A group activity from the Train the Trainer programme on womens health for MAS associates.

A community awareness programme addressing the underlying causes of domestic and gender-based violence.

Sri Lanka, Sept. 29, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Colombo, Sri Lanka September 29, 2020: MAS Holdings, the largest and leading design-to-delivery apparel solutions provider in South Asia renewed its commitment today to empower more of its employees by extending its original undertaking to provide health and wellbeing education and services focusing on sexual and reproductive health; and awareness on gender-based violence, to its employees and the communities adjacent to their manufacturing locations. Having surpassed the target of 10,000 beneficiaries since its commitment in June 2019, MAS doubled its commitment to reach 20,000 beneficiaries by the original 2021 timeline. The company, headquartered in Sri Lanka, formalized their new commitment at the virtual parallel event of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly co-hosted by the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) and the Universal Access Project of the UN Foundation (UNF).

MAS Holdings was one of 11 trailblazing global companies that committed to improving the health and wellbeing of its workers and community members around the world in 2019 through the UNFs Universal Access Project and its Private Sector Action for Womens Health and Empowerment Initiative. The company outlined bold, measurable and time-bound plans to empower its employees through highly focused programmes on womens health, sexual and reproductive health and rights and on gender-based violence, anchored to its globally acclaimed hallmark womens empowerment platform, Women Go Beyond in alignment with SDGs 3 and 5, among others.

A Legacy Anchored in Womens Empowerment

With women making up 70% of the companys 99,000 global workforce, MAS Holdings identified a fundamental requirement to support and empower its female employees very early in its operation, before it was defined as a corporate responsibility. Stand-alone initiatives that helped women, soon started showing results and began to scale into larger, long-term programmes. MAS began to invest heavily in womens career development, skill development and more importantly in their health and wellbeing, creating awareness on sexual and reproductive health and rights, menstrual health, nutrition, pre and post-natal care and issues surrounding gender-based violence.

In 2003, all empowerment and gender equality initiatives came under the Women Go Beyond (WGB) banner that also gave the company a powerful platform to recognize and reward its women on their achievements, a powerful element that pushed WGB and MAS to the global limelight as a pioneer of ethical business practices; WGB has provided over 300,000 opportunities for its employees and their families since its inception, highlighting womens empowerment as the foundation of economic stability in Sri Lanka and the region. Women who treated their jobs as transitory in nature found new meaning in their careers, discovering not only untapped intellectual capacities and skillsets, but also economic freedom, autonomy and self-confidence.

Progress of Commitments in 2020

While COVID-19 resulted in catastrophic economic and health impacts around the world, MAS was able to leverage its existing WGB framework to reach out to female employees and support them through multi-faceted programmes that also addressed possible escalations of domestic and gender-based violence (GBV) during pandemic-related lockdowns. MAS Holdings was able to enhance the quality of its existing health-related WGB programmes provided for all employees in 2019 while also introducing highly focused programmes on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), non-communicable diseases (NCD) and life skills through its 2019 commitment.

In addition to the health and wellness programmes focusing on hygiene, nutrition, family planning, pre and post-natal care, that have been carried out over the last decade, MAS has partnered with the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka to train in-house trainers to deliver workshops on sexual and reproductive health and rights and NCDs,. This enabled both male and female employees to share this comprehensive knowledge in their communities to create awareness.

Another such new initiative focuses on equipping in-house counselors and human resources executives with skills to better address cases of domestic violence and GBV, including an understanding of the legal framework surrounding GBV. A Legal Rights Awareness Programme conducted at an MAS facility in Bangladesh educated 2,800 women on domestic violence as a consequence of early marriage and provided legal aid for those affected.

MAS social sustainability strategy is well aligned with its business strategy and is driven by its senior leadership. Dedicated teams across the Group work on identified focus areas and drive necessary interventions to address the many gaps in access, education and services faced by women across global locations.

Other notable programmes include the companys Aloka Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative that saw the company partner with the Sri Lanka Cancer Society to conduct awareness sessions on breast cancer, symptom detection and self-examination. The programme educated 6,939 employees and trained 132 more employees on lump-detection, elevating company-wide benchmarks in health and wellbeing expertise.

Additionally, a total number of 1,167 female employees of MAS graduated from the Personal Advancement and Career Enhancement (P.A.C.E.) programme launched by Gap Inc. nurturing their professional and leadership skills..

2021 and Beyond

We are proud to announce the expansion of our commitment to the UNFs Universal Access Project and its Private Sector Action for Womens Health and Empowerment., Deputy General Manager of Womens Empowerment, Advocacy and Code of Conduct, Thanuja Jayawardene said during the virtual event. Gender equality is a core value for us as an organization and we have an expansive framework to drive this agenda, focusing on economic, social and personal empowerment. We see health, wellbeing and freedom from gender-based violence as basic requirements, to developing female leaders for our businesses and our communities. This is a journey and we have a long way to go, implementing meaningful change.

As MAS Holdings fast adapts and recovers in a post-COVID landscape, it lies tethered to its founding value of first and foremost being responsible for the safety, health and wellbeing of its employees. While the company adjusts to the new normal, it remains optimistic of achieving its new targets despite the obstacles and global industry turmoil, taking sustainable action to educate, encourage, empower and celebrate its women.

About MAS Holdings

Headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, MAS Holdings is one of the worlds most recognized design-to-delivery solutions providers in the realm of apparel and textile for over 30 years in operation. Today, the USD 2 billion enterprise is the largest apparel and textile manufacturer in South Asia with 53 manufacturing facilities across 16 countries, and a seamlessly integrated innovation-driven supply chain powered by 99,000 employees around the world. Today MAS manages a more diverse portfolio of businesses across IT, brands, wearable tech, Femtech, medical apparel, start-ups and fabric parks worldwide. Visit http://www.masholdings.com for more details.

About Universal Access Project:

The Universal Access Project, a project of the United Nations Foundation, focuses on global sexual and reproductive health and rights and allows girls to stay in school, pursue jobs, and have children if and when they are ready. It also helps improve maternal and child health, decrease unintended pregnancies, lower HIV infection rates, and reduce poverty. It builds a healthier, more secure, and more prosperous world.

The Universal Access Project also leads the Private Sector Action for Womens Health and Empowerment initiative, which mobilizes corporate leadership on workplace womens health, rights, and empowerment in global supply chains. Visit universalaccessproject.org for more details.

About Private Sector Action for Workplace Womens Health and Empowerment Initiative:

The United Nations Foundation, together with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the UKs Department for International Development, and Merck for Mothers launched the initiative Private Sector Action for Workplace Womens Health and Empowerment - to work with companies with large global supply chains employing millions of women workers to take action to improve their health and wellbeing in order to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals while also generating business returns. Visit http://www.privatesectoractionforwomenshealth.com for more details.

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MAS Holdings Doubles its Empowerment Commitment to the UN Foundation in the midst of COVID-19 - GlobeNewswire

Yesterday marked my 10th year as part of our remarkable charity. I hope you will indulge me this week as I write a personal account of my journey with Brain Tumour Research over the past decade.

I have met many of you, but for some of you Im just the guy who sends out this weekly update, so, briefly, this is my professional life before meeting up with our founder and Chief Exec, Sue Farrington Smith.

On leaving college I joined the BBC and began a media career that lasted over 20 years before I became somewhat disillusioned with it all. I Ieft London for a more pastoral location and tried my hand at a couple of things (working in a prison, managing a wine shop were two of them) before seeing in the local paper that a charity, Brain Tumour Research, had their first full-time vacancy.

On my first, serendipitous meeting with Sue, it was clear the passion and drive that was at the core of her ambition for the charity, but also the narrative of premature death and of poor research funding that underpinned the charitys vision to find a cure. Crucially there was a lack of brain tumour awareness in the general public and a lack of empowerment in our own brain tumour community.

I felt I could help with that it felt that everything I had done before was a rehearsal for my new career ( except perhaps the wine shop!).

Luckily Sue agreed.

What has followed has been a decade of hard work and growth, with moments of elation, moments of desperation, but a core belief, and an absolute resolve that we must improve options and outcomes for those diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Campaigning has been central to this and we have always been clear that to achieve the research funding levels required to see the progress achieved in other site-specific cancers, we must call on the UK Government to support us.

Working with the Realf family, the e-petition, the Westminster Hall Debate and subsequent reports have been a source of huge pride. Together, in the past decade, we have moved from shouting outside Westminster to talking inside. Our work with the APPG is a portal for change and your continued support for this work has been truly gratifying.

Ive stood next to Matt Hancock as he has been updated on our work, (Ive even been photographed standing next to Boris Johnson as we donned our WearAHatDay hats!) and joined celebrities like Caprice, Debbie McGee, Sheila Hancock and Sarah Beeny at our Speakers House events. We have framed the debate with our reports and our Manifesto. Our member charities, our fundraising groups and individual campaigners have joined us at political events, telling their stories in their local media and engaging their MPs.

We have continued to punch above our weight!

When people ask me if I have a personal reason to work for Brain Tumour Research I used to say I didnt because the disease hadnt directly impacted on a close member of my family. I dont say no to that question now. I have hundreds of personal reasons why I work for Brain Tumour Research - too many, far too many of our friends are no longer with us, and I have real sadness that they supported us but we could not deliver to them the cure they needed. Their desire to improve outcomes for future brain tumour patients, even though any progress would come to late for them, is as empowering as it is humbling. They wouldnt want us to stop because we couldnt help them, so the loss and sadness must only spur us on to achieve more.

It has been quite a journey and I am unshakeable in my belief we are doing things in the right way for the right reasons. There is no alternative because the basic science, of the type we fund, underpins the progress that happens further down the line. It is translational research from the scientists bench to the patients bedside that holds the key. At this time when research funding is at risk more so than ever, let alone in the past decade, we must stay strong and work together. We have come a long way in the past decade and I am proud to have played a small part in that I am prouder still to be a part of a brain tumour community that inspires me daily. Thank you all for what you have done for me and for Brain Tumour Research and for those of you still reading, your indulgence this week.

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A personal blog by our Head of Stakeholder Relations Hugh Adams - Brain Tumour Research

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump announced early Friday that he and first Lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19, a startling piece of news felt across the country.

Reaction to that news was swift and included an outpouring of support. But there are unanswered questions about the timeline of when and how the president was infected, though his positive test was revealed soon after news broke that White House adviser Hope Hicks had herself tested positive after spending time with Trump.

Trump, 74, is known for staying busy and traveling around the country for both work and play. But he was especially active these past seven days, including hosting rallies, taking part in the debate, and introducing his Supreme Court nominee.

The White House uses rapid tests made by Abbott that allow for quicker results and officials are tested frequently. It can take up to four days to develop enough viral particles in your nose for a test to come back positive, meaning the day you are exposed, you likely would not get positive test results.

Former Vice President Joe Biden has tested negative for coronavirus, according to his personal doctor, as the Democratic nominee sought to continue campaigning during the month before the Nov. 3 election.

