| Various GTW Gatherings
Tucson, Arizona Peace
March
I participated in Women's Peace March in Tucson. I believed
thoroughly in what I was doing and enjoyed being a part of
it. Did not know a soul there, but I was fortunate enough
to meet a woman and her daughter. We did the march together,
enjoying both the march and each other.
In the past, I worked and took care of my son and did not
have time, nor could I get too politically involved in touchy
issues for fear of jeopardizing my position. Now I have the
time and the freedom to do just that. Saturday was a wonderful
experience.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Hi Sisters!
I wanted to report in about our Gathering Saturday. We have
had a record cold/snowy winter here in Eureka Springs, Arkansas,
and that day the temperature shot up to 75 (and back down
into the 40's Sunday)! During our celebration, three daffodils
bloomed beside the stage. Through the park that afternoon
during Gather the Women we probably had about 500 people,
but a consistent crowd of more than 100 for the whole afternoon.
Not bad for a town with a population of 2000! At one point
the singers on stage had everybody hold hands and we all sang
ring out and touch somebody's hand, make this world a better
place if you can! We had free face painting, singing, praying,
and local women politicians speaking. A delightful time was
had by all.
Love, light, and peace!
Encinitas, California
The Gather the Women event held at the Encinitas, CA Church
of Religious Science was attended by approximately 60 women
throughout the day. The leaders created a forum for the feminine
spirit to enrich each and everyone of us.
I asked the question of three or four women (one being a
Leader) if they were active in Women of Vision of Action,
and none of them had ever heard of WOVA. The WOVA website
and Gather The Women project linked site is beautiful.
Joanne Reeves Thomas, Vista, CA
Kelseyville, California
I am grateful for the Gather The Women website. Thank you
so much for the beauty and wisdom which were a catalyst to
our event in Kelseyville.
Fifteen women gathered at my house on Kelsey Creek in Kelseyville
(a small town on the west side of Clear Lake.) We had all
participated in the "Daily Activities" for the week
leading up to the day. We came together for connection, sharing
and meditation. Our artist friend brought ink and press and
helped us to create a communal art piece. Each woman chose
a quote (downloaded from the website) and wrote it out on
a large sheet of paper making an impression in black ink.
This was later printed onto art paper and cut into sections
overlaid with a peace symbol. Each woman took home a "piece
of peace".
We opened the circle with introductions and personal sharing
around a sacred campfire under majestic oaks with spring birds
fluttering and singing around us. Another friend led a guided
meditation that focused on radiating peace outward, with an
emphasis on two words that we each wanted to offer out to
the world. We culminated with a spirited spiral dance and
a sending forth of our words. Connection, light, love, peace
and warmth were strong.
Thank you for the inspiration!
Pamela
Pleasanton, California
Eight women gathered in my home at 1:00. We drummed and sang
our prayerful
requests, read poetry, scripture, stories and visualized worldwide
peace. It
was extraordinary and the energy was strong and clear.
Sherman Oaks, California
I held a small, but sweet and sacred event at my home in
Sherman Oaks, CA on March 8th. I had 4 women in addition to
myself.
We meditated and prayed together. We honored our ancestors
(transcended) and elders (living), asked for lessons from
them, and visioned the future we wish for ourselves and future
generations. We made commitments to our planet and to ourselves.
The diversity of women was fabulous - even in this small group
- we were of a variety of ages and experiences, with the common
thread of believing that we have the power to create a world
in harmony - whether we were a group of 5, 50 or 500.
Thank you and Gather the Women for creating this. Looking
forward to creating more healing opportunities for us all.
Destin, Florida
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your support to
me and the thousands of other women who you touched by Gathering
The Women. Here in Destin Florida, an infinite eight of us
walked and prayed a Lotus Dance of Peace in the mist on the
beach of the Gulf of Mexico declaring our humanity. Thank
you for your networking and for walking your purpose so beautifully!
Peace to you all ways and forever.
Love, Light and Heart Smiles,
Anne
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
On March 8, we celebrated the life and artwork of EDITH HUMPHREYS
We had a book signing with a young man from Senegal. All of
the attendees got a copy of GaiaNews
- Vol III, Issue 2 which carried the meditation of Carol
Hansen Grey, Executive Director of Women of Vision and Action.
Each person was informed that this meditation was being done
by women all around the world, on Sunday, and that we should
continue in the SPIRIT of this meditation.
I am very grateful to have been involved in this Spiritual
endeavor on the part of women working toward Peace and Harmony.
