AWashingtonWoman: September 2011

Helping To Put Things In Context: Something You Should Know About D.C.

Everyone knows Washington, D.C. for being the nation's capital where decisions are made that affect the country itself and impacts the world at large. But between the time that politicians and special interest groups like to use the city as the reason for all that ails America, it has a more intimate side. This is the side that one could think of as the "local" aspect of the city. I think if people understood what really exists within the boundaries of this diamond shaped (minus a complete side) metropolis, their perspectives may be altered considerably. As AWashingtonWoman will continue to focus on some of the wonderful women who make up the fabric of the DMV (a term used for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and includes: the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia), we will also strive to give you a little of the backstory, as objectively as we can. So it's been a year since this all began and without really trying, this blog has exceeded what our expectations were. So we are thinking that with a little love and a lot of integrity, we can share some real true insight which can be entertaining as well as informative. Who knows?.... Maybe it will even be ..... helpful.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Kids from DCPS win "Teen Design" Award Sponsored By Target & Project Runway

On September 13, 2011 students from the D.C. Public School System participated in a "Teen Design Fair" which was created to introduce high school kids to design.

They got to meet one on one with leading designers in fashion, industrial design, architecture, multimedia & graphic design. Some of the visionaries included Mathew Carter, Jamie Drake, Tobias Frere-Jones, Kathryn Gustatson, Steven Heller and Jonathan Hoelfler. A keynote address was provided by Tim Gunn, chief executive officer @ Liz Claiborne Inc. and co-host of Lifteme's Project Runway (also DC area native)

There was also a White House ceremony for the winners and finalists of the the awards which was hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama. The First Lady serves as the honorary patron for this year's National Design Awards.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Mothers, Girls, Wives... AWashingtonWoman Honors All Seen & Unseen

Many Women From The Washington, D.C. Area Were Killed September 11th As They Lived The Lives of Everyday Heros

It is another beautiful day here in the D.C. area on this Sept 11th 2011. Today marks the ten year anniversary of that ill-fated day when thousands perished in an act to vile that words will never be able to fully describe. And yet rather than dwell on that reality, AWashingtonWoman will be highlighting just a few individual lives of women who were quietly going about their everyday business. These women are symbolic of too many for us to list but whose contributions to our community is no less significant. Many of these women were teachers, like Sara Clark (Bertie Backus School) or Hilda Taylor (Leckie Elementary; they were government employees like Donna Bowen; they were twenty-somethings who were serving our country in the military like YN3 Melissa Barnes, USN; and so many others.

Both Sara Clark and Hilda Taylor were in their 60's and accompanying their 6th grade students on a National Geographic trip to California. And then there were the kids who fell victim. There were little boys and little girls who were some of our brightest stars of hope for the future who died on that day. Asia Cottman was one of those children. Like myself, she was growing up in an area of the city known as North Michigan Park. It's a neighborhood with "regular, average" people. Like myself, sbe loved to read and she loved Barbie dolls. We can only imagine what accomplishments lie ahead for Asia. As I write this blog, for over a year now, I reflect on how blessed we all are because there are hundreds of little girls and boys among us who will still carry that spirit and do wonderful things. We have to be glad that Asia's spirit will never die. I think we should honor and nurture that spirit whenever we imagine we may be in it's midst. Just as we should try to recognize the spirits of all the magnificent women who paid the ultimate price on September 11th, ten years ago. So let us pay tribute to you today and let us go on that your spirit may live on beyond tomorrow.

Featured Washington Woman of The Month: Phenomenol in their representation of Washington Women

Each month AWashingtonWoman will feature a woman considered to be a true example of real women who hail from, live, or have lived a significant period of time in the Washington, D.C metropolitan area....(see picture above of this month's feature)

AWASHINGTONWOMAN: MARCH
ELIZABETH TAYLOR once wife of Senator Warner

This month the world lost an icon when one of America's brightest stars, Elizabeth Taylor passed away. When you think about Ms. Taylor you immediately think Hollywood. But she was much like the diamonds she loved so much as she too had many facets. She was born in England and lived for a period of time in a northern Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C. as Mrs. John Warner. Clearly it wasn't her cup of tea. Here in Washington, she moved more into the background as she tried not to allow her career to overshadow her husband's political aspirations. (I remember when I lived in a small town in southern Virginia and I was a majorette in "The Peanut Festival" (try to smile - please), she and her husband were the grand marshalls). She tried to exude a minimalist style and she was very unhappy about it. I think it would be fair to say that her husband was probably a southern gentleman who had a fair male ego. This certainly came with perks but it caused Liz to be a shrinking Violet. The only thing that should be violet or blue about this woman should have been her eyes. She led a life that was more private than her norm. That is a trait of women/people in this area. Another trait that she possessed that many women here have is that they can be very powerful in their own right. Often that power is tempered or marginalized as not to overshadow. Then there is also a really high rate of women who head households. Well, I think Liz just got a little tired of not being Liz fully. We hear at AWASHINGTONWOMAN are prayerful that she can really spread her wings now.