Dr. Kevin O'Connor, the primary care physician, said Biden and his wife Jill were each tested and "COVID-19 was not detected."

"Thank you to everyone for your messages of concern," Biden said in a tweet. "I hope this serves as a reminder: wear a mask, keep social distance, and wash your hands."

Barron Trump, the 14-year-old son of President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, has tested negative for the coronavirus following his parents' positive diagnosis.

Barron has tested negative and all precautions are being taken to ensure hes kept safe and healthy. spokesperson Stephanie Grisham told USA TODAY.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tested negative for COVID-19 Friday morning.

"As part of regular protocols, Secretary @stevenmnuchin1 has been tested daily for COVID-19. He tested negative for COVID-19 this morning and will continue to be tested daily," tweeted Monica Crowley, assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Treasury.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he and his wife both tested negative for COVID-19 on Friday. Pompeo is currently traveling abroad and has not been in recent contact with President Donald Trump.

I am feeling fantastic. I was tested about 30 minutes ago, Pompeo told reporters Friday en route to Croatia. He said he has not been with Trump since Sept. 15.

Were praying for the President and the First Lady, that theyll have a speedy recovery, he said. I spoke with the vice presidents office this morning as well. Were taking this, obviously, very seriously, and well do everything we can to keep everyone safe.

Pompeo said he is reevaluating future travel, including a scheduled trip this weekend to Florida followed by a visit to Asia starting Sunday.

He said his own doctor and the State Departments medical team has told him it would be perfectly fine to make both of those trips, but were going to continue to look at it.

Pompeo said he had been cleared to go ahead with meetings in Croatia on Friday.

Here is what we know about where the president has traveled over the last week, using the White House's official schedule.

Thursday, Oct. 1:

The president left Washington and headed to New Jersey, where he participated in a roundtable event with supporters and a fundraising reception at his golf club in Bedminster.

He arrived back in Washington that evening and participated in an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity.

Wednesday, Sept. 30:

Trump traveled to from Washington to Minnesota, where he first participated in a private fundraising reception in Shorewood then traveled to Duluth to host a Make America Great Again rally.

He returned to Washington after the event.

Tuesday, Sept. 29:

Trump left Washington and headed to Ohio for the first presidential debate between him and former Vice President Joe Biden.

While he was distanced from Biden on stage and the pair did not shake hands, it's unclear whether Biden was being tested or taking any additional precautions. His campaign did not immediately respond to an inquiry.

Monday, Sept. 28:

The first event on Trump's schedule was an event in the Rose Garden where the president outlined an update on the nation's coronavirus testing strategy, where he announced 150 million Abbott rapid point-of-care tests would be sent out across the nation.

After the event, Trump appeared outside the White House for a photo opportunity in front of a Lordstown Motors 2021 endurance truck, an electric pickup truck made in Ohio.

Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Peter Navarro, a senior trade adviser to the president, were present for the event.

Sunday, Sept. 27:

Trump started his day at his golf resort in Virginia.

Later in the day, he held a news conference at the White House, where he touted Barrett's nomination to the high court, attacked Obamacare as "terrible" and attacked former Vice President Joe Biden.

That evening, the president and first lady hosted a reception of Gold Star families at the White House.

Saturday, Sept. 26:

The first event on the president's schedule was a greeting with Evangelical Faith Leaders.

Later that day, the president officially nominated federal appeals court judge Amy Coney Barrett as his pick to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court.

Barrett was photographed in close proximity to the president during the event in the Rose Garden. She has spent the week meeting with members of the U.S. Senate, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, ahead of her confirmation hearings later this month.

Those at the White House event included Attorney General William Barr, and a slew of senators.

After the event, Trump headed to Middletown, Penn. where he hosted a campaign rally. He headed back to Washington after the rally.

Friday, Sept. 25:

Trump was in Florida and started his day with a Latinos for Trump roundtable event at his Trump National Doral resort in South Florida.

Trump, after the event, traveled from Miami to Atlanta, where he offered a speech on Black empowerment and unveiled a new plan, dubbed the Black Economic Empowerment "Platinum Plan," aimed at winning over Black voters ahead of November.

He then traveled back to Washington where he participated in a roundtable with supporters at his hotel just miles from the White House.

After the event, he headed to Virginia for a Make American Great Again rally at the Newport News / Williamsburg International Airport. He headed back to the White House after the event.

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Trump has tested positive for COVID-19. A look at where hes traveled and who hes been with these past seven days - SouthCoastToday.com

Antnio Guterres issued the charge in a speech to a UN General Assembly high-level meeting to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the landmark Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing, China.

The Beijing Conference, as it is known, marked a significant turning point on the global agenda, making it clear that womens rights are at the heart of equality and justice around the world.

But as the UN chief told the gathering, the Conference was also a wake-up call as these rights are still being denied, hindered and ignored everywhere.

COVID-19 has emphasized and exploited the continued denial of womens rights. Women and girls are bearing the brunt of the massive social and economic impact of the pandemic, he said, speaking from the rostrum in the General Assembly Hall.

Twenty-five years after Beijing, we are facing a women-led recession as women employed in the informal economy are first to lose their jobs, Mr. Guterres continued, outlining the aftershocks of the pandemic. These include a shadow pandemic of gender-based violence, and an increase in early marriage and other abusive and repressive practices affecting women and girls.

Unless we act now, COVID-19 could wipe out a generation of fragile progress towards gender equality, he stated.

While the pandemic has demonstratedthe need for a strong push to meet what the UN chief called the unfulfilled promise of Beijing, it is also an opportunity for transformative thinking that puts women at the front and centre of response and recovery.

Stimulus funds should put money directly into womens hands through cash transfers and credits. Governments should expand social safety nets to women in the informal economy, and recognize the value of unpaid care work, he advised.

The Beijing Conference concluded with a groundbreaking Platform for Action, with commitments covering 12 areas of concern, such as power and decision-making, poverty, violence against women, education, human rights and discrimination against girls.

In both containing COVID-19 and promoting post-COVID economic and social recovery, it is particularly important that we address the special needs of women and deliver on the Beijing Declaration and Programme for Action, said Chinese President Xi Jinping in a statementrecorded for the event.

Since Beijing, major advances have been made in the global fight for gender equality, as various UN agencies have documented. In 1995, there were 12 women Heads of State and Government worldwide. Today, there are 22. Maternal mortality has dropped by nearly 40 percent during this period, more girls are now in school, and women are increasingly involved in peace processes.

However, this progress is not enough; plus, it has been slow, according to the Executive Director of UN Women, which supports countries in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka emphasized the need for womens leadership, including young women, in efforts to build back better after the pandemic. Women and the people of the world are demanding these changes, she said in a pre-recorded statement.

This is the time for disrupters, young and old," Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka continued, saying it is time for actions to change the course of history for women and girls, especially women between the ages of 25 to 34 who are increasingly more likely to live in extreme poverty than their male counterparts.

Its time to bring an end to discriminatory laws, norms and homophobia, to end mens violence against women and girls, and make a concerted effort to put women at the heart of climate justice. "

Besides the Beijing Conference anniversary, and the global pandemic, 2020 is a milestone year for the UN, which turns 75 next month. January also saw the start of a Decade of Action towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their promise of a more fair and equitable world for all people, and greater protection of the planet.

Given the SDG context,there is no longer any excuse for gender imbalances,according to Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka.

Women are now calling for a leapfrog to 50 per cent representation, or parity in all spheres, including cabinets, corporate boards and throughout the economy, including women as beneficiaries of COVID-19 fiscal stimulus packages, engagement in all peace processes, and closing the digital divide, she said, urging leaders to fast-forward the modest gains made since Beijing.

UN Photo/Milton Grant

Civil society participants meet in Huairou, China, as part of the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing, in September 1995.

The rights of women and girls are non-negotiable, the head of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) underlined. Dr. Natalia Kanem called on leaders to scale-up action and investments.

We urge you to back up words with deeds, and with funding for programmes and services that transform womens lives, she said, speaking from the podium. Investing in women and girls is not just a question of rights; its also smart economics, with benefits to society many times the cost.

The President of the UN General Assembly, Volkan Bozkir, appealed for everyone, everywhere to act now on behalf of the worlds women and girls so as tolevel the playing field.

Speaking in person, Mr. Bozkir appealed for top-level commitment to girls education, equal economic opportunities for women, and ending gender-based violence. He urged countries to shift established norms to create a more just world, and thanked civil society groups for bridging divides and filling existing gaps, particularly during the pandemic.

He also issued a call to girls worldwide, including his own granddaughters: Know this: there is nothing that women cannot do.

The General Assembly President urged girls to Dare to be the first. Dare to do what no woman has done before, adding that the world needs more women in power.

There is power in sharing your lived experience, he said. There is power in an outstretched hand. There is power in solidarity. Never doubt your personal power. Assert your power.

Continued here:

COVID-19 underscores need to deliver on promise of landmark women's rights conference - UN News

Tattooartists from around the world gathered in Las Vegas to cover the scars of survivors of the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival and the first responders who helped treat them.

The nonprofit Healing Ink put on the event at Seven Tattoo Studio in Las Vegas. The goal is to use tattooing as a type of trauma therapy to help empower survivorssuffering from physical, mental, and emotional scars.

The nonprofit Healing Ink put on the event and use tattooing as a type of trauma therapy to help empower survivors.

Craig Dershowitz is the CEO of Artists for Israel and the president of Healing Ink. He said thegroup had more than 100 applicants for the event. They had to narrow that down to 17 people for the 17 artists available.

These recipients were either injured in the 1 October shooting, are families of victims who have passed, or are first responders who helped to keep people alive during that tragic time, Dershowitz said.

Craig Dershowitz, President of Healing Ink/Courtesy: Zach Green

He said theyll be getting tattoos that help them heal, celebrate their resiliency or in some way have an impact on their quality of life.

Healing Ink came out of the group Artists for Israel, which used art to better communities in that country.

I know personally that Ive used tattoos to mourn losses, to celebrate victories, and I said, I wonder if this modality of healing will work, he said, We did it the first time in Israel in 2016, and it exceeded our wildest expectations.

Dershowitz said during the event in Israel they heard stories of people who had been suicidal until that event or wouldnt leave the house because they had been disfigured during a terror attack and felt uncomfortable until they got a tattoo.

After the group realized the impact they were having, Healing Ink expanded from there.

The process for getting this tattoo and for the healing aspect of it starts before the tattoo, he said, It begins when the artist first talks to the recipient and there is this sense of, Im not alone, something is going to happen. They are able to put their faith and trust that theyre going to feel better at the end of this process.

He said recipients are also helped by the act of going to the event and seeing others going through the same thing.

Each person has a reason a story for their tattoo as unique and different as we are as people, he said, Some its to cover a scar. The scar makes them feel uncomfortable and disfigured. They dont want people to see it and now they wake up in the morning and see something beautiful.

He said others seen their tattoos as a badge of honor. Overall, Dershowitz said the tattoos are about agency and personal freedom.