Thank you,
Grateful Goddess Joan Cartwright
MOTHERLAND BRIDGE GALLERY
543 NW 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-525-0022
Gainesville, Florida
On March 8th, my daughter (8 years old) and I (44 years
old) both marched and participated in our first protest rally
(although I understood it to be an affirmation). I respect
her all the more for having walked the distance -- there and
back -- and having asked intelligent questions and listening
to whatever answers I was able to give her.
Saturday was an empowering day for us both. The GTW rally,
held at the Downtown Plaza, was very well organized by Heart
Phoenix -- a lovely woman who is also active in the Gainesville
Renaissance Alliance, a Peace Circle. I hope, however, that
the next time someone takes the time and trouble to organize
an event such as this, that more people here have the courtesy
and respect to participate in the whole rather than communicating
only amongst themselves in the wake of songs, music, dancers,
and speakers. At times it was difficult to hear the messages
coming from the stage. Communication is incredibly important,
but not at the expense of LIVING kindness and respect.
I feel blessed for having been able to be a participant in
this event. I am only recently LIVING the empowerment I have
worked so hard over time to achieve. And the peaceful nature
becomes more a part of me every day.
Atlanta, Georgia
Submitted by Esther Michaels
Our event in Atlanta was a great success. We had over 500
women attend the luncheon and an additional 200 people attend
the seminars focused on economically empowering women in Atlanta.
The Rte. Honorable Kim Campbell, former Prime Minister of
Canada and chair of the Women World Leaders Council at Harvard,
Johnetta B. Cole, President of Bennett College, Denise Shorrt,
Author of "Technology Has Curves" about women in
technology, and Astrid Pregel, Canadian Consul General in
Atlanta were our speakers.
That evening there was a dinner and "Conversations With
Women" featuring Kim Campbell, Linda Tarr-Whelan Ambassador
to the United Nations Commission for Women and co-founder
of Project Tsunami, and Shirley Franklin Mayor of the City
of Atlanta. It was a small gathering and a powerful end to
an empowering day for our Women's Day here in Atlanta.
We raised over $20,000 each for two organizations, The Women
World Leaders Council and The Johnetta B. Cole Leadership
Society of the United Way of Atlanta.
Warm regards from the heart,
Esther Michaels
Kaua'i, Hawaii
Aloha Carol,
Thank you for your wonderful emails each day connecting us
all.
On the island of Kaua'i, 15 women (from the US, Canada, Switzerland
and Germany) gathered at my home for brunch, the reading of
the vision statement and common threads, and to create collages
depicting our gifts to the world and what we are bringing
forward at this time. A nonprofit organization called Circles
of Light provided direction and art supplies and we had a
great time. Photographs were taken and we'll be sending them
to Gather the Women as soon as possible.
Thank you and all the organizers of this energizing and vital
gathering. We have so much to offer and we can change the
world situation with our love.
Have a beautiful day,
Sharon Gonsalves
Mahina's Women's Guest House on Kaua'i
Charlevoix, Michigan
I came to the GTW website late (the last week in February)
and although I was inspired by the website and very interested
in taking part in some way, I was slow to organize an event.
However, I did gather 3 other women at my house on March 8
from 10-12 a.m. We were a small but powerful group.
I acted as both organizer and facilitator. We began by joining
hands in a circle as I spoke an invocation asking Spirit to
be present in our midst and to move in us. Then, as we shared
fresh scones, strawberries and tea (there is something sacred
in sharing good food together!), I read the GTW Vision Statement.
Following a little conversation, I read the guided meditation
which connected us with other women observing International
Women's Day.
For the next hour or so we engaged in "Thoughtstorming",
a technique for creating ideas and generating insights that
was developed by Harry Palmer (See "The Thoughtstorm
manual: an evolution in human thinking" by Harry Palmer,
published by Star's Edge International). We chose as our alignment
question:"What does the world want and need that we could
deliver?" The journey to discover our "corecept"
was fun and inspiring. When we reached our "AHA!"
moment, we felt connected and empowered. The answer to our
question (our corecept) was: "We can plant seeds of hope".
Now we are investigating all the ways we can do the in our
lives and the lives of others.
We ended our time together with the "Now Power"
prayer which someone had contributed to the GTW website. It
was perfect, just as the whole morning had been perfect.
I came away from this week (this day) with a vision. I can
see myself working to help others to connect on a "soul
level" in circles and small groups. (I was excited to
find links to peerspirit and the millionth circle). I also
am committing myself to organize a larger GTW event for next
March.
