Fall In Love

SHE CAN WILL CHANGE THE WORLD

My year was impacted by so many great women. 

Women who care about our world. 

They care about equal rights for women in our own city, our country and throughout the world. 

They care about accessibility to; education, safety, freedom from violence, family health, reproductive options, freedom of speech, religious rights, human rights. 

They fight to protect those women and girls throughout our world who are suppressed, held captive, pushed back, shut out and turned off. 

They believe that all women should have rights, know their rights and be free to grow and prosper.

I salute the women who stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves. 

I applaud all those who reach out and extend their hand to help heal. 

I appreciate and support those who make it their mission each day to give a little girl the chance to become a powerful and free woman; allowing her to know her rights and move into her full potential. 

So I thank the women - known and unknown - mothers, aunts, grandmothers, neighbors, teachers, policymakers, philanthropists, doctors, celebrities, athletes, police and military officers, physicians, writers, journalists, ministers, performers, designers, pharmacists, lawyers, managers, chief executives, nurses, researchers, developers, therapists, etc. - who make a difference every day. 

Thank YOU!

 

GET TO KNOW. . .

WOMEN MOVING MILLIONS
"We are at an interesting moment in our history as it relates to women and girls. On the one hand, women continue to be more economically disadvantaged, experience much more violence, earn less and are dramatically underrepresented in positions of leadership across all sectors. On the other hand, now more then ever women control the purse strings in terms of purchasing power, are increasingly the holders of wealth, are outperforming educationally in the western world and are starting and growing businesses at a much faster rate than men. . ."

Summer Afternoon

“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; 

to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.”
― Henry James

I have always looked forward to the Summer. As a child, I would eagerly await the last day of school, when we would simply burst out of class with an almost wild abandon onwards towards . . . Summer! 

Our days were filled with playing in the park, building forts in the woods, selling lemonade, wearing matching sundresses, learning in our family garden, going out for ice cream, fishing with our dad, dealing with insect bites, riding horses and so on.

Every child should have the opportunity to explore all that nature has to offer. I truly appreciate the organizations who make it their mission to get kids out of the concrete jungle and into the fresh air. There they can explore the world beyond . . . expanding their understanding of the options that exist for them and appreciate nature. 

There are so many great organizations providing this (truly) life-changing option to our urban youth.  

Check them out. 
Support them. 
Volunteer. 

Below are just a few great New York programs that are making a huge difference in the lives of so many!

FRESH AIR FUND
Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund has been providing free Summer programs to over 1.7 million kids.

KATCHKIE FARM
Katchkie Farm is the home of the Sylvia Center where school groups throughout New York visit to plant in the Children's Garden and learn about eating healthful foods.

WYCKOFF ASSOCIATION
Bringing it home. This Brooklyn-based association is focused on a specific aspect of urban gardening; providing students the principles of gardening and farming as well as an understanding of Brooklyn’s historic farming culture and modern urban landscape.

LOWER EASTSIDE GIRLS CLUB
A club focused on girls, includes a Summer Camp program that brings the participants together through teamwork, laughter and some good singing.

An April Rainbow

". . .realize clearly that all mankind is one, 

that human beings in every country are members of one and the same family."
- The Dalai Lama

On April 22nd, Earth Day was celebrated throughout our world. Many came together for our planet; organizing street clean-ups and school garden days, committing to greener living, joining on-line communities, attending concerts and many other "acts of green."

As a nature enthusiast and lover of this earth and its citizens, I appreciate all the efforts and personally strive to live my life to make this world a better, safer and cleaner place. 

As I watched a video of various people from all walks of life answer the question "What does Green mean to you?" - I began to think about the downside of our reference to "GREENING" our planet. 

Why did we choose the world "GREEN" - a singular color - to describe how we should take care of our planet? For a planet that is so rich in color and texture - why would we not "COLOR" our planet?

I ask . . .what is GREEN about the BLUE of the ocean, the YELLOW of a rat snake, the GRAY of the night sky, the PURPLE of a Coneflower, the RED of a Woodpecker's belly, the TEAL of tropical fish, the PINK of a Dolphin, the BROWN of the Marmorated stink bug, the WHITE stripe of a blue-winged teal Duck, the ORANGE of a baby Orangutan . . .? 

Don't get me wrong, I love the color of GREEN and its many shades - from jade, lime, vert to fern - I embrace this color. But I do love all the other colors as well and the beautiful way they dance together when mixed. 