Each survival and first responder receives a tattoo that is custom to their personality and their story.

For Heather Gooze, who wasworking as a bartender at the Route 91 event, her tattoo artist Becca Martin was the perfect person to tell her story through art.

Ive got a feather that kind of turns into birds, flying from the feather, Gooze explained, Underneath, in cursive, it says, Be your own kind of beautiful. Its just to remind myself, and others, that were all different and weve just got to find the beauty in all of us.

Gooze said the colors of the tattoo are significant. One side will be purple and orange, which were the colors of the Route 91 Harvest Festival. The other side will be red, yellow and green. The colors represent the colors of the bracelets that workers at the festival wore on each night.

She said, for workers at the event, green is significant because it is the color of the bracelets they were wearing Sunday evening, when the shooting happened.

Martin said she and Gooze collaborated on the design for the tattoo. Gooze said she was originally assigned a tattoo artist who specialized in darker, black and white, and 3D images, but she wanted something that was more colorful.

Healing Ink found Martinwho was a better fit for what Gooze wanted to be done.

Becca Martin, tattoo artist (left)/Heather Gooze, bartender and survivor (right)

It is super humbling to have someone ask you to mark them permanently, Martin said, But I also understand the power of healing through art. It is just another way to help people who are looking for a different way of healing.

Martin wasexcitedto know that she is making another persons day better, but at the same time, it was nerve-wracking because it is permeant and she wantedGooze to love the tattoo.

Gooze said there is a special bond between the artist and the recipient because of the trust they have to have in each other.

Im healed as much as you can heal three yearsafter an event that changes your life, Gooze said, For all the people that say, Get over it, or Move on, youre never going to. It becomes a part of our life.

Gooze said after surviving the shooting she has more empathy towards people who are going through their own personal traumas. She found the Healing Ink event extremely healing and being with her other Route 91 family helps with that healing.

For artist Michael Caldwell and recipient Gregory Koehler, the time they spent together was dedicated to healing the soul.The two worked together on the design. Koehler wanted the Route 91 sign involved in the tattoo but not the actual concert logo.

And as we talked, our conversation evolved into whyhe was getting the tattoo and it was to heal and to further go through life and not be stuck in that moment, Caldwell said, To be able to have something positive to tie to that moment.

In the end, the two decided on a design featuring a phoenix because the mythical bird rises from the ashes and brings empowerment through dark moments.

Michael Caldwell, tattoo artist (left) and Kevin Koehler, survivor (right)

To me, this is incredible. I think weve all been through traumatic experiences, things that have affectedour soul and our existence and to be able to provide service and an experience to someone that helps bring positivity to their life is everything, Caldwell said.

Koehler already has a half-sleeve tattoo on his arm, but this project completed it onto his hand. He said the phoenix design represents many aspects of his life.

Rising from the Route 91 situation, I just survived COVID this summer, so that is also rising from that, he said.

Koehler was in a VIP box when the shooting happened, but within minutes of the first shots, he raced to the ground level to start treating and triaging people. He ended up working at the site for another eight hours.

Ive had some good come out of that actually, he said, I met my girlfriend, dont tell her but someday wife from this tragedy. Three years later, Ive been diagnosed with PTSD. Asa paramedic, I still run shooting patients within the city on duty and sometimes it I wouldnt say flashback but the thoughts of Route 91do come into my thought process when treating patients.

He said that hes been able to get past it, but the week leading up to the anniversary and the week after it, he is grumpier and short with people.

Koehler believes hes lucky that he hasnt had any major triggers like other survivors who are re-traumatized by fireworks or helicopters. Despite that, he did admit he had some extremely dark moments in his healing journey.

Im going to be brutally honest, Koehler said, A year and a half after, I had a dark moment, where I was going to kill myself. I dont know what triggered it. Its the one time that Ive had a situation come up I sat there with my gun in my hand and I didnt know exactly what was going to happen. I reached out to a friend of mine. He was able to stop what he was doing and talk to me for 45 minutes. Hes on the peer support team at the fire department and he set me up with a counselor.

Koehler said that incident was likely an accumulation of his work as a paramedic and the tragedy and trauma he experienced on October 1, 2017, but luckily, he reached out to someone for help.

I tell that story about myself, not because I want to but because I know there areothers out there. It can only help, he said.

Koehler believes the mental health of survivors and their families need to be addressed.

Besides finding his girlfriend, Koehler said another positive outcome from the shooting is that is more able to empathize with people who are experiencing trauma, which is something he deals with all the time in his line of work.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

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Survivors, First Responders Use Tattoos To Cover Scars From The Route 91 Shooting - KNPR

Candice Robillard has always loved to dance.

Now she wants to help others use the exercise in an effort to promote positive body image and female empowerment.

Valley Girls Heels Training & Performance Programs is a new business, operating out of a dance studio at 464 Puntledge Rd. in Courtenay. Robillard said her heels classes are drawing rave reviews.

I trained in dance since I was in about Grade 2, until I was a teenager, then I transitioned to competitive all-star cheerleading, said Robillard. I moved to Edmonton a few years back and ran one of the top dance studios there, and thats where I fell in love with the heels style it was one of our most popular classes.

When she moved back to the Comox Valley in 2017, she realized there was nothing similar being offered.

So I kind of danced by myself, at the gym, or whatever room they had available. Eventually, I would have friends come dance with me so I just said, I am bringing it to the valley. We are going to have a heels program. And here we are.

Heels dance is a solo dance technique, characterized by technical footwork, as seen in ballroom, and Latin dance (i.e. salsa). Although it derives its name from the footwear traditionally worn during the performance, Robillard said her classes focus more on personal development than footwear.

Its called heels but its more about the style. Whatever shoes you feel comfortable in, you just wear what you like. Then eventually, once you build your confidence, sometimes you move up to trying it in heels kind of like a transformation.

Robillard said no experience is necessary and this is not about becoming a ballroom dancer.

Its not about what you look like, or your age, or your size, or even how well you dance. Its just about feeling confident and powerful, and destroying industry stereotypes, she said. This is more about kind of stepping out of your comfort zone and forgetting about your insecurities.

I have people who have never danced before. I have people who say they have two left feet. And then there are some who have dancing experience and this is just a new style for them. But nobody in the room cares about how you look, or how good you dance. We are all there to cheer each other on just come out and have a great time.

Robillards classes teach the basic choreography of heels dance, with new steps being introduced as the sessions progress.

I will create a little routine that we learn; we will practise that for a few weeks and then move onto the next one, she said.

There are six-, eight-, and 10-week sessions available, depending on the day of the week. The next session begins in mid-October.

While there are no drop-in classes currently, Robillard said she is planning to have single session themed classes, where people can sign up, try it for a day and see if they like it.

For more information on Valley Girls Heels Training & Performance Programs, check out the Facebook page, the Instagram page, @valleygirlsdance, or via email, valleygirlsdance@gmail.com

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Vancouver Island dance classes billed as female empowerment tool - Monday Mag

(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

When the NBA and its players union recentlyagreedon a simple, yet effective set of actions to advance the cause of social justice and racial equality in America, they showed that, in the face of deeply painful systemic challenges, evolved leadership can make a difference. Political and business leaders should take notice. New episodes of violence and divisive rhetoric continue to tear at the frail scabs that cover the countrys racial wounds, feeding a malaise more profound than the unrest seen in Kenosha, Portland, Los Angeles and other cities.

Autocratic leadership, which shares a top-down mindset with the behaviors linked to racial violence, is fundamentally unsuited to address the current crisis. However, leadership that uses deep listening, authentic introspection and transformative empowerment, can make real progress. With the resolution offered last week, the NBA began to do exactly that.

Deep Listening Captures The Whole Meaning Of A Challenge

There is listening, and there islistening. A leader may pay attention to the recent civil unrest through the filter of their preconceived notions or focus more deeply on the meaning of what is happening on the streets of America today. For example, a CEO might conclude that a debate on social justice doesnt belong in the workplace. Or, the leader of a political party might fixate on the clamors caused by a particular episode of disorderly conduct. Yet, a leader could also look at the current climate of unrest and realize that by witnessing several cases of racial violence, people have had a chance to observe a system fundamentally unwilling to change or self-correct.

The first type of listening is perfunctory and sterile. It may keep good trouble out of the workplace, but it will likely fail the dialogue withmillennial and Gen Zemployees. It may nab civil unrest, but it wont heal the growing divide or the brokenness thats leading some to take to the streets with rifles, in the name of self-defense, while others loot in the shadow of those who seek justice.

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The second type of listening, however, can start a transformative process of problem-solving. The agreement reached by the NBA last week came out of a multitude of tense, emotional conversations. The players listened to each other, dialogued with the teams owners, and weighed in on the perspective ofother stakeholders. Steve Ballmer, one of the NBA owners,describedhow part of this process entailed closely listening to the players while recognizing that people like him do not have the lived experience of growing up Black in America.

This was not about one side winning or getting their way over the other; it was about different parties working through the meaning of their unease and the conflicting priorities of their roles. It was this intense process that helped the NBA develop a better understanding of what could be done as well as a fuller sense of their collective responsibility as a powerful and influential organization of diverse stakeholders.

Authentic Introspection Enables Change

Though most people think they know their personal values, actual behavior is ofteninconsistentwith the values people claim to hold. A leader may think that they value diversity but pay greater attention to the opinions of in-group members. Another may declare that they want people to speak out but feel threatened by the smallest signs of dissent. Sometimes, these gaps are disingenuous, but for the most part, they indicate a lack of self-awareness.

Failure to achieve a working understanding of ones personal values has practical consequences, especially in the face conflicting goals and/or systemic challenges. In some cases, it may result in applying norms opportunistically and inconsistently, thereby increasing existing feelings ofunfairness. In others, it may lead to discounting the importance of real priorities, which in turn prevents progress. And in more extreme situations, it may take a person in power to divorce their perceived competence from any sense of moral competence.

Thus, a leader might justify the unlawful use of force by a follower as a form of self-defense, while labeling peaceful protesters as rioters. He/she might conclude that sports ought to remain confined to a bubble of blissful ignorance where fans can forget the crude reality of particular facets of life. Or, he/she might engage in so biased a form of discounting to reject any factual evidence inconsistent with his/her self-image.

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

In all these instances, leadership shows a lack of ethical imagination. Thus, if presented with a paradox such as the one eloquentlyarticulatedbythe coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, Doc Rivers,why we are the ones getting killed; we are the ones getting shot;[yet], you keep hearing [the other side talking] about fear, why we keep loving this country, and this country does not love us backnot only will the leader struggle to understand it, but he/she will find it impossible to navigate or ever possibly, attempt a solution.

Indeed, when it comes to personal values, self-awareness should not be mistaken for a rigid application of ones standards. Instead, it should be used in the form of authentic introspection - a practice of regularly reflecting on what such values mean and what type of mature action they may require. As the NBA players debated whether they should cancel the playoffs, LeBron James, who had initially voted to end the season,reportedlypushed for finishing the game. James, who was criticized by some for his change of heart,respondedby pointing out that at this very hour, justice needs action, not only talk.

