeks ago, Jackson Simpkins and Rebecca Ward stood before a classroom full of 9th -12th grade students at Sissonville High School. They asked the students to put all reservations aside and have an open and honest discussion about dating relationships. After introducing the subject by asking their audience how they liked to be treated on dates (to which one girl's response was "Like a princess!"), Jackson and Rebecca presented them with more challenging questions. How do you not want to be treated on a date? What types of behaviors are unacceptable from a dating partner? What makes a relationship healthy versus unhealthy? What is the definition of "abuse?" What are different types of abuse? Why don't people just leave if their partner is abusive? What should you do if you or someone you know is in an unsafe relationship?

Jackson and Rebecca are the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program's Teen Dating Violence Prevention Specialists. They present these workshops in middle and high schools across the region numerous times each month as a way to reach out to tweens and teens about healthy dating relationships. Though interactive discussions, role play, stories and "what if" questions, they engage students to discuss the tough issue of teen dating violence. They even discuss how to keep yourself safe in an era of new technologies and confront gender stereotypes.

These workshops are so important in light of the recent high-profile domestic violence incident, in which R&B singer Chris Brown was charged with two felonies alleging he punched, bit, and choked his singer/star girlfriend Rihanna until she almost became unconscious. These young stars serve as role models to our young generations, so these conversations are critical.

Through funding from Verizon, the YWCA of Charleston has built a teen dating curriculum that is serving as a model for domestic violence programs statewide. The booklet our specialists distribute to each and every student they meet addresses national and statewide domestic violence statistics, myths vs. facts about dating violence, and warning signs of unhealthy relationships. Download the booklet today and share it with the tweens and teens in your life.

If you would like for Jackson and Rebecca to facilitate a workshop at your school, church, or community organization, please call (304) 342-6552.

Breakfast with Champions

2009-03-04T15:31:00.005-05:00

Each year, the YWCA Women of Achievement honorees are interviewed, photographed and lauded for their many accomplishments. It’s a whirlwind tour that culminates in one of the honorees’ most important functions: to attend the annual YWCA Women of Achievement Breakfast with Champions. This yearly event brings together 20 fifth-grade girls—many of whom may be categorized as at-risk and all of whom have been identified as potential leaders. These students from Chandler, Glenwood, Piedmont, Ruffner and Watts elementary schools come to the YWCA and enjoy a delicious breakfast with the honorees and YWCA representatives.

At last week's Breakfast with Champions, Anita Casey, Kim Knopf and Lois Smith spoke to these girls about the challenges and difficulties that could have—but did not—prevent them from achieving their goals. The girls were then given the opportunity to tell us what they hope to achieve in the future. Some wanted to be lawyers. Others wanted to be doctors or teachers. We even had a few aspiring actresses and singers in our midst. Thanks to Steve Payne, each girl left with a framed professional photograph of herself with the honorees.

We thank our Women of Achievement for being such outstanding role models and we thank our Breakfast with Champions participants for reminding us of why it’s so important for girls—and women—to never stop striving for success.

Above: YWCA Executive Director Debby Weinstein talks to girls about their dreams and aspirations.

The votes are in!

2009-02-26T11:59:00.010-05:00

Thank you to each and every one of our 119 different artists who submitted their artistic interpretations of "A World Without Racism" to the YWCA's first ever Eliminating Racism Art Contest. The contest and exhibit were a huge success! We appreciate the overwhelming community support of this unique event to further our mission of eliminating racism.

Each piece of artwork was judged based on its creativity and representation of the theme. Our judges reviewed so many innovative and compelling entries, they could hardly come to a decision! The winners in each age category were:

K-2 First Place: Olivia Burch - "We Are All Friends"
K-2 Second Place: Samantha Lawrence - "I Love All Colors"

K-2 Third Place: Hannah Gibson "Everyone Welcome"
3-5 First Place: Quinci Day Shavers - "And We Did"
3-5 Second Place: Morgan Stalnaker - "A World Without Racism"
3-5 Third Place: Oliver Bear - "Untitled"
6-8 First Place: Mallory Burka - "A Chorus of Different Colors"

6-8 Second Place: Rebecca Kozak - "A World Without Racism"

6-8 Third Place: Peyton Panger - "Love Your Neighbor"

9-12 First Place: Molly Bloom - "Hands to Bob"
9-12 Second Place: Sarah Hopkins - "Change"
9-12 Third Place: Michalene Crockett - "Equality"
Adult First Place: Dwayne Bevins - "A Simple Slushie Transcends Color"

Adult Second Place: Rebecca Burch - "Skinscape"
Adult Third Place: Alex Morgado - "Diversity Brightens the World"

And the overall Best in Show was Quinci Day Shavers for her inspirational and colorful portrait of President Barack Obama "And We Did" (pictured above). Look for her artwork gracing the cover of the spring YWCA newsletter!

Special thanks to the Clay Center for hosting our open house and part of this week-long exhibit. Also, thanks to our judges (Susan Poffenbarger, Hallie Dunlap, and Kayte Brannon) for their participation and their thoughtful decisions.

Women of Achievement Honoree #4: Callen McJunkin

2009-02-16T14:06:00.004-05:00

Meet Callen McJunkin, the fourth 2009 YWCA Women of Achievement honoree and the last in our 4-week series of blog posts leading up to Thursday's event. It's not too late to get your tickets! $75 each (65% tax deductible) and you can buy them simply and securely online.

CALLEN MCJUNKIN brings an artistic flair to the state of West Virginia. After graduating with honors from Hollins College with a degree in art history, her love for art manifested itself in the business of representing artists and making fine art and craft available to area businesses and individuals. From exciting new regional artists to nationally recognized professionals, Callen has curated numerous exhibitions of fine regional and national artists and artisans – including curating the catalogue and acquiring the works for the permanent collection of West Virginia artists now on display at Marshall University College of Graduate Studies. She established the Callen McJunkin Gallery in 1991 and helped establish the Downtown Charleston ArtWalk to enliven downtown Charleston and make art more accessible.

Callen has lent her artistic expertise to the community by serving on the Sunrise Museum Board, Tamarack Advisory Board, the WV Commission on the Arts, FestivALL Steering Committee, Clay Center Advisory Board, Fund for the Arts Board and Kanawha Garden Club, and is a founding member and past president of the Clay Center Collector’s Club. She is also the former co-chair of the WV Committee to the National Museum of Women in the Arts, where her responsibilities included overseeing the exhibition of West Virginia Women Artists in Washington, and developing an educational program in WV for all ages to learn about women artists from 1300 to the present. In 2007, Callen received the Clay Center’s Kathe C. Payton “Spirit of Volunteerism” Award for her continuous commitment to making our community a more beautiful place.

Women of Achievement honoree #3: Empowerment Award winner Lois Smith

2009-02-03T13:27:00.006-05:00

Meet Lois Smith, our 2009 BrickStreet Empowerment Award Winner. She is the third of this year’s YWCA Women of Achievement honorees and the third in our 4-week series of blog posts leading up to this inspirational event on February 19.

The Empowerment Award, this year sponsored by BrickStreet Insurance, recognizes and rewards a YWCA program participant who, through great perseverance and with the help of the YWCA, has overcome great obstacles and transformed her life.

In fact, LOIS SMITH has rebuilt her life in more ways than one. This year’s honoree withstood years of abuse from her former spouse. While attending the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program’s domestic violence support group, Lois found a place to live that promised a peaceful, safe and supportive environment – the YWCA Alicia McCormick Homes for Battered and Homeless Women and Children. Here, Lois developed a zest for life again. During her months in this transitional housing program, YWCA staff helped Lois find the strength to rebuild her self-esteem, learn how to manage her money, significantly reduce her debt, and secure a full-time job with the state tax department. After enduring a painful divorce, she was re-united with her son – now a sophomore in college.

In addition to securing permanent housing and receiving a promotion at work, Lois recently joined the YWCA Shanklin Center staff as a Residential Aid, where she considers her time with the residents the “highpoint” of her life. Dependable worker, compassionate caregiver, dedicated mother and now financially independent, Lois truly embodies the YWCA’s mission of empowering women.

Hear Lois's inspirational story first hand in her exclusive video interview on the Charleston Gazette's wesite.

Women of Achievment honoree #2: Kim Knopf

2009-01-27T16:18:00.005-05:00

Meet Kim Knopf, the second of this year’s 2009 YWCA Women of Achievement honorees and the second in our 4-week series of blog posts leading up to this inspirational event on February 19.

KIM KNOPF personifies the recipe for business success that says “take an idea and run with it.” Her drive and initiative shone through even in her high school years, where she was elected President of Student Council her senior year. After high school, she pursued a BA in International Studies at the University of Kentucky and involved herself in many social organizations including the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.

