Our latest OW Spotlight features another fabulous young woman we came to know through this year's IGNITE the NITE fundraiser. Kaylyn Leighton, a spunky Florida transplant, is making her way in Boston as an up-and-coming photographer with a love for her new city and remarkable desire to give back to the Boston community. We are so happy to have met her and to work with her in our efforts to capture the work of Boston GLOW through photographs.   

Q: Kaylyn, you grew up in a small southern town in Florida, how prepared were you to start life in a city like Boston?

A: Ever since I can remember I envisioned myself living in a city like New York, Los Angeles, or Boston. I knew at an early age that the small-town southern lifestyle wasn't for me. I was lucky enough to visit Boston a year prior to moving here and instantly fell in love with it. When you are young, you tend to think you are prepared for everything, but the decision to pack my bags and drive over 1300 miles with just my cat and a hope to become something more was not an easy one. 

Q: Why did Boston appeal to you as a woman and a young professional?

A: Boston has the friendly feel of Florida but also offers the opportunities of NY on a more affordable scale. Public transportation was a new experience for me and I loved being able to hop on the T not knowing who I would meet: a struggling artist, a record producer, or maybe a model. The unpredictable nature of the city,  that "anything could happen" feeling,  made Boston exciting and appealing.  I felt like this was a place where all things were possible. 

Q:What expectations did you have when you arrived? 

A:When I moved to Boston I had a somewhat unrealistic expectation that my career would take off spontaneously just because I was in the right location. It didn't take me long to realize that it was going to be a process and I had many lessons to learn along the way. It is really hard being in a new city where you don't know anyone because although you have to work to survive, you also want to make friends. Sometimes it is hard to find a healthy balance. I would say Boston has lived up to my expectations when it comes to career opportunity and it is such a beautiful city, it's hard not to be happy here.

Q:What were the biggest challenges you faced when you began pursuing your goals?

A:I would say my biggest challenge has been determining exactly which career path to pursue. You have this misconception when you are in school that you can just decide on a career, study, learn, and begin working. Reality doesn't  work that way which is why I think my career path has been anything but a straight road. When I started college, it was as a graphic design major. In the end, I switched to photography and now I am very interested in creative directing.  Sometimes you begin in one direction, and then opportunity and circumstance lead you in a new direction. Another challenge is networking and knowing where to put my energy. When you begin a corporate job, you have a training period, perhaps a mentor, maybe even an employee manual. When you are taking a leap of faith and putting everything on the line because you are on your own, it is an entirely different game. I would love for a mentor to walk up to me and say, this is what you need to do to get to where you want to be. Perhaps I will be that mentor for a young girl who relocates to Boston one day.

Q: What have you accomplished in the past two years since moving to Boston?

A: In the past two years I have been very lucky to work as a photographer alongside other industry professionals and to shoot a wide range of events  in the New England area. In addition to Fashion Project, I am also working as a photographer with Classic Photographers . It has been a fabulous experience to assist the very talented Fabiana Vieira at a number of weddings and I have learned so much from these experiences. I was awarded an internship with Panorama Magazine which opened new doors for me as well. It really introduced me to ad work and I had the opportunity to shoot at venues such as Clio's and other local venues. I am also proud to be working with Boston Glow and donating my talents to capture their amazing events such as Ignite the Nite and Vagaina Monolouges. I am sure that all of these experiences will help me to progress as a photographer and a creative director. I am always looking for new opportunities and new ways to increase my exposure.

Q:Are there any female role models or leaders in the industry that have inspired or mentored you as a young business woman?

A: I am currently working with an organization called Fashion Project and all of the women who work there are strong pioneers.  It so great to be surrounded by women similar to myself working towards a goal and being fashionably fabulous along the way! I also admire Annie Leibovitz a renowned portrait photographer for all of her achievements in the photography industry. 

Q: What are you currently doing to work towards your career goals?

A: Working with Fashion Project has given me a tremendous opportunity to test my creative talents. I have been able to work for them as a photographer, stylist and get involved in the business side of things such as inventory intake. I'v been lucky to be part of this company's growth since it incorporates several of my passions- photography, style and fashion!  Fashion Project is an organization that takes in higher-end gently worn clothing and allows the purchasers to donate a portion of the proceeds to charitable organizations. I really like the concept of combining fashion with philanthropy. This opportunity has really allowed me to mix my love for fashion with my creative talent and it has been wonderful to work at a job I love with a team that is great to work with.

Q:Where would you like to see yourself in five years? 

A: If I am able to make a name for myself in the photography industry within the next few years, I think it would be amazing to shoot for a high end fashion magazine like Vogue, Cosmo, or V. Alternatively, I can see myself as the creative director for a fashion magazine or an organization such as Fashion Project. My family and friends are always teasing me about my compulsive planning. I admit I am a bit of a perfectionist so if I am the creative director on a project, you can bet every detail will be addressed. Wherever I am in five years, I feel certain I will be pursuing my dreams and living life in a city surrounded by fashion.

Q: Where did you learn to be so courageous and creative?

A:I would say my courage comes from my upbringing and the people that surrounded me as a child. I grew up watching my parents own their own business and no matter how tough things were at times they always overcame any obstacles. In doing so they were able to give my brother and I an amazing upbringing by being there for all the little things from ballet performances to nightly homework. I also had trouble in school as a child but no matter how poorly I did on a test I never felt like a failure because i knew they were proud of my attempt. I think their faith in me helped me to never fear failure, even if I felt afraid.  Having such great support from my friends and family has allowed me to dream big and the ability to dream has inspired the flow of creativity. All of these things molded me into the person that I am today.

Q:What advice would you give to a woman of any age looking to run with a business idea or start a new career?

A: I would tell them to not fear failure. I have always felt good things don't come easy and have often chosen the harder path because I knew it would result in a  greater outcome. I would also say dream big. Why shoot for the moon when you can reach Pluto? If you over shoot you're more likely to land farther than most. And I would also tell them that it is OK to feel like everything is failing and you've gotten nowhere. Allow yourself to feel that for a day and eat your chocolate and watch your sappy movie, but then tomorrow put on your heels and take on the world. 

Q:Do you consider yourself a novice or a professional? 

A:I still don't consider myself a "professional photographer". I feel in the creative industry, where a degree doesn't establish your ability, people use the word "professional" more freely but with less credibility. I have often said that when I am supporting myself 100% via photography, then I will consider myself a "professional". I am an aspiring photographer that is hoping to further the title by becoming a creative director. My passion is the vision. Nothing gives me more satisfaction then envisioning a concept and bringing it together. My personal photography style is more couture fashion that has extreme detail and a unique approach to common concepts. I love many forms of fashion photography and I am still discovering my signature style. 

Q: What would you like to see change for women in the world?

A: I would like to see women of all ages feel empowered. It is important to know that you can take care of yourself, that you can support yourself and pursue your dreams. Purpose is something that you can not obtain from another person, you find it in the pursuit of yourself. 

Q: Where can readers learn more about you and about fashion project”?

