UWCO Women's Leadership Council

Save the date!

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/bdcvf9k7

This should be both a grounds rule and personal goal for every meeting, conversation and activity.

More from E3 Cohort 23 Graduation

Meet the E3 Cohort 23 Class Representatives: Permin Abbott (lower photo) and Tenelle McGrew (top photo). These two ladies were selected by the Cohort to represent and speak for the group.

What magic do you possess? We all have unique talents and attributes that give us the ability to inspire ourselves and others. As E3 Cohort 23 moves from the classroom portion of the program into the implementation phase of their action plan, Women United members use this magic to mentor and support the women as their individual journey begins.

If you’re not mentoring an E3 participants now – is there someone else who needs you in their life? Don’t let that magic go unused!

We're excited to share the highlights of the E3 Cohort 23 Graduation which took place last week. This very special evening started with a Keynote Address from Marketta Franklin-Thomas, Director of Learning & Development at AEP! Thank you, Marketta, for such an inspirational message!

Self-Care Sunday

It's long but so worth the time to read!

Load the Dishwasher Twice by Kate Scott

When I was at one of my lowest points in life, I couldn’t get out of bed on some days. I had no energy or motivation and was barely getting by.

Even therapy seemed like too much effort. I had been going every week, and on one particular day, I didn’t have much to “bring” to the session.

My therapist asked how my week was going, and I really had nothing to say.

“What are you struggling with?” he asked.

I gestured around me and said, “I dunno, man. Life.”

Not satisfied with my answer, he said, “No, what exactly are you worried about right now? What feels overwhelming? When you go home today, what issue will be staring at you?”

I wanted to give him an answer that was substantial, something that seemed worthy of struggle. But instead, I told him the truth.

“Honestly?” I said. “The dishes. It’s stupid, I know, but the more I look at them, the more I can’t do them because I’ll have to scrub them before I put them in the dishwasher, because my dishwasher sucks, and I just can’t stand to scrub the dishes.”

I felt like an idiot just saying it out loud. What kind of grown-ass adult is undone by a stack of dishes? There are people out there with actual problems, and I’m whining to my therapist about a basic household chore?

And yet my therapist nodded in understanding. And then he shared his advice: “Run the dishwasher twice.”

Huh? I began to tell him you’re not supposed to do that, but he immediately stopped me.

“Why the hell aren’t you supposed to? If you don’t want to scrub the dishes and your dishwasher sucks, run it twice. Run it three times, who cares?! Rules do not exist.”

His words blew my mind in a way that I don’t think I can properly express.

That day, I went home and tossed my smelly dishes haphazardly into the dishwasher and ran it three times. I felt like I had conquered a dragon.

The next day, I took a shower lying down.

A few days later, I folded my laundry and put my clothes wherever the f**k they fit. As I reveled in my newfound freedom, I stopped seeing each day as a series of arbitrary rules to follow. Eventually, I felt free enough to set goals again, on my own terms.

Now that I’m in a much healthier place, I rinse off my dishes and place them in the dishwasher properly.

I shower standing up. I sort my laundry.

But at a time when living was a struggle instead of a blessing, I learned an incredibly important lesson:

There are no rules.

Run the dishwasher twice.

Despite knowing the E3 Program holds promise of a better future, we suspect many of the women feel butterflies before attending the first class. If you feel butterflies when you get nervous, always remember that if you have butterflies – it’s a good thing. That means you’re ready to take action and succeed!

It’s ok to be nervous. Being nervous is a sign of care and passion. So the next time the butterflies set in for you, acknowledge them and let them carry you forward. Take a deep breath in, and give yourself the credit you deserve. Tell yourself positive affirmations — and go crush whatever you’re about to do.

Don't forget to register for this very important upcoming Learn United session: Understanding the Impact of House Bill 616.

https://tinyurl.com/2p9b6efc

Don't miss it!

Achieve your academic & professional goals with the Grads to Work program! Join the workshop to learn more about how to get on-the-job experience & a degree at no cost to you.

FREE, Virtual

Register NOW: https://bit.ly/394QWYn

TODAY IS THE DAY! E3 Graduation Day!

We're celebrating the outstanding achievements of Cohort 23.

The keynote speaker is Marketta Franklin, Director of Learning & Employee Development at American Electric Power. Marketta believes her mission is to serve. She mentors and supports various community and equity-based initiatives and is on the Board of Trustees for IMPACT Community Action Agency, Zane State College, TedxKLB and the Lincoln Theatre Columbus.

Marketta is a recipient of the Robert S. Crane Jr. Young Philanthropist Award. She served as chair of the Ohio United Way Young Leadership Group. She is also a past “Wish Woman” for the Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, “Make A Wish” organization.

CONGRATULATIONS E3 GRADUATES!

Self-Care Sunday!

Today let's focus on supporting our mental health. Here are some suggestions if you don't know where to begin.

https://tinyurl.com/4hf97m4a

Four Ways to Positively Impact Mental Health – Wanderlust Drew Ramsey, M.D. shares four actions and mindsets to mark Mental Health Awareness Month. Learn more from the author of 'Eat to Beat Depression' about the positive ways you can impact your own mental health, as well as those around you this month.