Transformative Empowerment Creates A Path Forward

Theplatformthe NBA and the NBPA agreed to includes a social justice coalition focused on facilitating access to voting, raising awareness and advocating for genuine reform. To this end, initiatives such as the conversion of arenas into polling locations and advertising spots in each NBA playoff game dedicated to promoting greater civic engagement in national and local elections will be actively pursued. The players and the owners did more than pledge to a vision. They also committed actual resources within their area of influence. In so doing, theyempowered each other to re-imagine how valuable assets could be leveraged to make tangible progress toward the goal of social justice and racial equality.

Its the generative aspect of this process that is most deserving of attention here. Turning a basketball court into a polling place and using a game not solely to entertain but to increase awareness that voting is a means to justice are the types of out-of-the-box thinking that can break the deadlock of the status quo. The most empowering aspect of the NBA standoff was not the mere fact that the players set an example for other athletes, but that the players, the owners and other stakeholders delivered a template of how resources and beliefs can be repurposed to make immediate and future progress.

In thewordsof John Lewis, one of the greatest heroes of the civil rights era, the NBA showed howordinary people with extraordinary vision can get in good trouble, necessary trouble,.. seeing something that is not right, saying something, and doing somethinghelping to build a nation and world society at peace with itself.

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NBAs Leadership Offers A Roadmap To Change The Status Quo - Forbes

Allyson Felix wearing the Allyson Felix + Athleta collection

When you unroll your yoga mat or lace up your running shoes, the actionand sweatthat follows can transform your mood, mind and body, no matter how old you are. Athleta is capturing that through their Power of She campaign and Athleta Girl (Em)Power Hour episodes. Our mission is to ignite confidence in women and girls everywhere and this comes to life as the Power of She, says Katy Miller, Senior Director of Athleta Girl. As a brand by women, for women, we are deeply committed to supporting the next generation of girlsand we know she finds her strength through movement and connection. Theres never been a more meaningful time to be a girl. Our (Em)Power Hour series is meant to encourage girls to keep them in the game, even when life may get challenging.

The (Em)Power Hour series was created to keep women and girls inspired during this difficult time when theyre disconnected from their regular routine with friends and teammates, particularly helping girls feel less alone and keeping them active. We believe that playing sports, participating on teams and doing activities she loves will help build friendships and foster strength and confidence that will carry her through her life, Miller says. And (Em)Power Hour is a physical manifestation of this mantra. We hope that by hearing athletes they revere talk about their personal journey in overcoming obstacles, and joining them in easy sprints and routines at home, girls will be reminded of the importance of perseverance, staying positive and cherishing the friendships created through sports.

Allyson Felix wearing the Allyson Felix + Athleta collection

Athleta Girl (Em)Power Hour Episode 2 is airing on September 5 at 10am PT/1pm EST on YouTube Live and will feature Gabi Butler and Lexi Brumback, the stars of Netflix docuseries Cheer, teaching warm-up routines, followed by a Q&A moderated by Tunde Oyeneyin, an elite Peloton instructor with a mission to inspire and motivate others. We wanted to feature young women who have powerful voices in sport, Miller says. For anyone who has watched Cheer, Gabi and Lexi both showed us what it means to stay in the game and how powerful the support of a team and coach can be in fueling your confidence.

Playing sports as girls gives them skills they carry for the rest of their lives. According to the Women in Sports Foundation, 60% of women executives credited sport participation with helping them cultivate an understanding of what it took to compete, plus another study found that 94% of women in the C-Suite played sports growing up. Girls drop out of sports at more than twice the rate of boysyet we know sports build friendships, confidence, resilience and determination and skills to carry women and girls through their life, Miller says.

Athleta Girl (Em)Power Hour episodes and the Power of She campaign are trying to change that, with their partner Olympic athlete Allyson Felix fighting alongside them. Felix created a capsule collection for women and girls in partnership with Athleta and is setting an example for them to follow. Allyson is not just an athlete, but a mother and an activist, Miller says. Shes a living vision of our purposeas a mom she understands the confidence you need on and off the track, and how to pass that down to young girls, like her daughter Cammy. Designed by women, for women and girls, the partnership and the newly launched capsule collection both signify what it means to define your own legacy. Together we hope to help women and girls feel their bestin and out of the game. She constantly uses her platform to push for a more equitable world for women athletes in sport and shes the ultimate example of empowerment. This message is something we want all girls to see and hear. Its about never giving up and believing in yourself and supporting your fellow women and girls to find their power.

The Allyson Felix + Athleta collection

Felix, who is one of the most decorated track and field athletes of all time with six gold Olympic medals and three silver medals, tells us all about her role with Athleta and their shared mission to empower girls everywhere.

Why were you interested in partnering with Athleta? Historically, we have seen such a disparity with sponsorships for women as compared to men and women are really lagging so far behind. For mewhat I have seen in my experience and what I have learnedis really to hold brands accountable to what they market and how they are tangibly bringing their beliefs into practice. It has to be more than words in a campaign. You have to be able to see that through the business holistically. What is really special about the partnership with Athleta is that its truly at the core of who they are. I think thats why our missions align so well. They stand to empower women and girls and that really speaks to who I am and what I want to accomplish as well. It was always a very authentic partnership. When I signed with Athleta, I was at a place where I only wanted to do things that were meaningful. I wanted to be able to have a partnership that I was proud of, not just about all the things that were done publicly but truly having a voice. I remember one of my first meetings formally with Athleta and sitting at a table surrounded by female leadership and it was something I had never experienced before. I was heard, and I was seen. I really love how they are redefining how sponsorship looks and looking at an athlete holistically. Im not just an athlete, but they see me as an activist and a mother, and they want to celebrate and shine a light on those things as well. Thats a model that needs to be pushed forward for women and people in general.

Last year you spoke out in a New York Times Op-Ed piece about sponsors not supporting women during maternity leave. Why does this need to change? Maternity leave benefits should be non-negotiable and many female athletes live in a world where this is just not a reality. As I mentioned earlier, the disparities between sponsorships for women and men are immense. We have to do better. We must do better. Having a baby shouldnt be a penalty or something you need to be viewed as lesser for. Motherhood is empowering, its transformative and essential. One thing that has been extremely clear to me during and post-childbirth is that you can be strong and transform in a lot of different ways. Thats something that I want my daughter, Camryn, to grow up with, and I want all young women to understand. I want them to know their worth and value, and I know that Athleta is truly committed to that by what they are producing. When I announced my partnership with Athleta last year, I was proud to be a living example of how things can be different and how we can break the mold. Its been an exciting year working side by side with the Athleta team and paving the way forward.

Allyson Felix wearing the Allyson Felix + Athleta collection

Your deal with Athleta is impact based, not performance based. What does that mean? How else is your sponsorship with Athleta different? Throughout my career, I have learned that confidence is keyboth on and off the field. Athleta and I have a shared mission in wanting to inspire confidence in women and girls everywhere and my sponsorship reflects this. Where other brands have stipulations around winning a certain number of races, etc., ours is notits holistic. For example, my contract and financial agreements remain consistent throughout any future pregnancies I may have. We also made sure there are provisions for my daughter, Camryn, to join me when Im traveling for team Athleta. I truly co-designed the capsule collection alongside Athletas incredible female design team, advising on what a female athlete would need both on and off the track. And they listened to me.

What does the Power of She movement mean to you? It goes back to that empowerment moment and really celebrating women and girls in everything that they are. I think that Athleta does a wonderful job across the board of highlighting a lot of different girls, the activities that they are doing and the sports that they are involved in. I love that they always use real girls and real athletes in their campaigns and in interviews. I am always inspired by the mother daughter duos. It always comes back to empowering women and celebrating them for everything they are.

How do you hope to empower girls through the Athleta Girl Empower Hour? The Athleta (Em)Power Hour series aims to keep girls active, positive and motivated and it comes at a time when they need it now more than ever. I hope that by hearing how other young athletes in sports and fitness have navigated their own journeys, that they are inspired to stay in the game themselves. I absolutely love seeing these events come together and know they will have such a positive impact on Camryn in the futurewhen shes old enough to participate!

How does playing sports empower women and girls? It unleashes our potentialnot only the amazing power and capability of our bodies, but of our heart, mind and spirit.

Allyson Felix wearing the Allyson Felix + Athleta collection

What did playing sports growing up teach you? I grew up in a competitive household, always trying to keep up with my brother and the other kids in the neighborhood. I am grateful that my parents encouraged playing sports and discovering my skills outside of the classroom. Sport strengthened my ability to solve conflict and challenges in my life. It taught me how to lead and encourage my peers. Sport was the place I really found my voice and found my confidence.

Has giving birth to a daughter changed the way you view empowering girls? Absolutely. Its given me a whole different drive and motivation. I really want to show Camryn how to overcome adversity, teach her to keep fighting and what that really looks like. I have a platform and I want to affect change because of her and because of the world that she, and so many other girls, will grow up in.

How do you collaborate with Athleta in designing and creating activewear for the Allyson Felix + Athleta collection? What makes this partnership unique is that it was deeply collaborative, from beginning to end. I sat down and I talked about what is important to me as an athletewhat my standards are and to have pieces perform at the top level. For me, its about not having any distractions and having a really close to skin feel. I even brought to life elements of how I use training pieces in this collaboration. I love to layer and to be fully covered getting to the track so we have the track suit to start that off. As I get warmed up, I love to shed those layers and get down to those minimal pieces, which there are a number of in the collection. When I finish a workout, I am not typically going home. I might be running errands, grabbing coffee or going to the grocery store. I didnt want to sacrifice style either. I wanted pieces that would perform at the highest level, but I wanted them to look great as well. I dont think that a lot of other athletes and people who have collaborations are able to be involved at that level. Thats something that is really unique and special about this partnership. And I want women and girls to feel confident, empowered and strong. We were really thoughtful and mindful when creating them as well. There are little love notes written to the individual who puts them on.

Whats your favorite piece that youve designed? I have two favorite pieces from the line: The Legend Luxe Crop Half-Zip Jacket in Flora Mauve Metallic and the Legend High Neck Bra. This jacket is one of my favorites. Its a crop top and super easy to throw on. I love it and I love the mauve metallic color. Also, the Legend High Neck Bra looks so great. It looks very sleek and is practical to take down for training.

Excerpt from:

Olympian Allyson Felix Teams Up With Athleta To Empower Women Of All Ages - Forbes

Keith Harings living room featuring Roy Lichtensteins Forms in Space. Credit: Nancy Elizabeth Hill Backstage Library Works for Keith. Via Sothebys

Sothebys is auctioning off over a hundred pieces from Keith Harings art collection, which includes works by Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

The sale, entitled Dear Keith, will raise money for New Yorks LGBTQ organisation The Center. Haring painted a mural for its Greenwich Village headquarters back in 1989 (below).