Kim’s innate entrepreneurship bloomed right out of college, when at the age of 23, she began to consider starting her own business. She answered an ad looking for people to sell mattresses and started investigating the bedding market. Spotting an untapped market in West Virginia, she moved to Charleston in August 1983 and opened her very first store in October of that year.

Knopf knew most businesses fail because they are undercapitalized, and she wanted to be sure she had sufficient capital. Her first investors were the parents of her then-boyfriend, whom she later married. She began with one small store, and had no full-time employees for the first full year. It was the first specialty sleep shop in the state – offering brand names, on-hand inventory, good service and the guaranteed lowest prices. Soon a buzz began to build about this unique store, and the rest was history.

For more than two decades, Kim has combined her innovative ideas and strong marketing presence with her dedication to customer service and community involvement. Today her company, Innovative Mattress Solutions, is a regional powerhouse – operating more than 75 stores in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio. Kim has always believed in serving her community – holding leadership roles for several organizations including the Putnam County Rotary, the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, the Putnam Chamber of Commerce, and served in the Young President’s Organization for over twelve years.

Growing her business from the ground up has presented challenges, but Kim views challenges as opportunities to grow and learn. Her success has landed her profiles in several business publications, including Nation’s Business. Recently, she was chosen as a recipient of the 2008 Who’s Who in West Virginia Business and is a finalist in the 2008 Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Entrepreneur of the Year.

Women of Achievement honoree #1: Anita Casey

2009-01-21T12:46:00.005-05:00

Meet Anita Casey, one of this year’s 2009 YWCA Women of Achievement honorees and the first in our 4-week series of blog posts leading up to this inspirational event on February 19. This year marks the 13th annual YWCA Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon, honoring the outstanding women in our community whose personal and professional achievements inspire and empower other women to strive for their highest goals.

Anita Casey boldly went where no woman had gone. Last year, she became the first female Executive Director of the West Virginia State Bar, following her successful 25-year law career. In her early years, this Charleston native received undergraduate degrees in english and education and a master’s degree in library science at the University of Kentucky. After working as a librarian early in her career, her growing interest in law landed her at WVU where she earned her law degree in 1982.

As a partner at what became MacCorkle, Lavender & Casey PLLC, Anita focused primarily on civil defense litigation and worked extensively as a mediator. She has conducted hundreds of mediations and arbitrations, both in her private practice and while serving as a panel member for United States Arbitration and Mediation, Resolute Systems Inc., JAMS/Endispute, and Justus/MANA. Her dynamic personality and unprecedented expertise landed her countless speaking engagements at the National Business Institute, WVU College of Law’s Continuing Legal Education Program, the WV State Bar, WV Trial Lawyers, the Defense Trial Counsel of WV, and Kanawha County Schools, among others. She was selected as a “Super Lawyer” in the West Virginia Super Lawyers magazine and was recognized four consecutive years (2005-2008) as one of the Best Lawyers in America.

Apart from her work in and out of the courtroom, Anita regularly volunteers with her church and her son’s Boy Scout troop. She also served as an officer for various athletic organizations and on the Keep-A-Child in School board of directors. Anita’s view of volunteerism as a natural extension of a lawyer’s responsibilities has prompted her to encourage more public service from the State Bar’s 6,300 members.

A Dream Realized

2009-01-14T12:35:00.008-05:00

It took 25 years after Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous speech “I Have a Dream” for his dream to become America’s reality. One day after we celebrate the brave and inspiring work of Dr. King, Americans will share in watching his dream come alive at our nation’s capital when president-elect Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th president of the United States.

Before we witness this historic day, we can celebrate Dr. King’s good works by attending one of many local events:
Saturday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Capitol Rotunda “The Dream is Alive”
The Commisison, West Virginia State University, and West Virginia Division of Culture and History present an evening of entertainment in music and oratory to commemorate Dr. King’s dream and his legacy. Reception to follow.
· Monday, Jan. 19 at 8:30 a.m. there will be an ecumenical service at Asbury United Methodist Church, 501 Elizabeth Street
· Monday, Jan. 19 at 10 a.m. Governor’s Inaugural Parade - Ecumenical service attendees will join the Governor’s Inaugural parade at the corner of Elizabeth Street and Kanawha Boulevard.
· 1 p.m. Governor’s Inauguration Ceremony - There will be a bell ringing ceremony in remembrance of MLK Jr. will take place at the State Capitol. Reception to follow in the Cultural Center’s Great Hall.

It’s an encouraging day for us at the YWCA as we continue to work toward a world without racism. This Inauguration Ceremony is a tangible victory for civil rights leaders of the 60s and those of us today who continue striving to eliminate racism. The YWCA has a rich, proud history in our work of eliminating racism. On the national level, the YWCA’s efforts to eliminate racism date back to 1934 when the organization lobbied for members to speak out against lynching and mob violence, for interracial cooperation and for the basic civil rights of African Americans.

In our own community, the YWCA has joined other local organizations to host open forums to discuss issues of race, tolerance, peace and acceptance. This month, the YWCA is hosting an eliminating racism art contest. Some of the entries will be on display at the Clay Center for Arts and Sciences during Black History Month (Feb. 11-15).

As we near this historic day, many are reflecting on this day’s significance and how it affects them personally. The Charleston Gazette recently posed the question, “What does it mean to you to see the first black president of the United States?” to 25 members of our community. Their views are interesting. We encourage you to listen to their response and then answer the question yourself.

“What does it mean to YOU to see the first black president of the United States?”

Congress to Vote on Fair Pay

2009-01-09T10:16:00.008-05:00

As one of the first actions of the new 111th Congress, the House is expected to vote on two important pieces of pay equity legislation in the very near future: the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act. The national YWCA asks all supporters and advocates to please contact your Representative and tell them to vote yes on these important bills.

Though the Equal Pay Act was signed into law in 1964, pay discrimination is still prevalent, and the Supreme Court has recently taken a backwards approach to handling these claims. Pay equity legislation is necessary to allow individuals to better fight pay discrimination strengthen penalties for violation, compel employers to explain wage gaps, and develop training for women and girls about salary negotiation.

With a record 70 million women in the workforce, wage discrimination hurts the majority of American families. In addition, wage discrimination lowers total lifetime earnings, reducing women’s benefits from Social Security and pension plans and inhibiting their ability to save not only for retirement but for other lifetime goals such as buying a home and paying for a college education.

Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Labor unemployment statistics show that women tend to be hurt first and worst during economic downturns. Promoting the economic security of all Americans is critical, especially in these tough times, and equal pay for equal work is a necessary step towards achieving this goal. Passage of both the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act would go a long way towards ensuring pay equity for American women and families.

Action: Call the Capitol Switchboard at 1-202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative. Click here to find the name of your Representative.

Message: “My name is ____________ and I am a constituent. I strongly urge the Representative to vote yes on the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act when they come to the floor this week. I also urge you to vote against any attempts to weaken these bills, including any motion to recommit. Thank you.”

Using Art to Fight Racism

2009-01-08T12:00:00.007-05:00

The following post was written by guest blogger Jeff James - Chairman of the volunteer action group Create WV and CEO of Mythology Marketing in Charleston. When Jeff heard about the upcoming YWCA Eliminating Racism Art Contest, he immediately posted the the entire event press release along with the following post on the Create WV blog, which is read by individuals across West Virginia and beyond.

The YWCA of Charleston is so grateful to Jeff and the Create WV team for their dedication to building and fostering creative communities across the state for success in the new economy. Their initiatives of entrepreneurship, arts and culture, education and talent, tolerance and diversity, technology, and quality of place, tie directly into the ideals of the YWCA of Charleston. With partnerships like this, we truly can make West Virginia a better place.

Using Art to Fight Racism - Many of us on the Create WV team believe that art can play a much more significant role in our state. At its best, art can not just affect the emotions and thoughts of individuals, but of entire communities or even societies. Art can tell the truth and rest untruth in ways that everyday conversation can't.

That's why we're excited about the way the YWCA of Charleston has decided to tap the power of art to achieve one of their organizational objectives, to eliminate racism. The team at the YWCA has shown their creativity and resourcefulness in many ways over the years, so this innovative event doesn't surprise us. But we do think its a good example of how we can all embrace the arts to spark change.

Please support this event, or better yet, steal it for your organization in your community! Great work YWCA.

Want to submit your artwork to the YWCA Eliminating Racism Art Contest? Read the event details here and download the submission form here.

Age categories: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, College, Adult
Art specifications: Any 2-dimensional piece of artwork no larger than 11" x 17" is eligible for the exhibit – including (but not limited to) paintings, sketches, posters and photography
Artwork must be dropped off at the YWCA with a completed and signed submission form by Friday, January 30 at 5 pm.
Prizes: A panel of three judges will choose a winner from each age category based on the piece’s creativity and representation of the theme. The overall "Best in Show" winning piece will be featured on the cover of the spring YWCA newsletter.

