e-Voice

...an online e-zine to, for, by and about
Women Writing for (a) Change

February 15, 2008

 In this issue (Click to view)

 Sampler this Saturday

Poetry Book Club is Coming 

Kudos to Ethel Ingalls

Silverton Paidiea Program Continues

Update - Young Women's FLA

Save the Dates - Joseph Beth and Podcasting 

Prompt

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Please Join Us This Saturday!

A free Sampler class will be held upstairs at WWfaC from 1:00-2:30 this Saturday, February 16th.

Bring a pen, paper and the desire to have fun and write in a welcoming community. FREE and open to any interested writer - men and women welcome!  Please RSVP: 513-272-1171 x2.

Poetry Book Club Sampler ~ Saturday, March 8th

Free introduction to the Poetry Book Club, 1:00 ~ 2:30 P.M.

Featured Poet: Mary Oliver

Featured Book: New and Selected Poems Volume Two

Featured Poems:  "In Praise of Craziness, of a Certain Kind" and "Patience"

The Poetry Book Club, facilitated by FLA participants Tina Holsapple and Bronwyn Park, will meet on the second Tuesday of every month, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at WWF(a)C.  We will read and discuss selected poems from a book of poetry at each session (no need to read the entire book ahead of time). Included will be time for reflection, discussion, writing and sharing our own poetry and prose.

The fee is $25.00 per class or $60.00 for all three.  To RSVP, please call 513-272-1171x2.

Kudos

Congratulations to Ethel Ingalls for publishing Only A Week Away.  The novel of historical fiction is based on Ethel's comprehensive research of her own family tree.  Ethel began writing individual stories, and when her relatives told her, "You should write a book!" she came to WWfaC.  The class structure and work with a WWfaC tutor helped her gain the support and feedback she needed to complete the project.
 

To learn more about the novel or to order a copy, click here.  There are also copies available in the WWfaC store.

Foundation continues partnership with Silverton Paideia

The Women Writing for (a) Change Foundation will continue its after-school partnership at Silverton Paideia until the end of the school year.  Ten fifth grade girls will meet for thirteen more sessions with Marissa Williams to write and share stories about friendship, family, and girlhood. 

One girl shared this on her soul card: "It is a gift for me to let go of all the negative thoughts." 

A big congratulations also goes to Da'Nae, a member of the writing circle, who was elected president of the student council during the program's winter hiatus!

Women Writing for (a) Change Foundation is committed to building strong roots in the Silverton neighborhood.  Thanks to Amy Grzybowski, the Silverton Paideia after school program director from the Blue Ash YMCA.  Because of her grant writing efforts, this program for girls will continue into the fall of the next school year.  Her commitment to the program makes it a true partnership.

If you would like to invest $200 in order to sponsor one of the girls' participation in our Young Women Writing for (a) Change summer program, please click here. 

Clockwise from top left: Karen Bullock, Jaime Lutes, Avery Smith, Chelsey Shannon, Janela Harris, Julia Constable, Alicia Brandewie and Megan Stentz

2008 Young Women's Feminist Leadership Academy

The 2008 Young Women's Feminist Leadership Academy (YWFLA) kicked off the year with a retreat at the Moye Center in Melbourne, Kentucky.  Facilitated by YWWC Director Jenn Reid and YW faculty member Sami Schalk, these young women are deepening their leadership skills and will begin their own writing circles for women and girls this spring.

One of the participants describe the YWFLA as a way to learn about different facets of feminism and leadership so each can choose her own path; another said it was a way to learn to be a strong and compassionate leader. 

Participants are now attending a weekly leadership class at the writing hall on Sunday evenings. They will return to Moye for another retreat in mid-February.

Save the Dates

Susan Vreeland - March 1 - In conjunction with Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Women Writing for (a) Change will sponsor a program with Susan Vreeland on March 1st.  More details to follow. 

Celebrate Women's History Month in March.  We will be unveiling our new podcast broadcast in March.  The Radio Circle has been hard at work and first show has been recorded.  Stay tuned for more details!   

Writing Prompt

February Days
~ by May Sarton

Who could tire of the long shadows,
The long shadows of the trees on snow?
Sometimes I stand at the kitchen window
For a timeless time in a long daze
Before these reflected perpendiculars,
Noting how the light has changed,
How tender it is now in February
When the shadows are blue not black.
The crimson cyclamen has opened wide,
A bower of petals drunk on the light,
And in the snow-bright ordered house
I am drowsy as a turtle in winter,
Living on light and shadow
And their changes.

If you ask people what their least favorite month is, chances are you'll hear February.  Cold, gray, dismal - words that come to mind as the impatience for spring sets in.  May Sarton has a different take in her poem "February Days."

Try one (or more) of these writing suggestions (or not):

1.  Look out your back door or kitchen window.  Make a list of first ten things you notice, then try to organize your list into a poem.

2.  Are you "drowsy as a turtle in winter?"  What can drag you out of your daze?  

3.  Sometimes it's easier to see the shadow rather than the light of February.  Is February offering you any gifts this year?

4.  Have you caught any glimpses of Spring?   Have you been looking?

As always, follow your muse!