March 18, 2021
Choose Compassion Mission: At Choose Chicago, we “Choose Compassion” and are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful work culture of a brilliant mix of people because we are equally different. We firmly believe in the strength and power of our diverse group of partners, employees and clients to drive business and innovation while building on a collaborative connection within our community and the neighborhoods we serve.
Say her name. About a year ago, many heard and began to speak a name, Breonna Taylor. She was beautiful, young, full of life and potential. Her life was taken tragically. But, this moment, reminded us to see the women around us, for who they are and for who they can become, those who have notoriety, and those who don’t.
Today, take a moment, and reach out to a woman in your circle, a co-worker, sister, friend, or a young girl who’s eager to see who she becomes and tell her, you matter, your life matters and what you do every day matters.
With compassion,
Roz
#shematters
P.S. Hearing about the incidents impacting the Asian American community and most recent incident in Georgia is concerning. We will sensitively explore and learn more about the racial unrest this community is experiencing in coming months. We welcome your participation in the conversation.
Say Her Name
Mabel Ping-Hua Lee was a pioneer of the Suffrage Movement who stood out as a Chinese immigrant, giving speeches and writing articles as a teenager. In 1912, at the age of 16, she led a suffrage parade of 10,000 people on horseback through New York City. In 1917, women won the vote in New York, but this right was not granted to Lee because of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 that denied her citizenship. Mabel died in 1966. It is unknown if Lee ever attained United States citizenship and exercised her right to vote, but her activism ensured many other women had the ability to do so.
In 1912, Madam CJ Walker attended the National Negro Business League Convention, stating publicly, “I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there I was promoted to the washtub. From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations….I have built my own factory on my own ground.” Born Sarah Breedlove, she grew to become one of the greatest female & african american entrepreneurs, social activists & philanthropist’s of the 20th century. Enduring and persevering through barriers of color and gender, she boldly trailblazed & created new opportunities for women to pursue their dreams.
Dolores Clara Fernandez Huerta is co-founder of the United Farm Workers Association and one of the most influential labor activists of the 20th century and a leader of the Chicano civil rights movement. In 1955 Huerta began her career as an activist when she co-founded the Stockton chapter of the Community Service Organization (CSO), which led voter registration drives and fought for economic improvements for Hispanics. She also founded the Agricultural Workers Association. In 1962, Huerta and Chávez founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), the predecessor of the United Farm Workers’ Union (UFW), which formed three year later. Huerta served as UFW vice president until 1999.
What’s happening in our Choose Compassion, "She Matters" community?
Learn how to show up and take your seat at the table @ the Women's Leadership Workshop: "I'm here! And I deserve to be here!”
Join the Forbes Women Community - ForbesWomen, dedicated to female founders, philanthropists, and more, women like you who are changing the world! Click here to instantly sign up for the ForbesWomen newsletter
Did you know you’re a #Shematters queen? Jumpstart your day with this awesome reminder https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wOoG30OY8k
Live your best life through mindfulness, nutrition, community & empowerment! Join A Sweat Life - Your Life In & Out of the Gym.
Becoming a Choose Compassion Ally!
| About Race
Podcast From the author behind the bestselling Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race, comes a podcast that takes the conversation a step further. Featuring key voices from the last few decades of anti-racist activism, About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge looks at the recent history that lead to politics of today. |
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| The Hate You Give
Movie Starr Carter is constantly switching between two worlds -- the poor, mostly black neighborhood where she lives and the wealthy, mostly white prep school that she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is soon shattered when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer. Facing pressure from all sides of the community, Starr must find her voice and decide to stand up for what's right. |
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| Using Your Voice is a Political Choice
Web Video For anyone who believes poetry is stuffy or elitist, Amanda Gorman -- the youngest inaugural poet in US history -- has some characteristically well-chosen words. Poetry is for everyone, she says, and at its core it's all about connection and collaboration. In this fierce talk and performance, she explains why poetry is inherently political, pays homage to her honorary ancestors and stresses the value of speaking out despite your fears. "Poetry has never been the language of barriers," Gorman says. "It's always been the language of bridges." |
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| Fury and Faith (with Dsharp and Fabricio Seraphin)
Web Video As part of Proud Together (VidCon Now's June tentpole), VidCon produced an original short form video featuring Fabricio Seraphin, a professional dancer based in New York City. He uses dance to tell a story, express emotion, and evoke feelings. Paired with poetry written and spoken by Amanda Gorman and set to music composed by DSharp, Fury and Faith is a powerful and inspiring piece that brings to life the spectrum of emotions attached to the Black Lives Matter movement and speaks to the importance of the movement at this moment in America’s history. |
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| The Bluest Eye
Book Unlovely and unloved, Pecola prays each night for blue eyes like those of her privileged white schoolfellows. At once intimate and expansive, unsparing in its truth-telling, The Bluest Eye shows how the past savagely defines the present. A powerful examination of our obsession with beauty and conformity, Toni Morrison’s virtuosic first novel asks powerful questions about race, class, and gender with the subtlety and grace that have always characterised her writing. |
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Tell us what you think or submit feedback for our next newsletter to rstuttley@choosechicago.com.