It feels as if Keith himself rallied his friends to make art for this specific purpose, Gil Vazquez, acting director of the Keith Haring Foundation, which owns the collections, told the New York Times. The Center embodies so much of what Keith was about: community, empowerment and the support of our future, the youth.

The auction, which opens on 24 September, is expected to raise almost $1m, with a highlight being Andy Warhols 1983 portrait of Haring with his lover Juan Dubose predicted to sell for upwards of $200,000. Prospective buyers can view the artworks online or arrange an appointment at Sothebys Manhattan headquarters to see them in person.

Portrait of Keith Haring and Juan Dubose by Andy Warhol

Keith Haring Foundation. Polaroids, The Keith Haring Foundation Archives. Photography: Scott Schedivy

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Keith Harings personal art collection is heading to auction for charity - The Spaces

This webinar was hosted by the Mail & Guardian and Richards Bay Minerals. It featured Georgie Bezette, HR Executive, Rio Tinto; Thobile Dlamini, Health, Safety and Environment Business Partner; Pam Pereira, Finance Business Partner and former Women in Mining Chair, who last year left for Canada Rio Tinto; and Bayanda Mncwango, RBM Chief Operating Officer, Operations. It was facilitated by Cathy Mohlahlana, Senior Anchor for Newzroom Afrika.

Women are more vulnerable than ever before, said Cathy Mohlahlana in her introductory speech, and, if you look at the stats, the world still doesnt believe that women can lead.

Georgie Bezette said there is a culture of care at RBM, but there is a long way to go for gender equality to happen in the mining industry. Thobile Dlamini said she has been at RBM for 19 years and is now in the executive team; she spoke highly of the company and the mentoring she has received. Pam Pereira said she is a mother and said she had in the past many worries about balancing her career with her family duties. Bayanda Mncwango said his mother used to come home from work with stories that shocked him, and he wants to make the workplace a better place for women, and for his daughters sake. He spoke about breaking glass ceilings and walls for women in the workplace.

Bezette said the mining industry has been historically dominated by men, so it takes a lot of effort and resilience for women to enter it and claim their space there. She was a bit of a lone voice when she first joined, which Pereira concurred upon. Pereira said she derived strength from her female colleagues, and tries to be strong for others in turn. She mentioned that during lockdown the PPE was designed for men, and was very uncomfortable for women, especially pregnant women. The journey to equality has begun, but there is still a long way to go, said Pereira.

Dlamini said starting out at RBM was really challenging, not just as a woman, but as a black woman, where most black women were cleaners; she had to work extremely hard to raise herself above her circumstances; some colleagues said she wouldnt last long, but these challenges just made me stronger.

A poll conducted with those listening to the webinar reflected that 75% of attendees believed that there has been progress made in the mining industry regarding gender equality. Another poll carried out later in the webinar showed that 61% of attendees believe that women are afforded equal opportunities in the Rio Tinto group.

Mncwango said that clearly not enough had been done, after listening to the women panellists and how hard they had to work to get anywhere in the mining industry. He said the leadership at RBM has transformed, and this is reflected in the comments they make about women.

Responding to questions, Bezette said that RBM is an equal opportunity company; it does have a pregnancy leave policy; and it has a support strategy for GBV victims, but a culture of coming forward must still be created and encouraged. Mncwango said there is priority given to local, women-owned businesses in tender processes by RBM.

Pereira said the countries with the best gender equality statistics are those run by women. Its not been easy to be a woman leader; men have had to change their mind-sets regarding her, and this took a lot of courage. She encouraged other women to believe in themselves, raise their hands, speak out and make their voices heard: male leaders have to ensure that women are comfortable to do so. Mncwango pointed out that diversity is what makes companies successful. He said there are programmes at RBM to recruit and retain female employees.

Dlamini said balancing kids and career requires a strong support system, and shes been fortunate that she has that in her family; it is important to define what is expected from her and those around her clearly, so communication is vital. Bezette said you have to plan your time carefully and set your boundaries firmly. Lockdown changed her perceptions a lot, and connected her to her purpose more firmly, which Mohlahlana agreed with; she said it has made many things more clear. Pereira said that prioritising is essential: family and health must come first, and working long hours has to be fitted around that. She added that her family has been extremely supportive and her faith has helped her.

Mncwango said the Women to Women programme at RBM is aimed at middle management and its effects will filter down to all levels. Pereira said programmes like Women in Mining ensure womens voices are heard, and such programmes make an impact on the communities around the mine. Dlamini said the recruitment programmes are working; more women are working in the mining industry and more are becoming skilled and getting promoted; this exposure is vital, as you wont know if you enjoy or can handle the industry unless you get the opportunity to work in it.

Questions were asked by attendees on the issue of whether women are strong enough to be in production. Mncwango said there are traditional beliefs around this, but as more women enter this space, so these beliefs are changing, and the environment needs to be made safe for all workers, regardless of their gender. Leadership is very important in this regard.

Regarding working online during lockdown, the old school way of working is changing, and there is far more trust; employees are judged on their output, and this may benefit women, said Bezette, as it will enable people to know what their boundaries are and when they work most productively. This is despite having to do housework and look after the kids, as she is saving two hours a day on commuting. Pereira said this is not necessarily true for all: for some, lockdown has been a complete nightmare. Leaders will have to be astute about this, pointed out Dlamini, as some employees are struggling, and employers have to pick up on this and assist where they can: some people just suffer in silence.

Mncwango said that volunteering more personal information is being encouraged, so that people can share the challenges they are facing. This is countering the old macho values that everyone can always cope. Creating a safe space for people to share is essential, said Bezette. Pereira said leaders are starting to open up to gender equality and changing their mind-sets; she has really enjoyed being in the Women in Mining committee, as it is breaking new ground.

In their closing remarks, Bezette said women are their greatest enemies or their greatest advocates; forums are essential and women must speak up to make their issues known. We have the ability to make a difference, said Pereira; start with your families and take it to the workplace. Dlamini said that women need to support each other; we understand each other, and we know how to assist each other; we also need to inspire each other and encourage each other. Mncwango said it is important for men to create environments in which women can succeed; and women who are in leadership positions must retain their femininity and not try to emulate their male colleagues.

One noteworthy remark from the audience was that if one woman makes it into the boardroom, she should try to bring other women into it.

Click here to watch the webinar: https://event.webinarjam.com/t/click/2zwr8hzkh5xu0rip2qmsor7c74pc0

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Women inclusion and empowerment - Mail and Guardian

"The work advanced through this partnership will drive a culture change and the commitment to redesign and restructure higher education that we embrace at ASU and that is critical to the success of students across the country," said ASU President Michael M. Crow, who outlines his vision for higher education in his new book, The Fifth Wave: The Evolution of American Higher Education. "The public health pandemic that has swept the globe and the stress it has placed on our education system has exposed weaknesses that have existed for years. Universities are being forced to adapt right now and so we're saying, 'let's take advantage of this opportunity' and let's build things in a way that serves the learner in a new world that doesn't look anything like the one that existed when most of America's institutions of higher learning were designed."

ASU's University Design Institute (UDI) will coordinate the initiative and support other universities to implement their own culture change initiatives. The goal is to broaden access to world-class education methods and cutting-edge technological innovations that are tailored to empower students and be responsive to their specific needs and goals. ASU's design-driven commitment to both educational access and scholarly excellencetwo historically opposing objectiveshas captured the attention of leaders within and outside universities from around the world. The former teachers' college stands out among research universities in such factors as its 380% increase from 2002 to 2019 in enrollment of students from low-income families. During this same period, first-generation undergraduate student enrollment increased from 7,500 to nearly 26,000, Hispanic undergraduate student enrollment increased from about 5,000 to 20,500, and Black undergraduate student enrollment increased from less than 1,500 to more than 4,500.

The nearly $12 million in donor gifts will contribute to an overall campaign to raise $30 million to support this initiative. With these gifts, ASU will:

"The principle of individual empowerment and a student-centric approach to learning and to education is a shared commitment, one where we are called to take action and broaden the network of stakeholders engaged in bringing about a change of culture," said Crow. "The goal is not to replicate ASU, but to advance a design model that enables every university to put learners, of all ages and life circumstances, at the center, implemented in the way that works best for the students served by that institution."

UDI already plays a key role in sharing lessons learned through ASU's transformation. "UDI is intended to help universities speed innovation, enhance outcomes, lower costs, and scale impact," said Crow. "The point is to not have one model, but to have many models that fit the circumstances of anyone who aspires to learn and to contribute to their community."

"ASU has made transformational changes in its comprehensive efforts to improve access and learning outcomes for its students at an affordable cost. This new initiative will invite other universities to develop and apply new ideas in partnership with their peers, leading to increased opportunity for millions of learners," said Charles Koch Foundation Executive Director Ryan Stowers. "We are thrilled to support this work to empower university leaders with a forum and support network to help drive innovation and better serve their students. There is no better time than now to think about how we can innovate to open new opportunities for as many people as possible."

For the last five years, ASU has been named by U.S. News & World Reportas the most innovative university in the United States. It is routinely among the country's top producers of Fulbright scholars (in 2019 it ranked thirdamong public universities,andahead of Harvard and Columbia) and has been called a "best college value" by Kiplinger Personal Finance.

Watch this video to learn more about the partnership.

ASU Media ContactJay Thorne[emailprotected]602-677-7518

CKF Media ContactLucia Weathers[emailprotected]571-447-6894

SOURCE Arizona State University; Charles Koch Foundation

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New ASU Initiative to Accelerate Innovations in Higher Education that Expand Access and Empower Learners - PRNewswire

NEW DELHI: From menstrual hygiene, honey, to tyres, a variety of brands have been signed to sponsor Indian Premier League (IPL) team franchises with the T20 tournament set to begin from 19 September in the United Arab Emirates. Homegrown companies such as APIS Honey, esports platform Mobile Premier League and hygiene products brand Niine and BKT Tyres have partnered with franchises such as Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad, among others taking, up displays on players' uniform and helmets.

Media buyers believe that on-ground and on-air sponsorship of IPL have high entry price points therefore only selected brands, that have cricket as a part of their long-term marketing strategy, tend to buy such sponsorships. However, team associations are relatively cost effective giving smaller as well as regional brands an opportunity to be a part of the popular cricket league.

"There are various price slots available in a team sponsorship. IPL player jersey allows multiple brands to be displayed as franchises are under pressure to monetise the teams," said Navin Khemka, chief executive, MediaCom South Asia, a GroupM owned media agency.

Barely three-year-old with a pan India presence, APIS India Pvt Ltd which retails honey and pickles has been signed as the headgear partner for Rajasthan Royals. The company plans to promote 'honey' as an immunity booster through this partnership. Recognised for its affordable sanitary napkins, two-year-old personal hygiene brand Niine is another interesting IPL partnership with Rajasthan Royals which will display the brand logo on the back of team's jersey. Niine will amplify its campaign to break taboos and drive awareness around the adoption of safe menstrual hygiene practices.