Thank you for coordinating this GTW week. Your work has planted
seeds which will grow and bring hope to the world despite
the seeming realities of war, poverty and despair. We women
are the world's greatest strength right now, and we WILL overcome!
Blessings and Peace,
Beth Strawbridge
Minneapolis, Minnesota
In an Arctic blast of winter, -25 Fahrenheit, several hundred
stood outside in painful wind chill to celebrate and protest
the insanity in the drumbeat of war.
Omaha, Nebraska
We held our event at the Omaha Healing Arts Center, which
provided the perfect room and space for healing the world.
Forty beautiful women attended as participants and/or performers.
The energy that filled the room was electric and others elsewhere
in the building said they could feel it. A deep connection
was made among the women, although most did not know each
other before that day.
We started with the GTW vision statement, and then followed
with a yoga mudra meditation and the GTW global visualization.
Several women shared their gifts with us that day. We participated
in dances of universal peace and sang peace songs in English,
Hebrew and Arabic. We listened to a commentary by Holly Batchelder
entitled "Where are the Women?" Angie Khabeb shared
2 Maya Angelou's poems with us and sang an African song about
Mothers. Tami Whitney played Irish/Folk music for us, including
the song "We are Woman, Hear us Roar." Our final
activity together was an intention ceremony where we wrote
down our intentions and then passed a bowl around for each
to add her intention to the whole and feel the power. We intend
to compile the intentions and share them with the group. If
something similar was done at other locations, we are interested
in sharing our intentions and learning others from around
the world. We finished the event with Heidi Joy singing "Over
My Head" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
Part of the original plan was to have a time for conversation
and to discuss some questions from Meg Wheatley's book "Turning
to One Another." This will be the focus of our next gathering
in about a month.
Pictures will follow!
Dallas, Texas
In Dallas there were many events throughout the week. I attended
a conversation cafe at Unity church with an amazing group
of healing women. We got into groups of less than 10 and passed
a cup around and spoke on real things that were truly important
to us. It was extremely healing in that every one was deeply
listened to and honored. We all more deeply connected than
we would have had we had a less structured conversation. I
believe wisdom circles such as these are an invaluable tool
in healing people--people just need to feel heard. When they
do, they automatically grow in peace with themselves and with
others. They also feel much more connected with their fellow
humans. We just need to better realize our eternal connection!
(www.conversationcafe.org)
Many women here in Dallas also attended a women's drumming/prayer
celebration on Saturday in a park here in town. I prayed for
more peace and feelings of safety in the hearts of all humanity.
I left with a much better realization of how safe I really
am. I have always led a charmed life and I realize it's due
to a deep internal contract I've made with Life long before
I came here. I have too much to be in this world. I don't
have time to invite violence, etc. into my life. Thank God!!!
The conversation cafes are going to continue on a monthly
basis here in Dallas, so we will be growing more together.
It has been a wonderful experience.
Trent, Texas
This was a wonderful experience. Twelve women drummed, meditated
on healing Mandelas and then drew them, took an herb walk,
tied prayer ties, and had a sweat lodge. Shamanic Touch Healing
sessions were given to two women. The day began with the visualization
posted on your site allowing us to envision our connection
with women around the world-it was very powerful. It ended
with a sweat lodge. I poured the lodge and in the third round
we were blessed with the appearance of a Jaguar spirit guide
in the lodge. I was totally awestruck since Jaguar is feminine
energy and represents reclaiming our power! Not simply reclaiming
our power, but reclaiming power that has been lost or taken
from us. Jaguar says if we chose to reclaim this power it
will be stronger than in the past. How fitting for this occasion!!
Blessings,
Cyndi Hughs
Mequon, Wisconsin
Co-Facilitators: Deborah Rosen and Noor Jawad
The event took place at my home (Deborah) in Mequon, WI,
which is about 5 miles north of Milwaukee and 70 miles north
of Chicago.
We had 5 women attend, because a heavy snowfall occurred
when we started which kept a few women from attending...Then
the snow stopped when we were done and the sun came out!
Each women shared a story and/or prayer about women and peace
in the World...Many of the themes were around inner peace...We
also had a healing circle as our closing prayer. And then
enjoyed some delicious snacks that each guest contributed...
I (Deborah) also submitted an article about Gather the Women
to Michael Lightweaver (www.N2012.com) which he published
in the February 10, 2003 edition of Global Village News &
Resources - this bi-monthly e-mail newsletter went to over
50 countries and approximately 9,000 subscribers! A special
thanks to Michael and N2012...
Thanks again for this GREAT opportunity...
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