A little help from your friends

2009-01-07T14:51:00.003-05:00

From time to time, we all need a little help from our friends. Here at the YWCA, we're very grateful for the support we receive all year from our friends at V100 radio station. Each January, Ric Cochran and our friends at V100 promote the annual Capitol Market & V100 Clothing Drive to benefit the YWCA Sojourner's Homeless Shelter.

Beginning Jan. 5 and running through Jan. 17th, Capitol Market will accept donations of like-new clothing, toys, food and home goods for the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter. On the 17th, a UPS Freight will deliver the goods -- generously donated by the community -- to Sojourners.

For the second year, Ric Cochran and friends will also support Sojourners with a benefit concert. The "Bread for The Journey" concert will feature the wonderful sounds of The Carpenter Ants at Baptist Temple Fellowship Hall on Friday, Jan. 9 from 7-9 p.m. Enjoy live music while you dine on brown beans and corn bread, all while knowing you're supporting homeless women and children in our community. Tickets are just $20 and can be purchased by calling Polly Robson at 757-6761 or the church office at 346-9627.

cutline: Ric Cochran and friends perform at the Lighthouse Cafe at Baptist Temple.

2008 West Virginian of the Year

2008-12-30T11:22:00.007-05:00

Congratulations to our dear friend and long-time YWCA supporter Betty Schoenbaum for being named the Sunday Gazette-Mail's 2008 West Virginian of the Year! Betty shares the YWCA's vision for making our community a better place - especially for our children. Her charitable philosophy is never void of purpose, and she truly involves herself in each project she supports.

Over the past decade, Betty and her foundation have contributed more than $200,000 to the YWCA of Charleston because she wholeheartedly believes in our programs and sees our organization as an invaluable asset to our community. With her help, we continue to change the lives of women and children each day in the Greater Kanawha Valley.

At age 91, Betty still lives her life with energy, generosity, and purpose. Congratulations, Betty, for your deserving accolade! Read more about her inspirational story in the Gazette-Mail.

Photo: Betty Schoenbaum and Charleston Mayor Danny Jones cut the ribbon to the new YWCA Schoenbaum Pool at the YWCA Pool Dedication in September, 2008.

$100,000 hole in one

2008-12-19T12:08:00.002-05:00

Golfers try your luck tomorrow at the West Virginia Golf Association's hole-in-one tournament for your chance to win big - and help YWCA Sojourner's win big too! Should a lucky golfer score a hole-in-one, he or she will pocket $50,000 and the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter for Homeless Women and Families will receive the other $50,000.

The event begins at 5 p.m. on hole No. 17 (approx. 145 yards) on Coonskin Park's par-3 course in Charleston. And not to worry - the course has lights that will illuminate the tee box and green. To enter, golfers must pay $1 and produce one canned food item, which will be donated to YWCA Sojourner's.

The field of contestants will be narrowed down to 10 golfers each hour through a closest-to-the-pin contest. The contest will last three hours, meaning a total of 30 players will shoot for the grand prize of $100,000. The top 10 contestants will also win a VIP golf card - an access pass that allows golfers to play more than 200 of the top golf courses in West Virginia and Virginia.

Come out and try your luck tomorrow (Saturday, December 20) at Coonskin - rain, snow or shine! You'll be helping homeless families in need and may even walk out $50,000 richer! Special thanks to the West Virginia Golf Association for thinking of YWCA Sojourner's and for caring so much about giving back to our community.

OWN IT

2008-12-18T15:58:00.008-05:00

How would you celebrate your 150th birthday? This year, the YWCA USA is celebrating 150 years of empowering women and advocating for critical social issues across our great nation. As a part of its Sequicentennial celebration, the YWCA USA has launched the OWN IT campaign, which focuses on igniting a new generation of 22 million young women aged 18 to 34 to get involved with important issues facing women and the country today. This call to action focuses on many topics, including self-esteem and body image issues, HIV/AIDS, health care, quality childcare, gender equality and racial justice.

The YWCA of Charleston invites you join us, as well as millions of OWN IT women across America who are determined to take charge of their lives and communities, and make the world a safer and more just place for all people. Working together, we will transform communities across the country by exercising our collective power and energy to empower women and eliminate racism. Motivated by courageous women of the past who wouldn’t take NO for an answer, the YWCA invites us all to join in changing our world.

The YWCA of Charleston has joined this exciting movement of change, education and celebration. You can too! We choose to OWN the goals of economic empowerment, eliminating violence against women, and early childhood education, to name a few. What goal will you OWN?

The YWCA's new OWN IT website will keep you informed of OWN IT activities nationwide. They ask for our feedback and want to hear what we are doing in our own community. Find how you can OWN your power - and more! Plus watch the recently-released OWN IT video and see what issues other women across the country are owning.

Give hope during the holidays

2008-12-11T15:42:00.014-05:00

She isn’t asking for toys this Christmas. All she wants is a place for her and her mother to call home.

In times of great hardship
Across the nation, people are losing their homes. Their retirements. Utilities and food prices have skyrocketed. Pillars of Wall Street have closed, been absorbed by other financial institutions or have been bailed out by the federal government. Our country’s economic outlook is bleak, indeed.

And times of great need
In times like this, it’s more important than ever that the YWCA of Charleston continue to provide critical social service programs in the Greater Kanawha Valley. Domestic violence increases in times when families face financial crises. More and more families are losing their homes. Single parents are looking for affordable quality childcare, while the cost of living continues to increase.

Are times of greatest hope.
In a time that lacks hope, the YWCA of Charleston is offering just that – hope for a better future – to those who have seen the worst of humanity.

Hope for independence.

Hope for justice.

Hope for safety and peace.

Hope for a better future for their children.

Hope for a better education.

Help us continue to be the beacon of light for so many in our community by renewing your commitment to the YWCA of Charleston. You can give the gift of hope this holiday season and help thousands in need in our community.

Celebrating Solutions

2008-12-03T15:13:00.006-05:00

When working to eliminate domestic violence in our community, partnership and collaboration is key. From law enforcement and judicial branches, to schools, churches, and domestic violence advocates, a coordinated effort is vital to prevent domestic violence and to keep victims safe.

Today, such a partnership was recognized for its outstanding work: the West Virginia's Legal Assistance to Victims (LAV) Partnership. This is an innovative statewide collaboration between the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (of which the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program is a licensed program) and Legal Aid of West Virginia.

This afternoon at the Governor's Mansion, First Lady Gayle Manchin welcomed members of the Mary Byron Foundation in presenting the LAV partnership with the "Celebrating Solutions" Award. This national award showcases and applauds local innovations that demonstrate great hope in breaking the cycle of violence. Each year, the Mary Byron Foundation selects programs that serve as models for the nation and offers $10,000 cash awards in recognition of their pioneering efforts. The LAV partnership was one of only four recipients nationwide - great honor and testament to the work being done to eliminate domestic violence in our state.

The most moving part of the presentation was the personal testimony of Star Hogan - a domestic violence survivor who received help through the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program and Legal Aid of West Virginia. With the help of a YWCA court advocate, Star received legal counsel, representation, and individual and group counseling. Her Legal Aid attorney helped her understand her rights as a victim and helped her through child support and custody issues. Star and her two children all received free individual, group and family counseling through YWCA Resolve. Today, her life is free of violence.

Thanks to Mary Byron Foundation and First Lady Gayle Manchin, today we celebrated the innovative solutions that continue to provide all citizens with the right to be free from violence. I will end this post with Star Hogan's poignant closing statement - a quote from British author Albert Pine: “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”

(pictured above: First Lady Gayle Manchin and Star Hogan)

When one door closes, another door opens

2008-12-02T11:39:00.005-05:00

Two weeks ago, we announced the YWCA Board of Directors' decision to expand YWCA Past & Present Gently Used Clothing Store and close the store’s in-house coffee shop, YWCA Perkin’ Up – both located at 1598 Lee Street East on Charleston’s East End. The decision was made after the Board and Finance Committee reviewed a comprehensive business analysis of both stores, conducted over the past 12 months by a University of Charleston Executive MBA class. Read the full announcement here.

YWCA Perkin’ Up Coffee Shop’s last official day of operation will be Saturday, December 12, after which we will immediately begin efforts to remodel the space to accommodate Past & Present’s growing inventory of gently used clothing, shoes and accessories. As a gesture of gratuity to our customers, we will continue to keep a fresh pot of coffee on hand for anyone in need of a cup of joe.

Since the announcement, we have received a few emails and letters from loyal Perkin' Up customers who are saddened by the news - and we understand their disappointment. We also see this as a fantastic opportunity to thank our customers for their loyalty and support, as well as remind everyone of the YWCA's mission and the purpose of our stores: to generate much-needed revenue for the YWCA Alicia McCormick Homes, which provide transitional housing apartments for battered and homeless women and their children as they transition to self-sufficiency and permanent housing.

We are excited about the valuable new floor space available to expand YWCA Past & Present and better meet the needs of women and families in our community. Thanks for your support during this transition!

