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It
has been ten years since America revamped welfare policies,
yet a new census report says poverty rates have remained
unchanged from last year. We know that many women in
the Bay Area have to choose between food, rent, adequate
child care and health insurance. The city of San Francisco
is making a bold move by investing in specific resources
for microenterprise training for low-income women in
San Francisco. We cheers to our leaders who believe
in the power of microenterprise. We know that that when
women are trained and supported in a safe environment,
women thrive and build tremendous community assets –
business that hire others, pay taxes and provide community
leadership.
Let this be the beginning of a movement to address poverty
with real answers. If you are interested in San Francisco’s
commitment to women microentrepreneurs, join us for
a Symposium on Microenterprise and Women in Business
Fair co-sponsored by Assemblymember Leland Yee and Women’s
Initiative. The resource fair and panel discussion will
take place on Friday, September 29th at City Hall. For
more information or to RSVP for the Women in Business
Resource Fair to Office of Assemblymember Leland Yee
at (415) 557-2312 by September 15th.
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| HOT
TOPICS |
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Reserve
your spot at the Leadership
Lunch
Co-chairs Anthony Batarse, Jr.,
Mario Juarez, Victoria Jones
and Terry Alderete invite you
to celebrate women entrepreneurs
who are changing the face of
business. We will honor Ana
Chretien, owner of ABC Security
Service, and graduate Volunteer
of the Year Louise Bartlett.
Connect with influential people
in business and network with
graduates who are going their
businesses and becoming community
leaders. Tickets are $65 until
October 8th RSVP
by October 17th to Madhuri Pottathil
at (510) 287-3107.
Putting
Your Gadgets to Work for Women
Entrepreneurs
Women's
Initiative needs digital cameras
(with manuals), laptop computers,
a data projector and a video camera
to support the training we do
with women developing their business
plans
and to assist with presentations
with potential clients. If you
would like to make an in-kind
gift please contact Julie Castro
Abrams at (510) 287-3110. We will
take recent models, but please
understand that outdated models
hinder us from working with our
clients efficiently. Thank you.
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PICK
OF THE MONTH |
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 Dana’s
Pick of the Month: Baja Nights
You know you're in the right place when
you're surrounded by beautiful work(wo)manship
and personable service. When I approached
Women’s Initiative graduate
Susan Grant's tradeshow booth
of jewelry during the gala this year,
I was not only taken by the variety and
beauty of her pieces, but by Susan's enthusiastic,
professional style as well. I was immediately
taken by a sterling silver and grass green
stone bracelet. With its classic lines
yet edgy color, it seemed the perfect
gift for one of my friends. But Susan's
was the first table in a room filled with
other Women’s Initiative clients'
wares which I hadn't yet seen, so I wasn't
quite ready to commit. She approached
me and offered to hold the piece while
I looked around. That act in itself –
her sincere desire to make sure that I
was a satisfied customer, if I decided
to become one at all – just added
to the value of the bracelet, and to my
positive impression of her and her business,
Baja Nights. While there were a number
of pieces by other Women’s Initiative
graduates throughout the room that I admired
(one of which I purchased for myself!),
I returned to Susan's table, and without
even looking at it again, asked to purchase
the bracelet. I'm not the only one who
thinks it's stunning; when I gave it to
my friend, she was beside herself. Except
when she's showering, I don't think she's
taken it off her wrist since she pulled
it out of its matching green pouch! To
find out more about Susan’s business,
visit www.bajanights.com
or call (510) 508-4484.
—
Dana E. Whitaker, Alameda County Advisory
Council member |
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Taking
Care of Business
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Wednesday,
October 25
7 :30am - 5:30pm
Oakland Marriott
We've just confirmed Guy
Kawasaki, acclaimed author
and venture capitalist, as our
Making Connections Breakfast Speaker!
CLICK
HERE to view
conference web page.
Do you want to help make Taking
Care of Business, our business
conference designed for graduates,
a smashing success? We are looking
for connectors, teams of volunteers
and other support. Call Madhuri
at (510) 287-3107 to find out
how you can get involved today.
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| EVENTS |
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Black
Women’s Health and Healing conference
September 28 – October 1 at the
Oakland YWCA. In conjunction with the
conference the 17th Street South of
Broadway Merchants Association is having
their first ever block party on Saturday,
September 30 from 11am – 6pm.
Graduate Quela Mikell, Royal Jewel Designs,
has been instrumental in getting the
association up and running. For more
information visit www.muhsana.org
Women
of Taste Festival
Saturday, September 30, 2006 6-10pm
is Girls Inc.'s 15th Annual Women of
Taste. Held at the Oakland Museum, this
extraordinary gala combines delicious
food by more than 20 chefs, fine wine,
coffee and spirits, beautiful artwork
and a silent auction. For more information,
visit www.WomenofTaste.org.
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| IN
THE NEWS |
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Tune
in to KFOG’s “Beat of the
Bay” and “Fogfiles”
for an interview with CEO Julie Castro
Abrams and graduate Eva Saavedra, owner
of El Huarache Azteca. Didn’t
catch it on the radio last week? Check
the KFOG website, LISTEN
NOW.
Graduates
Alison Barakat of Bakesale
Betty and Guiselle Osorio were
mentioned in the July issue of Diablo
Magazine.
Estrellita Snacks, owned by graduate
Maria del Carmen, was mentioned in 7x7
this month in the "Best of
the Mission" section.
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LISTEN
NOW