An insightful, creative leader, strategic thinker & storyteller with 30 years of professional communications experience as well as extensive experience in education, development & volunteering.
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From Kyiv to Bridgeton: Finding Refuge in a Place that Feels Most Like Home
Although nearly five thousand miles separate these two groups of people, a small community in Cumberland County, NJ, and a group of refugees from a worn-torn country this year are rediscovering parallels and a shared history of marginalization and oppression, finding solace in a beautiful relationship that began a century ago. Amid all the strife, loss and the burdens associated with historical trauma, there’s a tapestry of brightly colored material once again tying these people together in pain and hope.
So proud of this one! Radio spot for a trailblazer equaled funding for her business!
I secured a radio spot for Elizabeth Mikotowicz, who once again mustered up the courage to share her harrowing story from domestic violence, addiction and incarceration to advocating for human rights and better prison policies for women. She spoke with Dave Delaney on the radio station, WOND in Atlantic City, NJ. Elizabeth is also a talented artist with her own clothing line on Le Galeriste and is writing a book. She has since been asked to speak for two other podcasts, only two days after airing, and has now attracted the attention of a funder who has agreed to fund her new business!
Letter calling for the passage of H.R. 5444: Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act.
By supporting this bill, we are hoping that the truth can be revealed so that healing and action can begin. It is hoped that by passing this bill, more awareness will come to the surface as the layers of trauma are peeled away, and the rebirth of a culture long suppressed by prejudice, fear and racism will come to light. With our eyes and ears open, the cavernous wounds that have stifled peace for many need to heal. But thoughts and prayers are not enough. Taking action, which is long overdue, needs to happen now.
Megan Needs a New Kidney to Go With Her Big Heart
Each day for 12 consecutive hours, Megan Delaney is attached to a long plastic tube so that she can stay alive. It was an honor to highlight the plight and story of this wonderful woman who literally fighting for her life.
Walking Alongside Our Neighbors on the Road to Renewal
As Hurricane Ida ripped apart houses in southern Jersey and flooded out cars and buildings in the north, many others slept peacefully never knowing what destruction the storm had caused overnight.
On the Front Line of Hope
The once beautiful open-air courtyard in the entrance of a New Jersey hospital has been replaced by locked doors, warning signs and a police officer. Reflecting and radiating the hope and courage that lies within, however, are sporadic sounds of The Beatles song, “Here Comes the Sun” played over the PA system to signal that a COVID-19 patient has recovered as well as sporadic “clap-outs” and signs everywhere showing the previous day’s recovery numbers.
Letter calling for the resignation of Rick Santorum
Letter condemning the recent statement made by former Senator Rick Santorum that “there isn't much Native American culture in American culture” and that white Europeans "came here and created a blank slate."
Mentoring: From Darkness to Light
As National Mentoring Month nears its end, I am reminded of the countless mentors I am grateful to have had throughout my life, those vehicles of knowledge both big and small.
A little kindness…and nonsense goes a long way
The Oompa Loompa and golden ticket creator, Roald Dahl, celebrated his 100th birthday in 2016, just a couple weeks before the man who portrayed his character of Willy Wonka so well, Gene Wilder died. Dahl, born in Wales to Norwegian parents on September 13, 1916, was a successful British novelist, having sold more a quarter million copies of his books. But what do Dahl and kindness have to do with each other?
Getting off that comfy couch isn’t catastrophic
Last week I guess I was feeling a little empowered. That sense of empowerment came in the form of some encouraging words to my fellow networkers to step outside their comfort zones—not in a bold way but in a rather affable way with a tinge of conviction.
No, I wasn’t like General Patton rallying the troops with a battle cry nor was I Mother Theresa pleading for good will for all including the street children. And I was definitely a far cry from Norma Rae—I wasn’t even standing up.
7 Ways Stepping Outside your Comfort Zone Can Lead to Success
So I did it. As promised, I said I would report back as to how successful my forays into enlightenment were last week. Ok, maybe the usage of enlightenment is a bit strong, but I challenged some of my colleagues to step outside their own comfort zones in the ensuing 10 minutes, whether that meant striking up a conversation with a stranger, taking a kickboxing class or venturing into a new environment.
5 Ways to Stop Being So Busy! Your mind is likely the culprit
Today, amid the flurry of technology muddled with a flood of social media and a disconnection that no longer exists, we are constantly telling everyone how busy we are. What's the solution?
Take it from Pooh, there’s always another drop of honey
Ninety-five years ago a fuzzy yellow bear was born, appearing in an issue of the satirical British Punch magazine and then a year later on Christmas Eve in the London Evening News. Now nearly a century later many are still reciting the words penned by A.A. Milne and later popularized by Disney. A new sequel was even released this in May 2016 in England to celebrate Pooh’s 90th anniversary this October and honor the Queen’s 90th birthday. I’m sure even Milne and Pooh’s illustrator, E.H. Shepar...
Ripping Off the Mask of Racism to See the Gaping Wounds and Heal
It is said that in the Native American culture, the natural world is sacred in both life and death. To harm a place of this sanctity, like a burial ground, would crush their beliefs. At a Native American ceremony, sounds of a steady rhythm played on a hand drum are heard, rocks are formed as a medicine wheel to honor the life, the smell of sage bundles burning wafts the air, and a willow branch or rosemary is laid sometimes with a ribbon tied to it for prayer. The word loss is never used, but...