AWASHINGTONWOMAN: FEBRUARY
SHEILA JOHNSON
AWashingtonWoman has selected Sheila Johnson as one of the women who represent the spirit of Washington, D.C. for several reasons. This is one woman who has heart. We see her as an example of how we reinvent ourselves at different times in our lives. Ms. Johnson went from simply being a successful man's partner to becoming a business force in her own right. When life didn't go as planned, she didn't get stuck in negativity but rather became more productive than ever. She is proud mother and savvy businesswoman. Sheila is respected in her community and hasn't been shy extending herself to causes she feels strong about. This is one lady who has heart. Most recently she was bold enough to comment on the new network launched by Oprah Winfrey. Though her comments struck a sour note with some, we admire her sense of confidence and respect that her voice is another valuable one to add to the dynamic media landscape. Recently she has joined forces with another impressive woman who isn't a stranger to the nation's capital, Arianna Huffington, Huffington Post, to bring us "GlobalBlack". GlobalBlack will be a section of the Huffington Post which will cultural trends and current that are of interest to African Americans.

AWASHINGTONWOMAN: JANUARYCHRISTINA TAYLOR-GREEN

So she wasn't quite a woman just yet, but "AWashingtonWoman" believes that the mark of this little girl's spirit which hails from the great state of Maryland (part of the D.C. tri-state area) will leave a mark on the hearts of most and believes that her legacy represents the best of what this area has to offer in it's purest state.

For those of you who aren't aware of Christina or her seemingly senseless sacrifice.... She is the youngest victim of the shooting rampage that took place in Tuscon, Arizona on January 9th.

You see this is a little girl who was born on a beautiful September day in 2001 that was scared by the hatred displayed in the attacks of what has come to be the infamous day in our nation's history, "September 11th" was symbolic of how miracles and hope can blossom in the midst of saddness. Her premature departure was no less indicative of that symbolism as well. But it is the power of her personal beauty that spoke volumes beyond the simple symbolism.

Christina had a joi d'vie;an optimism and a sense of awareness at a young age that enabled her to believe that one day she might be able to make a difference in the world of politics. She had a sense of compassion and interest in topics which may seem mundane for many children her age.

Perhaps her mission was to help to raise the consciousness of a nation, if only for a little while. If that is so, then she has carried out her mission with the style and grace of someone well beyond her years.

There are no words which can make us feel that her sacrifice was justified. But little ladies, growing up to be women the way Christina was makes us proud to bear witness.....

"And the children shall lead us...."... May your spirit forever march on Christina.

2010 HAS BEEN A LONG YEAR HERE IN WASHINGTON

Most of the country seems to be so unaware of the magnitude of the snow storms that rocked the city from the very first month here in D.C.

Actually, our city responded well. It wasn't perfect, but overall the response was pretty good. And perhaps one of the most under-reported stories about our huge snow events was the strong sense of community that prevailed. Residents opened their homes and hearts to neighbors. We pulled together and it made me proud.

The media was intrigued with Washington in a way I haven't witnessed before. Television producers and movie makers became fascinated with using the city as a backdrop for programming. But the problem they encoutered was mainly a choice of reflecting their perceptions of what Washington, D.C. is and the reality. More often than not it became confusing and thus ..... flops.

Americans descended upon the city more than I have ever witnessed. Tea Partiers and counter groups seemed to stage an endless variety of marches and rallys. By December it began to slow down. But tourist/protester dollars must have mounted to a windfall for this city. The downside is that politics got exceptionally nasty.

Yes, it's been a long year and hopefully we will re-boot before 2011 cause let's face it, of all the things that people may want this city to be branded as, being dull just won't fit.(believe me they have tried)

2011 FULL STEAM AHEAD!!!!!!

Who Are Real Washington Women?

The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is home to some of the most educated, professional, assertive women in the world. It is also home to famous opera singers and world reown politicians. But there is another side of this city that is equally impressive. This side of the nation's capital has women of many generations. It has women of wisdom and common sense; women of determination and self preservation. That drive is what propells them to roll up sleeves and do what it takes to raise families and inspire our loved ones to do the same. And through it all, many have a unique sense of humor that allows them not to take themselves or life too seriously.

There's a lot of common sense here. Flaws? Oh yes the women of Washington have those too, but this blog is going to focus on the strengths. Because those are the strengths that enabled us to truly birth a nation.

It is our hope here, that we will inspire and amuse as we share ourselves just a little. (we are also pretty private which is how others have been able to define us ..... dull and conservative... you'll see)

Let A WashingtonWoman introduce you to the real women of D.C.

AWashingtonWoman