A:Readers can view my work and contact me by visiting my site http://www.kaylynleighton.com/ To learn more about fashion Project weather it is to shop, donate or if you are just interested in learning more about the company you can go directly to there site https://www.fashionproject.com/ as well as fallow them on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/FashionProjectDotCom?fref=ts and twitter https://twitter.com/FashionProjct

We are more excited than ever to introduce to our GLOW supporters the finalists of the 2013 IGNITE Change Leadership Contest. The group of young women you are about to meet are incredibly diverse in every way but share one thing in common - a strong vision for the future of women in their communities and strong ideas for how to influence and implement change. 

As many of you know, this year's IGNITE Change Leadership Contest has changed from the last two years. We will continue to award scholarship prizes and laptops to 7 finalists but this year, the winner will receive an additional $1,000 grant. The recipient will use this prize to implement her plan to change the role of women in her community with the support of a Boston GLOW internship and mentoring from the talented females in our Organized Women network.

So, not only will one of these fabulous young women be challenged to voice her vision but she will get to see her plan for change become a reality. We look forward to announcing the winner with all of you but in the meantime are equally thrilled to introduce the young women who were chosen as our top ten finalists!

Jaida Montgomery

I attend Codman Academy in Dorchester, MA.  
I am 17 years old, and live in Mattapan, MA

Who are women who inspire you?  I would have to say the two women that inspire me are my sister Raja and my mentor at my school, Porsha Olayiwola.  My sister because she has been with me through thick and thin, and Porsha because she has helped me realize who I am as a person.  

What is one goal that you have for yourself?  One goal I have for myself after graduating from high school, and majoring psychology in college would be to pursue a career helping children with special needs, particularly children with autism.  

How did you find out about this contest?  I found out about Boston Glow’s Ignite Change Contest through my school, Codman Academy.  I first heard about this contest during my junior year during a community circle when a teacher was congratulating a finalist from last year.  When hearing about the contest during my senior year right before going to college, I thought it would be a good idea to give back to my community after all they gave me.  The ignite change’s contest was a great idea to do that.  

Mia Yee 

I am 16, I live in Roslindale, MA, and I go to Boston Latin School.

Who are women who inspire you?  A few women that inspire me is Kimberley Yee (my step mom), Junko Komai (my mom), and J.K. Rowling.

What is one goal that you have for yourself? One goal that I've made for myself is to graduate from college, and try to be successful and happy in everything I aspire to do.

How did you find out about this contest? My school's librarian, Diane Rodriguez, informed me about this contest.

Maryum Khan

I am 16, I live in Somerville, and I go to Prospect Hill Academy.

Who are women who inspire you?   I am inspired by Marie Curie and Michelle Obama.

What is one goal that you have for yourself?  

I plan to go to medical school and become a doctor.

How did you find out about this contest?

I heard about the contest through a friend

Jwahir Sundai

I am 15, from Cambridge, MA, and attend Cambridge Rindge and Latin School

Who are women who inspire you?  

There is no particular woman that inspires me. However, the most inspirational and influential women beat the worst of odds that world sets as barriers of limitations with outstanding character. These women create success and opportunity. Their lives seen with admiration and previews a potential life path. Women like this take extraordinary measures in creating opportunity and developing their ideal society which paves the way for the next generation. Their knowledge is grand and their consciousnesses about the world they live in is immense. Examples of women that possess these qualities include Aung San Suu Kyi, Tawakkol Karman, Ella Baker, and my mother Boniswa Sundai. 

I consider it my responsibility to stay motivated and use this motivation to empower others.

What is one goal that you have for yourself?  

My goal is to continue this trend of motivation and consistently take it to another level. Whether it be in sports, school, or life; self-motivation is truly the key to success. 

How did you find out about this contest?

I found out about the Boston Glow Ignite Change Contest through my father, Bomani Sundai who excited emailed me about this wonderful opportunity and urged me to seek more information about it. 

Fatima  Shields

I am 18, from East Cambridge and attend Cambridge Rindge and Latin School.

 Who are women who inspire you?  

Helen Keller, Oprah Winfrey and all single parents truly inspire me. I believe everything happens for a reason. Often times one may feel as if the universe is working against them. I like to think the truth is the universe functions in a unique
format to keep the one humble; but allows enough room for lesson and growth.  Helen Keller was a young girl when she lost her eye sight and hearing after recovering from an illness yet she overcame the extremes and is a known scholar today.

Oprah Winfrey rose by her grandmother in the depths of poverty yet she is a self made millionaire and is at the top of Forbes celebrity 100. A driven journalist became a know celebrity in her early twenties channeling her energy towards her passion.
She is also famous for giving back to the world repeatedly.

All single parents inspire me because every day they play two roles and fill two pairs of shoes. I imagine showing up to work and having to cover another employee’s shift, as well as mine, because they call out every day. Some people have every
intention to be a parent but for one reason or another there are single parents who go day to day raising a child on their own.

What is one goal that you have for yourself?  

One goal I have for myself is to love my career so I never have to work another day in my life.

How did you find out about this contest?

My AP Statistics teacher routinely announces memos he receives through email. He received an email from a female faculty member to pass on and spread the word.

Sasha Forbath

Hi! My name is Sasha Forbath and I am 17 years old. I live in Porter Square and attend the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School.  

Who are women who inspire you?

There are too many to list but they range from Eve Ensler to Audrey Hepburn. 

What is one goal that you have for yourself?  

One goal I have for myself after graduating high school is to take a road trip across the country with no predetermined destination. 

How did you find out about this contest?

One of my favorite teachers told me about the contest and encouraged me to apply. 

Rout Asefa

 I am 17, from Cambridge MA, and I attend Cambridge Rindge & Latin School.

 Who are women who inspire you?

My sister never ceases to amaze me. I admire her ambition and drive to succeed and her self motivation inspires me. 

What is one goal that you have for yourself?  

One goal I have set for myself is to reform the education system so that it will be impossible for students to fall through the cracks. 

How did you find out about this contest?

I heard about this program through an email that I received from my guidance counselor.

Huixian "Selena" Li

Who are women who inspire you?

Aizhen Chen is my selfless and fearless mother. When we first came to the United States, she knew nothing about the English language or American culture but this did not scare her. She was determined to provide opportunities for my sister, my brother, and me. Even though she could not speak English, she found a fast food job that serves English-speaking clients. Despite never working in China she worked ten-hour days and quickly moved up to a higher position. She is also the heart of our family. Every time I finish a test or class, she asks me about how it went. No matter how tired she is, she always seems to know when I am down and she reasons and comforts me. She encourages me to be brave and to face my challenges. Her example inspires me to support others and never let fear be an excuse.

Haze Zhang is my Calculus teacher. Unlike my other teachers, who are all American-born, Ms. Zhang is also a young Chinese immigrant. In class, she relates to my classmates and me because she knows about our backgrounds and values. She is an example of a woman from my community who has bridged the gap between the Chinatown community and the greater Boston community. She shows me that I should never give up when I encounter problems. Every time I feel disappointed or challenged or cannot see my future in an English-speaking country, Ms. Zhang’s example reminds me I can also do as she did. She has overcome the challenges I face and still manages to start every class with a welcoming smile and an encouraging joke.

