Evanston Woman Magazine

BRILLIANT BUSINESS WOMEN

Enriching the Lives of Others

WELLNESS

Link Physical Therapy Dr. Josie Tenore

EMPOWERING Stories by REAL WOMEN

Evonda Thomas-Smith Department of Health & Human Services, Director City of Evanston PHOTO: JENNIFER SCHUMAN

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love this time of the year. It provides an opportunity to reflect and see how I can add to my life, or create new memories for the coming year. When I decided to launch Evanston Woman, I knew that the gift of editorial would one day be a gift for all to embrace. Well, it’s that time to share the magazine with the entire community by donating the publication to the new Evanston Women’s Business Center.

Neither the Business Center nor the magazine is about me.

It’s about the next small business owner with a vision, a dream, a gift, and a talent. It’s about the professional looking for new options, and above all, it’s about providing a support system to advance patrons’ skill sets and embrace their passion.

I am minority, single mother, and a woman business owner.

I thank the mentors who guided me and it’s time to pass the torch!

Cheers!

Linda Del Bosque Editor in Chief Evanston Women’s Business Center

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Evanston Chamber of Commerce

Thanks the Following Sponsors 2018 Annual Golf Tournament Our Exclusive Hole Sponsors

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Our In-Kind Sponsors Program and Course Signage

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Awards

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Volume 2 Issue 10

CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS

WELLNESS

5 Achieving Optimum Health

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with Dr. Josie Tenore The Fourth Trimester with Link Physical Therapy

ACCIDENTAL CAREGIVER 8 Seven Steps To Start The

Conversation with Charlotte Bishop

COVER STORY

10 Evonda Thomas-Smith, Director

of Health & Human Services with the City of Evanston Sets the Tone of Strong Leadership by Her Continued Accomplishments.

FEATURES

#SHOPLOCAL 20 Trendy Shops for the Love

of Your Life; Holiday Shopping to Valentine’s Day!

EMPOWERING WOMEN 24 Women Break Their Silence

25 26

STYLE 28

with Whitney Bradshaw The Women’s Justice League Breaking the Silence

by Dickelle Fonda

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Ann Andrews | Local Designer EVANSTONWOMAN.COM

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WELLNESS

ACHIEVING

OPTIMUM HEALTH

By Josie Tenore, M.D. FRESHSkin Medical Spa & Wellness Center

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ost of us don’t really have a good sense on what it means to be “healthy” and with the information highway coming at us in all directions the recommendations are conflicting and confusing. In addition, most of us have been told that what we are feeling are just “minor symptoms” that are “normal” or “part of the aging process”. Common concerns that I hear in my practice include feeling fatigue, achy joints, bloated after eating, slow metabolism, skin issues, and a host of other symptoms. While these may seem minor, some can be signals for greater issues on the horizon. Even if that is not the case, you do not have to put up with them.

I like to talk about “optimal” health, which is something that every human being can be expected to The road to optimal health is different for everyone and the path to getting have. Optimal health involves feeling refreshed there will not be the same either. If you think that you are ready to discover every morning and living a life free of aches, what “Optimum Health” means for you, here are some things to know: pains, skin rashes, memory issues, and so on.

Schedule a complete wellness consultation, which includes a comprehensive blood panel and review by a provider who practices functional medicine. Why? The approach of functional medicine is investigative.

The philosophy seeks to determine one’s current health profile and how to make it better (optimal) to alleviate symptoms and allow the individual to flourish. Functional medicine practitioners work closely with patients by spending more time during visits, offering education and guidance. The comprehensive blood panel that is reviewed by these providers includes details that are simply lacking on general panels requested in traditional medical offices. Comprehensive panels offer layers of information not typical in a “standard annual physical”, and include genetics, detailed cholesterol and metabolic markers, and much more.

The wellness consultation with the practitioner should be 60 minutes at minimum, providing enough time to review your full medical history, blood panel and discuss your goals and customized wellness plan.

You should feel vibrant and hopeful every day. Life is precious, and you are too.

Be Well and Beautiful!

Dr. Josie Tenore

FreshSkin Medical Spa & Wellness Center Highland Park, Il 847.681.8821 MyFreshSkin.com

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WELLNESS

S

There’s a Fourth Trimester......

ay it isn’t so! Not to worry, mamas. We’re not talking about 3 more months of pregnancy!

