Local Women’s Empowerment Org Hosts V-day Party with a Purpose
By Julie Cajigas
Valentine’s Day inspires different feelings for many people. New couples are filled with exhilaration, long-term couples enjoy commemorating their love, some partners worry about surprising their significant other with a romantic date and then there are singles, who feel everything from anxiety to excitement about the holiday.
This Valentine’s Day, there’s an event in Cleveland to inspire singles and couples of all ages – not only will you dance the night away, you’ll also be supporting a Cleveland organization that empowers women at home and in other states, and helps them achieve their dreams: Sister Girlfriends.
Whether you’re single, part of a new couple or celebrating the love of a lifetime, make this Valentine’s Day special at Sister Girlfriends’ Love is in the Air Valentine’s Day Affair, Tue 2/14 from 7PM – midnight @ Gibbs in Severance Town Center at 3560 Mayfield Road, Cleveland Heights.
The event promises to be one hot ticket. Just $10 in advance, Love is in the Air will feature live music from John D. Watkins & The White House Band, door prizes, pictures and gifts for the last-last minute Valentine’s shopper. Singles can meet someone new at the event which will be attended by other singles participating in a speed dating event the same evening. Buy your ticket now at http://ValentinesDay2012.eventbrite.com, or call Sister Girlfriends at (216) 251-0415.
Even more important than what you’ll gain by attending Love is in the Air is what you’ll give. Proceeds will benefit Sister Girlfriends youth and adult mentoring programs and help women from Cleveland and across the country to overcome challenges in their lives and find success.
Sister Girlfriends founder Netta Williams [pictured] grew up in a difficult family situation. After her parents’ divorce, she dropped out of high school and became pregnant, depending on financial assistance to support her child. Her story may have stopped there, if not for a woman who came into her life, and who inspired her to reach her full potential.
“My mentor, Donuel Blalark took the time to help me refocus my priorities by discussing the importance of education,” says Williams. “Those endless conversations encouraged me to aspire to become a professional.”
Her relationship with Blalark, who at the time had just earned a Master’s Degree, led to Williams obtaining her GED, relocating to Pennsylvania to attend culinary school as a single parent and eventually earning her degree from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute along with her BS and her MBA. “I am proud to say that I accomplished every goal set forth by the grace of God and through positive influences around me,” says Williams.
Overcoming her own struggles taught Williams the importance of mentors and role models, and led to her founding Sister Girlfriends in 2007 as a professional networking organization for women. Sister Girlfriends has members as far away as New York, Pennsylvania and South Carolina who visit Cleveland for events, conference in for support groups and help women relocating to their cities. Each of the members has a compelling story.
Sarah’s Sister Girlfriends Story:
“Two years ago I faced some major challenges in my life and did not know where to turn for help,” says Sarah, a Cleveland member. “A friend told me she would contact Sister Girlfriends to see if they could help. To my surprise, Sister Girlfriends had an emergency meeting just for me,” she says. “When I arrived, I met six wonderful women who had faced and overcome similar challenges to mine. During the Sister Girlfriends Circle I received valuable information and resources.” Other members spoke with Sarah and offered her different kinds of assistance. One was a retired attorney who had especially helpful advice. “I left the meeting in tears, overwhelmed by the encouragement and support I received.”
Elizabeth’s Sister Girlfriends Story:
“Because I came here from Cambodia, I wasn’t able to rely on my family support when I needed to get out of my abusive marriage,” says Elizabeth, a member from Pittsburgh. Without her extended family and friends, she didn’t know where to find support and encouragement. Sister Girlfriends’ support groups were there for her. “I could not believe that I could be independent, but now I am. When your heart is soft, you cannot help yourself,” she says. “The group sessions helped me learn to rely on myself and be a strong person,” says Elizabeth. “I appreciate the support Sister Girlfriends has given to me.”
Theresa’s Sister Girlfriends Story:
“I was recently laid off from a job that I dedicated myself to for 11 years,” says Theresa, a member from Buffalo, New York. “I was devastated at first, but then thought about the empowerment that Sister Girlfriends has instilled in me,” she says. “Since becoming a member of Sister Girlfriends, I have gained so much confidence and drive that it has caused me to see and do things differently in my life with my friends and my career,” she says. Theresa is now enrolled in a Medical Office Billing and Coding program. “I will be completing my class soon and plan to further my education in the medical field,” she says. “Sister Girlfriends has helped me empower myself and stay true to who I am.”
In 2011, Sister Girlfriends added a youth mentoring program to their already successful women’s empowerment offerings. This new program will recruit adult mentors for girls and teens to provide them with strong role models and friendships. It’s Williams’ hope that these young girls will find the same success she did through the empowerment, friendship and leadership given to them by women in the community.
Sister Girlfriends has a bright future, but they need your help. Currently in the process of becoming a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, many of their projects are funded 100% through the generosity of founder Netta Williams. The group needs a comfortable meeting space for 20-30 women that is wheelchair accessible to hold their support groups and friendship circles. They are also in need of a meeting space with a kitchen where they can teach their “Girl Let’s Cook” basic cooking skills class for women and teenage girls.
Are you feeling inspired by the stories of the women empowered by Sister Girlfriends? You can help by offering a personal donation or encouraging your company to become a corporate sponsor. Women can help by becoming Platinum or Diamond and Pearls members of the organization. And everyone can help by attending Love is in the Air Valentine’s Day Affair on Tue 2/14. To find out more about how you can get involved, contact Sister Girlfriends at (216) 251-0415.
This Valentine’s Day, surprise your girlfriend, boyfriend, husband, wife, partner or friends with tickets to Love is in the Air Valentine’s Day Affair. Dance the night away and support an organization that makes a difference in the lives of women.
Sister Girlfriends’ first Valentine’s Day fundraiser, “Love is in the Air Valentines Day Affair” is from 7PM – midnight on Tue 2/14 @ Gibbs in Severance Town Center at 3560 Mayfield Road, Cleveland Heights Purchase your ticket today at http://ValentinesDay2012.eventbrite.com. Call (216) 251-0415 for more information, or to donate.
Julie Cajigas is a Cleveland girl who grew up on the East & West Side and now lives near Akron – she’s got the whole town covered. Cajigas holds Bachelors Degrees in Communication and Music, along with a Masters in Applied Communication Theory and Methodology from Cleveland State University, and currently serves as a visiting lecturer in the The University of Akron’s School of Communication.