What Women Really Want

2008-11-25T11:21:00.003-05:00

The YWCA USA asked the age old question, "What do women really want?" You might be surprised by the answers.

Generation Yers (ages 18-29) want to see President-elect Barack Obama to make civil rights and racial justice top priorities for his administration, according to the survey conducted by the YWCA USA.

The survey, which included interviews with 1,000 women ages 18-70, also found a generational divide among women. Older women have seen more progress in terms of civil rights and therefore are more optimistic about the future. Younger women have high expectations for the future leadership of our country.

Women of all ages agree that economic hardship is one of the biggest obstacles facing them today. They also agree that healthcare reform, quality and cost of education, the housing crisis and HIV/AIDS are top priorities for our nation.

It's refreshing for women of all ages, ethnicity and from all walks of life to express their views about the future of our country. It's one more way that the YWCA is empowering women across our nation -- by giving them a voice. To see the survey in its entirety, visit the YWCA USA.

So how does this survey stack up with what you want? Tell us your wishes.

One night without a home

2008-11-21T14:34:00.004-05:00

This morning as we bundled up and headed out the door, most of us inevitably did our share of grumbling about the wind and the cold. After all, with temperatures dropping into the teens last night, who would want to be out in the elements any longer than absolutely necessary?

The answer: more people than one might think.

Why? Because tonight, members of our community are coming together and spending the night outside on Magic Island in an attempt to simulate the realities of homelessness. From 6pm to 6am, individuals are gathering to spend "One Night Without a Home." The goal of this annual event is to spend a night outside to discuss, think, and learn about homelessness, and to promote advocacy and education about this critically important issue.

Presented by the WV Mental Health Consumer Association & Kanawha Valley Collectives, the evening will include a food drive, guest speakers, live music, facilitated discussion groups, and a candlelight vigil. As a co-sponsor of this event, the YWCA of Charleston encourages all to attend - even for just part of the evening - to get a small glimpse into the lives of those who are unable to meet even their most basic needs of shelter, food and clothing.

Last year alone, 338 homeless children came through our doors at the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter, and nearly 800 homeless adults benefited from our services. Our annual return-to-shelter rate of approx. 5% demonstrates that we are making slow but steady progress toward our goal of eliminating homelessness.

Are you willing to spend one night without a home?

The state of racism

2008-11-19T11:30:00.005-05:00

November 4, 2008, was a very exciting, heartwarming and awesome day. A dream had come true: Senator Barack Obama had been elected as the 44th and 1st African American President. There are not words to express the overwhelming flood of emotions and tears that came over me as I witnessed this event. History in the making! A day that I did not think that I would see this soon in my lifetime. It was even a greater blessing to see my 80-year-old mother go to the polls, and witness this event in her lifetime as well.

One would think that in light of this great event that we have arrived and that racism has been stamped out or eliminated. It only took one day after the election to realize that this was not the case and that racism is still very much alive in our community and in our country. Just from talking with neighbors, coworkers or reading comments on popular websites such as FaceBook and My Space, or watching the evening news, it was apparent that many people were not happy about the results of the election. When engaged in conversation as to why, many could not articulate a concrete answer -- simply referencing back to his race or ethnicity.

How sad it is that some people cannot look past the color of Obama's skin to see the content of his character; to see a very intelligent, educated, knowledgeable individual. One who ran an honest campaign and won the election standing ready to lead this county into the future and generate a change in this great nation.

As an African American woman, I see or experience racism on a daily basis; whether it be on my job, shopping in stores, or walking down the street. And because it is so subtle or covert, most of the time, only myself and others who experience it, can recognize it. While I think electing an African American president is a big step in the direction of eliminating racism, it is apparent that we still have a long way to go in terms of equality of all races in this country.

What steps can we take to further eliminate racism in our community? In our state and in our country? As for my part, I will continue to work with the YWCA of Charleston, who's mission it is to eliminate racism. I hope you will join us in this important work.

Teresa Johnson is a second-term member of the YWCA of Charleston Board of Directors and a registered nurse with Charleston Area Medical Center. She is pictured here with Sharon Pendleton, our first Empowerment Award winner, at the campaign launch of the $2 Million Challenge.

Remembering our veterans

2008-11-11T10:22:00.005-05:00

Today as we remember the brave men and women who have served our country, we salute them for their service and thank them for all they have done for us. However, we often forget the scores of veterans that struggle to meet basic needs such as food and shelter - and we fail to ask what we can do for them.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 154,000 veterans were homeless on any given night last year. The number of homeless female veterans is estimated between 7,000 and 8,o00 and quickly growing. This is a relatively new phenomenon because only recently have so many women (more than 190,000 in Iraq and Afghanistan alone) been serving in the U.S. military. We invite you to read yesterday's MSNBC story, which highlights the life of a 38-year-old homeless female veteran and raises awareness of this growing phenomenon.

The MSNBC report notes several reasons why we see veterans become homeless:

Repeated deployments make it difficult for them to keep their finances in order and for reservists to hold on to their civilian jobs.
Fallout from military service — which can include post-traumatic stress disorder — can seriously damage family and other relationships.
Those stresses can lead to withdrawal and depression, which can make it difficult to land a job.
The lack of income makes it hard to pay rent or a mortgage.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has only 15 facilities that offer residential mental health treatment specifically for women with post-traumatic stress disorder. Out of 500 VA-run homeless shelters, 300 can accept women and only 22 have programs that address female veterans specifically or have living arrangements separate from men. Therefore, female veterans without housing often resort to local shelters like the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter for Homeless Women and Families.

Each year, YWCA Sojourner's has homeless veterans and their children walk through the door, where they receive basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing, as well as vital supportive counseling, substance abuse counseling, education and job training.

So today as we honor our veterans, let us remember those in need and thank them for their service by continuing to support them in thought, mind and deed.

Giving thanks

2008-11-06T14:59:00.007-05:00

As Thanksgiving approaches, we at the YWCA have taken time to reflect on what we are thankful for in each of our personal lives. As an organization, we are thankful for the faithful support of our loyal donors; for the opportunity to serve thousands of people a year and help them on their the road of self-sufficiency; and for the opportunity to daily work for our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.

Take time today to think about the things that you're thankful for you in your life -- good health, good fortune and the love of family and friends. As you reflect on those things, please consider that there are those who don't have the same blessings as you and me. They suffer from abuse at the hands of loved ones or have lost their home because of unfortunate circumstances.

This Sunday, the YWCA of Charleston will partner with Wellington's of Scarlet Oaks and Roark-Sullivan Lifeway Center for the 22nd annual Thanksgiving Benefit Dinner. While you're enjoying a fine feast at Wellington's, you're also helping to feed thousands of homeless people in our community this year. So join us in giving thanks and helping to give back to those who have less.

We will leave you with some thoughts of gratitude from a few YWCA staff members:

"I am grateful for the amazing women in my life." -- Felicia Bush, YWCA Resolve FAmily Abuse Program Director
"I'm thankful for being pleasantly plump, because I've always had food to eat. I'm thankful for being able to sometimes feel sad, because I know what it's like to experience many different joys. " -- Karin Hamer, Manager of YWCA Past & Present Gently Used Clothing Store
"I am so thankful for my family and for the love from my children and grandchildren; for my dear friends and prayer partners; and for every blessing I receive." -- Carol Carroll, YWCA Resolve grants manager
"I'm thankful for my family, all of the blessings that I have received throughout my lifetime struggles, and another day of life and freedom for we know not what tomorrow may bring." -- Carrol Bautista, YWCA administrative assistant
"I am thankful that each new day brings another opportunity to touch someone else’s life in a positive way; for the friends and family that brings me happiness and support; and for God who brings a sense of peace and strength to my life." -- Amie Brada, YWCA Sojourner's administrative assistant
"I am thankful for my precious child, and the opportunity to be a part of his life; our family, who care for one another through successes and challenges; for the power and love that guides our world." -- Carol Egnatoff, YWCA Child Enrichment Center program director
"I am thankful for my health, my home and my salvation." -- Sandy Benedict, Program Director of Shanklin Center and Alicia McCormick Homes
"I'm thankful for my loving husband, two beautiful children and a career that gives me the opportunity to help others and work with amazing women." -- Rachelle Beckner, YWCA Development Director

The most important thing you'll do today

2008-11-04T10:24:00.012-05:00

It's tragic that after the many weeks of campaign ads, debates and political commentary from the media, friends and families, that many voters are left with a feeling of apathy.

The worst thing an American citizen can do today is choose not to exercise his or her right to vote. Saying you 're tired of the negative ads, or feeling like if you vote for a certain candidate then you're viewed in a harsh light by the opposing side are NOT valid reasons for not taking the time today to cast your ballot.