The 4th trimester is the time after childbirth.

Whew! During this 4th trimester, new moms are going through major physical, emotional, and lifestyle changes. Newborn babies are monitored regularly by their pediatrician, so any issues are caught and addressed early. But what about the mom who just gave birth?

Postpartum Care Most women are familiar with the routine 6-week postpartum check-up with the obstetrician or midwife.

At this appointment, new moms are checked to make sure she is medically stable, wounds are healed, and she is often given the OK to do, well…pretty much anything: exercise, go back to work, have sex… But, if you’re like over 90% of postpartum women, this feels overwhelming and almost impossible. Why? There is still quite a bit of recovery needed from the dramatic changes and trauma the body endured from pregnancy and childbirth. Great news: The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) has new postpartum care recommendations of ongoing care beyond the arbitrary 6-week check-up. The new recommendations include an initial 3 weeks postpartum visit, with treatment as needed, followed by a comprehensive postpartum visit with within 12 weeks.

The fourth trimester visits should include assessment in the following areas: • Mood/emotional well-being • Infant care/feeding • Sexuality, contraception, and birth spacing • Sleep and fatigue • Physical recovery from birth • Chronic disease management •

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Health maintenance

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In other words, postpartum care is an ongoing process rather than a single encounter. Treatment and support should be individualized and woman-centered.

4th Trimester Physical Therapy ACOG’s statement acknowledges physical therapy’s role and the importance of including PT in the standard of care after childbirth.

The role of PT in the 4th trimester is to assess a woman’s physical function as her body recovers pregnancy and childbirth. Common conditions treated include: urinary and fecal incontinence (leakage), abdominal muscle separation (diastasis recti), low back pain and other musculoskeletal issues, scar pain, and sexual pain/dysfunction. The goal of postpartum rehabilitation is to regain control of your body functions and return to activity safely and effectively.

Embrace the important fourth trimester! Talk to your health care provider about ensuring proper recovery and make sure you ge the care you deserve.

Questions about postpartum physical therapy or want to schedule your 4th trimester visit?

Visit the Link Physical Therapy website: Judy Florendo, PT, DPT Suzanne Badillo, PT,WCS linkpt.org (847)868-8396 info@linkpt.org.

www.apta.org/PTinMotion/News/2018/07/11/ACOGPostpartumRecommendations/

Make Fitness Fun

By Chrissy Fernandez

At The Mather, residents have many opportunities to stay fit, from a variety of classes to events like Family Fitness Day. Here, Life Enrichment Manager Chrissy Fernandez and resident Ellie Merar enjoy a one-on-one training session.

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ere’s some simple advice for those who are bored with their fitness routine—and those who can’t get started: forget the routine!

When exercise feels like a chore, it’s easy to find reasons to avoid it. The trick is to find activities you enjoy that work your heart and other muscles.

Here are some examples to get you thinking “outside the gym”: 1. Join or start a walking group. Peer support is great, getting outdoors does wonders for your mood, and regular walking has seemingly endless health benefits!

2. Take a dance class. Multiple studies show that learning new steps is one of the best things we can do for our brains, and different dances work different muscles.

3. Try tai chi. Practicing tai chi can restore muscle strength and flexibility. Plus, it has cognitive benefits that other types of exercise don’t.

4. Hit the pool! Water aerobics isn’t just for older adults.Try it for a challenging workout that improves bone density and pulmonary function—all with little to no impact.

5. Mix it up! Keeping a routine of varied exercises has bee proven to slow aging on a chromosomal level. To get these benefits, aim for four different physical activities a week.

Whatever types of exercise you choose, set specific, measurable goals that you can complete within a month, and do so on a regular basis. As we say to residents at The Mather, focusing on your successes builds long-term happiness.

Learn more how-tos on easy habits that are good for your body, brain, and mood with research-based ways to #AgeWell tips from Mather LifeWays.

Choose from two ways to receive the tips: Like The Mather on Facebook where a new tip is posted every Monday through Friday. * Facebook at facebook.com/thematherevanston Sign up to have the tips emailed to you, at * matherlifeways.com/agingwell.