Coco Chanel was an outstanding designer and artist whose career I aspire to live up to. She was a hard- working and ambitious woman who succeeded in women’s fashion, a field that, strangely, was dominated by men. In 1925, Coco Chanel wanted to make women’s fashion more comfortable but still remain attractive. At that time, women thought that unnatural clothing like corsets were normal. Ms. Chanel’s suit made women realize that we could wear comfortable clothing that was also fashionable. Ms. Chanel opened women’s minds. Even though she came from a poor background, she did not believe that her life could be limited and she fought for her success.

What is one goal that you have for yourself?

My goal is to be an outstanding graphic designer who uses my artistic skills and cultural background to create new types of design and reach out to traditionally ignored communities. Our lives need design all the time. In our age, the scope and need for design is almost unlimited.  A graphic designer has to have a keen sense of observation and analysis. The art work also must attract public attention.

As an emerging graphic designer, I am confident I will have a unique vision because I have the awareness of multiple cultural backgrounds. For example, in China and Chinese communities in America, teenagers of both genders gravitate to ke ai—cute—designs and fashions. For example, young couples in China proudly wear matching cartoon pig necklaces, which represent young love. On the other hand, I have noticed that Americans prefer luxurious styles that are inspired by name brand designers. Americans designs emphasize simpler presentations that suggest sophistication and class. In order to be a unique graphic designer, I want to bring the ke ai and the luxurious worlds together to create my own style. As the two cultures work closer in the next few decades, American and Chinese design will also begin to merge.

Design is not only about an artist’s feelings but must also incorporate the needs of the client and audience. As a graphic designer, I understand that my ideas are from cultural traditions, creativity, and community values. Design is not only for me, but also for entire communities because as a designer knows that art is essentially a reflection of our world. The only difference is that designers assist those in different need of help with their art and culture knowledge.

Graphic design will give me an opportunity to reach out to members in the Chinese-American community. I need to look for the best way to explain the language of design for everyone to understand. For instance, I hope to use my ke ai/luxurious style to design posters and flyers which could reach out to the Boston Chinatown community. I will not only use these designs to support for-profit clients, but I also hope to reach out to Chinese women to inform them about services and organizations that can help them face their unique challenges. I would like to do this because I am a proud woman from this community and I think it is important that the rest of world sees who we are and that we step beyond our traditionally self-imposed boundaries.

How did you find out about this contest?

I found out about this scholarship from Ms. Laslly, my supervisor from Artists For Humanity, the non-profit studio that bridges economic, racial, and social divisions by providing youth opportunities in the arts. 

Ciara Sheerin

My name is Ciara Sheerin, I am from Brighton and attend Boston Latin School

Who are women who inspire you?  

The women who inspire me are Michelle Obama, Maya Angelou, and Benazir Bhutto.

What is one goal that you have for yourself?  

A goal I have for myself is to major in social work in college and eventually get a job working in forensic social work.

How did you find out about this contest?

I heard about this contest through the Boston Youth Fund

Heidi Park

Age: 16

Neighborhood: Roslindale, MA

School: Boston Latin School

Who are women who inspire you?

 Olympic gold medalist South Korean figure skater Kim Yuna and Pioneer for Women's suffrage rights, Susan B. Anthony.

What is one goal that you have for yourself?  

To publish a novel in the future.

How did you find out about this contest?

I found out through my school.

"It was actually nothing like I expected it to be, it felt as though all of my thoughts that ran through my head on a daily basis was exploded into my ears by the various poems, making me feel more comfortable about myself,  It was intriguing to hear stories about different women and their stories and experiences about their vagina and what they did to make it known that it's a treasure and must be loved!"

- Teen Leader at SquashBusters, One Billion Rising Teen Organizer, Vagina Monologues Audience member

It’s true that many people don’t know what to expect upon walking into a performance of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues.  Many are curious, some are nervous, and all come to support the movement of ending violence against women and girls.

 This year, for the fifth year, the Organized Women of Boston GLOW along with the YWCA Boston and the YBWS, joined together to present the Boston Community Production of The Vagina Monologues to three sold out audiences ultimately fundraising over $6500 for local Boston organizations working in the community to empower women and girls.  This year’s beneficiaries include Boston GLOW, The Young Black Women’s Society, The YWCA Boston and Victory Programs.  “We are thrilled to support these organizations who work diligently daily to empower women, provide resources and ensure that women in Boston are thriving” said 2013 performance organizer Lori Manzelli.  “We raised the money through sold-out ticket sales as well as with the support of 20 local businesses and artists that graciously provided raffle prizes and donations to support the cause.”

 Nestled in the Kuumba library at Boston’s YWCA, a total of  330 audience members laughed, cried and cringed along with the performers.  One of the inspiring aspects of The Vagina Monologues is that each year, the cast consists of all volunteers, women in the community who donate their time to rehearse and perform the show.  This year 35 women from the area stepped up to the challenge of telling the various histories, facts and stories of the female experiences.    “We were proud of the diversity of the women in our cast reflecting so many ages, backgrounds, experiences and walks of life” explains director, Tashia Graham, “One of the most empowering facets of the show is seeing women of all ages and life histories joining together for the common cause of ending the silence, bringing awareness, and creating communities of women in Boston.”  

 What happens when these women join on stage is an impactful experience for the audience. While the production of The Vagina Monologues enlightens the audience with stories from positive sexual experiences to drastic rapes it remains a movement, a fundraiser and a starting point. 

The Boston Community Production of The Vagina Monologues was not limited to the weekend show.  On February 14^th the cast, alongside SquashBusters and MassNOW participated in One Billion Rising, a global call to action raising awareness on the fact that ONE BILLION Women on the planet will experience abuse or violence in her lifetime.  Ten cast members told their stories in Boston GLOW’s “Why I Rise” blog series.  Additionally, the cast invited over 30 teen leaders to watch the performance free of charge and participate in a talk back after the performance lead by our dynamic cast. 

It has been said that V-Day is a “wild, unstoppable movement” and we are pleased to say the here in Boston, the movement is strong and heading forward!

For more information on The Vagina Monologues, V-day and the movement to end violence against women and girls, check out www.vday.org.  To learn more about the Boston Community Production of The Vagina Monologues and how to get involved, contact Tashia Graham, Boston GLOW Organizer at tngraham5587@gmail.com.

We are excited to share another installment of our OW Spotlight, this edition featuring Chantel Calloway, the fierce, fashionable and fabulous founder of OBCG (Official Bad Girls Clothing), a “Girl Power” t-shirt brand with a philanthropic edge. Each purchase of any OBGC collection t-shirt benefits various deserving non-profit organizations.

Q: How did you come to choose a name and image for your brand?

Chantel: The term “bad” in the company's name is used euphemistically to represent the beautiful, sophisticated, strong-willed and ambitious, with an occasional sassy human nature. OBGC represents women who are not satisfied with life defined within a box. We are continuous trailblazers, trendsetters and dreamchasers. More importantly, we are consciously aware of our power. These are quality traits branded. 

Q: How did you come to decide to leave your job and take the risk of starting your own company?

Chantel: I feel we are in an era where woman are taking notice of their innate power. Entrepreneurship is always a difficult decision because success is not immediate and dependable like a 9-5 job. I became very passionate about what i wanted to do and failure is not an option. You have to have courage and direct focus on your goal. When success is the focus, success is the outcome!