It's not about who you decide to elect as president, governor, or to the state Supreme Court, but rather that you took the time to make your voice be heard. This right is especially important for women to exercise as it wasn't always the case that women's opinions mattered in shaping the future of our country. It wasn't until Aug. 26 1920, that the 19th amendment was signed into law, granting the women the right to vote.

So despite lengthy lines at the polls, or your weariness with the negative campaign ads, take time today to cast your vote. It's the most important thing you'll do today.

Polls in Kanawha County remain open until 7:30 p.m. If you aren't sure where a national candidate stands on issues that concern women, we encourage you to visit the YWCA's voter information page.

Photo credit: Bill Gardner provided photo of voters waiting to cast their ballot at the Kanawha County voter registration office.

All treats, no tricks

2008-10-30T16:16:00.014-04:00

Around the nation, the young and the young at heart will celebrate Halloween with their costumes and tradition of scouting the neighborhood for treats. On the East End of Charleston, the ladies of YWCA's Shanklin Center celebrated the occasion with a party and their favorite pasttime, Bingo.

It may seem like a small thing. But to these older women who have suffered great tragedies and abuse -- often at the hands of loved ones -- it's a big deal. It's a real treat to celebrate a holiday with friends and know you're safe from the frightening experiences that once plagued your life.

These wonderful women enjoy holiday celebrations and daily visits with friends in the small community -- the YWCA Shanklin Center. Here, they live out their lives with peace and in dignity with the freedom to enjoy friendships and holidays. So for all the Shanklin women and any women who has known real fear in life -- not from haunted houses or imaginary ghosts -- we at the YWCA salute you and wish you a Happy Halloween.

Creative Cone Awards

2008-10-28T21:16:00.007-04:00

Atop a picturesque West Virginia mountain, creative minds gathered last week to discuss how to move West Virignia in new directions. These West Virginians are interested in ways to create a state that thrives on "innovation, artistic vision, connectivity, diversity, entrepreneurship, technology and growth. In short – a West Virginia for the New Economy. "

At the conclusion of the three-day Create West Virginia conference at Snowshoe, the organization honored people from around the state who have embraced this mission and taken tangible steps to fulfill it in their communities.

In our community, Revs. Matthew Watts and Ron English won Creative Cone Awards for their work on diversity in the Charleston community. Unfortunately, the Charleston community has suffered some tragic domestic violence incidents and hate crimes in the last year. These two men have taken a stance against all acts of violence in our community. They are standing for tolerance, acceptance and love, for embracing diversity and sharing in our commonalities rather than focusing on our differences.

Rev. Watts spoke at the Silent No More domestic violence vigil earlier this month at the YWCA. His comments were inspiring that night. Domestic violence isn't just a violent act against women. It affects our entire community, Rev. Watts said. He believes it's the men's role in our community to protect the young women. To do so means to not accept any acts of violence. We applaud Rev. Watts for taking a strong stand against all violence in our community and congratulate him for his recognition at Create West Virginia.

Take a flower to childcare

2008-10-20T16:19:00.005-04:00

Tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 21) KIDS COUNT will honor West Virginia’s 2,400 professional childcare providers by sponsoring a statewide "Take a Flower to Childcare Day." The YWCA of Charleston encourages parents, young children and community leaders to show their appreciation for childcare providers by presenting them with a single flower of any kind. Roses. Daisies. Carnations. llilies. Real flowers. Silk flowers. Homemade paper flowers. Anything goes!

The goal of this celebration of our area childcare professionals is to raise awareness about the important role childcare providers play in the healthy development of young children, the stability of working families and the future of the state's economy. According to Saturday's Gazette article, researchers at Marshall University found that for every dollar West Virginia spends toward a high-quality early childhood development system, the state can expect a $5.20 return through higher academic achievement and future earning power and fewer juvenile delinquents and high school dropouts.

Take a Flower to Childcare Day is part of KIDS COUNT’s Kids First Communities Campaign, a statewide effort to build broad public support for new state dollars to improve childcare. In the Kanawah Valley, the YWCA Child Enrichment Center serves as the regional leader of the Kids First Communities campaign.

It is so important to recognize the critical role childcare providers are playing and support their efforts to provide the highest quality of care possible. If you don't have a childcare provider but simply wish to show your support, we would welcome your flower at the YWCA Child Enrichment Center at 201 Donnally Street in downtown Charleston. Join us in recognizing the importance of early childhood development and showing childcare providers how much we appreciate them!

An hour in their shoes

2008-10-15T16:24:00.006-04:00

Yesterday morning, the Appalachian Power Park baseball field was transformed into a field of remembrance for domestic violence victims. Inmates at the Charleston Work Release Center came up with a creative idea for raising awareness about National Domestic Violence Awareness Month: placing a pair of shoes for each domestic violence victim assisted by the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program in Kanawha County last year.

The result was a powerful visual image of 912 pairs of shoes neatly lined up in rows across the baseball field. This awareness event, entitled "An Hour in their Shoes," attempted to put into perspective the prevalence of domestic violence in Kanawha County alone. Inmates from the center also reserved a special place for five particular pairs of shoes, representing the five domestic violence-related deaths that occurred in our county last year.

We at the YWCA, along with the Charleston Work Release Center, wish to thank the Appalachian Power Park for use of their field, as well as area thrift stores - including YWCA Past & Present and Goodwill - that generously donated all 912 pairs of shoes. More importantly, we thank Pam Baldwin and the inmates at the center for their initiative to raise awareness on this critical problem in our community.

Highlights of another year passed

2008-10-14T11:45:00.007-04:00

At tonight's Annual Meeting, we will celebrate the YWCA of Charleston's accomplishments over the past year, welcome new Board members, say good-bye to Board members whose terms have expired, and hear heartwarming reports from program directors about the thousands of lives impacted by our programs in the past year. We will also be revealing our 2007-2008 Annual Report, which we consider a snapshot of our organization from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.

Below are several program highlights from the 07-08 fiscal year published in the Annual Report.

YWCA Sojourner's Shelter:

Served 1,080 individuals (unduplicated) at an average of 62 people nightly.
Provided 5,530 case management/counseling hours free of charge.
Provided 81,305 nutritious meals.
92% of residents found and maintained housing beyond six months.
86% of program participants gained meaningful employment, and 98% maintained that employment.
87% of program participants moved to a higher educational level.

YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program:

Served 4,596 individuals (unduplicated).
Provided 3,131 shelter nights and 12,524 meals to 138 women and their children.
Provided over 1,130 hours of free counseling to 173 victims and their children.
Provided over 100 domestic violence educational presentations to more than 3,000 students, teachers, community organizations and service providers.

YWCA Child Enrichment Center:

Served 284 children - 77% of which were from financially challenged families.
Served 48,417 nutritious meals.

YWCA Alicia McCormick Homes:

100% of individuals were employed or had supplemental income, and 100% of school-aged children were enrolled in school.
75% of individuals remained in permanent housing for over one year after leaving the program.
100% of residents with addictions are succeeding in their recovery and attend NA/AA meetings on a regular basis.

Because these highlights represent only a fraction of the wonderful successes our programs had over the last year, we invite you to read the Annual Report to see the rest for yourself!

Sharing survivor stories

2008-10-09T10:43:00.004-04:00

Krista Fink is a domestic violence survivor, author, mother, devoted wife and YWCA Board Member. In the last year, Krista has bravely shared her story of survival and recovery from domestic violence with thousands of women through news articles, public appearances (like Girls Night Out) and her book, "Silent No More."

Now Krista is offering an opportunity for other survivors to share their stories. To have a voice. To speak out and be Silent No More. In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Krista lauched a blog for domestic violence survivors -- Silent No More. It's an opportunity for victims to share their stories -- even anonymously -- and allow their voices to be heard.

Since joining the YWCA's Board of Directors, Krista has been a staunch advocate for empowering women. She now runs a victims support group and became a member of the Public Advisory Awareness committee for the WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Her resilience and dedication have inspired other domestic violence victims and given them hope. Hope for a different future. That's why Krista was presented with the Hope Award by YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program during the vigil last week.

For all that you do to help domestic violence victims, thank you, Krista.

empowerment: Past & Present

2008-10-07T12:22:00.006-04:00

While you may know that the YWCA of Charleston operates a gently used clothing store on Charleston's East End, did you also know that we provide clothing to our program participants free of charge? At YWCA Past & Present, located at the corner of Elizabeth Street and Lee Street East, we empower individuals in need by providing them with quality clothing as they make their way toward self-sufficiency. Through our clothing voucher program, both adults and children at YWCA Sojourner's, Resolve, Shanklin, and Alicia McCormick can obtain vouchers for free gently used clothing, shoes & accessories.

In recent months, we have more than doubled the number of people we serve through this program. In August and September of 2007, 43 adult and 6 child vouchers were redeemed for a total of $1,404 in merchandise. In August and September of 2008, however, 98 adult and 34 child vouchers were redeemed - a total of $3,617!

