syracuse and onondaga county Fall 2012 YWCA SPIRIT OF AMERICAN WOMEN WHEN:
Wednesday, November 14, 2012 7:45 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Marion Nestle Acclaimed professor of nutrition and public health Author, “Food Politics” and “What to Eat”
LOCATION:
Holiday Inn 441 Electronics Parkway Liverpool Spirit of American Women is a special event that celebrates the Strong, Smart, & Bold women in our lives. Breakfast is complimentary thanks to our generous sponsors. You will be invited to make a confidential gift at the event to support the women and girls served through YWCA programs such as Girls Incorporated, the Women’s Residence and Out of School Time programs. These programs enrich the lives of women and girls in our community. A minimum gift of $50 is requested. To RSVP & more information, please visit us online at www. ywca-syracuse.org or contact the main office by phone at 315-424-0040 or by email: ywcaadmin@cnymail.com
YWCA welcomes acclaimed nutrition professor and author to Spirit of American Women fund-raising event Marion Nestle to speak November 14, 2012 You’ll never look at food the same way after this exciting talk by acclaimed professor of nutrition, Marion Nestle, at this year’s YWCA Spirit of American Women (SAW) event, November 14th at the Holiday Inn on Electronics Parkway in Liverpool. Nestle, a food activist, is a sought after speaker and an award-winning author of best-selling books which examine the science and politics of food and dietary choices. Her research has shed light on topics from social and economic influences on food to obesity. The YWCA will present the author a Spirit of American Women Award
recognizing her cutting-edge work. SAW was conceived as a way to encourage philanthropy among women and provide an opportunity to learn about the YWCA. It is also an opportunity for Marion Nestle women to network with others from diverse social, ethnic, economic, educational, and cultural backgrounds. Guests hear from women and girls whose lives have changed with support from YWCA Syracuse & Onondaga County and they’ll discover how their gift benefits women and their families in our community.
Woman to woman...it’s time to VOTE! A letter from the women of the YWCA to you... Woman to woman, we need to talk. Election Day is almost here, but do you know which candidates stand for what we believe in, who will work to safeguard our future and the welfare of all the women and girls in our lives? Woman to woman, we still have a long way to go for equal rights. Currently, women only earn 77¢ for every $1 a man makes. The averages are even lower for African-American women who earn 67.7¢ and Latinas who make just 58.7¢. One in five of us will experience
rape or attempted rape during our college years. Less than five percent of these rapes will even be reported. We are still being told what we can and cannot do with our own bodies; and if we are fortunate to have healthcare, it is often insufficient to meet our needs. So many vital issues relating to our lives and bodies are being decided by government. It’s important that we take a stand and support candidates in the coming election who mirror our values. The YWCA has put together a website—created by women for CONTINUED PAGE THREE
YWCA Syracuse & Onondaga County
YWCA Names Employee of the Year
Michele McDowell of Syracuse was honored with the Betty Bentley Employee of the Year Award for 2012 Michele McDowell of Syracuse is so committed to her life’s goal, she even missed an awards ceremony to honor her. “I was in class at tractor trailer driving school,” McDowell said. YWCA Executive Director Joan Durant accepted the YWCA Executive Director award on her behalf saying “I Joan Durant with Betty Bentley know in whatever big rig she is Award Winner for 2012, Michele driving through Syracuse right McDowell of Syracuse. now—she’s smiling.” McDowell was honored with the YWCA’s prestigious Betty Bentley Employee of the Year Award for 2012. The award honors the one individual who has demonstrated a remarkable commitment and growth while approaching their tasks in a creative and innovative way. The recipient of this award also embodies the YWCA’s one true imperative and mission while remaining professional and flexible, often being called upon to be adaptable above the needs of their individual program or organization. YWCA Executive Director Joan Durant says the task of selecting an employee of the year is always a difficult one, with so many hard-working candidates to consider, however, this year she says McDowell’s hard work was exceptional. “Michele is truly an inspiration to all who meet her,” said Durant. “Now we’re just sorry we’re going to lose her.” For two years, McDowell has worked in the YWCA’s Newsstand in the lobby of 120 East Washington Street in Syracuse. Durant says her professionalism was contagious and her thirst for knowledge unending. It was this kind of dedication and spirit that made McDowell the natural choice to fill in as the YWCA’s administrative assistant during an employee’s medical leave of absence. “She was eager to learn new things about working in an office. She helped us out in the office AND maintained her position working in the Newsstand,” Durant said. “Despite her busy schedule, she never lost sight of her main goal.” McDowell graduated from tractor trailer driving school in August. She is currently training with a trucking firm for her new position. “The YWCA has given me the confidence to take on responsibility and challenges. So nothing is out of the question,” she laughed. The Betty Bentley Employee of the Year Award was created in 1992 to honor Dr. Bentley, the President of the YWCA Board of Directors from 1987-1990.