If we did all the things we were capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” —Thomas Edison

Finish the week with a resounding sense of confidence. Use your words and thoughts to catapult yourself to where you want to be. Remember, you will achieve what you believe you can achieve. So replace I won’t and I can’t with I’ll try, I can and I will. You are capable of anything you set your mind to.

Yes, you can.

The E3 Program aims to Educate, Elevate & Empower its women. Essentially – it gives participants hope.

Finding that glimmer of hope in the small things reminds us that there are better things ahead. Hope can come in many forms: loved ones reminding us of the bigger picture, believing we have power over the direction of our lives and recognizing various solutions to our current challenges. It can be fostered by connecting with others and doing things that bring us joy.

Today is your reminder to:

Carry hope for better things ahead.

Carry hope to get through the toughest of times.

Carry hope that you are stronger than any challenge you face.

Carry hope that you are on the path to where you want to be.

Tonight is the 2nd and final night of Cohort 23's final presentations. As classroom work winds down, the E3 women prepare to enter the next phase of their Education, Elevation and Empowerment!

SMART 101: The Practice of Setting & Writing Goals You Want to Achieve

Register now for New Directions Career Center's Workshop Wednesday tomorrow at 9 AM!

https://tinyurl.com/dahfc88b

Stop telling yourself you're not qualified or experienced enough. GROWTH happens in the DOING.

SELF-CARE SUNDAY

Create some beauty today!

SAVE THE DATE!

And register here: https://tinyurl.com/5f32dpjw

Energy is power and the capacity for doing work. Based on the image below, are you an energy giver or taker?

It is important to be an energy giver. Do things that give you a positivity boost, fill your spirit and recharge your mindset.

This week, transfer positivity to others and minimize time spent with those who are energy takers.

Don't forget to register for the weekly Workshop Wednesday held by New Directions Career Center!

https://tinyurl.com/yrfs5rjd

Achieving goals takes time. The more rewarding the goal, the more time that must be invested. When measuring progress from our actions, it’s important to remember that not all progress is visible. Growth and progress often happen from the inside out. During these times of inner, invisible growth, the E3 Mentor provides support and may reflect back the progress that the E3 participant is not aware of. This caring, supportive relationship helps the E3 women consistently focus on making good decisions and having a positive mindset will ultimately set the stage for success.

Stay patient, and focus on making positive choices each day. Don’t forget to celebrate all progress — big or small!

On this last day of Mental Health Awareness Month, we remind you of a free resource available.

National Maternal Health Hotline Now LIVE

This federal hotline is staffed by licensed healthcare providers and specialists and offers immediate support to all pregnant, postpartum, and post-loss individuals, including their partners and families. The hotline can be called or texted anytime.

Hotline Number: 1-833-943-5746

On this national holiday, we take time to remember and honor those who served.

Thank you for your service.

SELF-CARE SUNDAY!

Today’s challenge - see the beauty of life from a toddler’s point of view

Be adventurous and fearless
Be fully present in every moment
Celebrate all the triumphs
Be genuine with every emotion
Be truly curious
Find joy in the little things
Laugh, giggle and smile as often as possible

Living through a toddler’s eye can help you have a true zest for life and live it to its fullest. This mindset will improve your outlook and may even give you the motivation you need to get you to where you want to be.

However, we recommend limiting the random tantrums.

The support, structure and mentorship the E3 Program provides helps to offset the long odds some women face.

A couple weeks ago, in one of the biggest upsets in the history of the Kentucky Derby, Rich Strike (Ritchie) pulled off the unthinkable and won. This is a great reminder that even when the odds are stacked against us, we can still overcome them. His victory can teach us a lot about not letting our circumstances define us.

Worst starting position
Only made it into the race because another horse had to scratch
$30,000 horse against multimillion dollar horses
80-1 odds

WOMEN UNITED LADIES: SAVE THE DATE!

Come celebrate the graduation of the E3 Cohort 23 with the participants and their mentors!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Awareness is a great place to begin. Learn more about what this awareness really means, and how you can translate that into support for yourself (and your loved ones).

https://tinyurl.com/2p886nzd

Lunch and learn with us today at noon! Tune in from anywhere!

Register now to get the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9UdCKqHcSzim-K9joPt9iw

Ladies, are you paid your worth?

Join Columbus Women's Commission and Women's Business Centers of Ohio as they highlight the gender pay gap nationally and share what small businesses can do to lessen the impact locally.

https://tinyurl.com/2rb8raas

Are You Paid What You're Worth? The Effect of Gender on Women-Owned Businesses

WOMEN UNITED: Don't Miss This Important Discussion

The disparate impact of the tumultuous past two years and COVID-19 on central Ohio women and minority communities has been significant. Please be sure to join this important cross-sector conversation featuring female community leaders as they discuss the current climate for women in the workforce and the ongoing pursuit of economic and social equality.

https://tinyurl.com/48fs229e