Take this easy step toward Aging Well today!

Chrissy Fernandez manages Get Fit (the fitness center at The Mather) and the Cotton Spa and Salon. The Get Fit team leads group fitness classes and conducts personal training and many other wellness programs for residents.

EVANSTONWOMAN.COM

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The Mather is an all-inclusive community for adults 62 and better, with spacious apartment homes, resort-like amenities, financial security, and on-site health care if ever needed.

425 Davis Street Evanston, IL 60201 | (847) 448.0793

For features, floor plans, and photos, visit 10/18 EW KG

thematherevanston.com

ACCIDENTAL CAREGIVER

I’m often asked questions by overwhelmed caregivers to older loved ones, because I’m an Aging Life Care Professional.

I provide Answers, Advocacy and Alternatives to caregivers who are juggling caregiving with their other life responsibilities. Send your questions: info@AccidentalCaregiver.info.

CAREGIVER’S QUESTION: “I am taking your advice about “starting the conversation” with my mother to ask about her thoughts and plans for her future care needs. I dread it. What can I say to make it easier for us both? ”.

CHARLOTTE BISHOP ANSWER: Start with the knowledge that you are acting out of love and concern…you want to honor your mother’s wishes. This responsibility can be more manageable if you have a good idea about what her priorities are and what she wants to have happen if she is unable to make decisions.

Seven Steps To Start The Conversation: 1. Remind your mother that you are asking questions because you love her and want to do the “right

thing” for her when needed.

2. You want to keep her safe which includes her health, her finances and her home.

3. Be persistent, yet respectful, if she doesn’t want to talk right now. Keep trying.

4. Ask about how she conducts her days, physician appointments, grocery shopping, etc.

5. Ask about her legal paperwork…her will, etc. Who is her attorney?

6. Ask about her physician and health history.

7. Ask about her finances and where the paperwork is kept. What bank does she use, safe deposit box Location, etc.

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EVANSTONWOMAN.COM

Charlotte Bishop, MS CRC, GCM, LCPC President Creative Care Management 847.869.5118 (ext 511) creativecaremanagement.com

BRILLIANT BUSINESS WOMEN Evanston Woman’s Brilliant Business Women issue features elite women who are shaping the city’s landscape with their leadership. This year’s leaders empower our community with their dedication to achieve their ambitions in their industries.

PHOTOS: JENNIFER SCHUMAN | HORIZON PHOTOGRAPHY

BRILLIANT BUSINESS WOMEN

Evonda Thomas– Smith DIRECTOR Company: City of Evanston Address: 2100 Ridge Ave, Evanston 60201 Department: Health and Human Services

I want to travel the world an

to learn and study public he

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BRILLIANT BUSINESS WOMEN

octoral candidate and nurse leader with over 25 years of progressive, diverse, community and clinical administrative experience in Public Health. Champion of public health and population based service excellence, and a positive change agent responding to the increasingly challenging public health environment.

Mrs. Thomas-Smith currently serves as the Director of the Evanston Department of Health and Human Services, which she joined in 2005. Responsible for management of the Department, a state certified local health department and for ensuring all state certification standards are met. As an executive Public Health Administrator and Public Health Nurse leader she has successfully solicited alliances to open the first public private collaborative and support the establishment of a federally qualified health center for Evanston, Illinois. This is one of her greatest career accomplishments. Evonda spearheads the comprehensive Community Health Assessment to truly understand from the community’s perspective what would a healthy and just community look like. She leads her team to promote, protect and preserve health for all who live, work and play in Evanston.

Evonda Thomas-Smith was among one of the first graduating classes in Chicago to make it through a high school license practical nursing program. She’s earned bachelor degrees in community health from Northern Illinois University and a bachelor degree in nursing from Chicago State University before pursuing a master’s degree in nursing at Governor’s State University in University Park. Completing the doctoral program at University of Phoenix exposed her to the health administration track but the love of public health ushered her to the Walden University’s doctoral program in Public Health.