Volunteers from the law firm Bond, Schoeneck and King helped spruce up the Girls Incorporated headquarters this summer in Syracuse. Pictured left to right: Nancy Clark, Ann Perrone, Marla Prince, and Suzanne Messer.
Syracuse Woman Honored by YWCA Esther Gray is the recipient of the YWCA Amber Reilly Award for 2012 The YWCA Syracuse & Onondaga County honored Esther Gray of Syracuse for her outstanding contributions and service by presenting her with the prestigious YWCA Amber Reilly Service Award for 2012. YWCA Executive Director Joan Durant describes Gray as a staunch supporter of the YWCA, especially its Girls Inc. Program. Durant credits Gray with service “above and beyond the call of duty”. In six years she Amber Reilly served us on a Girls Incorporated, transiAward Winner for tional and YWCA Board. Today, she con1012, Esther Gray tinues serving the organization with a deep of Syracuse. commitment to our programs and mission. “Esther has a wonderful ability to keep the YWCA in the front of her mind,” said YWCA Executive Director Joan Durant. “She is a behind-the-scenes negotiator of countless things that we can bring to our clients and programs.” Durant says Gray has a knack for finding free tickets to events and shows from dance, theater and sports in Syracuse and then makes them available to clients and staff of the YWCA. In addition, Gray is continually arranging donations of supplies and funding with her unending network of organization and friends. The Amber Reilly Service Award was created in 1997 in honor of its namesake, former YWCA Board Member, Amber Reilly.
Don’t forget to do all your Internet searches and online shopping through www.goodsearch.com and designate YWCA Syracuse & Onondaga County. Earning money for the YWCA is only a mouse click away!
Expanding Your Horizons Planned for November 10th
Pictured left to right: Andrea Boyer, Syracuse; Alyssa Fort, Syracuse; Keonna Wren, Syracuse; Ny’elle Hameed, Syracuse; Lexx’Zorria Sease, Syracuse; and Abby Casey, New Jersey
YWCA’s Girls Inc. Teen Campers Become Entrepreneurs This summer girls in YWCA’s Girls Inc. Teen Program turned into entrepreneurs. The girls were inspired by a presentation by AKA Sorority’s Joscelyne Wilson. Then they decided to put what they learned into action. “Her words inspired us to think of so many fun business ideas. It was difficult to choose,” said Abby Casey, age 15, visiting from New Jersey. However, when Casey and a relative found a soap making kit at a local garage sale, the girls in the camp unanimously agreed it was the way to go. The girls calculated their needs and bought supplies using a grant from the Syracuse Zonta Foundation. The teens say they had fun learning how to make unique soaps using dyes, fragrances, and items which added an artistic flair to their signature soap. The group made enough inventory to recently stock a booth at Syracuse’s Downtown Farmers’ Market. “I was surprised people bought our soap,” said 15-year-old Keonna Wren of Syracuse. “Business was good. We’ll be able to cover our expenses and then some.” The teens say they plan to use their profits to purchase an additional fun event or experience for their group this summer. “We even had a Buddhist monk buy soap from us,” the girls reported. “He was so nice, he even blessed us.” YWCA’s Girls Inc. Teen Summer Camp introduces young women to fun and interesting learning experiences concentrating on Engineering, Science, and Technology fields with the mission of ‘inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold’. For more information about our Girls Inc. Teen Program and events visit our website www.ywca-syracuse.org.