"The synergy between the two organisations to work on women empowerment is something we are excited about. Their work towards protecting the environment through safe disposal, with their products has been remarkable and is again something that were proud to be associated with," said Rajasthan Royals executive chairman, Ranjit Barthakur.

Homegrown esports and mobile gaming platform Mobile Premier League (MPL) has come on board as principal sponsor of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). While Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT Tires) is backing six teams including Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals.

"We are a keen supporter of several national sports all around the globe, but it fills me with immense pleasure that we are now supporting such a significant sporting event of India," said Rajiv Poddar, joint managing director of BKT.

IPL team franchises have also seen long standing relationships with brands continue such as lubricant brand Valvoline, Usha International, Boat headphones and Boost. These brands have been associated with various teams for more than a year. Usha International, for instance, has been backing Mumbai Indians for the last six years.

"While IPL promises exposure and engagement, brands need to smartly formulate their sponsorships to get the maximum benefit and not end up as a mere logo on the jersey," added MediaCom's Khemka.

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IPL 2020: Low-key brands strike association with teams - Mint

Los Angeles, CA - Shane Shelton, an up-and-coming professional in LAs private travel and sports scene, is helping a new generation of Athletes, Entertainers, C-Level executives and brands connect for lasting success by providing brand awareness, private aviation solutions, building relationships, helping people, and inspiring others.

Bringing diverse experience to the industry, Shane is currently a consultant for a Privately Owned-Private Aviation company, and a former employee of the Front Office for the LA Clippers. There, Shane developed his love and knowledge for the sports industry and quickly was inspired by what he saw each day to help others grow and succeed through professional empowerment. Recognizing his own potential to impact others, Shane set out to create a product that bridges the gap between athletes and companies so each could be driven to the next level. A former college basketball player, Shane has a unique understanding of the challenges athletes and brands face every day, and he is passionate about using his skills, knowledge, and expertise to take others to the next level while providing outstanding service.

Shane is currently the Founder of SlightEdge, a premier marketing and consultancy firm that focuses on working with the over-looked up and coming athletes of todays game. Harnessing the power of social media, digital marketing, and personal relationships, Shane and SlightEdge have been able to facilitate brand awareness for players across the industry at all levels. Valuing time, SlightEdge has been able to bring business and branding to sports. Using real AI and internet search engine algorithms, the company has increased visibility and social media presence for top clients, including Tim Patrick of the Denver Broncos and Mark Ogden a member of the Atlanta Hawks, among others that include Tyrone Watson, Banja Sy, and Sports Psychologist Trent Rowser.

To learn more, please visitOneSlightEdge.com.Alternatively, connect with Shane on Instagram @ShaneSheltonn.

Media ContactCompany Name: Oneslightedge.comContact Person: Shane SheltonEmail: Send EmailCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://www.oneslightedge.com

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Shane Shelton talks connecting with Ultra High Net-Worth Clients, Using Personal Relationships To Drive Impact, Success - Press Release - Digital...

ITS not surprising that Geraldine ONeill, of Glounthaune, created a unique keepsake for children for the year 2020. William Fitzpatrick, Geraldines dad, penned poetry and prose too.

He was a great storyteller and poet, says Geraldine.

My Creativity Book, created by Geraldine and designed by her daughter Erin ONeill, is in aid of the Childrens Unit in Cork University Hospital.

If ever there was a year to do it then this was it, says Geraldine. The pandemic threw up challenging times for everybody.

Like everybody everywhere, Geraldine went through her own challenging times.

I lost my husband Martin last October. We were married 43 years. After he passed away a close family member suffered mental emotional issues and I stayed in a hotel in Dublin for 13 weeks to support her while she was in hospital there, says Geraldine.

This will be remembered globally as a challenging year.

I think everyone felt more vulnerable during Covid-19.

Geraldine, a former teacher, who took over Fitzpatricks in 1976 with her husband Martin and extended the shop, is a people-person with a special affinity for children.

Ive always been interested in children and their wellbeing, she says.

Reflecting back on my own childhood it was a case of being seen and not heard! I think every child is unique and they should know that the most important person in the world is themselves. A child can be anyone they like.

Geraldine has a personal message for every child inside her My Creativity Book.

You are all awesome and what matters is you.

Children always mattered to Geraldine.

Children were always special to me and always very welcome in our store, she says.

It has been a source of great sadness to us that due to the size of our premises and social distancing requirements, we have not been in a position to allow children to come inside for recent months, and we missed their presence greatly.

Geraldine, a mother of six, knows that children are at the core of family and community.

Children are such a precious gift to their families and to their community, she says.

This book; My Creativity Book, was created with the intention of acknowledging and honouring childrens contribution in how, by staying at home, they kept everyone safe. I hope children can enjoy the opportunity that the book offers them to connect with their creativity, their genius, their feelings and uniqueness.

It is not surprising that Geraldine chose the Childrens Unit CUH as the cause benefiting from the proceeds of the book.

It does wonderful work for sick children, she says.

The doctors and nurses working in the Childrens Unit look after sick children, giving them the best of care and support.

My Creativity Book is a keepsake for every child featuring the Fitzies Five, The Kindness Tree, games, quizzes, colour, and design.

As well as fun challenges, there are baking tips, treasure hunts, and even a beautiful story from grandad Fitzpatrick.

Kids love activity and learning, appreciating their creative side, says Geraldine.

Most of all, the creativity book is an affirmation for every child that they are special and they are awesome.

The book was a family affair.

There were lots of Zoom sessions from Dubai where Erin lives, says Geraldine.

My daughter, Kerri, who manages the shop, was involved in the design too. It was printed by my sister Carmel Waterman, of Carrig Print.

Geraldines dad, William, who started one of the first delis in Cork, was an imaginative storyteller. The 30 Steps is a fairy story that he wrote for his own seven children.

Dad wrote the story in 1965 and I included it in the book with a modern twist, says Geraldine.

The story has a powerful message.

The 30 Steps is all about empowerment, says Geraldine.

Princess Geraldine, devising an ingenious plan seeking a suitor, finds her knight in shining armour. The young man, one of many candidates for the Princesss hand, delayed meeting her to fix the last flagstone at the top of the 30 steps at the royal palace.

Grandad William wrote: A great king is required to have the kindness and wisdom to put his own well-being and that of another before his desire for riches and gold.

The story had great appeal for us as children, says Geraldine.

Geraldine, who went back to college doing a four year relationship course with Dr Tony Humphries, later doing a parenting course, says there is an inner child in all of us.

I think adults will relate to the creativity book too, she says.

It gives us an opportunity to tap into our inner child that comes out in us when we feel vulnerable. The messages in the book are meaningful.

It is a book that cites each individuals superpowers kindness, cleverness, imagination, creativity, friendliness, strength, uniqueness. Skills of giving hugs, singing, speed, and baking are other important assets to appreciate.

The Creativity is a great gift book, says Geraldine.

And we hope to raise 10,000 for the Childrens Unit.

It is a wonderful keepsake for 2020.

My Creativity Book by Geraldine ONeill is 10 from Fitzpatricks shop, Glounthaune. All proceeds to the Childrens Unit at Cork University Hospital.

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Cork woman's book reminds children that they're awesome - EchoLive.ie

As with any election year, youll hear many different buzz words and key phrases relating to voting issues throughout the campaign trail during debates, conventions, political ads, and on the news.

That said, in most election years, those buzz words are more related to policies, candidate stances on various issues, and current events that will undoubtedly be impacted by the election outcome and elected administration.

In 2016 specifically, the Pew Research Center reported that voters top issues when deciding who to vote for included the economy, terrorism, foreign policy, health care, and gun violence.

While many of those issues were important then and are still important now, a lot has changed. This year one of the most important words youll hear about as you prepare to cast your ballot is empathy. But what exactly does that mean?

Its no secret that 2020 has been a year of suffering for so many across the nation and around the world. This year hurts. And the person we vote for in November is the person were putting in charge of easing that pain and fixing those problems. No pressure.

Because of the gravity of this election and the countrys current state, one of the most common keywords we hear on the road to the White House is empathy. Most notably, the claims that President Trump lacks empathy and Democratic nominee Joe Biden is the empathetic leader we need to restore decency in America.

It seems that this year, on top of the many crucial issues well be voting on from immigration to the global pandemic to national security, the economy, and racial injustice well also be asked to vote based on a persons ability to understand the feelings of another.

Sure, it might seem like empathy would be a noticeable character trait for anyone running for office or running for any leadership position, for that matter. But as many of us have learned in the past four years, empathy is not a guarantee from our president, and compassion might just be what this country needs to repair all that is broken in our nation.

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, empathy is the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner.

However, it seems this skill goes beyond just understanding other people.

Empathy is the ability to recognize, understand, and share the thoughts and feelings of another person, animal, or fictional character, according to Psychology Today. And that ability to relate to others and respect others perspectives is essential.

Developing empathy is crucial for establishing relationships and behaving compassionately. It involves experiencing another persons point of view, rather than just ones own, and enables prosocial, or helping behaviors that come from within, rather than being forced.

Its important to note that empathy is not the same thing as sympathy. Although many people use those terms interchangeably or falsely assume they are the same.

Sympathy is feeling concerned for someone else and hoping that they become happier. Empathy is more than just concern; it involves sharing another persons emotions and having compassion for how they feel and what they are going through, which often leads to a desire to act on their behalf.

Simply put, empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone elses shoes, see their perspective, feel their pain, and consider their feelings. And while it may seem as if empathy is strictly a social-emotional skill one many of us learned during our formative years growing up and in school its so much more than that, especially for a world leader.

It became increasingly evident at the Democratic National Convention that empathy and politics are not separate concepts or unrelated terms. They are not only deeply intertwined but also must coexist for all elected officials, from the president to local leaders, to effectively lead.

Several personality traits are essential for an individual to be an effective, inspirational, and successful leader. Organization, confidence, commitment, accountability, empowerment, and integrity are all important, of course. But according to experts, empathy is as important as those other qualities, if not the most essential leadership skill. And this applies to both the workplace and the political realm.

In his column for Entrepreneur, Leadership Keynote Speaker and CEO Coach Krister Ungerboeck argues that empathy has never been needed more by influential and powerful leaders. If the hardships and frightening reality of 2020 have taught us anything, its that we need leaders with empathy.

Teams led by people who possess high emotional intelligence tend to work hard and persevere through rough patches. They also develop deeper bonds of trust, which are essential when employment statuses seem all too fragile, he explains.

Although Ungerboeck refers to the working world, where empathetic leaders are essential in helping guide others through these difficult times, the assessment also works for our argument.

In more broad terms, ranging from business to politics and everything in between, empathy is an essential tool to ensure leaders are actually as impactful and effective as they want to be.

Psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Prudy Gourguechon explains, empathy enables you to know if the people youre trying to reach are actually reached.