YWCA program participants aren't the only ones to benefit from fabulous finds at YWCA Past & Present. Our store is open to the public from 7 am - 6 pm Monday through Friday and 10 am - 5 pm on Saturday. As everyone's budgets seem to be a little tighter this year, shoppers come to us for affordable back-to-school clothes, winter gear, one-of-a-kind jewelry, and much more.

In fact, a recent CNN article notes that people are increasingly looking for more ways to be savvy shoppers. The article states that in these troubled times, the powerful lure of a secondhand retail bargain is attracting customers from all economic classes. Read the rest of the CNN article here.

YWCA Past & Present could not continue to provide such valuable resources to our community without the hundreds of bags of donations it receives each month. Proceeds from YWCA Past & Present help offset the cost of the YWCA Alicia McCormick transitional housing program. Thank you to all of our generous donors...and happy shopping!

Raising awareness

2008-10-03T10:52:00.008-04:00

Dozens of people joined the YWCA of Charleston yesterday to kick off Domestic Violence Awareness month with a silent protest and vigil. For more an hour, supporters of YWCA Resolve stood along Kanawha Boulevard with their signs to raise awareness about this devastating social ill that affects us all.

Following the silent protest, supporters, survivors and community activists joined us for the Silent No More vigil. The event honored those we've lost to domestic violence with a balloon release and celebrated many survivor stories -- including that of Krista Fink, a YWCA Board Member. She tells about her abusive relationship in her book, "Silent No More." Krista was honored with the Hope Award, for the hope that she now has in her life and the hope she brings to other domestic violence victims. Krista not only has turned her life around, but has reached out to other victims with a support group and blog for survivor stories.

Also on Thursday, Representatives from Verizon Wireless presented a $20,000 check to the YWCA of Charleston’s Resolve Family Abuse Program for its Teen Dating Violence Prevention Program. Verizon Wireless recently introduced its HopeLine® program, which collects no-longer used wireless phones and parts from any wireless service provider nationwide and turns them into support for victims of domestic violence. Between now and November 15, drop your old wireless phones, batteries or accessories off at any Verizon Wireless store and all proceeds will benefit the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program up to an additional $5,000.

The YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program is grateful for the continued support of Verizon, a corporation that understands the devastating effects domestic violence has in our community and has taken an active role to fight it. With corporate partners like Verizon and the support of hundreds of community volunteers, the YWCA Resolve will continue its mission to eliminate domestic violence in our community.

Silent No More

2008-09-30T12:07:00.006-04:00

Tomorrow marks the first day of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. To symbolize that we are united to end domestic violence in our community, YWCA staff members and other domestic violence advocates will join police officers, public officials, legal professionals, religious leaders, healthcare workers, neighbors and friends on Thursday in a silent protest against domestic violence.

Organized by the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program, this demonstration along Kanawha Boulevard will urge the Charleston community to take a stand against this horrific and incresingly prevelant societal problem. In past years in West Virginia, domestic violence related homicides occured at an average rate of once every two weeks. In 2006 and 2007, this statistic skyrocketed to once every 8 days.

We must join together – men and women – to address the causes of domestic violence and raise our collective voices to create a community that no longer tolerates the use of violence in relationships. We are all stakeholders and advocates in the fight for peace and safety in our homes and neighborhoods.

The “Silent No More” demonstration will be held on Thursday, October 2 from 5:00 – 6:00 pm along Kanawha Boulevard between Leon Sullivan Way and Morris Street. A vigil and reception will follow from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the YWCA on Quarrier Street. The vigil will include remarks from community leaders, testimonials from domestic violence survivors, inspirational songs and a keynote address from West Virginia Secretary of State Betty Ireland.

The purpose of the evening is to:

Stand in protest against the devastation of domestic violence
Remember those whose lives were tragically lost as a result
Raise awareness about the prevalence of domestic violence in our community and our state
Celebrate survivors and the hundreds of individuals and organizations that helped them through their struggle.

We invite you to both participate in the silent protest and attend the vigil.

There are many ways to let your voice be heard. Take a stand against domestic violence.

Y you should vote

2008-09-24T17:03:00.014-04:00

Less than 100 years ago, our foremothers fought to secure the right for all women to vote. To be viewed as equal citizens in our country and have a say in shaping our future.

Our country has reached a new milestone with the first African-American nominee for president and the first woman vice president nominee. It's an exciting time in American history.

Not only is our nation making history, but the YWCA has also reached an important milestone in its 100-year history. For the first time, the YWCA (the nation's oldest and largest women's organization) will be a national sponsor of the 2008 presidential debates. As a sponsor, the YWCA has also taken the initiative to create a voter guide that covers issues that relate to the YWCA's mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. Issues such as affordable healthcare and housing; ending violence against women; providing quality early childhood education; equal pay for equal work; ending discrimination and promoting equality and strengthening hate crime laws.

These issues are discussed at length on the YWCA's new website ywcavote. It's about your vote. Making your voice heard so you have a role in shaping your future. This powerful tool allows you to register to vote; learn about the important issues our country faces and even become a community activist.

We encourage you to use this tool. Refer your mothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, nieces, friends, coworkers and neighbors to the site. But most importantly, encourage all women to exercise the right that our foremothers fought so hard to earn just 88 years ago.

Note: This Friday marks the first presidential debate. The two presidential nominees -- Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama -- will debate foreign policy and national security during a 90-minute event that begins at 9 p.m. EST.

good food, good fun, great cause

2008-09-19T10:43:00.009-04:00

Last night, close to 200 men came together to cheer on the Mountaineers at the 3rd Annual Guys Night Out, while raising money for the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter. This fun-filled night - complete with brews, BBQ, cigars, games, raffles and plenty of football - boasted our biggest turnout yet!

Proceeds from last night's event will help fund critical programs at YWCA Sojourner's. In the past year alone, YWCA Sojourner's provided services to 1,080 unduplicated individuals - 338 of which were homeless children. Take a look some of our other 2007-2008 highlights:

Served an average of 62 people nightly in the 75-bed facility
Provided 5,530 case management/counseling hours
Provided 81,305 nutritious meals
Provided 19,202 shelter nights
Provided 4,537 hours of service and support through 408 volunteers

Furthermore:

92% of residents found and maintained housing beyond six months
86% of program participants gained meaningful employment, and 98% maintained that employment
87% of program participants moved to a higher educational level
533 individuals participated in the educational program, were tested, and received classroom instruction
301 individuals improved their computer skills
22 participants entered college or vocational school

A huge thanks to our many wonderful Guys Night Out sponsors, volunteers, and attendees. We couldn't have done it without you!

Top picture (L to R): Joe Long, Jeff Sandridge, Rob Rosano, Margaret Taylor (YWCA Sojourner's Shelter Director), Justin Southern, Randy Daniel, Debby Weinstein (YWCA Executive Director) and Paul Buechler.

Left: Guys tried their luck at the football throw contest during halftime.

Right: They couldn't wait to get their hands on the 400 lbs of pork BBQ hot off the grill!

YW benefits from Day of Caring

2008-09-17T16:59:00.006-04:00

Hundrends of volunteers dedicated their afternoons to giving back to their community in an unique way.

Each year, the United Way of Central West Virginia hosts the Day of Caring. It's a way for corporations and businesses to support non-profit agencies that receive United Way funding through a hands-on experience. These volunteers get to see firsthand how their financial support benefits the area's non-profits.

The YWCA is proud to be a part of the United Way network. We are thankful for the annual volunteer support we receive through the Day of Caring. Over the years, our programs have benefited from volunteer work with new landscaping at our facilities, newly painted interiors and safer playgrounds.

We thank those who support our agency through our partner, United Way, and who took the time out of their busy work schedules today to volunteer at our facilities: the Child Enrichment Center (CEC), The Shanklin Center, Past & Present, Resolve Family Abuse Program and Sojourners.

It's through your financial support and volunteer efforts that we are able to continue to provide the critical social services programs to thousands in the Greater Kanawha Valley each year.

Pictured are: State Farm Insurance employees at CEC: (front row) Scott Lipford, Lee Greenhowe, Bobby Robinson, Angie Cooke, Jocie Longinger, Tim Conley and Shannon Cazad; (top) Sharon Templeton, Susan Miller, Mary Beth Conley, Patricia Paul and Robin O’Dell

A big splash for Betty Schoenbaum

2008-09-11T12:13:00.006-04:00

On Tuesday, we celebrated the grand opening of our newly renovated building at 1114 Quarrier Street! During our "big splash" to honor Betty Schoenbaum, children from the YWCA Child Enrichment Center were the first to make their own splash in the new Schoenbaum pool. The YWCA dedicated the new aquatic facility to Betty Schoenbaum to honor her $150,000 donation to the project and to recognize her enduring heart for the Charleston community.