Q: What were the biggest challenges you faced when first getting off the ground?

Chantel: Self-doubt was the biggest challenge. As a designer, I am an artist and you never know how your target customer will respond to your artistry. However the response has been amazing and I'm preparing to launch my 2nd collection.

Q: Is yours a male-dominated industry/business? 

Q: What obstacles have you encountered as a female business owner? Chantel: I believe most industries are male-dominated. It may come as a surprise that most designers of female fashion brands are males. However  when you can find a niche and offer something people want, you then have a huge advantage.  Your product or service will dominate and you wont have to worry about your gender.

Chantel: Sometimes I have to apply a little "bitchness" to my business ethic. As women, we are naturally built to be nice and a bit passive.  In a male-dominated industry, when you are considered beautiful, men don't take you seriously until you are stern and lucid about what you want. I've been called a "pitbull in a skirt" but if i were a male I would be hailed as a "serious businessman". 

Q: When did you start and how much have you grown?

Chantel: In January of 2011 I began to establish the OBGC brand. One thing I will stress to entrepreneurs is that success doesn't happen overnight. I tend to have a need for instant gratification. You will make a lot of mistakes and lose a lot of money if you don't take your time and think things out. People who think they know everything actually have so much more to learn. I grow into a better businesswoman everyday. I read a lot and keep myself current in my industry. I believe you can only grow through learning.

 Q: What is unique about being a two-woman team? Is the rest of your team female also? 

Chantel: Two heads is always better than one. Success is always achieved as a team. You have to be humble and know what you're not good at and find a partner that complements those areas. 

 Q: Are there any female role models or leaders in the industry that have inspired or mentored you as a young business owner? 

Chantel: My mother is one of my biggest role models. She has taught me that work ethic is everything. She also has been very supportive of every idea I come up with. When I doubted my artwork she told me that women would love it. It's so important to have people around you that support you and make you believe in yourself. In addition, I found a mentor that became my business partner. This was a blessing because I'm learning every day and my business is being supported all at the same time.

Q: Where would you like to see your business in five years? 

Chantel: In five years I would like to see my brand in well- known department stores. More importantly, I want to achieve a level of success where I have been able to make significant contributions to various non-profits in efforts to change lives. 

Q: What advice would you give to a woman of any age looking to run with a business idea?

Chantel: Have a clear business plan that has feasibility in the industry you are going to penetrate. Do your diligent research, find mentors, be open to constructive criticism, stay focused and don't give up. There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs. 

Q: Who are your female role models?

Chantel: Oprah, Kimora Lee and Angelina Jolie are my role models.

Q: What would you like to see change for the role of women in our world? For the future?

Chantel: Its very important that strong female role models remain in the media. Today I'm very concerned with the way beautiful smart women are portrayed in reality TV shows. I have supported many petitions that challenge media companies on the garbage reality TV shows that they air. Shows such as "Basketball Wives", "Mob Wives" and "Love & Hip Hop" are terrible to watch for a young girl trying to become a woman. Woman should be classy, smart, poised and successful due to their own merit.  

OBGC's "Moxie" T-Shirt benefitting Boston GLOW. Buy yours here.

Boston GLOW's Leah Moschella and Emily Copeman with OBCG Founder Chantel Calloway (center) at IGNITEtheNITE 2013. 

Finally, the moment we've been waiting for! The Boston GLOW Leadership Team could not be more thrilled to share with our supporters the incredible outcome of this year's IGNITEtheNITE fundraiser on February 28. Though checks are still coming in, we can now confidently say that the event raised over $50,000 for scholarship funds and programming for the finalists of the IGNITE Change 2013 Leadership Contest.

We could not have reached this number without the tireless work of our 40+ volunteer team, the $20,000+ of in-kind donations from local and national businesses and the generosity of our support network. The success of IGNITEtheNITE every year can be attributed not to large-scale grants or private donations from a single wealthy benefactor. Rather, it is an accumulation of each and every contribution of time, goods, services and financial support, large and small, from the Boston community and beyond. 

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Boston GLOW Shines Once Again 
Local Grassroots Nonprofit Raises $50,000 in Scholarship Funds 
at Third Annual IGNITE the NITE

March 14, 2013 – BOSTON, MA: On February 28, 2013, Boston GLOW, a local grassroots nonprofit aimed at empowering and educating women leaders of all ages, hosted their third annual IGNITE the NITE Fundraiser at the Artists for Humanity EpiCenter in Boston. The event drew 300 guests and raised over $50,000 for the finalists of the IGNITE Change Leadership Contest, an essay-based competition for high-school aged women in Boston's most under-resourced schools in its most at-risk communities in Roxbury, Dorchester, Somerville and Cambridge.

“We asked entrants to put forth an actionable plan for change in the role of women within their school or city,” explained AC Gaughen, GLOW’s Girl Leadership Director. “We chose ten finalists based on both their idea and their proposed implementation. All finalists will receive tablet computers, educational scholarships and participate in a year-long leadership and educational development curriculum through Boston GLOW. One grand prize winner will also receive $1,000 to make her plan a reality with the support of our Organized Women network.”

Just entering their fourth year, Boston GLOW is entirely volunteer-run, yet this grassroots group has made an inarguable impact on the community. “In the past two years our finalists have included three former high school drop-outs all of whom have received their diplomas or GEDs, five young women ESL immigrants, and two teenage mothers who have both continued on to higher education and vocational training through the support of Boston GLOW," explained Founder and President Leah Moschella. “We work with students year-round to support them academically, emotionally and financially.”

Rising political star and City Councilor Ayanna Pressley gave a keynote speech, interviewing Zacorah Jackman, a 2012 IGNITE Change Finalist and endorsing the work of Boston GLOW. Pressley also shared with the audience the news of her partnership with the organization. “I was first introduced to the incredible women and work of GLOW one year ago," said Pressley, “I attended IGNITE the NITE last year and am thrilled to join them again this year, and excited to officially announce my community service collaboration with GLOW". The collaboration will begin with a city-wide prom dress drive in the spring.

Second year corporate sponsor Hill Holliday, Boston's largest advertising firm, was joined by national and local sponsors ranging from Bethesda-based Meridian Investments to local small businesses like New England Country Rentals and Party by Design who offered event decor to premiere Boston caterers Season to Taste, Rita’s, Broadway Gourmet and Cuisine Chez Vous who donated small plates. Floral design came from Cedar Grove Gardens and Tangerine Creations, drinks from Tito’s Vodka, Bantam Cider, Harpoon, Gordon’s Liquors and The Catered Affair. Boston-based rock band City of Squares played to a loyal crowd for their third year at IGNITE the NITE and later on, Nora Jordan of DJour Entertainment took to the turn tables and ushered in a memorable dance party.

“Again this year we had overwhelming support from the community,” explained Emily Copeman, GLOW Development Director. “We had forty volunteers planning the event and over 100 community donors. We couldn't have created an experience that reflected the colorful spirit of Boston GLOW without the individuals and businesses who generously donated their time, labor and product because they believe in our mission.”

