SCI Project Conference
- Gretchen White
- May 18, 2016
- 3 min read
I recently finished an article titled, "Women Helping Other Women? Not so Much; It Seems" from Forbes Magazine by Lisa Quast.
The article conveyed reasons why women are/may be reluctant to help one another:
1. This "bad" behavior of not helping other women is embedded in us, psychological, culturally and socially.
2. We live in a male-dominated society, so we may feel as though we are competing for a smaller piece of a bigger pie.
3. Some women are still new to the mentoring game. Either we have never been mentored to, or never had the opportunity to mentor to other women.
4. Most women are just too busy to help others.
All of the above points may or may not be true, but in the scriptures (yes I am going there) women were charged with teaching younger women, children, etc.
Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good. - Titus 2:3
The above scripture may have focused on things in the times of the New Testament, but that passage is still relevant and can be used today in any situation where a women can help another women through encouragement, enrichment, eduation, friendships, etc. We all have something to share, so when I was invited to participate and attend the first SCI Project Conference, I was very excited and jumped on board right away!
On April 23, 2016, SCI (Smart, Creative, Interconnected) Project held its first conference at the University Club on Penn State Campus. The event, organized by Dr. Dee Frisque (click here to learn more about Dr. Frisque) brought together women in the community looking to hear, learn, and meet other smart and creative women.
For this first, and hopefully annual event, the armchair talks featured Dr. Jeanine Staples (jeaninestaples.com) and Dr. Amy Freeman (amyfreeman.net).
Dr. Jeanine Staples is Associate Professor of Literacy and Language and African American Studies at Penn State University. She is the founder of the Supreme Lover Project, which she spoke on at the conference. Her new book, "The Revelations of Asher: Towards Supreme Love in Self", was available for sale during the event. (The photo to the right is Dr. Staples and Donna Marie Cole-Marlott)
What I mostly enjoyed about her talk was how we as women can learn to identify our own "Lover Supreme Identity" to become the women we want to be/know we are.
Dr. Amy Freeman has a Master of Science in Engineering and a Ph.D in Workforce Education. Her latest book, "Stress Less: 10 Balancing Insights on Work and Life" was available for sale during the event. It is the companion to the DVD presenation, Finding your Balance: Truths and Myths about Having It All. (The photo to the left is Dr. Dee Frisque and Dr. Freeman).
And then there were the moderators brillantly chosen by Dr. Dee. The first, Dr. Drey Kharem. Dr. Kharem has spent a great part of her life helping others to empower themselves and be successful in whatever they do. She has written and served on several training grants funded by the US Department of Education and is also an education consultant and life coach of her own identity, Noble Strength. Click here to learn more about her organization.
Donna Marie Cole-Malott was the second moderator. She is a Ph.D candidate in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Penn State University. She is a student of Dr. Staples and currently works as a consultant with the State College Area School District in their Professional Development School.
In addition to the wonderful speakers, there was an opportunity to shop local vendors. These vendors were special, too, and supported a cause they were fully committed to.
Betumi - The African Culinary Network
Fran Osseo-Asare, MSW, Ph.D, Founder
Amazon Forest Store
Center for Amazon Community Ecology
Dr. Cambell Plowden, Founder
HOPE for real
Carol Falke, VP, Board of Directors
PJ's Timeless Wonders
Greeting Cards
PJ Robb
(856) 729-5438
BlueSweets Online Bakery
Gretchen White & AyannaVega Malik
(814) 876-2809
There was also a booth from Mount Nittany on women's health. All women need to be strong in the mind and body.
The entire event was held in a large room to encourage various opportunities for personal enrichment, education, and the development of friendships. The SCI Project believes that the contributions of women are interconnected in powerful ways and can be shared to transform and build stronger communities.
She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
Proverbs 31:25
Proceeds from this event were donated to Out of the Darkness, Centre County. This organization helps other shelters in our area by providing overnight accomadations to the homeless.
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