For those who are unfamiliar with the building project, the YWCA launched the Raise the Roof building renovations campaign in January of 2007. Through this campaign, we raised $1.1 million to replace our 1920s building’s leaking roof and HVAC systems, repair the exterior bricks and columns, replace the swimming pool and hot tub, renovate the locker rooms, and freshen up the interior with new paint and carpet.

At 91-years old, Betty Schoenbaum continues to be a inspirational philanthropist in the Charleston community. When asked by a reporter to describe how it feels to be able to give back in this way, she replied: "I tell people sometimes I have so much joy in me I think my skin might burst some day."

We truly appreciate everything Mrs. Schoenbaum has done to help women, children, and families all over the world, and we applaud her for joining in our mission of providing peace, justice, dignity and freedom for all people.

Another domestic violence homicide...what will it take?

2008-09-05T09:06:00.006-04:00

Tuesday night, 28-year-old Starlena Pratt of South Charleston died one month after suffering severe burns over the majority of her body. While this tragic news alone is enough to evoke feelings of grief from people who never knew Starlena or her family, the horrific story of her murder should appall all who hear. But has it?

Reports state that on August 3rd, Starlena's boyfriend Farley Allen Rhodes doused her in a flamable liquid and set her on fire in their South Charleston apartment, after Starlena had entered their home and told Rhodes she was going to leave him. While Starlena desperately clung to her life in Cabell Huntington Hospital, police arrested Rhodes and charged him with one count of arson causing serious bodily injury and two counts of first-degree arson. Media downplayed the issue – covering the story almost three days after the incident but still only mentioning that “a woman was burned in a house fire in South Charleston.”

This grisly murder comes on the heels of another equally horrific domestic violence homicide only two months ago, when Nalisha Gravely was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend at the West Side Taco Bell. While our community was outraged over that atrocity, our vigor seems to have waned. Did anyone else find it shocking that Starlena's death did not even make the front page of yesterday's newspaper...while news about Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming hiring new employees did?

This is a sad reflection of our community – and of our society in general – which seems to have fallen back into complacency about the real problem of domestic violence in our own backyards. Rev. Matthew Watts, pastor of Grace Bible Church in Charleston and respected community leader, described the trend of domestic violence in our community as "pandemic". The only way we can reverse this pandemic is if every member of this community stands together and takes responsibility for eliminating domestic violence. How many murders will we read about but still look the other way? What will it take to get our community outraged about this young woman's death?

We applaud organizations like West Virginia Radio Corporation, who understand the gravity of this tragedy and took the initiative to host a Circle of Hope fundraiser yesterday afternoon for Starlena's family, raising more than $3,000. Through the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program, we will continue to do our part in the grand scheme of eliminating domestic violence in our community as well.

We will continue to provide a 24-hour crisis line, where advocates can help victims who are trying to leave their abusers plan safe escapes – as leaving can be the most dangerous time in an abusive relationship. We will continue to give presentations to more than 3,000 middle and high school students each year on the warning signs of teen dating violence and on the dangers of relationships dominated by jealousy, power, violence and control. We will continue to provide free shelter, support, counseling and court advocacy to victims of domestic violence.

What will you do?

A Labor Day reflection

2008-09-02T12:00:00.005-04:00

We welcome Janet James, a current YWCA Board member, as our third guest blogger. Janet is the Assistant Attorney General at the West Virginia Attorney General's Office in Charleston, WV and has served on the YWCA of Charleston's Board of Directors since 2005.

Yesterday, we celebrated Labor Day to commemorate the social and economic achievements of American workers. While our nation has truly made great progress since Labor Day was first declared a federal holiday over a century ago, we recognize that many changes still need to be made.

The fact is, women still lag behind men in education and in earnings. Although progress has been made, especially in the last three decades, there remain monumental gaps in the real-world equities between men and women. White women continue to earn a mere 77 cents to every dollar a man makes, while for black and Hispanic women the gap is even greater, dropping to 65 cents on the dollar for black women, and 54 cents for Hispanic women.

Over the course of a career, this puts a woman hundreds of thousands of dollars behind a man. Over a lifetime, a young woman who graduates from high school this year and goes straight to work at $20,000 a year will make $700,000 less than a young man who graduates with her; a woman who graduates from college into a $30,000 starting salary will make $1.2 million less than a young man graduating with her; and a young woman who gets a degree in business, medicine or law and graduates into a $70,000 a year job will make $2 million less than her male classmate. Only 11 of the Fortune 500 companies are led by women, and women make up only 14.7 percent of the board seats of Fortune 500 companies.

The wage gap is the result of a variety of forms of sex discrimination in the workplace, including discrimination in hiring, promotion and pay, sexual harassment, occupational segregation, bias against mothers (in 2005, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reported 4,449 charges of pregnancy-based discrimination), and other ways in which women workers and women’s work are undervalued. The long-standing stereotypes associated with men and women contributes to this problem. In the workplace, men are considered more likely to take charge of a situation. Women are considered sympathetic, caring and more supportive, and not as capable at solving problems, a necessary quality in CEOs.

As a consequence of this economic disparity, women are also greatly under-represented in local, state and national political government. This economic and political disparity causes a steady drain on women’s receiving better medical treatment, child care, housing, food, and retirement savings; and worse, places women at a greater risk of homelessness, or inability to leave abusive domestic situations.

Since its inception in 1858, the YWCA has fought for women’s rights, notably in the women’s suffrage movement, and later in the civil rights movement. Today, Racial Justice and the Economic Empowerment of Women are two of the national YWCA’s hallmark programs. Through programs like the YWCA Sojourner's Job Education/Readiness Center, the YWCA of Charleston works daily to promote education and economic empowerment here in our city.

Are you ready for some football?

2008-08-28T15:39:00.006-04:00

WVU football fanatics from near and far are looking forward to Saturday's WVU season-opening football game. Here in Charleston, one particular group of guys is looking forward to football season - but for a different reason.

On Thursday, September 18, they will join together with scores of other WVU fans to watch the game at the 3rd annual Guys Night Out. The best part about it? All proceeds raised will help homeless women and families at the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter.

We are truly grateful for this dedicated group of men, headed by Jeff Sandridge and Paul Buechler, who stand behind our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. With their help, YWCA Sojourner's will continue to empower individuals to become self-sufficient through emergency services, case management, supportive counseling, education, and much more.

Want to join us? Go to the Guys Night Out event page to learn more. After all, what could be better than watching WVU football on the big-screen while drinking your favorite brew with your buddies? The knowledge that you're helping homeless women and families while you do it, of course!

Education = Empowerment

2008-08-27T09:10:00.005-04:00

An important tool to empower women is providing educational opportunities for women. The YWCA places a strong emphasis on education in every stage of life and in each of our programs. We understand the importance that early childhood education plays in determining the future path of a child's educational career. That's why we focus on school readiness at the YWCA Child Enrichment Center.

"Investing in early childhood development -- programs like Head Start, prekindergarten, preschools, family child care homes and child care centers -- is probably more important than any other current economic development effort," according to a 2005 study funded by the Benedum Foundation.

By providing affordable quality child care, the YWCA is supporting single mothers as they pursue educational opportunities so that they can increase their earning potential and create a more stable home environment.

Through the YWCA Sojourners Job Readiness Center, any homeless person can study to earn his or her GED; apply for college; and learn job training and computer skills. In the last fiscal year, more than 500 people participated in the educational programs at the Sojourners Job Readiness Center.

Education doesn't end once you've earned a GED or college degree. Through Sojourners, Resolve and McCormick Homes programs at the YWCA, our participants learn important life skills -- like balancing a budget; understanding lease agreements; and how to earn and maintain gainful employment.

Learning is a life-long process and that's what we support here at the YWCA, because education is the cornerstone of women's empowerment.

Beauty at Any Cost

2008-08-20T21:38:00.005-04:00

It's sad, but true that in today's society women are judged -- and often judge each other -- based on appearance.

The obsession that America has with beauty has taken a toll on women (especially young ladies), both emotionally and financially. Earlier this week, the YWCA USA released a report that contains alarming information and statistics about how women and girls will work to achieve "beauty at any cost."

Here are some highlights:

In 2007, the top five surgical cosmetic procedures for women in the United States (by numbers of procedures performed) were: breast augmentation, lipoplasty, eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and breast reduction. Together, expenditures for these procedures totaled $5.3 billion.

One analysis found that workers with “below average” looks tended to earn about 9% less money than workers who were “above average” in appearance, and that those who were
“above average” in appearance tended to make about 5% more money than those who were “average looking.”

Over 1/2 of teenage girls use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting, and taking laxatives.

YWCA USA plans to use the information found in this report to further our mission of empowering women. And an empowered woman is a true model of beauty.

You can read the full report at YWCA USA.

A true testament of empowerment

2008-08-14T12:11:00.005-04:00

"He started hitting her just a few months into their marriage, while she was pregnant with their only child. Cyndi Birthisel, 47, stayed with her now ex-husband for 23 years, largely because she thought her son deserved a mother and a father and a steady income. In retrospect, she wishes she'd found the courage to leave sooner."