The event’s silent auction was a focal point with over sixty packages ranging from hot air balloon rides and sailing lessons in the British Virgin Islands to a tour of Good Morning America with Robin Roberts. Hotel stays, original artwork, career coaching, dining and shopping experiences also drew major donations to Boston GLOW’s cause.

“It’s really incredible to reflect on how far we have come in four years,” remarked Jenna Paone, Director of Organized Women programming. “Just three years ago we were hosting a tiny event for our parents and friends in a photo studio, now we are raising tens of thousands of dollars and have a network that is expanding by the day. It’s been an incredible journey – and this is still only the beginning for us.”

To view photos of IGNITE the NITE, please visit http://www.facebook.com/bostonglow/photos_stream

On March 6, Boston GLOW's Organized Women gathered for our monthly Spitfire with on equal pay negotiations for women.  After 2 hours the group was still eager to discuss this important issues so we invited Katie Donovan http://equalpaynegotiations.com to continue the conversation via our blog.  We'd love to hear your thoughts.  Thanks, Katie!

I started writing this article as I waited to hear “Habemus Papam”.  And I heard those words as I finished the first sentence.  “We have a pope.” Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio.  He’s a Jesuit and an Argentinean and now known as Pope Francis.  

 I decided to write this article based on a question I was asked during the Boston Glow Spitfire on Equal Pay.  The question was “how can I negotiate more pay when I am replaceable?”   The pope is considered infallible and yet he is still replaceable.  Seldom is such a perfect example timed so well. 

 Oh yes, we are irreplaceable to our family, our loves, and our friends but no one, absolutely no one, is irreplaceable in business.  Irreplaceable is an unattainable challenge and is not a prerequisite to negotiating pay.  Everyone who negotiates pay is replaceable whether s/he knows it or not.

Cost of Employee Turnover Would be Greater Than Raise

The question then becomes “why does a company negotiate with employees when they are replaceable?”  The answer is the cost.  It is less expensive to pay you more than to replace you.   Now I am not suggesting you state “Give me a raise or I quit.”  Your employer knows that that will be more likely to leave should they not give you a raise.  The average cost to replace you is 21% of your annual pay and can be greater than 200% for specialized and C-level jobs.  The costs include productivity losses and costs of hiring and training a new employee.  If you are looking for a 10% - 15% increase than the company is going to save money by giving you the raise.

Preparing for the Negotiation

Most managers like to keep good employees and like to minimize costs so there is a chance to get a raise but you need to be armed with good business arguments.  Your business arguments should include:

1. The market value of the job
2. The value you bring to the company to earn the high-end of that range.  The value should include:
   1. Increase in revenue you have brought to the company
   2. Decrease in costs you have brought to company

Notice I have never used the term “ask for a raise.”  You are not asking for a favor.   This is a business decision and you need to give ample reasons for your manager to decide in your favor.

Also practice.  Negotiating pay is a seldom-used skill. Practice each of the arguments, practice responding to NO, and practice to stating the amount you want.   You will be more successful if the words roll off your tongue easily and you have a relaxed demeanor during the negotiation. 

Some Companies and Industries Don’t Give Raises

That’s the logical approach and yet some companies and some industries have very larger employee turnover.  Some of the industries that have large turnover are leisure and hospitality, food services, and utilities.   Should you work in such an industry or company you may not have much luck getting a raise.  Often in those situations, the norm is to pay low and churn people.  That may not be the most cost effective means in the long-term yet you will not be the person to change that mentality.  Your decision then becomes, staying with a job for little pay that you may hate, like, or love OR finding a job elsewhere that you hopefully love and are paid appropriately.  Give negotiating a raise a try, and then make sure you negotiate your starting pay when you get your next job.

Katie Donovan is a salary negotiation teacher, coach, blogger (http://equalpaynegotiations.com), and speaker on equal pay and women’s salary negotiations. Her client successes included increases of $2,000, $20,000 and as much as doubling income. Her first mobile application Earn More Girl for iPhone and iPads calculates women’s personal pay gaps and their true target salary. Katie’s on Twitter @KDSalaryCoach

In another installment of our spotlight on kickass ladies doing really cool things, we bring you Michelle da Silva and Dana Masterpolo, the wonder women behind the newly launched, Cambridge-based Bantam Cider Company. The first ever hard cider to be reviewed by cult favorite Drink Craft Beer, Bantam's Wunderkind has been developed with local orchards here in Massachusetts and aims to change the way people experience hard cider. We are VERY excited to feature Bantam's cider on the bar at IGNITE the NITE 2013 and equally excited to share their musings on women, small business, the alcohol industry, and how to run with a kick ass idea.

Q: How did you come to decide to leave your job and take the risk of starting your own company?
Dana and I wanted to be involved in something dynamic and creative that would allow us to be more connected to the local community. There was a at least a year and a half of solid work that took place before we ultimately launched Bantam, and at that point we realized that if our company was going to succeed, we really needed to be all in. And while there’s something very scary about the uncertainly of starting a business, it’s equally liberating to know you are in control of your own destiny.

Q: What were the biggest challenges you faced when first getting off the ground?
Our biggest challenge was having limited experience in the alcohol industry.  While I was knowledgeable about wine and the winemaking process, and we had experience as home-cider makers, we didn’t have commercial wine making or consumer goods experience. What we did have was a passion to create something special and a confidence in ourselves to be able to learn quickly.  For the first year, we managed every single aspect of the business from product development and production to sales/marketing and distribution.

Q: Is yours a male-dominated industry/business?
Alcohol is certainly a male dominated industry, but we're finding that more and more women are becoming involved in owning or managing breweries, cideries and retail outlets.

Q: What obstacles have you encountered as a female business owner?
Luckily none that we’re aware of - I think being women has actually worked in our favor.  The alcohol industry has traditionally marketed to men, but cider is unique in that our consumers are pretty much an even split – 50% male 50% female.  From a marketing standpoint, I think it gives us a unique perspective and allows us to differentiate ourselves.

Q: When did you start and how much have you grown?
We launched a little over a year ago (January of 2012.) We grew from being an unknown brand to having our product sold in nearly 200 accounts across Massachusetts.

Q: At what point did you decide to hire staff and expand your physical 
We haven’t hired any full-time staff as of yet, but we have certainly sought out plenty of help and guidance along the way. We’re currently looking for some space at the moment that would allow us to have a small batch production facility in the city.  We’d love to have a tasting room and to offer tours. We’re also looking forward to adding some team members when the timing is right!space (if you have)?

Q: Are there any female role models or leaders in the industry that have inspired or mentored you as a young business owner?
The rock star duo, Kate Baker and Suzanne Schalow, who own and operate The Craft Beer Cellar, are great (female) role models in the industry.  They’re well known and well respected in the business and inspire us with their passion for what they do and their dedication to being the best at what they do.  Their attention to detail, customer service and product knowledge is unparalleled and they’ve built an enormous following of loyal supporters because of this.

Q: Where would you like to see your business in 5 years?
In 5 years we would really like to have established ourselves as the premiere craft cider company in New England and to have our footprint expand to national distribution.  

Q: What advice would you give to a woman of any age looking to run with a business idea?
Our advice: Stop researching and thinking  - and to just start doing. We would tell her to get her product or service up and running to test the market response. This was the best advice we were given before we made the jump.

