Women's Initiative e-Newsletter

December 13, 2006


Hi ${member.firstname}, Happy holidays! Over one hundred women are graduating from Women’s Initiative this month with a business plan and a lot of confidence in hand. Thank you for propelling them to make their dreams come true. What a beautiful present for the holidays! This week is full of great gifts; Mohammad Yunus accepted the Nobel Peace Prize Sunday in Oslo. We are proud and invigorated by the recognition of this strategy for alleviating poverty. Last week the University of California Davis released a study that women hold only one in every 10 top decision-making positions at California's 400 largest publicly traded companies. Women's Initiative is helping to change that by supporting women to become top decision makers at THEIR OWN companies. You are helping to propel these women into executive positions and enabling them to match their potential. Perhaps next year we’ll see a positive shift in the numbers of this study!
HOT TOPICS

New Women's Initiative classes starting around the Bay Area
Women's Initiative is offering classes in San Francisco, Oakland, Marin and Concord. The classes begin in January, February and March. Please tell entrepreneurial friends and family members - you know the ones who sell you on going to an event, make beautiful hand-crafted items or always have a new idea to share. Tell them about our program and your experiences with it as a mentor, Connector or donor. For more information about upcoming My Business Action Plan sessions or other questions CLICK HERE or contact Elvira Solanes, (415) 641-3463.

Cheers to Our Year breakfast
Women's Initiative held its annual fundraising breakfast on Dec. 6 at the Four Seasons. 300 guests came to learn more about our program and to get inspired by our clients. Graduate Darlene Roberts, A Darling D'zign, served as the Mistress of Ceremonies and Cydney White opened the event with her amazing song voice. Guest were inspired by Milagros Acosta's story who graduated more than 14 years ago. Board member Paula LeRoy beautifully illustrated the experience our clients in overcoming fear - she made her point visually with a ladder and alluded that there is a need for support in order to climb up it. Thanks to all who attended!

 

 

 

 
 
PICK OF THE MONTH

photo credit: Big Brown Eyes Productions

Bernida's Pick of the Month
Rene Brice, Jewels of the Nile by Rene

My pick of the month is Rene Brice, owner and designer of Classic Collection, Ltd., which specializes in classic handbags, elegant scarves, unique gift items and exquisite jewelry designs known as “Jewels of the Nile.” I must be one of Rene’s most ardent customers, given the number of her jewelry pieces I now have in my collection. Rene uses the most beautiful, natural stones to create her vibrant, unique designs.

As a professional woman, always in the public eye, I appreciate Rene’s sophisticated designs and her dedication to creating and maintaining elegant-looking accessories. She has even come to my house to ensure that I get the most out of my investments, by coordinating pieces with my wardrobe. This service has allowed me to update my look without having to spend so much money on new clothes. A few well-chosen pieces have changed my entire wardrobe. I carry extra “Jewels of the Nile” cards whenever I wear Rene’s pieces, because, inevitably, I am asked where I purchased “that stunning piece of jewelry.”

I have also discovered a way to keep the jewelry coming. By hosting a house or office party for “Jewels of the Nile” I have earned some of the most beautiful jewelry I own. My favorite is a yellow turquoise necklace and earrings that are indescribable.

I know Rene has benefited from her relationship with Women’s Initiative, which is how I became familiar with Rene. In addition to very valuable training and support, Women’s Initiative has provided Rene and many other graduates opportunities to showcase their products and gain new costumers. I am grateful to Rene and to Women’s Initiative for making my world more beautiful and business relationships more meaningful. To find out more about Rene, visit her web site www.classiccollectionltd.com.

Bernida Reagan, member of Women's Initiative’s Alameda County Advisory Council, and Director of the Port of Oakland's Division of Social Responsibility. Bernida was nominated as one of the Top Ten Most Influential African Americans in the Bay Area by City Flight Newsmagazine.
EVENTS

Graduate Darlene Roberts as the Mistress of Ceremonies at the Women's Initiative "Cheers to Our Year" breakfast

Jewelry Showcase
 Corinthia Peoples is coordinating a jewelry showcase on Thurs, Dec. 14, 2007, 6-9 pm at Stepping Out Shoe Spa. If you would like to attend please send an email to corinthiapeoples@yahoo.com.

Shop Soiree
Graduate Ly Nguyen is coordinating this shopping soiree. Please join her, Entice Boutique and Oasis for Girls as they host a "Shop Soiree" in San Francisco on Sat, Dec. 16 from 11:30-3:00 pm. There is still room for a few more vendors. Registration fee is a sliding scale of $25-45. Fees will go directly to benefit Oasis for Girls, an arts and education center for young women. The event will be hosted at Oasis (1129 Folsom St. at 7th). A large crowd of professional fashionistas will attend the event. Please join us as a vendor or holiday shopper! For more information visit: www.enticeboutique.com. Email ly@shopentice.com for registration form.

Pomegranate: A Holiday Shopping Event!
Join graduate Lina Shatara on Sun., Dec. 17, 2006, 12-6 pm for this shopping event at Medjool Restaurant/Lounge (2522 Mission St., San Francisco). Pomegranate is a shopping event featuring Bay Area women designers, artists and innovators! You will find the hottest looks in clothing, jewelry, handbags, stationary, home accessories and much more! Free. For more information visit www.daievents.com.

Black Expo Vendor Packages
Packages available at an early bird rate through Dec. 31, 2006. The event will take place July 14-15, 2007. For more information visit www.blackexpoltd.com.

Girlfest
Save the Date: 2nd Annual Girlfest Bay Area on July 20-22, 2007 in San Francisco. The festival is designed to prevent violence against women through education and art. For more information visit www.girlfestbayarea.org.

 
IN THE NEWS

Karuna Jaggar, Research and Public Policy Director of Women’s Initiative, was quoted in an editorial in the Oakland Tribune READ IT HERE.

Women's Initiative featured in "SF grant to assist female entrepreneurs" in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Stitch Lounge received an honorable mention for the San Francisco Neighborhood Urban Business Awards award by Urban Solutions READ IT HERE in The Examiner

Graduate Raven~Light was quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle in working with lymph vessels READ IT HERE.
 
DID YOU KNOW?

Women's Initiative has facilitated four tradeshow opportunities with companies like Clorox and Sodexho during the holiday shopping season? Would your company like to host one of these tradeshows in 2007? Contact Rhonda at rbarzon@womensinitiative.org.

 
 
OPPORTUNITIES

Become a stronger leader - and help Women's Initiative, too
Sign up for a Jan. 31 all-day seminar on "Leading through Influence" taught by Rayona Sharpnack of Institute for Women's Leadership. Cost: $750; indicate that "Women's Initiative" referred you, and IWL will donate $200 of the fee to Women's Initiative. For more on the course, CLICK HERE.

Award for trailblazing women business owners –
Apply for a chance to win $5,000!
Wells Fargo and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) want to recognize the fantastic talent, drive and innovation of women business owners. In 2001 we launched the NAWBO/Wells Fargo Trailblazer Award to celebrate the enormous role women play in driving the American economy. We are looking for women business owners, like yourselves, who have successfully developed unique products, services or delivery channels in their business. Tell us how your business reflects your vision and commitment to building an organization that truly makes a difference in your community. Each winner will receive a cash grant of $5,000 as well as nationwide recognition, and will be recognized at the 2007 NAWBO Annual Women’s Business Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, May 31 - June 2, 2007. For more info visit www.nawbo.org and click on the awards link.