YWCA’s Girls Incorporated is holding a hands-on, interactive career conference for girls in grades 5 - 10 called Expanding Your Horizons, Saturday, November 10, 2012, 9:45 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. at Zonta House, 401 Douglas Street in Syracuse. The fee is $5 per participant. Expanding Your Horizons is an event designed to energize girls to explore a wide-range of career options with a special emphasis on the importance of math, science, and technology education. “Young women participating in the program will enjoy a hands-on experience and learn valuable skills from women role models from non-traditional careers,” explained Joan Durant, YWCA Executive Director. Reservations are required and space is limited. For more information or to register for this event, please contact Girls Inc. at 474-0746. For more information about EYH or if you are interested in becoming an EYH Presenter visit our website at www.ywca-syracuse.org.
...it’s time to VOTE! CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE
women—about the election issues that affect us most. It explains the history of each issue and the government’s current stance, as well as what needs to be done to ensure that we have healthy and productive futures as women in the United States. We’ve made great strides in advocating for the passage of legislation like the Violence Against Women Act, the Victims of Crime Act, the Women’s Workforce Bill and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which all help to secure our health and safety. For these acts to continue to be supported by our politicians and for more acts like these to become a reality in the future, we need to choose candidates who stand squarely with us. So, woman to woman, check out the YWCA’s website about election issues. Register to vote. It’s your voice. Your vote. Your future. But it’s also so much more. It’s the voice, the vote and the future of American women of all ages, and it all begins right here:http://www.ywcavote.org. Thanks and see you at the voting booth on November 6th. Board of Directors
Lisa Stuart, President Eunice Williams, 1st Vice President Suzanne Messer, Esq., 2nd Vice President Kelly Rodoski, Recording Secretary Anne Milne, Treasurer Directors: Cherie Cogan Jacquline MacDavitt Terry Eckert Katie Monroe Juanita Fuentes Laura Perriello Catherine Gaynor Barbara Spears Mariel Keppler Oguwa “Gigi” Uzorka Julie Lubel Michele Wood
Asset Development Committee James R. King, Chair Hugh C. Gregg II, Esq. Anne Milne Lisa Stuart Loretta Zolkowski
Executive Director Joan Durant
YWCA Syracuse & Onondaga County
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“A United Way Agency”
programs Out of School Time Program
Out of School Time Programs provide a safe and fun environment for children. YWCA “structured choice” programs offer a variety of daily options. Programs are located at H.W. Smith at Levy, Salem Hyde and Fremont Elementary in East Syracuse. YWCA Say Yes to Education Partnership programs are located at H.W. Smith at Levy and Frazer Schools.
Women’s Residence
The Women’s Residence Program is designed to assist single or parenting women overcome their life obstacles. It provides safe, affordable housing with 24-hour staffing.
My Sister’s Closet
Located at 300 Burt Street in Syracuse, My Sister’s Closet helps women in the Residence Program to develop appropriate professional wardrobes as they work toward finding and obtaining employment.
Girls Incorporated:
Inspiring all Girls to be Strong, Smart and Bold Girls Incorporated provides research-based, informal education programs that encourage girls to take risks and master physical, intellectual and emotional challenges. Major programs address math and science education, pregnancy prevention, media literacy, adolescent health, substance abuse prevention and sports participation. l Out of School Time Program l Teen Program for girls l Camp Discovery l Expanding Your Horizons and Girls Summit l Family strengthening workshops
Women to Work In 1998, women in the Residence Program organized, trained and opened their own
Check out our NEW website www.ywca-syracuse.org
small business. The News Stand at 120 East Washington Street in Syracuse serves as a vehicle to help women in the Residence Program develop the knowledge and skills they need to become confident, competent, productive members of today’s working society.
Visit YWCA Syracuse & Onondaga County on Facebook, Twitter and Pintrest.
Annual Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism and Promote Diversity Luncheon, April 2013
Visit Girls Inc. at the YWCA Syracuse & Onondaga County on Facebook and Girls Inc. Teens @ YWCA Syracuse on Twitter
The YWCA Day of Commitment Luncheon brings together people working to eliminate racism and promote diversity in Central New York. The gathering serves as a yearly barometer of progress toward their goal. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences, efforts and accomplishments in the battle of breaking down prejudices.