Q: Who are your female role models?
Dana and I have many strong and influential women that we look up to as role models. When we started Bantam, we felt like we were embarking on a real adventure and taking a leap into the unknown. Amelia Earhart, a woman we both greatly admire, inspired us by her passion, fearlessness and spirit of adventure. She was a pioneer in a male dominated industry and let nothing hold her back from achieving her dreams. We launched our flagship product Wunderkind in her honor.

Q: What would you like to see change for the role of women in our world? For the future?
The role of women in society is evolving each and every day. In the United States we see a greater number of women performing at the top of their fields be it politics, academics, business, and athletics than ever before. Women have for the first time in history been allowed into combat roles in the US military. And while we can celebrate many significant achievements domestically there are, unfortunately, still overwhelming challenges for women around the globe. Ultimately, the end goal we should strive for is a world in which women achieve complete equality and freedom of choice in all aspects of life. 

One of the most challenging of Boston GLOW's initiatives is planning our annual IGNITE the NITE fundraiser - primarily because we have no budget and no staff. Putting on an event for 450 people in Boston's best event space relying solely on donations from caterers, event and rental companies, small businesses and individuals is a daunting task. New England Country Rentals was the first major company to step up to the plate - offering us full access to their inventory completely for free, because they believed in our mission and wanted to support it. Again this year they have donated their beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces to our event.

We visited their showroom on a snowy Saturday to see their newest products and sit down with owner Kelly Ucen, to see what it's like being the female owner of the fastest-growing event rental business on the East Coast. We were incredibly inspired by their beautiful space and our conversation with Kelly, who is a fierce businesswoman and an extremely giving human being. She exemplifies the modern day superwoman that GLOW seeks to nurture and connect with every day.

Kelly and Matej Ucen were married in 2009. When planning their wedding, they couldn't find the farm tables they envisioned using for their backyard wedding, so they built them by hand. What started as a small project for their wedding quickly grew into a booming business that has rocked the events industry from Maine to Virginia and beyond.

Q: At what moment did you know that the first farm tables you and Matej built could lead to a growing business?

About 9 months before our wedding we started renting out the tables through a website we put up, farmtablesforrent, on a one-off basis and then a couple of designers came to our house, where we were storing them in our attic, to see them. When those designers started ordering large quantities for weddings before ours, we said "wow, this could actually be something." 

Q: How did you come to decide to leave your job and take the risk of starting your own company?

I loved my job, absolutely loved it, loved everyone I was working with - my boss was one of my best friends in the world - so I was really dragging out the decision as long as humanly possible. But, when I continued hiring third parties to fill a void - answering phones if I was in a meeting etc. - it came to a point where it just seemed silly to pay other people to do what I should be doing.

Even after we had the Atelier space (the NECR showroom in Scituate Mass), I was still contracting for my old job and would be sneaking off to take conference calls and it just got insane. For the sake of the business and for my employees, I finally dove into this headfirst. 

Q: When did you decide to take the plunge, buying a showroom space and hiring full-time employees?

Matej and I live in a duplex, so when we started, we lived in half of our home and used the other half as our showroom, which was great in the beginning. For about the first year, we would show people things from our home. When we started doing tablescapes we turned our third floor, which has a separate entrance, into a showroom and we started getting walk-ins all the time - I had jeans strategically placed around my house because on any given Saturday or Sunday morning, a car would show up and I'd have to jump into clothes and business mode to greet people - it was a little insane. 

But, the biggest turning point for me was when we had a customer show up for an appointment who was handicapped, which I didn't know beforehand, and she showed up in her wheelchair and couldn't get upstairs to the showroom. I was crushed. I felt like the worst human being alive. It was the Mother of the Bride and I had to bring just the bride up to see our inventory and couldn't focus the entire time. So after that, I realized it was time to separate church and state, so to speak. 

We had already opened two satellite offices in Connecticut to service our clients in the New York area but then this space opened up and it was perfect. I love rental items and I love our inventory but there's not much curbside sex appeal to rental items - you're not going to walk down the street and say "sweet! a rental store! let's go in and take a look!" so I wanted to create a space that was appealing from an outside perspective to make it more valuable. I invited the other vendors to share our space and it has been great - the calligraphist, stylists and designers meet with their clients, the catering company does tastings, and it brings in more bodies and gets people to talk about NECR. Even if they don't want our rental items, they might tell someone else about them.

Q: What was your biggest challenge getting off the ground?

Honestly, that we didn't know the industry - neither my husband or I had any background in the rental or events industry. Fortunately, we made a lot of correct decisions and made sure not to burn any bridges. We came out of left field - all of a sudden we were getting a lot of publicity and we needed to make sure we were talking to and working with people we could trust and wouldn't take advantage of us as a young business. Also, we throw a lot into the business but we had to be careful not to cross the line where you're taking risks that aren't worthwhile. 

Q: I feel like of you and Matej, you are the more public face of the company. As a female in this industry, do you feel like that presents you with more challenges or because of the nature and the industry maybe not so?

The challenges, I think, are triggered by a combination of my gender and my age. The rental industry is very male-dominated. There's a lot of logistics on the back end and operating issues that arise- every single thing needs to be cleaned, it needs to out in racks, needs to be stored in a warehouse, needs to be delivered in a truck - every little thing has so much back end that no one will ever see. And people assume that women aren't involved in that side of things -  but thats really the meat and bones of the industry. In the beginning, my husband and I made every delivery and people would laugh when I showed up, driving the truck.

I distinctly remember one day in particular - September 11, three years ago, when we were so inundated with business I called on my sister to help me make deliveries in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. We showed up at the Naval Yard in Cambridge, I was driving the truck, and all of the gates went up around us because there had been a Penske truck driving around with bomb barrels in it (I had no idea). Guards with huge guns came out and searched us and everything in the truck, convinced we were a front. When they found that the wine barrels we were delivering for an event were empty (decorative) they were totally puzzled by the fact that two women would be making a delivery and driving a truck. And it was a gender thing - they never would have been so suspect if it had been a guy driving a truck full of rental items.

One of the hardest things is understanding that as a female you're perfectly capable at doing just as much as what the guys are doing. What really helped me was that in the beginning, starting this with my husband, I had to do both sides so I respect and know what the guys are doing in the warehouse and on deliveries. I can sit there and talk to the leaders of the rental industry, who are all men in their 50's, 60's and 70's, about the operating side, and it throws them. I'm this 26 year old girl who owns this company and is telling them what to do. It took them a while to respect my decisions and presentations and take me seriously, which is sad.

Q: So your sales team is all women. Did you specifically decide to hire only women or was it more of an organic thing?

It definitely was organic in the beginning - we did have a lot of men come in but they don't have the same interest in talking about every little detail of the event is our "ladies" do. Brides want to talk about themselves and their dream wedding and our team has the interest and passion to take a call from a new customer and spend an hour and a half on the phone talking out those details - that's something that makes a big difference in our relationships. We invite all of our brides to come in and set up their tables just as they envision and talk through every little choice and the females are a more natural fit for those conversations and for understanding that it's more than just china and tables and chairs - its about creating an atmosphere. For a lot of brides, it's the most important day of their life.

