2018 HOLIDAY MESSAGE FROM BWA’S PRESIDENT GWAINEVERE CATCHINGS HESS
December 2018
Dear Sisters and Friends:
On behalf of The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc., I wish you a safe, healthy, and joyous holiday season.
This has been a busy year for BWA. Along with our National Collaborating Organizations, we were actively involved in getting out the vote and were thrilled with the pivotal role Black women played in electing candidates on the state and local level, and also running for office. According to the blackwomeninpolitics.com database, Black women ran for 58 federal seats, 180 state offices, 213 local positions, and 17 unspecified seats. We are the change we want to see in the world, and our sisters are serving notice!
In September, during our 41st Annual Symposium in Washington, DC, BWA hosted “Living Your Best Life At Every Age: I Am The Change” — a town hall for more than 600 participants that encouraged participants to consider where they are and want to be from a financial, education and health perspective, and to be a catalyst for change for themselves, their families, and communities. The wildly enthusiastic response the event received inspired BWA to take the forums on the road. With support from AARP, we hosted “Living Your Best Life At Every Age: I Am The Change” workshops in St. Louis and Baltimore. Check our website for information about future forums.
With 2019 just days away, BWA is focused on the road ahead and how we move forward. As an organization, we will continue our work to secure, protect, and advance the rights and well-being of Black women and their families. We will be vocal, visible, and vigilant in reminding those who serve in elected office of our agenda, and a proactive force and resource for helping Black women to live their very best lives.
Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa and the Warmest of Wishes for the New Year!
Gwainevere Catchings Hess
OTHER NEWS
ESSENCE VENTURES ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS FROM TIME INC.
Essence Ventures LLC, an independent African-American owned company focused on merging content, community, and commerce, recently announced that it acquired Essence Communications Inc. from Time Inc. ESSENCE President Michelle Ebanks will continue at the helm of the company and join its board of directors. In addition, ESSENCE’s executive team, comprised of Black women, will also have an equity stake in the business.
GRATITUDE & GIVING
As we enter the season of gratitude and giving, The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc. (BWA) gives thanks for the 21 women’s organizations – sororities, civic, service, and faith-based – that serve as its National Collaborating Organizations (NCOs) and partners in protecting, securing and advancing the rights of millions of women worldwide. Together with our NCOs, BWA has established numerous programs to support Black women and their families.
ASCENSION SUPPORTS BWA’S “BECAUSE WE CARE” INITIATIVE
One of the highlights of The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc.’s 40th Annual Symposium Workshop & Awards Luncheon was the announcement of a $50,000 donation to BWA made by Patricia A. Maryland, Dr.PH, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ascension Healthcare, Vice President, Ascension, and BWA’s 2017 Health Award recipient.
Ascension, the nation’s largest non-profit health system, is a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care.
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