BLACK WOMEN’S NETWORK Quarterly Newsletter June 2015
Sister’s in Service to Enhance Resource Sharing
Black Women’s Network 2015 Theme # Black Lives Matter
“Use your life to serve the world, and you will find that it also serves you." - Oprah Winfrey
In This Issue
CP& R
Before Serena & Venus
Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome
Community Spotlight
Summer Exercise/Self –Defense
Calendar of Events
BWN Community and Public Relations ALL AROUND TOWNBWN hosted a booth Saturday, April 25, 2015 at the KJLH Women’s Health Forum at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Our booth volunteers greeted hundreds and introduced over 200 attendees to the Network who passed by our booth and signed our social media registry to follow the organization.
Ending the Violence Against Women and Girls “ VP-Linda Lewis and C_PR Chair Gwendolyn Goodman teamed up with BWN President Marva Smith Battle-Bey to present the March 2015 Program bearing this theme. Gwen facilitated the Ice Breaker and invited Two Martial Artists to provide Self-defense demonstrations, her husband Master Larry Goodman and God-Son Grand Master Dennis Horton. Board Member and fellow Martial Artist Lynn Hunt also shared a team demo on Krav Maga. A distinguished panel of presenters was assembled to include our own Cresia Davis who presented on How Grand Jury service works as a past serving Grand Juror in Los Angeles. We entered this year with the Ray Rice Domestic Violence elevator Video Scandal. BWN President Marva Smith BattleBey joined a chorus of Black Activist by writing a letter to the NFL to lobby for one of the many experienced and credentialed Black female’s to serve on the advisory committee to the NFL on Domestic Violence. The year has continues to heat up with violence against Black Americans by law enforcement scored by the legal case of Marlene Pinnock the homeless woman beaten by a Sheriff officer. BWN provided a financial support donation before her case settled. Community and Public Relations Members participated in two Peaceful protest marches in support of Criminal Justice Reform and to bring attention to Police violence against women and girls. The latest Is the shameless behavior of Police at a pool party, cussing at teenager's, man handling a 14 year old girl and aiming his gun on unarmed teenagers, clad only in swim wear. BWN Supports Non-Violent Peaceful Civic Action until it become unnecessary to do so. The violence must be stopped by every legal recourse available to its victims.
BWN Community and Public Relations ALL AROUND TOWN– NETWORKING
BWN Supporting our community Partner BBA from our Booth at the Awards Conference Downtown LA—Linda Lewis BWN-VP and C_PR Director Gwendolyn Goodman .
Board Member Tanisha Butcher and C-PR Chair Gwendolyn Goodman share the mission and vision of BWN with hundreds of attendees at the State-wide “Ready-to-Lead Conference May 15, 2015 on the beautiful campus of Southwest College.
BWN Supports our President Marva Smith Battle-Bey as this year’s Welcome Speaker for The 100 Black Women LA’s annual Awards Luncheon on May 23, 2015 in Torrance
BWN Supports the Women of Resilience Event of our community partner and sister Jewel Diamond Taylor in Carson
Before there was Serena & Venus Yes, before Serena and Venus Williams there was the Peters Sister’s Margaret and Matilda . The sisters grew up in the Jim Crow Era and subsequently could not participate on the white tennis circuit. Both sisters were born in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., Margaret in 1915 and Matilda Roumania in 1917. The Peters sisters grew up in a predominantly black, working-class section of D.C. Nicknamed "Pete" and "Re-Pete," respectively, the Peters sisters played in the American Tennis Association, a league formed to give African-Americans a chance to play competitive tennis at a national level. Both sisters attended Tuskegee on full scholarships and graduated in 1941 with degrees in physical education,. The Peters sisters continued to play amateur tennis in segregated regional and national ATA tournaments. Although considered forgotten stars, their little know story hidden due to the weight of segregation, has existed all along and still inspires. Reference: the bleacherreport
Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome by Dr. Joy DeGruy Black Women’s Network hosted a video viewing of Dr. Joy DeGruy’s “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome” book at our April 11, 2015. Dr. DeGruy’s book takes a look at the long lasting implications of Slavery on African Americans. She links our current plight as a direct backlash to the mistreatment of our enslaved ancestors. Although we have developed extraordinary survival coping strategies, they are just that coping not healing strategies This is an excellent book for any Book Club, very thought provoking. The book comes with a Study Guide designed to help individuals, groups, and organizations better understand the functional and dysfunctional attitudes as well as behaviors that have been passed on to us through generations & generations, behaviors that we are now passing on to others in our homes, schools, and place of work and within the community. The book addresses the residual impacts of generations of slavery and opens up the discussion of how the black community can use the strengths we have gained in the past to heal in the present.