Service is in Evonda’s DNA, she serves on the Presence Greater Community Leadership Board, the Evanston NorthShore University HealthSystems Community Advisory Board, Board Chair for the Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago, The National Association for County and City Health Officials Chair for the Health Equity and Social Justice Workgroup, and the Evanston YWCA Advisory Board. Evonda’s professional ties expand from National Association of City and County Health Officials, National Forum for Public Black Administrators, American Cancer Society, Sigma Theta Tau-Founding Member of Chicago State University Chapter, Sankofa Rites of Passage Facilitator, and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta National Sorority, Inc. Most recently, she was a 2017-2018 Health Equity Awakened Leadership Institute Fellow.

Over the course of the 12-month program, The Human Impact Partners Leadership Institute curates a space for leaders to dive deeply into strategies that advance racial and social justice in public health, data-driven framing, and levers for systems change. The program is designed to deepen understanding of and ability to communicate why health inequities exist, as well as the strategies and partnerships necessary to build for equity. In addition to assessment tools and strategies for working with community organizers, fellows learned about racial identity development theory, examined inequities across systems, and take risks examining why they do the work they do and their role in transformation.

nd develop programming, offering Public Health Internationally. I would love

ealth practices in third world countries.

EVANSTONWOMAN.COM

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BRILLIANT BUSINESS WOMEN

Charlotte Bishop PRESIDENT

Company: Creative Care Managment Address: 1740 Ridge Avenue, Suite 111

Evanston, IL 60201 Phone: 847.869.5118 Website: creativecaremanagement.com Different seasons of life bring different matters. Solving the problem with the utmost knowledge is important. I like to help individuals and families be prepared for unexpected crises that can occur without any notice. I have been in the unfortunate position of coping with a family crisis for which my young family was completely unprepared. Most of us think “Not me, not now,” and they don’t realize a crisis can be just around the corner. Through life experience and training I know how to help and want to spread the word about how to be prepared for the unexpected crises of life.

There are many families a phone call away from the crisis, and they don’t know it.

My goal is to help individuals and families be better prepared while they weather through their inevitable personal life crisis.

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BRILLIANT BUSINESS WOMEN

Erlene Howard

OWNER | CREATOR Company: Collective Resource, Inc. Address: 803 Elmwood Ave, Evanston IL 60202 Phone: 847.733.7665 Website: collectiveresource.us

The fulfillment I feel from doing my life’s work has greatly enhanced my quality of life.

Work/life balance is always on the top on my list of personal goals. I work to achieve that balance with meditation, exercise, and loving relationships.

A big lesson that I feel I have learned and continue to use is “just get started”. This was the step I took to set up that first small compost route and it gave me knowledge and experience to take the next steps. It has helped me move away from thinking I have to have it all figured out before I start. This approach has led to a manageable flow of growth. I love the mission of my work, the need it is filling and the validation that we are succeeding!

There are a lot of food scraps to be collected and I continue to want to be part of the solution. This beautiful planet, our amazing composting community, and my dedicated employees are counting on me to continue doing this good work.

EVANSTONWOMAN.COM

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BRILLIANT BUSINESS WOMEN

Shannon Journey

EXECUTIVE CHEF Company: Noir d’Ebene Chocolat et Patisserie Address: 2010 Dewey Ave, Evanston IL 60201 Phone: 847.361.1891 Website: noirdebene.com I am thankful each day I’m still in love with being in the kitchen creating and teaching. I hope that desire never leaves me and continues to open me up to growth and sharing my passion. I’m neither young nor old and that scares me. I think we all believe we should be much further in life. Lately my thoughts are consumed with partnering with a large corporation such as an airline. [One sitting in first class and being handed a Noir d’Ebene chocolate bar.] I’d like to successfully experience better, larger equipment and affiliate business partners to inspire happiness with, through chocolates and pastries. When one joyfully smiles, those standing by smile with them.

The desire to make a difference is my driving force. To be the reason one smiles, encouraged, and feeling loved. My window to the world is very big. Each day I am inspired by a song, movement, color, taste, packaging, the scent of my chocolate on ones breath. It keeps me motivated, plugged in, excited and wanting to be a part of.