So why the singular name of GREEN? Have we not learned that too much emphasis on one color has not produced good results. Our world is fraught with injustices that derive from our focus on "a color" and our need to expand our palette is eminent!

All COLORS are needed to end poverty.
All COLORS are needed to address environmental destruction.
All COLORS are needed to build a bridge to the future for our children and their children. 
All COLORS are needed for sustainable development.
All COLORS are needed to save our planet.

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. Mother Teresa

Please note that, on both a personal and professional level, I do support "Green" initiatives
and this blog entry is not meant to undermine such projects,
but instead to remind us to keep an all inclusive perspective in all our endeavors.

A Promise Made In March

 

Why is it not good enough to JUST BE YOURSELF?
"Social attitudes manifest themselves in a very basic way within the school environment,"
said study researcher Ian Rivers, "so if the school really upholds sports, kids who are not good at sport are going to be victimized because they are not living up to the expectations of others." 

***

It was a gray day in Boston. There was a chill that seemed to go straight through to my bones. The steady mist of rain was slowly destroying my knit hat and my bottom lip trembled. I stood with some of my team discussing the next steps of logistics. As I spoke, I sensed someone approaching. I turned to find a father with his daughter. He asked, "Are you in charge?" I explained that I was part of a team running the event and asked him how I could be of help. He put his arm lovingly on his daughters shoulder. "She really wants to meet her," he said. I looked at his daughter. She was probably around 16. She wore a red jacket and glasses. She was clutching something in her hand. She spoke excitedly, "I wrote a letter and I want to give it to her."

I smiled and explained that 'everyone wants to see her' and I 'couldn't promise' but 'could try.' As I went on, her eyes welled up with tears. I immediately leaned in to hug her - feeling badly. "What did I say?" I thought. After the hug, I looked in this young girls eyes and then I understood. She was crying because she wanted so badly to meet the person who wrote the words that made her feel that it was okay to just BE.

It was the lyrics of the song that spoke to her (and the thousands of teens that came through that day). The lyrics that let them know it was okay to BE. That it is okay to BE yourself. That one has the right to simply BE who they are. To just BE.

I'm beautiful in my way
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Born this Way (Lady Gaga)

As the radio call came with a request for me to run off and help elsewhere, I turned to my partner and said, "Do what you can."  I squeezed this girls hand and told her that she was beautiful and special.

Later, I came back and found my new young friend. "Did you get to see her?" I asked. "Yes!" she exclaimed. She went on to tell me that she gave her letter to a security guard and she hopes that her idol will read it. I assured her that she would. As we spoke, the television crews were interviewing a group of young kids behind us. I turned and grabbed my young friend and introduced her to an available anchorman.

As I watched her answer questions, I realized I was crying. You see, while her father thanked me, what he doesn't know, it was I who should have been saying thank you. In fact, more important to me that day than meeting Oprah, was my interaction with this young girl.

She touched my heart.

She reminded me of how important it is that we, as a society, do what we need to do to protect our youngest citizens. To empower them. To let them know it is okay to be who they are. To not impose on them restrictions and definitions that stop them from reaching their full potential. To break down the walls of fear that result in bullying and intimidation. To break down the walls of prejudice and pride.

She touched my heart.

She reminded me that for us to achieve advancement in this area, that we - as adults - must learn to love ourselves and each other more. That we must work to be a stronger example. That we must set a better model. 

She touched my heart.

This month, I dedicate my work to Samantha and promise to work tirelessly to find ways to empower, encourage and inspire our youth. Will you join me?

Links

Born this Way Foundation

Why Do We . . .?

No man (or woman) is an island - February 2012

No man is an island, entire of itself
every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main . . .

John Donne- 1572

In the last four weeks, for various clients and partners, I have traveled from Tampa to New Orleans to Los Angeles to Boston.  While on the road, I have rubbed elbows with event industry greats such as Andrea Michaels, worked the "green" carpet with Sheila E., and helped launch Lady Gaga's new foundation. Oh . . . and somewhere in between, witnessed the wedding of my 22 year old "godson!"

This past week, as I made my way back to New York City, I thought about the importance of collaborations, connections and supportive colleagues. I thought about each team I worked with on the road and had a fresh appreciation for what it really takes to pull off a fundraising event (and even a wedding). 

There is the old saying that my dad used to quote often. "No man is an island, entire of itself." What I really like is the rest of the quote. . . "every man (or woman) is a piece of the continent (the world), a part of the main (the whole)."