Q: As an all-female customer-facing team, what do you find to be different about the day-to-day work life compared with a mixed work environment? 

There's definitely a separation between the spheres of sexes. The women on our team haven't driven the trucks, they haven't worked in the warehouse, they don't what the guys are doing on the back end and the guys don't know what the women are doing here in the showroom. Ironically, one of our delivery guys was here the other morning working on something and we had ten walk-ins, we had phones ringing, we were completely flooded, and he asked me "is this how it is every day?!" There's a challenge in respecting and understanding the every day on both ends.

I said to one of the guys recently "you can show up every day and we can have thousands of products but at the end of the day, if our ladies don't sell those products, you have nothing to do. Don't think we're not sitting in the office twiddling our thumbs, we're keeping this business going."

One of the things I find most funny is when we hire new male employees for the peak season - we'll have 50-60 guys in the warehouse - it's 24 hours a day, we're driving from the tip of Maine to the tip of Virginia and we need bodies. So every morning from 6 AM - 9 AM and 5 PM to 9 PM I'm in the warehouse, in my gym or painting clothes, cleaning china and helping load or unload trucks, and the new guys will see me carrying something and immediately rush over and try to take it - and I'm like 'no, I've got it, seriously.' And the guys who have been with us for a while will laugh and assure the new guys that I'm quite capable. It takes them for a while to accept that I can carry a 45 pound bench by myself and that I can jump up into the truck to help rearrange or pack things in with ten fingers. The guys instantly judge me and think I don't know what I'm doing or can't handle things. I'm always tempted to remind them that I was here, doing this, long before they showed up!

Q: What do you think helped you avoid the pitfalls facing a lot of young, small businesses in this economy and continue to grow so fast?

I think one of the biggest things has been remaining who we are as a unique company but understanding that not every customer is going to want our products. We're going to have to carry the basics to meet the needs of our clients but also accept that there will be times where a customer's budget or their aesthetic may not be what we do best so it's been important to know when to recommend a vendor who is a better fit for what they're looking for. We couldn't get greedy or try to do every little thing, understanding there is value in not carrying every little thing and servicing everything and building relationships with the right companies who can fill those voids. Our farm tables were the start of this company and that is the meat of our business - yes, we need to carry the folding tables for our clients who have a kitchen staff that needs prep stations and don't want to add another vendor so we have to carry those things but we also have to remain focused on our roots and our identity as a company. 

 Q: Have you thought about expanding and what that would mean? Especially given that while the industry in New England is male-dominaed, it's much worse in other areas of the country?

In a given week during peak seasons, we're mostly in the Maine to Virginia geography but people do send us to Jackson Hole, Dallas, Tampa - but those are one-off events. In terms of actual expansion, I think we want to rock the Northeast and build a solid foundation and then consider satellite options. Yes, we need to open an office in Newport because we're there a dozen times a weekend and yes, we need a location on the Cape because we're there 20 times a weekend but that's still close. I would love to eventually go to other places - one of our partners, the Nantucket Tent Company, which is male-owned, has a lot of requests for our inventory so we meet at the ferry once a week, we kiss trucks and they deliver our stuff - and they do a lot of business in Florida in the off-season, which could be a consideration for us but for now, we really want to stay focused on our main business first. 

Even in New England, there is no company in the rental industry that I've found with a female owner. People think 'Okay, your husband owns the rental company and you do the event planning and the visual design, the pretty fun stuff. But we joke around that I am the CEO and he is the President - and I don't promote that in my business dealings because I don't want it to deter brides or anyone from feeling I'm approachable - but the truth is in function, that is how we're structured. And people aren't used to that - every company I can think of has a male owner and the person in charge of sales and marketing is a female. 

At first I was frustrated by the judgments and opposition from men but I learned quickly to internalize it and then use it to my advantage - I let them assume I'm weak and clueless for as long as I want then I flip it on them and show them just how strong I am. My husband and I meet with a lot of the bigger companies together - last week we had the owner of a tent company and another owner of a rental company, this week we have a big designer coming in - and Matej is quiet, he likes being in the background and managing the day-to-day in the warehouse. I do all the talking in these meetings and at the end people always say 'wow, you really do run the business.' And I do.

Our Interview with Kelly's Staff...

Q: What are your professional backgrounds and how did you each come to NECR?

Sara: I originally heard of NECR from a close friend who used to work with Kelly at Trip Advisor. I was told that Kelly was a smart and successful woman who had already accomplished an incredible amount at such a young age, and that working for her would be an excellent experience, so I pursued the opportunity. Through this connection, I ended up finding my way to NECR.

Kassie: My educational background is in English with a concentration in Mass Communications and Writing. My professional background is in Marketing and Development/Administration for Schools. I began my career at NECR in the Summer of 2012 as a part time employee during school vacation. I was looking for a career change and absolutely loved working at NECR  after a few short months. Being able to help others during such a joyous time in their lives was a positive change and made work lovable and fun. I soon left my job and became full time as NECR's Director of Sales.

Kristin: I received my BFA from Massachusetts college of Art and Design were I studied Fibers. Studying textiles was a rewarding experience that influenced many aspects of my growth as an artist and professional. After college, I moved to New York City. I loved the city, but missed the sea. I still freelance for a New York based designer, but I am quite happy to be part if the team at NECR. 

Q: What is different about working in an all-female environment? Challenges? Positives?

Sara: Working in an all-female environment is awesome.  For me, working around anyone, male or female, that is passionate about his or her work is ideal. Kelly is extremely hard-working and professional, and everything gets done in a very timely manner. At the same time, whenever I have a question, it is welcomed warmly and answered immediately, and in my experience, that is not always the case in the workplace. Despite popular belief, the atmosphere is not even remotely catty or chatty, but instead, there is an incredible balance of professionalism and comfort, and that is rare in the professional world.

 Kassie: After being an employee in schools for 4 years, I am quite familiar to an all female environment. It can bring challenges among personalities and healthy competition is not always evident but present during the work day. However that healthy competition is extremely motivating. It pushes you to do better and try to reach for your "big hairy audacious goals" . However, the camaraderie is a wonderful aspect of working in a mostly female environment-it begins to feel like a little family.

Kristin:  I like having the guidance of a female team. I mainly sew by myself, but feedback and collaboration of ideas is crucial to the success of the team in its entirety.

Q: What do you think have been the factors in Kelly's success as a female business owner and manager of a team?

Sara: Being a female business owner certainly contributes to Kelly’s success. I think she has managed to do so with grace, and has lived up to, or exceeded everybody’s expectations for her and her company, and that is certainly a success to be proud of.

 Kassie: Kelly is an extremely driven and intelligent person. Kelly has been a close friend of mine for almost 4 years now and I am impressed by her wide variety of skills as a business woman, as a leader, and coworker. Being able to work for and alongside Kelly is an eye opening experience. She drives me personally to reach for the stars and even above and beyond. her personal and professional motto is that nothing is impossible. Watching NECR grow into a successful, competitive company in a few short years is nothing less than amazing. Kelly's hard work and dedication is a key factor in the company's growth and success. As friends, we lost her for a few summers and hardly saw Kelly but it was clearly worth it as her dream of owning a company like NECR is paying off. Kelly continuously raises the bar not only for the industry but for herself and the team. At a young age she branded and grew her company in partnership with her hardworking and motivated husband Matej and both have been scouted as Biz Bash's Top 25 Young Entrepreneurs to Watch. We don't call her Kelly Jobs for nothing!