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BRILLIANT BUSINESS WOMEN

Louise Rosenberg OWNER

Company: Urban Rainforest & Gallery Address: 704 Main, St. Evanston, IL 60202 Phone: 847.418.1289 Website: cultivateurbanrainforest.com I hope to help others connect to the wonder of plants and the natural world by recreating the feeling they experience in my shop & gallery in their own living and work space. I strive to be a sustainable business in every since of the word. I hope to achieve a more balanced life and work in my new Evanston home and garden. I support and collaborate with small businesses, especially that of other women. My store is located in the Main-Dempster Mile where I am on the Placemaking and Marketing committee. I have the opportunity to share my passion with my fellow neighbor business owners.

Cultivate Urban Rainforest & Gallery just launched our online shop. We just modernized our website and checkout systems.

We started the process of designing and greening Jennifer Morris Park and a collaboration with The Main- Dempster Mile.

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BRILLIANT BUSINESS WOMEN

Paula Leffler OWNER Company: Stumble & Relish Address: 1312 Chicago Ave. Evanston 60202 Phone: 847.227.0801 Instagram: @stumbleandrelish

Jamie Leonardi OWNER

I [Jaime] was lucky enough to work with a Chicago letterpress company, a.favorite design. I really got to know the in’s, out’s and constant tribulations when running a small business. I think the best lesson I’ve learned along the way is Be Adaptable…you can’t control everything but you can adapt to the situation. After 5 years running and owning our shop we have learned a lot but we know there is more to be accomplished. We [Jamie & Mother, Paula] have tried to create a destination for people to come and see what’s new.

We want to continue to be excited about the gifts we carry and new makers we meet. I think striving to keep our place fresh and keep folks coming back for more makes us continuously strive to be better.

We know we’re not saving lives or selling a dire necessity but we work to be a bright spot in the community. I think striving to keep our place fresh and keep folks coming back for more makes us continuously strive to be better. Also, the fact that we’ve been in business for 5 years in the age of on-line shopping shows there is a need for the brick & mortar experience and we want to make it a special experience.

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BRILLIANT BUSINESS WOMEN

Rebecca Berneck CEO Company: Officeheads, Inc. Address: 1900 Greenwood Street #9 Phone: 847.866.8877 Instagram: officeheads.com I look forward to rebuilding the personal relationships that have suffered over the past several years when I was building my business. This includes a potential return to the racetrack on a vintage motorcycle. I also have time to focus on my health and wellness, so I look forward to becoming more active and improving my eating habits. I follow the same financial strategies that Officeheads implements with our clients. Stay on top of your numbers; spend money strategically to meet goals and taking care of the people around you, as they will then take care of you. A healthy blend of loving what I do and my type-a personality!

Officeheads vision is to get every entrepreneur out from behind the desk so they can do what they love to do. My job isn’t done until every entrepreneur has an efficient financial engine in place and feel confident about the story that their numbers tell.

Jamie

Company: Stumble & Relish OWNER Address: 1312 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60201

Leonard Phone: 847.227.0801

Web: stumbleandrelish.com

EVANSTONWOMAN.COM

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BRILLIANT BUSINESS WOMEN

Simone Oettinger OWNER

Company: Maya Papaya & Tony Macarony Address: 1901 Central St., Evanston 60201 Phone: 847.866.6292 Instagram: @maya_tony

My number one personal goal for next year is to become an American citizen. I am a native of Brazil and have been a permanent resident of this country since 1988, which is more than half my life! I was never too interested in politics, being more of a science and technology person (my career before I turned children’s retailer). In the past couple of years, I have felt the need to be more involved and active in social and political issues. Perhaps because I’ve been dealing more with people and less with computers. I just voted for president of Brazil for the very first time this past fall. Next on my list is to vote for US president in 2020.

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My job is a labor of love. I left a corporate career in technology, where I made more money, but also had a lot more stress and aggravation. Success for me is to be able to do what you love. The ever changing landscape of the retail where circumstances move with the speed of light these days. Communication is instant with the Internet. I can’t afford to be complacent, or you are finished.

EVANSTONWOMAN.COM

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Any alterations or use of graphic elements apart from this design must be approved by the Ten Thousand Villages Marketing Department, (717) 859-8170. * Resources are now available to internal audiences on The Village Wire, Ten Thousand Villages’ intranet site.

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Electronic files for this ad are available in Adobe InDesign® CS5 and Adobe Acrobat PDF 7.0.

