Seven years into hosting the annual Woman to Woman Empowerment Symposium, Renee P. Aldrich, founder and director of Softer Side Seminars, said she is more surprised than anyone that this year’s event seemed to have taken on a life of its own.
Held this year at the Blakey Program Center, the theme was “Pulling Ourselves from the Stuck Places” and Tené Croom, currently the principal for Tené Croom Communications and previous director of News for American Urban Radio Networks, was the Mistress of Ceremonies.
More than 70 women came out to be enriched by the event and were treated to a day of information, inspiration, motivation and fun. Childcare was provided as not to have this as a barrier for participation. The program opened up with a dynamic African Dance and Drumming performance—the dance representing the freedom found in releasing encumbrances and becoming unstuck. A presentation, “I’ve Fallen BUT I CAN Get Up,” by Aldrich, followed. Jessica Brown of Commissioned Church of Pittsburgh ministered to the gathering in a powerful interpretive dance to “Break Every Chain” which came immediately following Aldrich’s presentation.
The flow continued with a panel discussion comprised of four women who have made positive transitions out of stuck places. They shared their stories and an open dialogue commenced with the audience sharing.
“This was a very important part of the day—the goal was for audience members to get a visual of what being stuck looked like in the lives of other women, and how individualized the process out can be—great impact,” Aldrich said. Panel participants were Tyian Battle, executive director of ACH Clear Pathways; Lori Criswell, office manager for State Representative Ed Gainey; Tiffany Huff, founder of The Best You Coaching; and Tammy T. Thompson, owner operator of Thompson Real Estate. Panel conversations were facilitated by Erica Upshaw-Givner, LCSW, of Vision Towards Peace Counseling Services, and Tia Baker, certified Reiki Practitioner. Karen Denton, a first time participant shared, “I’m so glad I came and witnessed this panel conversation, I’ve been stuck myself—seeing this was very good for me as I kick off my own cleaning company.”
The third highlight of the event was a monologue presentation by playwright, actress and poet Kim El. She did a scene from her one woman show, “Straightening Comb.” Keeping in line with the theme, this portion of her play was about a time when the character was “stuck” in depression and had to pull herself out.
There were door prizes, lunch, and an opportunity for networking. Outstanding comments from attendees include; first time participant Sandra Lee, of Penn Hills, said, “Renee, this event was heart warming, elegant, and supportive. Please continue to do the life changing work that God places on your heart.” Panel member and first time participant Battle said, “I was so blessed by today’s symposium, and I’m looking forward to what will be birthed out of the connections we made. Renee P. Aldrich, thank you for the platform for us to come together not only to share, but to be fed by one another and empowered to get out of those stuck places. Blessings to you all.”
Repeat participant Terri Baltimore said, “I’ve been coming to this event the last four years, it is always so uplifting for me—I think the need for this is ongoing.”
Television is the next step for the event. Talk show host Lynn Hayes-Freeland has invited the panel members and facilitators to recreate the discussion on her show this month which will air Jan. 4, 2015.
“I’m delighted that what we’ve done will have this forum, it’s an important topic—one that resonates with a lot of people (men included),” Aldrich said.
Part of the success of this year’s program was because of the generosity of its sponsors, Highmark, McAuley Foundation and Urban Innovation21.
“I am so encouraged by the support of my sponsors,” Aldrich said. “It truly affirms and validates the value in the work we do with Softer Side Seminars; my goal continues to be to reach women with this important information.”