Read the rest of the Gazette's feature story on how Cyndi moved beyond an abusive relationship and regained her confidence, strength and happiness.

For over a year now, Cyndi has attended the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program's weekly support groups, where she's made some close friends and helped other domestic violence victims regain control of their lives.

Cyndi will be the featured speaker at Girls Night Out - "Hollywood on the Hill" tonight from 6-11 at the Sunrise Mansion offices of Farmer Cline & Campbell. This event benefits Hope House, the YWCA Resolve shelter for domestic violence victims and their children. Tickets are still available for $100 at the door, online or by calling (304) 340-3573.

Making the world a better place

2008-08-12T08:59:00.012-04:00

Avery is 2 ½ years old. Like most young children, he loves to play outdoors – climb on jungle gyms, play games, and have picnics with his family while they enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Sadly, like many of the children currently residing at the YWCA Sojourner’s Shelter for Homeless Women and Families, Avery has never had a yard to call his own - until now. Thanks to the West Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association (WVNLA), children like Avery now have their very own backyard – a newly-created green space and recreation area at the YWCA Sojourner’s Shelter on Charleston’s East End.

In January, the 100-member statewide association voted to donate an “extreme makeover” landscaping project to a deserving group, in lieu of its annual summer meeting. In just 10 short weeks (ground was broken on June 2), WVNLA and its partners transformed the YWCA Sojourner’s property from a barren lot with a portable basketball hoop, minimal playground equipment, a large unusable pile of dirt and concrete, and dumpsters that were quite the eyesore, to a landscaping and architectural masterpiece.

The shelter now boasts a welcoming entrance with seating areas; a center courtyard with a planting area; an outdoor dining plaza located off the cafeteria with access through new doors; a game court complete with a basketball hoop, hopscotch and foursquare; a playground for younger children; a gathering space for parents to socialize while watching their children play; and greenery to screen the walls and dumpster areas.

WVNLA chose the YWCA Sojourner’s Shelter over several other charitable projects because of the significant impact a newly-renovated space would have on the children who reside in the shelter. YWCA Sojourner’s is home to an average of 65 individuals at any given time – approximately 25 of which are children. All funding, design, materials, and labor for the project were donated by WVNLA – estimated at approximately $100,000. The completed project includes every aspect of the original plan, as well as additional features such as two new awnings and security gates and fences to help ensure residents’ safety.

The YWCA and all the residents at YWCA Sojourner's are truly inspired by WVNLA's generosity and dedication and are grateful beyond words for this gift. We hope that WVNLA's project inspires other organizations to follow their example and give back to the communities in which they live - to enhance and improve the lives of others and, simply, to make the world a better place.

Stop the Hate

2008-08-05T09:02:00.003-04:00

It is with great pleasure and excitement, and as a mother, wife, and YWCA Board member, that I write to you about the beginning of a very powerful series of community events that will address critical issues of equality in the Charleston area. The Communities United Against Hate: Not in Our Town forums will kick off this evening, August 5th, from 6-8 p.m. at the Charleston Marriott Town Center. This event is FREE and open to the public.

Many of the important decisions a parent makes are related to the question of where to raise their children. Many a parent, myself included, has asked themselves questions such as: are the schools good, are the neighborhoods safe, who will my children’s peers be? As a mother of two young daughters, I have struggled with these issues.

West Virginia offers a positive environment in which to raise children, but we could be much better.

Tonight’s speaker, Tom "TJ" Leyden, spent more than 15 years of his life as a neo-Nazi white supremacist organizer and recruiter. In 1997, Leyden experienced a profound change of heart, turned his back on the racist movement, and now spends his time helping state and local governments, communities, and organizations understand what creates a culture of hate and what you can do to counteract it. T.J.s transformation was triggered by a concern that any parent can relate to: his children’s future. He realized one day that his children were going to grow up to be just like him, and he wanted something better for them.

There will be a public forum following the presentation and area residents are invited to come together with religious, community, government and business leaders to voice their ideas and raise issues and concerns regarding how we can create a city that embraces and profits from the contributions of all of its citizens.

This evening’s event will allow our community the opportunity to learn from each other and begin a significant dialogue on these issues over the coming months. We know that racism and other types of discrimination exist in our community - this forum allows us to talk about it and address it – get it out in the open and develop an action plan. The YWCA wants to put its passion and resources regarding equality efforts into action for the Charleston area and this forum, future forums, and cooperation with a multitude of area organizations allows for significant inroads towards this end.

Please join this unprecedented collection of individuals, agencies and institutions, including: The YWCA of Charleston, the Charleston Human Rights Commission, the Charleston Area Alliance, The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District for West Virginia, West Virginia Free, Create West Virginia, Covenant House, The West Virginia Hate Crimes Task Force, the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Division, and The West Virginia Chapter of the NAACP, in addressing discrimination in our community.

This is an important opportunity for improving our community for our children, our schools, our businesses, our organizations, and ourselves. Don’t encourage racism and hate by being silent. I want a better environment to raise my children in . . . what motivates you? Find out and come out to the forum. The Charleston community can build inclusiveness and address issues of intolerance – be apart of this event and that process!

Hallie Chillag Dunlap is the third guest blogger for the YWCA. She is a mother of two beautiful girls, wife, and a devoted YWCA Board member. She serves as the chair of the YWCA's Eliminating Racism Committee.

Breaking the cycle of domestic violence

2008-07-29T09:49:00.005-04:00

"When dad gets mad he turns into a monster. He is usually nice, but once he turns mad he says mad for a long time. He hits my mom and laughs. He probably thinks girls can't fight very well. Mommy says boys shouldn't hit girls." Chris, age 4

"This is a picture of my dad punching my mom in the nose. The red puddle is blood from my mom. The blue puddle is spit, because my dad is screaming so loud right in my mom's face. It makes me sad when they fight. I don't try to stop him anymore, because I get cussed when I try to make him quit fighting with my mom. I've seen so mnay situations like this I can't remember all of them."

These images were painted by children who received counseling at the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program. You may find the images disturbing, as we do, because they show the violence that the children have witnessed throughout their lives. This service the YWCA provides becomes ever more important when you think about Nalisha Gravely and how her 2-year-old son may have witnessed similar acts of violence on his mother.

The YWCA is working to break the cycle of violence through counseling offered to the children who witness this violence. By educating the children on the proper way to express your emotions and how to cope with stress, the YWCA is teaching the next generation that it isn't acceptable to use your hands for anything other than help. "Hands are for helping, not for hitting," is a phrase we often repeat.

The cycle of domestic violence is broken when we're able to reach the next generation and educate them about how to have a healthy relationship. The YWCA is reaching out to another generation through "Celebrate Respect" -- a teen rally to promote healthy relationships. The event is scheduled for Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center on Donnally Street. So please join us and help to eliminate violence in our community through prevention and education.

Note: The YWCA's Nalisha Gravely fund has raised nearly $10,000.

Teen/tween dating violence - what every parent needs to know

2008-07-24T14:17:00.003-04:00

CBS hosted a recent segment on The Early Show about “Teen Dating Danger – What every parent should know.” During this segment, they highlighted many shocking statistics from a recent study commissioned by Liz Claiborne Inc. and loveisrespect.org, the organization that operates the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline. The results of the survey found:

69% of all teens who had sex by age 14 said they have gone through one or more types of abuse in a relationship.

40% of the youngest tweens (those between the ages of 11 and 12) report that their friends are victims of verbal abuse in relationships, and nearly one-in-ten (9%) say their friends have had sex.
One-in-five between the ages of 13 and 14 say their friends are victims of dating violence, such as getting struck, hit or slapped by a boyfriend or girlfriend, and nearly half of all tweens in relationships say they know friends who are verbally abused.

Only half of all tweens (51%) claim to know the warning signs of a bad/hurtful relationship.

The Early Show featured several different experts on the subject of teen dating violence, who emphasized that “programs are needed to help parents and their kids recognize unhealthy relationships, and to stop them before they start.”

And the YWCA is working to do just that.

Each year, YWCA Resolve’s Teen Dating Violence Prevention Specialists provide over 100 educational workshops to more than 3,000 students and teachers at middle and high schools in Kanawha, Clay and Boone Counties. During these workshops, students learn about healthy relationships, warning signs of abusive relationships, what to do if a friend is experiencing abuse, myths and facts about teen dating violence, and additional resources for students, teachers and parents alike.

And we’re not stopping just because schools are out for the summer! On Thursday, July 31, from 5-7pm, the YWCA Resolve Teen Dating Violence Prevention Program is hosting “Celebrate Respect” – A teen rally to promote healthy relationships. We’re inviting teens 12-18 to join us at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, located at 314 Donnally Street in downtown Charleston, for free food, door prizes, music, workshops, expression through art, and more! Click here for more information or to download the event flyer.