SHOP SMALL. SHOP LOCAL.

SHOP EVANSTON FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Come discover everything Evanston has to offer:

a thriving downtown, unique commercial districts, local charm, and so much more.

Visit shopevanstonfortheholidays.com for seasonal gift ideas.

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EVANSTON WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER HOLIDAY PARTY

EWBC is a diverse and inclusive organization empowering women-owned businesses, their talents, skills, and knowledge. Fostered by members, the EWBC creates a space for growth, collaboration, and cultivates programs, and services to enhance, empower and embrace small business vision. Visit evanstonwbc.org

LOCATION Board and Brush Creative Studio CATERED BY GreenSpoon Kitchen EWBC supports Women Owned Businesses

EVANSTONWOMAN.COM

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Changing Lives a Click at a Time

A

movement has taken storm across the Chicagoland area. Women are lining up telling their stories and releasing years of tension they have held onto during Whitney Bradshaw’s, so called, scream sessions.

Bradshaw, a Chicago photographer found a creative way to empower women by capturing their most vulnerable moment; screaming, laughing, crying, yelling, all in a series of photographs. I had the opportunity to meet Bradshaw at Perspective Group and Photography Gallery during the “Me Too” show. Since then, it has been a true blessing to follow Bradshaw’s work and see how many lives she is changing one click at a time.

In a recent feature by fourteeneastmag.com, Evanston resident Yvette Meltzer thought it was a great opportunity to be in “Outcry.” “For too long females have been told to be good and don’t disturb the peace, don’t speak up, and it feels very empowering and it was a wonderful experience,” Meltzer said.

Bradshaw challenges the stereotypes society places on women by breaking the mold and empowering women to feel and reconnect to their true and authentic self. She begins with a small group of women who do not know one another in an effort to expand our community and to practice speaking up and out for one another. The group shares an intimate space and expresses themselves by releasing their most deep emotions by screaming.

A couple months ago I had an opportunity to catch up with Bradshaw since first meeting her in early August. Since then, a lot has happen. Bradshaw has shown her work at the De Paul Art Museum, her project was featured on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight women will be invited to take part in her scream sessions.

It was this very month a year ago that Bradshaw took up her camera and began a phenomenon of expression empowering women of all backgrounds, ages groups, and encouraging us all to knock down walls and honor women, above all.

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The Women’s Justice League Stands Strong Against Domestic Violence

I

n honor of Domestic Violence Aw a r e n e s s M o n t h , t h e Women’s Justice League took to the streets on Sunday, October 21, 2018, to shed light on verbal and emotional abuse at Chicago’s most visited and photographed tourist hot-spot in the city, the Cloud Gate at Millennium Park.

The Women’s Justice League, founded earlier this year by three survivors, is an organization that fights domestic violence throughout the greater Chicago area. “Words have the amazing ability to transform one’s being and carry a powerful force over humanity,” says co-founder Diana Rodriguez, “It is through language that we are able to communicate love or destructive hate. Words can inflict pain invisible to the eye; one word is all it takes. One word can make you feel ashamed, afraid, and humiliated.”

“We wanted to create a powerful demonstration surrounding verbal abuse, the kind you can’t see, the kind you have a hard time proving; yet leaves emotional scars far longer than any bruise takes to heal. With many other brave women, together, we took back the power of these demeaning words that once paralyzed us and turned it around on the abuser, the public and the system.

People were shocked, embarrassed and uncomfortable, “ co-founder Araceli Guasso stated.

“It’s hard to believe these words are part of someone’s everyday language.” A French tourist said as he approached the Women’s Justice League for a picture and translated the words upon the t-shirt’s to his three teenage daughters. “It sounds so much prettier in French!” said one of our warriors.

The tourist continued to share that

in France, it is estimated that one woman is killed every third day by a domestic partner. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. The statistics continue to be staggering. “It happens everywhere,” the French tourist continued, “No one is safe. Thank you for being here today and advocating against such a worthy cause.”

The Women’s Justice League was founded by three survivors who fight domestic violence through advocacy, justice and prevention.