Community Member Spotlight Batima Conerly Essence of Light Essence of Light was founded in 2000; a Los Angeles based not for profit organization with a mission to: Provide a safe, structured living environment that empowers and encourages individuals and families to move from dependence to independence through comprehensive, supportive services. With the support of key staff and volunteers at the two group homes, Essence of Light provides temporary shelter, counseling and support to transform dependent individuals into independent spirits. Essence of Light would like to solicit your help in continuing their effort to provide these services by donating gently used and/or worn items, such as
LINEN (sheets, comforters, blankets, pillows) TOWELS CURTAINS SHOES CLOTHING THROW RUGS POTS, PANS AND DISHES APPLIANCES
Please contact Batima @ 323-972-0371 or 213-361-1910 for pick up of items and to schedule donation drop off at 744 W. 111th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90044
Summer Exercise/Self Defense Classes Zumba Classes
Line Dancing
Hemingway Park 700 E. Gardena Blvd. Carson, CA 90746 Mondays 6:00PM to 7:00PM Free
Hemingway Park 700 E. Gardena Blvd. Carson, CA 90746 Saturdays 10: Am to 12:00PM Free
City of Refuge 14527 S. San Pedro Gardena, CA 90248 Tuesday 6:30PM to 7:30PM Free
Stevenson Park 17400 Lysander Dr. Carson, CA 90746 Fridays 10:00AM to 11:00AM Free
Gonzales Park 1101 W Dwight St. Compton, CA 90220 Wednesday 6:30Pm to 7:30PM ($3.00 Cover Charge)
For More Information Contact: Jewel Bumpas (Instructor) @ (310) 989-7254
[email protected] [email protected] Krav Maga Worldwide (Self-Defense) 11400 W. Olympic Blvd.#100 Los Angeles, CA 90064 Contact Davis @ 310-966-1300 BWN members mention Lynn Hunt and get a free tryout!
Tips 1. Drink enough water 64 oz daily 2. Eat at least five cups of fruits and vegetables per day 3. Avoid Sodas 4. Wear comfy clothes
2015 Black Women’s Network Fundraisers
Viejas Casino & Outlet Mall Save the Date November 28th, Tickets on sale $25.00 per Person 36th Annual Breakfast Forum “AND STILL I RISE” October 24, 2015 Tickets on Sale $55.00 per Person
Get your BWN T-Shirts for $10.00 each
2015 Calendar June 13
BWN Women’s Health and Fitness Program (Open to Public)
July 11
Networking and Connections (Open to Public)
August
No Monthly Meeting
September 12
General Business Meeting (Members Only)
October 10
BWN Women’s Issue Seminar (Open to Public)
October 24
BWN 36th Annual Breakfast Forum
November 14
General Business Meeting—Election of Officers (Members Only)
November 28
BWN Fundraiser Viejas Casino Trip
Happy Birthday to Members born April thru August
Contact Us P.O. Box 56106 Los Angeles, CA 90056 24-Hour Hotline: (323) 964-4003
Give us a call for more information about our BWN Membership Email:
[email protected] Visit us on the web at : www.blackwomensnetwork.net
www.facebook.com/blackwomensnetwork
Newsletter Editor: Tanisha Butcher