When my travels began, I was at The Special Events awards show in Tampa at the end of January. I sat in my chair, by a supportive colleague, as they announced the category for "Best Non-Profit Event" and highlighted each of the three nominees. Elizabeth Rose Consulting was nominated and I had flown in to accept the award should we be selected. There was a lot of talent represented in the room and I truly felt honored to be one of the companies acknowledged for our work.
 

As I sat there waiting - fidgeting with my program booklet - I thought about how many people were involved in an effort that took us over a year and generated more than $1.5 million in funding. I thought about the countless hours - the endless calls - the conversations - the challenges - the decisions - the paperwork - the stress - the success.

In the end, for us to achieve the fundraising success we had, there were so many who gave . . . There was the client - OctoberWoman Foundation - who had the vision and put in all their time, energy and resources to make the event happen. There was the spokesperson - Brianna Commerford - a young cancer survivor who touched 1,100 lives in one night. 

There was the project partner - OneSource Worldwide  - who worked by our side. There was the show producer - Empire Events - who made it all come together. There was the entertainment coordinator - Danny Bergold - who added excitement through dance and music. There was the auction manager - Grandstand Sports - who enticed folks to shop and give. 

There were the donors, the doctors, the celebrities, the volunteer manager, the countless staffers, the volunteers, the committee members, the decorators, the vendors, the sponsors, the venue and then there was us.

So while I sat there and represented the company who was "named" as the responsible party, we were really just a small part of the whole and I was grateful.

This January - Don't forget the Homeless

41,000 people are in NYC Shelters.

17,000 are children!

It was just a couple of weeks ago, during my morning commute, I watched a stooped over elderly lady layered in a grim assortment of coats balance herself on the moving train. She seemed to have wedged herself between several torn suitcases and a large black garbage bag. Her severely hunched back forcing her to face the floor, she lifted a harmonica to her lips and played a shaky - yet very sweet - rendition of "Silent Night." I had not been in the mood for the holidays and something about that moment melted my heart. As I went into my handbag for a dollar, I heard the sound of a drum.

Past the woman, coming towards me, playing a handheld bongo, was a very young man with unruly hair and a green army coat. He told the strap-hangers that he was just wanting to earn some money for food. As he walked by me, I saw the details of him more clearly - tattered pants and worn shoes - his face - while dirty - showed all the signs of youth. He couldn't have been older than fifteen; a puppy snuggling in his backpack - his faithful travel companion.  My heart skipped a beat.

Neither this elderly woman nor this young boy should be homeless and begging for a meal, yet this is the reality, on any given night in America, anywhere from 700,000 to 2 million citizens (according to estimates of the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty) are homeless.

The holiday season, no doubt, brings out the philanthropic side of so many; as giving increases, families volunteer at local soup kitchens, gently used coats are dropped off at shelters and many feel motivated to 'give back.'

Now the holiday's are over and we are all getting back to our routines. Oh sure, the holiday guilt always pushes us to improve. So here we are - it's January - and we are trying to fulfill our New Year's resolutions; hitting the gym, eating less chocolate, vowing not to swear anymore, being nicer to our spouse and so on. But how many of us are still considering the homeless? How many of us are still considering volunteering at the soup kitchen or finding other ways to make a difference?

THIS JANUARY - DON'T FORGET THE HOMELESS

41,000 people are in NYC Shelters right now!

17,000 are children!

Learn more at Coalition for the Homeless

HOW TO HELP IN NYC!

EAST HARLEM - YORKVILLE COMMON FOOD PANTRY
Without the dedication and tireless enthusiasm of our volunteers, YCP could not provide its services. Volunteers are an integral part of our organization, and their contributions are invaluable and much appreciated.

From helping with food deliveries to helping serve food at one of our meal programs, YCP offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. We also host a variety of group events for schools, companies, religious organizations, etc. In addition to on-site opportunities, there are also a variety of off-site activities.

http://ycp.org/volunteer.html

ALL FIVE BOROUGHS - ONE NIGHT - Hope 2012 - The NYC Street Survey
On January 30, 2012, the NYC Department of Homeless Services will conduct the Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE). We need thousands of volunteers to canvass parks, subways, and other public spaces to count the number of people living unsheltered in the city. Just one night of your time will help us collect vital information that is used by outreach teams to help homeless people leave the streets for a better life.

https://a071-hope.nyc.gov/hope/welcome.aspx

ALL FIVE BOROUGHS - New York Cares

Keep your resolution to volunteer this year! Sign up for projects in NYC here.
http://www.newyorkcares.org/