They work with victims in immediate need, through the process of escaping their perpetrators by providing on-call for support through hospital visits, connections to shelters and community programs and aid in finding free legal aid and guidance for ongoing battles within the legal system. They speak at community events and fundraisers, and work with victims and survivors to share their stories through various art initiatives. Currently, they are raising funds to provide scholarships for their advocates to participate in the State of Illinois Domestic Violence 40-hour Training Program. League members consist of people from all walks of life, including current victims and children of domestic violence, community and business allies, non-profit organizations, survivors, law enforcement, and social justice advocates. For more information about joining the league, visit womensjusticeleague.com EVANSTONWOMAN.COM

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BREAKING THE SILENCE

T

with Dickelle Fonda

his past year we have been reminded of the extent of sexual trauma in our country. From stories of widespread sexual harassment to revelations of serial sexual abuse by Dr Larry Nasser and the notorious sexual assault by Bill Cosby, Donald Trump and Harvey Weinstein, all enabled by the silence of those around them.

In October, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford courageously spoke out publicly for the first time, decades after now Supreme Court Justice Brett Kauvenaugh attempted to rape her.

Spurring a new wave of activism to end the silence around sexual violence, we witnessed the resurgence of the#MeToo movement which started 10 yrs ago by activist Tarana Burke in an earlier effort to expose the extent of rape culture in our society.

Using hashtag #MeToo women described years of emotional trauma, professional losses, shrinking opportunities, and cultural invisibility.

Sexual harassment and assault are not new to this decade or to this country, but today social media has given us all a virtual megaphone to break the silence.

In the early 1970’s, in my mid 20’s, I was raped by a new acquaintance while traveling cross country. Like millions of survivors, I remained silent, denying its impact, blaming myself for being “there” and assuming that I would not be believed since the perpetrator was a local boy, a Vietnam war“ hero” and I was a transient hippie traveling thru his hometown. I was just grateful that he didn’t kill me.

But in the late 1970’s women began speaking up at public Speak Outs. We spoke our truth, we told our stories of abuse by family members as children, assaults by acquaintances, dates or strangers, and of unacknowledged sexual harassment in the workplace. We opened the door for men to begin coming out of the closet about their own sexual abuse as children.

We began to heal individually and collectively!!

We also channeled our rage and pain into a movement for social change. It was the catalyst for the creation of counseling, legal and medical advocacy services nationwide. We all find our unique ways to channel our anger and pain born of trauma For some of us it is activism and for others it may be writing, art, teaching, music, social justice work, politics or parenting.

My personal #MeToo moment took me down several different paths. As an activist in the early 1980’s in Chicago I

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organized collectively with a group of women to create The Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault which now funds 30 counseling and advocacy centers around the state. We also wrote and passed some of the most progressive sexual assault legislation in the country .

For the past 40 years my private psychotherapy practice has been open to women and men addressing current or long buried sexual trauma. The #MeToo movement has again illuminated just how many women and men have experienced some form of sexual trauma in their lives. We must continue to find ways to change this culture and to end the silence!

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ecause Beauty is so Essential to Well-Being, I’m passionate about helping women reclaim the beauty that lies dormant in their lives, guiding them towards a more authentic, satisfying self-expression.

Working directly with clothing customers, I learned very quickly that most women feel uncomfortable with the way they look. It’s no wonder. Fashion, Magazines, TV, Movies, Advertisements -- we’re besieged with images of what we should look like.

Though we may not be fully aware, we internalize these unattainable and often distorted standards (and it doesn’t feel good). So began a deep, personal inquiry into the meaning of beauty. What is it? Is beauty important? Why do we so often feel at odds with ourselves?

As a design intuitive, I became aware that true beauty has an unmistakable resonance and is far more than something we see. It’s something we feel, something we experience -- an important aspect of our daily lives.

DESIGNER

ANN ANDREWS

The clothing we wear is something we have control over; it’s a piece of the well-being puzzle. So, in addition to designing, I began assisting customers in re-framing their negative self-image, offering wardrobe transformations to help them find ways to express their own vision of beauty vis-a-vis the clothes they wear.

From there everything clicked and I became clear on what it is I uniquely bring ANN CATHERINE DESIGNS | anncatherine.com to my customers: Products and services that focus on authentic self- expression, well-being and timeless beauty.

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