She adds empathy is as much about building a leadership strategy as it is about building connections. Empathy allows you to predict the effect your decisions and actions will have on core audiences and strategize accordingly. Without empathy, you cant build a team or nurture a new generation of leaders. You will not inspire followers or elicit loyalty, she tells Forbes.com.

Once upon a time, empathy may have been seen as a sign of weakness, a personality trait that shows vulnerability or an indication you are soft or a quality that would hinder your ability to lead. But the exact opposite is true, experts argue.

Just consider what a difference empathy can make in our countrys leadership. An empathetic leader would not look at the growing number of COVID-19-related deaths and say with a stone-cold stare, it is what it is. A compassionate leader would not spout racist remarks, calling COVID-19 the China virus, despite being told how harmful that misnomer may be.

A person with empathy would not mock others because of their disability and would not tear families apart at the border or send children to detention centers. A leader with empathy would not spend most of the time during a coronavirus task force briefing focusing on self-praise and blaming others while dedicating very little time to expressing condolences for victims of the virus. (Trump spent 45 minutes praising his administration and himself, and two hours attacking others, while he only spent 4 and 1/2 minutes out of the total 13 hours expressing condolences, according to a Washington Post review.)

One of Joe Bidens key strategies on the campaign trail is to play up the empathy card, clearly showcasing his ability to relate to others and understand their struggles as the result of his own experiences, both personal and professional.

From the loss of his wife and daughter to the more recent loss of his son and even his own fathers struggles to find work several decades ago Biden has made one thing very clear: he understands where Americans are coming from, and he plans to represent all Americans if elected.

While Ill be a Democratic candidate, Ill be an American president, he said. Ill work hard for those who didnt support me, as hard for them as I did for those who did vote for me. Thats the job of a president to represent all of us, not just our base or our party. This is not a partisan moment; this must be an American moment.

And Vice-Presidential nominee Kamala Harris echoed those sentiments in her acceptance speech:

[My mother] pushed us to see a world beyond ourselves. She taught us to be conscious and compassionate about the struggles of all people. To believe public service is a noble cause and the fight for justice is a shared responsibility.

She continued to say that she accepts the nomination for Vice President of the United States of America with a commitment to serve a country where we may not agree on every detail, but we are united by the fundamental belief that every human being is of infinite worth, deserving of compassion, dignity, and respect.

They are both clearly focusing heavily on their ability to not only possess and practice empathy as world leaders but also the dire need for a President who will be able to practice empathy and unite the nation during a year of unthinkable loss of lives and livelihoods.

Only time will tell just how much Americans will actually vote with empathy in mind and how important empathy will be in selecting the next leader of our country. But one thing is for sure: decency, compassion, and caring about others is most definitely on the ballot this year.

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Empathy is a Keyword in This Years Election, But What Does It Mean Exactly? - BELatina

Perhaps without us realizing it, biometrics have crept into many corners of our lives. The prevalence of biometricsthe use of physical characteristics to determine and verify identityfacilitates our access to the world. Be it fingerprinting, iris scans, or facial recognition, biometrics has streamlined identification, making it easier and easier to add ID processes to interactions where they were missing before. Biometric usage has even become standard practice in the humanitarian aid industry.

By adopting biometric registration systems, aid agencies efficiently provide refugees with an official identity, prevent fraud, and improve the dignity of the refugee aid process. Yet despite those benefits, biometrics also threaten the security of refugees, especially women, in three ways: through greater risk for false matches; by increasing the potential for discrimination; and by threatening exploitation. The first step in correcting these problems is recognizing them.

Biometrics have successfully provided a universal identity to refugees, many of whom lost or destroyed identifying documents during their flight, or never possessed any to begin with. Approximately 1 billion people globally lack identification; women are disproportionately represented. Providing documentation results in greater access to aid services, employment, and personal empowerment. Through fingerprinting and iris scans, many aid agencies now register refugees as they come through camps, allowing them to confirm their information without need for prior documentation. Such a system can help prevent benefit fraud, whether from double-receipt of aid or by organizers who take aid away from the populations in need. Biometric systems thus offer important oversight in the refugee aid industry.

Nevertheless, the history and implementation of biometrics raises some concerns. Its usage has typically been an imperative for donor states rather than the aid agencies themselves. As the researcher Katja Jacobsen explained in The Politics of Humanitarian Technology, large donors, like the United States, make their funding dependent on the implementation of biometrics in the refugee registration process. However, the interests of these donors are driven by security rather than aid, and governance of refugees biometric data remains ambiguous: Which states own the datathose which host the refugees, or those who provide the funds? Who is in charge of data protection? Which companies provide the biometric systems to aid agencies and what is their level of control over the data?

Beyond those questions, there is the risk of false matches. Biometric technology occasionally incorrectly registers a refugee as already in the system. According to Jacobsen, previous testing of biometric systems was small-scale, operating on a few hundred entries to a database with relative precision. Yet it is unclear how well it works when the databases include millions of registered individuals. This concern is doubled if the biometric technology itself is of poor quality or if the type of information requested by donor states emphasizes security concerns rather than an accurate distribution of humanitarian aid.

Although false matching could harm all refugees, women in particular could suffer. They are often already marginalized in their communities, and face issues in securing aid. If falsely matched, they could face yet more hurdles to securing cash transfers, owning property, and accessing employment opportunities in a dignified way. A test of American faces conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology shows that women were less likely to be recognized by facial recognition systems than men. This is doubly true for women of color, as shown by the same test in which the highest false positives are in American Indians, with elevated rates in African American and Asian populations.

Further, as Lindsey Kingston explains in the 2018 book, Digital Lifeline, women, especially single mothers, may serve as heads of households and primary caregivers, duties which may prevent them from claiming aid in person. Beyond that, Kingston explains, women are most likely to face injuries such as cooking burns, which could disrupt fingerprint identification required to receive assistance.

Another problem is data usage. As more humanitarian aid agencies adopt biometric technology, a dictatorship of no alternatives, a phrase coined by Shoshana Zuboff in her 2018 book, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, is emerging. Refugees have little say in the usage of their personal data. It is hard to say that refugees have provided real consent when they turn over biometric data because there arent other good choices. Thats especially true of women, who may face norms preventing them from speaking out. In fact, systems of biometric registration continue to be discriminatory even when women do speak against its usage, as seen in the case of veiled Muslim women in Bangladesh. Women and girls reported that they were not consulted on biometric identification systems and said that they felt disrespected and violated when their headwear was adjusted during the registration process.

Exploitation of the collected data is another concern. Although significant data breaches of biometric management systems have yet to occur, the threat remains, and exposure of sensitive biometric information would be catastrophic for refugee populations. First, unlike PIN codes and passwords, personal physical identifiers cannot be changed. Should data be stolen, fingerprints and iris scans would remain exposed. Given that many biometrics programs are accessible to state governments, it is unclear who has control over and access to refugees biometric information. A recent article by Dave Nyczepir outlines the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys decision to move its cache of biometric data from U.S. citizens and foreign nationals to Amazon Web Services GovCloud. Since UNHCR sends refugee information to DHS, that means refugees data will be on the cloud as well. For women who are fleeing persecution or gender-based violence, breaches of this information can be deadly.

In short, although biometrics have improved the efficacy of refugee registration and identification, there are still several risks, especially for refugee women. Recognizing those problems would be a good first start to improving the systems in question.

Beyond that, using two or more methods of biometric data collection would help mitigate false matches. Stronger security systems are also critical. Should a data breach occur, establishing long-term protection policies in advance would likewise help to ensure the safety and security of refugee populations.

The 1951 United Nations Convention regarding the Status of Refugees specifies that states should provide identifying documents to all refugees within their territory, and builds on the UDHR to ensure the rights of refugees. Yet the threats to refugees human rights are different today compared to almost 70 years ago. The emergence of new technologies may warrant an update to the rights of refugees outlined in the convention, in particular, to ensure refugees security and privacyboth in their person and their digital identities. Such reforms could be a good jumping-off point for aid agencies to responsibly address the risks of false matching, discriminatory algorithms, and data breaches themselves.

Continued here:

Biometrics Have Crept Into Humanitarian Aid, But the Systems May Disadvantage Women Who Need Help Most - Foreign Policy

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) and St. Marys College of Maryland (SMCM) are partnering to kick off a five-part leadership and voter education series entitled Informed, Engaged, Empowered = Ready Set VOTE! on Sept. 15 International Democracy Day with the inauguration of theThomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Center for Leadership.

The series of virtual community-focused events to promote voter education, civic engagement, and personal empowerment are a collaboration between the center, CSMs Equity and Inclusive Diversity Office and Student Life Department; and SMCM, the Center for the Study of Democracy and SMCM Student Activities Department. The events are aimed to prepare students and the Southern Maryland community for the upcoming elections.

CSM established the Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Center for Leadership a year ago in September to support students, faculty and rising community leaders who demonstrate and inspire leadership in others.Marylands Sen. Millerwas the nations longest serving state senate president, having been a member of the Maryland Senate since 1975 and serving as the president of the Maryland Senate from 1987 to January 2020. A resident of Calvert County, the Senate President Emeritus continues to serve District 27.

Imagine being a young person today, trying to find your footing and make sense of the world amid chaotic public discourse and polarized news sources, CSM President Dr. Maureen Murphy said at a fundraising event last fall that established an endowment in Millers honor to support the center. Imagine being a college whose charge is to support young people as they learn to reconcile contradictory ideas in a culture that gives as much credence in opinion as in fact. In our current environment, helping students grapple with complexity and learn that there can be multiple valid perspectives on issues is becoming increasingly difficult.

During the series kick off Sept. 15, students will hear a message from Miller on leadership and his lessons for bridging political divides with a focus on how all citizens can work together for the good of our communities. Student leaders from CSM and St. Marys College of Maryland will then share thoughts on unity and the future of American Democracy in a panel moderated by the centers director, CSM Communication Professor Denise Gilmer-Knudson and Director of the Center for the Study of Democracy Dr. Antonio Ugues.

We want to engage our students in this election, help our students get to the polls and help to bridge the divides, said CSMs Executive Director of Equity and Inclusive Diversity Dr. Sybol Anderson. The whole point of democracy is to engage in collective deliberation for the good of the community. Collective deliberation done well is productive and creates unity in our communities. To be unable to sustain civil discourse is itself the unraveling of democracy.

The Informed, Engaged, Empowered = Ready Set VOTE! series continues with a National Voter Registration Day virtual event Sept. 22 hosted by the Calvert County League of Women Voters entitled Your Vote. Your Choice. Your Future. On Oct. 8, CSM and SMCM will virtually host A Pledge to Truth and Civility that focuses on the need for media literacy and civility in public discourse and an Oct. 22 event entitled, Liberty and Justice for All? The History of Voting Rights in America. The series concludes Nov. 10 with Indivisible: A Post Election Debrief.

We do not know what the results of the 2020 presidential election will be, but we do know that many of our neighbors will celebrate, and many will be frustratedperhaps feeling despair, shared Anderson about the series final event. Our last moderated session will enable CSM and SMCM faculty, staff and students to come together again to process thoughts and feelings about the election process and results and to begin to envision a positive path forward as one community.