Kristin: I really appreciate having strong female role models. Having a strong aptitude for long term goal planning is just as important as being able to make decisions quickly. I think Kelly's fearless yet fun approach to event planning is motivating for everyone involved. 

Q: Do you find that most of your clients and the vendors you work with are women? And if so, how does that differ from your past professional experience? (pro's? cons?)

Sara: In the past, I worked for a General Contractor/Architect, and a large majority of the people I dealt with were men, so I’ve really experienced both sides of the spectrum. I’ve learned (both educationally and through personal experience) that women are naturally drawn to this field. Women also tend to be better listeners and also tend to be more empathetic, and these qualities are extremely important in this field. It is no surprise that most of the people you deal with in this industry are women, but I don’t think that means that men are not capable of such a job. I think women are passionate about the field, and are also naturally good at it, and those are two qualities needed for success in any field.

Kassie: The event industry is chock full of powerful and talented women-however there are more men behind the scenes then most would know. Working with women, personally, does not differ for my own past professional background. It always amazes me at every networking event that we attend, the amount of powerful, unique, and talented professional who are all able to bring so much to the event world.

Kristin: I really like how much I feel like I am part of a team at NECR. I have not been with the company for that long, but I really do feel as though I am part of a team. I think the outlook that "she works with us not for us" is incredibly motivating. I feel fortunate that I look forward to working. I am excited to see what the upcoming months bring. 

Q: What advice would you give to a woman of any age looking to run with a business idea?

Sara: My advice would be to always follow your passions, but start out small. It’s important to get a feel for the environment you’re getting into. I think Kelly is a prime example of a success story, in my opinion, because she originally started NECR as something of a side job. Upon realizing the demand, she took the project on full-time and hasn’t looked back. Kelly knew what she wanted and would settle for nothing less, and now she gets to live and breathe her passion. My advice to any woman looking to run with a business idea would be to follow in Kelly’s shoes as best you can!

Kassie:  Have a well thought out, detailed business plan, research all of the facts, have a solid support system, and nothing is impossible as long as you are willing to work long and hard for it.

Q: Who are your female role models?

Sara: Personally, my female role models are any working women who are serious, and who are good at their job. When a person is truly good at their job, their sex becomes completely irrelevant, and I hope to always be looked at for my hard work and not my gender.

Kassie: When I was a child- my favorite female role model was Mary Tyler Moore and now my female role model would probably have to be my mother. She is incredibly strong, smart, independent, and determined.

Kristin: I would have to say that I really look up to female artist figures, particularly Louise bourgeois, Kiki smith  and Tracy Emin. I have looked up to these  women for many years. They are women who made themselves fearless in the act of creating art. They are truly role models in my life.  

Q: What would you like to see change for the role of women in our world? For the future?

Sara: I do hope that women be taken more seriously in the workplace. Different people have different strengths and weaknesses, and if we can consider these strengths and weaknesses as attributes of that particular person, not attributes of their gender, I believe we could see a lot more overall success in the professional world, as well as the world in general.

Kassie:  Equality in the workplace.

 Kirstin: I hope that over time, more dreams will be realized for women. Dreams can change and grow and adapt, and the women who encourage dream realization truly are the role models for tomorrow's women. 

Tomorrow is V-Day. Tomorrow we will come together to Rise. Strike. Dance.  Join us at 5:30 at Copley Square.  

Today's blog post comes from Michelle E. Bailey-Flood. Michele is a daughter, wife, mom and is grateful for all the support she's been given through her journey and hopes to be able to give back as much as she's received. She is also a cast member of the 2013 Boston Community Production of the Vagina Monologues.

 
I am rising...
for the shadows cast on the every day lives of the everyday girls
and the every day women,
for the shadows cast on their every day lives
 
I am rising...
                        so those every day girls, every day women, every day lives,
                        can bask in glow and the sunshine,
                        no longer living behind the shadow.
 
I am rising...
                        for the careful, tender, understanding husbands, lovers, friends
                        who know
                        exactly what to do or say
                        even when the only thing to say is nothing.
 
I am rising...
                        for the ones who rise
                        and the ones who can't.
 
            I am rising...
                        for pasts that cannot be forgotten
                        and for futures that will be bright.
 
I am rising because of the one billion women who will experience abuse in their life time, more than half of them will experience abuse multiple times, because once a woman is abused it seems to happen to her again.
 
I am rising because, while my own abuse was not news worthy, not comparably horrific, or deadly, there were multiple occasions and span many years.
 
I am rising because I have always said and have wanted my actions to reflect and speak my truth, that if my experiences can help just one person heal, or keep just one person from experiencing abuse, then there is meaning behind my own experiences.
 
I am rising...
I am RISING...
                        I am rising to heal...finally.
                        I am rising to feel whole... finally.
I am rising as one...
                        I am rising as one small voice with the hope that one more small voice, and one
                        after that and after that and after that will rise
                        and find their one voice.
And all our voices will be heard
                        together
and each as one
                        heard.
 
I am rising.
 
Michele E. Bailey-Flood

Today's post comes from Vagina Warrior and 2013 Vagina Monologues cast member, Amy Mullen.

I rise because last month I had non-consensual sex. It started out consensual. Then he took the condom off.

I rise because once I noticed – too late – he told me it was no big deal.

I rise because it is a very big deal.

This is someone normal. He did the same faith-based post-graduate volunteer program as me. He graduated from the same Catholic college as my little sister. He works at a non- profit, talks animatedly about social justice, and gives absolutely no indication that he disrespects women.

I rise because he asserted his preferences over mine, automatically, without question. I rise because he thought that I was not on birth control and still forced me to have unprotected sex against my will and without my knowledge.

I rise because he put his desire for physical pleasure above my right to remain free from STIs, pregnancy, and the permanent emotional scarring that comes with being violated.

I rise because I am sad.

I rise because I am ANGRY.

I emailed a friend about this experience and my desire to write about it, and in her response she wrote:

“I had a disturbing revelation the other day when I realized that [current partner] is the first guy I've slept with who is no nonsense, no bullshit about condom use. For whatever reason, there are a number of men who think they have permission not to use condoms, and it always ends up on you and me and some teenage girl somewhere who just wants to finish high school without a baby to insist on condom usage, and that is simply absurd. And until now, I thought that was normal. And it's not. It shouldn't be.”

I rise for the others to whom this has happened. I rise for those to whom it will happen. And I rise for a day when it happens no longer, when we stop accepting abuse of women as a given. When we collectively affirm that we will not stand for it. Some cases of abuse involve physical violence. Mine didn’t. It was still malicious. It was still rape.

I rise to end a culture of rape. I rise to bring voice to what is so often unspeakable, attention to what is so often shrouded in silence and shame. I am not ashamed and I will not be silent.

I will rise.