Tea with Women's Initiative for Self-Employment (2004)

Post date: Oct 21, 2011 8:42:30 PM

Organizations serving women seem an obvious intersection between Smith alums and the local community, but it is not a requirement for our support and involvement!

The EBSC/Womens Initiative for Self Employment tea on Sunday, April 4, 2004, brought warmth and direction to a chilly, grey afternoon when everyone was catching up with the time-change. The Joyce Gordon Gallery provided an elegant and beautiful setting for the artistic pastries and teas (with real tea-cups!) catered by two Women's Initiative graduates.

Smith--and one Bryn Mawr--alumnae had a chance to meet other alums and talk with Women's Initiative staff and graduates before and after the presentation: Karuna Jaggar (Smith '95 and WI staff) talked about her experience working internationally with women's micro-enterprise and the important role it plays in women's empowerment and described her own dedication to working in our local community. Women's Initiative Research & Evaluation Manager Marion Daub provided striking statistics about the effectiveness of the Women's Initiative business-training program, and Asara Tsehai, an articulate graduate of the WI program several years ago, entertained us with an anecdote about how her son has learned financial literacy through their discussions at home and has already begun his own entrepreneurial efforts, which indicates the far-reaching effects of the program. Helen Matthews, Volunteer Coordinator, and Julie Abrams, Executive Director, described numerous and varied ways in which we can get involved with the organization, and those attending were quite enthused!

One of many ways to fulfill our role as ambassadors of Smith College is to participate and be seen in our local community. Organizing members are delighted to present this event as a way for Smith to have an active and growing presence in our community, to show our commitment to the community at large--and especially to pursue our ambitions and play a role in making that possible for all women.

Thanks to:

The Joyce Gordon Gallery

406 14th Street, Oakland, CA

Sin Pastry Studio

Mythical Teas

Women's Initiative staff

In the last 15 years, Women's Initiative has provided over 10,500 economically disadvantaged women with entrepreneurial training, technical assistance, and financial services. As a result, Women's Initiative clients create jobs, access the mainstream economy, and increase their economic self-sufficiency.

We look forward to more opportunities for Seven Sisters alumnae clubs to demonstrate a strong presence in our communities through education, volunteering, and philanthropy.

Organizing committee:

EBSC

Jennie Abbott '95

Karuna Jaggar '95, Client Services Coordinator, WI

Kathy Orsini '79

Women's Initiative - www.womensinitiative.org

Amber Guillory, Development Assistant

Jeannine Esposito, Alameda County Projects Coordinator