The Sept. 22 and Nov. 10 events are for CSM and SMCMs student, faculty and staff. The three other events will be open to the public.

The CSM Foundation has established an endowment in Millers name that funds, in part, the Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Leadership Academy which provides a framework agreed upon by the Maryland Community College Activities Directors Association (MCCADA), that will help students become engaged leaders.

Upon successful completion of the Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Leadership Academy, students will receive a CSM Certificate of Completion and be eligible to apply for the Maryland Community College Leadership Certification, a statewide recognition of exceptional leadership skills in Maryland community college students awarded by Maryland Community College Activities Directors Association (MCCADA), explained Gilmer-Knudson.

About the Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Center for Leadership:The purpose of the Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Center for Leadership is to serve and connect the College of Southern Maryland and the surrounding region by offering leadership training and other opportunities to develop student and community leaders who contribute to their local and global communities. For more information, visitwww.csmd.edu/community/miller-center-for-leadership/.

Calendar:

One Community: Bridging Divides:Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. 7-8 p.m. The public is invited to listen and watch the inaugural event of the Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Center for Leadership which celebrates the leadership of Senator Miller and his legacy of reaching across the aisle to create positive change for Maryland. Hosted College of Southern Marylands Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Center for Leadership, Equity and Inclusive Diversity Office, and Student Life Department, and Center for the Study of Democracy and SMCMs Student Activities Department. Registration is required for this free Zoom event. Registerhere. https://csmd.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIofu-gqT8sH9xLOkKqfb0N8mxS3XEGPuW5.

A Pledge to Truth and Civility:Oct. 8, 2020. 7 -8 p.m. The public is invited join CSM Professor of Communications Michelle Christian and CSM Instructor of Media Studies, Journalist and CSM Non-Profit Institute Coordinator Cara Fogarty discuss how to spot fake news, the importance of checking facts and sources of information, and a variety of strategies for maintaining civility while engaging in difficult political conversations. Hosted by the College of Southern Marylands Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Center for Leadership, Student Life Department and Equity and Inclusive Diversity Office, and Center for the Study of Democracy and SMCMs Student Activities Department Date, registration is required for this free Zoom event. Registerhere.https://csmd.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUuceCvqjgjGtIQTs5BvgvLRF_L3TZqgSwm.

Liberty and Justice for All? The History of Voting Rights in America:Oct. 22, 2020. 7-8 p.m. The public is invited to hear CSM Professor of History and Humanities and Social Sciences Department Chair Dr. Christine Arnold-Lourie travel through history to discover the evolution of American voting rights: How certain populations were denied the right to vote, the hard-fought battles to gain suffrage and discriminatory voting practices that still exist today. Hosted by the College of Southern Marylands Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Center for Leadership, Student Life Department and Equity and Inclusive Diversity Office, and Center for the Study of Democracy and SMCMs Student Activities Department, registration is required for this free Zoom event. Registerhere:https://csmd.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAsce6rpzktHtYABah3xjbVCaSaaE0fXl9L.

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CSM, SMCM Kick-Off Virtual Voter Education Series with Inauguration of the Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Center for Leadership - The Southern Maryland...

Keith Harings living room featuring Roy Lichtensteins Forms in Space. Credit: Nancy Elizabeth Hill Backstage Library Works for Keith. Via Sothebys

Sothebys is auctioning off over a hundred pieces from Keith Harings art collection, which includes works by Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

The sale, entitled Dear Keith, will raise money for New Yorks LGBTQ organisation The Center. Haring painted a mural for its Greenwich Village headquarters back in 1989 (below).

It feels as if Keith himself rallied his friends to make art for this specific purpose, Gil Vazquez, acting director of the Keith Haring Foundation, which owns the collections, told the New York Times. The Center embodies so much of what Keith was about: community, empowerment and the support of our future, the youth.

The auction, which opens on 24 September, is expected to raise almost $1m, with a highlight being Andy Warhols 1983 portrait of Haring with his lover Juan Dubose predicted to sell for upwards of $200,000. Prospective buyers can view the artworks online or arrange an appointment at Sothebys Manhattan headquarters to see them in person.

Portrait of Keith Haring and Juan Dubose by Andy Warhol

Keith Haring Foundation. Polaroids, The Keith Haring Foundation Archives. Photography: Scott Schedivy

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Keith Haring's personal art collection is heading to auction for charity - The Spaces

Owning a private collection of nearly 140 artworks by luminaries like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein would be a godsend for most arts organizations, but it was a burden for the Keith Haring Foundation.

Legal counsel had warned the nonprofit for years that keeping a collection made by artists other than its founder might fail to serve its charitable purpose. So last year the foundation began arranging with Sothebys to sell the artworks in an online auction called Dear Keith, with all proceeds benefiting the Center, an L.G.B.T.Q. community organization in the West Village.

The sale is scheduled to begin on Sept. 24 and is expected to raise nearly $1 million with a selection ranging from a $100 painting by David Bowes to a $250,000 Warhol print featuring Mr. Haring and his lover Juan Dubose. An exhibition of the collection will also take place online and by appointment at the Sothebys headquarters in Manhattan.

It feels as if Keith himself rallied his friends to make art for this specific purpose, said Gil Vazquez, acting director of the foundation. The Center embodies so much of what Keith was about: community, empowerment and the support of our future, the youth.

The auction features a significant number of artists associated with Club 57, the storied nightclub located in a church basement that operated through the late 70s and early 80s as home base for members of the East Villages avant-garde scene like the sculptor Bruno Schmidt and the performance artist John Sex. Members from the periods street art movement are also well represented in the collection, with John Matos, Lady Pink and Lee Quiones being particular standouts.

The collection is remarkably autobiographical, just as any great collectors estate is a window into their individual perspective, said Harrison Tenzer, head of Sothebys online contemporary art sales. Keith Haring collected through relationships to those he was stylistically, morally and intellectually aligned with.

And according to the auctioneer, Dear Keith comes at a moment when buyers are becoming more comfortable with explicitly queer work. The market is changing, and there are also great L.G.B.T.Q. collectors who want to support their own community, added Mr. Tenzer.

Largely considered one of the most successful graffiti artists of his time, Mr. Haring gained international recognition for his cartoonish universe of dancing figures and barking dogs. His short career began as a graffitist in New Yorks subway system and developed through the 80s with dozens of museum exhibitions, public art commissions and advertising deals. He was also known for his political activism, particularly around homophobia and the AIDS crisis. The 31-year-old artist eventually died from complications of the virus in 1990; the Sothebys auction commemorates the 30th anniversary of his passing.

Keith Haring fostered hope and resilience during difficult times, said Glennda Testone, executive director of the Center. He painted his 1989 mural, Once Upon a Time, on our walls to celebrate sexual liberation and envision a world without AIDS, in direct opposition to the fear and stigma that fueled that pandemic.

And help couldnt come fast enough for the Center, which is facing a projected $5.4 million shortfall in revenue because of the coronavirus pandemic. According to Ms. Testone, the loss amounts to a 34 percent decrease in funding at a moment when the nonprofit has experienced a 40 percent increase in demand for services like mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment. (On average, the Center serves around 340,000 visitors per year.)

Sometimes, I like to think what Keith would do if he were still alive, said Ms. Testone. I think that he would be really proud of the work that we are doing within our community to strengthen our bonds and our resiliency.

Link:

Keith Harings Personal Art Collection to Be Auctioned for Charity - The New York Times

What to do: Contact the drives coordinator at the nonprofit Secure the Call at 301-891-2900 or info@securethecall.org. Theyll provide everything you need to hold a virtual phone drive including a press release to email your coworkers, family, and friends as well as shipping materials for everyone to safely mail their phones. You can also reach out to your local coalition to see if they can support a drivemany advocacy centers and shelters take phone donations on an ongoing basis.

Currently some advocacy organizations are helping people stay safe and access day-to-day needs while sheltering in place, and others are aiding survivors as they work through the logistics of starting over or moving into a new home. In both cases, donations can help. If you have room in your budget or gently used items stored away, take a look at your local advocacy center or shelters wishlist and donate online or at a drop-off site. You cant go wrong with a Visa gift card, says Atkins. Otherwise, common high-demand items include quality face masks, hand sanitizer, menstrual products, diapers, baby wipes, childrens toys and clothes, and furniture to fill a new space.

Theres a huge demand for volunteers and staff to work for shelters, answer hotline calls, and facilitate support groups. But if youre interested in any of the above, youll need to complete state-mandated training. Exactly what that entails will vary depending on where you live, but the standard course includes 32 to 40 hours of virtual or in-person training which covers a range of topics including the history of the domestic-violence advocacy movement, dynamics of domestic violence, your role as an advocate, safety planning, and self-care, says Nicholas.

Reach out to your local coalition to learn more about the process and sign up for a session. As of this writing, some programs like the StrongHearts Native Helpline, a free, anonymous helpline for Native Americans affected by domestic violence, already offer 100% online classes andfor the foreseeable futurefully remote jobs, says Elizabeth Carr, senior native affairs advisor for the National Indigenous Womens Resource Center.

Nearly three out of four survivors of domestic violence stay with their partner or return to them, sometimes for years, due to financial struggles, per a 2018 survey by the Institute of Womens Policy Research. To help survivors move forward, volunteer to guide them through a financial empowerment coursemany coalitions already have the curriculum ready for you, says Nicholas.

Victims and survivors often struggle to leave domestic violence situations or stay in them over legitimate concerns for the safety of their pet or the inability to secure housing for them, and this is an even greater challenge during COVID-19. But there are about 1,400 safe havens and counting around the U.S. that give pets a safe place in shelters, veterinarians offices, or foster homes. To serve as a walker, sitter, or foster parent, reach out to a safe haven in your area, and if there isnt one, consider asking your vet or advocacy center if theyd be up for starting onefunding may be available, Phil Arkow, a coordinator for the National Resource Center on the LINK Between Animal Abuse and Human Violence, tells SELF.

We need committed activists to answer the call when we demand that Congress protect survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault during the pandemic, Deborah J. Vagins, president and CEO of the NNEDV, tells SELF. How to do that: Sign up to receive action alerts to stay in the loop, and bookmark the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) news page, which regularly shares super-helpful tool kits with call scripts, templates for op-eds and letters to the editor, sample emails, and more.

If youre a survivor, telling your story can be a powerful way to reclaim your voice, educate others about the realities of domestic violence, and build solidarity with other survivors, says Bessie McManus, development and volunteer coordinator at Steps to End Domestic Violence in Burlington, Vermont. Have a one-on-one conversation with a loved one, post it anonymously with the help of a coalition, channel it into poetry or art, or submit a blog post, personal essay, or video to Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence, a survivor-led nonprofit with a mission to empower others to speak out.

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How to Advocate for Victims and Survivors of Domestic Violence During Coronavirus - SELF