Donna Shelton

That person in your life who tells it exactly like it is.  Your “voice of reason,” and that “calm in your storm”. They are a personal and professional champion, who affirms what you usually already know by giving an honest second opinion.

I am curious. Who is yours?  Was it someone who, for a brief time, was in your life, or do you have the pleasure of their company every so often, or every single day?

What if you didn’t have them, or anyone who filled this very important role? What impact would that have on how you live your life?

You may not be compelled to write about these very special people—that is so okay—but, hopefully, my question has brought to mind those who have touched your life and given you time to reflect on how important they are, or were, to you.  If you are at a time in your life where you could use someone who tells it exactly like it is, just look around you—everyone has at least one!

About Donna Shelton – Some might crave the spotlight. I don’t. I am a partner, a mother of two beautiful daughters, a daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, middle child, and friend. I love the quiet of the morning, a good book, getting dirty in the garden, and cheering for the underdog. This explains why I am a Toronto Maple Leafs and UFC fan.

Rachael Forgeron

Feminism – Today’s New “F” Word

Feminism – just another dirty “F” word to teenage girls of today. Feminists themselves are stereotypically prudish, unshaven, bra-burning old women who have no relevance in today’s society. Not so! Despite the media’s attempts to sell us otherwise, women are still treated as second class citizens: underrepresented  in politics and the media, almost non-existent in corporate positions of power, and struggling as hard as ever to gain fair pay. The statistics are there; according to Catalyst (an organization that tracks female advancement), “women head only 3.8% of FP 500 companies in Canada, and make up a scant 5.6% of FP top earners, 14% of board directors and 16.9% of corporate officers.” Not only that, Catalyst conducted a further study of 4,500 MBA graduates and found that “woman begin at a lower level than men and earned $4,600 on average less.” Clearly, there is much work to be done.

But how do we convince them? How do we persuade young girls (the same ones affectionately calling each other “bitches” and “hoes”) that the Feminist movement still has a long, long way to go? Gloria Steinem used rallies, protests, and political stunts. The Spice Girls made “Girl Power” sexy and appealing by singing in mini-skirts and heels. But in a society where rallies pale in comparison to the horrors witnessed on the nightly newscast, and Katy Perry shoots fire from her breasts, we women will have to come up with something different. The goal? We must turn our girls into intelligent, media-savvy women who will not be manipulated by those moguls in suits. We must fight against that monster-media that divides us by pitting generations of women against each other. But with men occupying a whopping 75% of positions of power in the mass media, this will be no easy battle. There is hope; studies indicate that “the presence of at least one female executive … doubled the number of female writers.” This is startling when we know that women in high powered positions absolutely influence what news stories get broadcast. For example, in 2000, women editors and journalists in Wichita Falls, Texas, took over a newspaper for the day [i]. For the day’s front-page story, they had to choose between a piece about a peeping tom and another about local women fighting for equal rights. When they chose the story about equal rights, the boardroom erupted in a debate. In this case, the women got their way. One can only speculate about the outcome had they not held the position of power.

It is easy to see why stories such as this one have little impact on girls of today. After all, the option a post-secondary education is a given, as is a career. Women are no longer confined to working as secretaries or teachers; we can be doctors, lawyers, construction workers, or professional athletes. We can even run for Prime Minister. But these assumptions of opportunity mask the grim reality – that glass ceiling is there, and we’ve barely put a crack in it. Perhaps part of the problem is the stigma attached to the very word Feminist. Perhaps Feminism, like bullying, is an archaic word that teens no longer relate to. Is the solution to alter perceptions? Or, to come up with an entirely new name for a movement they can be passionate about?  I certainly don’t know. But what I do know is this: I am 24 years old, I wear mascara and shave my legs, and I am a Feminist – or whatever you call it!

85 Years of Helping Women in Need, Niagara This Week, May 9, 2012

Out & About with Daria, 85th Anniversary Celebration,  Sun Media, May 8, 2012

85 Years of the YWCA Niagara Region, Sun Media, May 1, 2012

The Hidden Homeless, Niagara Falls Review, January 14, 2012

Carli Taylor

We Are the YWCA Not the YMCA

“Good afternoon, YWCA Niagara Region how can I help you?”

Caller: “Oh, Hi. I was calling to see what time your pool is open until.”

Me: “Oh, I’m sorry but you have the wrong number, let me just get you the phone number for the YMCA.”

Caller: “Excuse me? No, I just need to know what time the pool is open until!”

Me: “Ma’am, I’m sorry but we don’t have a pool. This is the YWCA. The Shelter. Let me just give you the number.”

Caller: “You have a pool. I was there last week!”

Me: “the pool is open until 6 p.m.”

Caller: “Thank you! Holy….”

It can be incredibly humorous but also incredibly frustrating answering the phone at the YW! At least twice a day we get phone calls asking what time our pool is open until, or what time such and such class begins. I swear sometimes you can actually hear the callers mind snap when they don’t get the information they are asking for, or when they realize they have to make ANOTHER call. The humor lies in the caller’s denial. Our frustration comes from knowing that whenever we get a call for information on our pool hours, it could be tying up the line for someone calling in distress.

I have answered so many of these phone calls that I have not only memorized the YM phone number, but I have actually considered keeping a copy of their pool and gym schedules handy so I can  circumvent the insistence that we do have a pool.  I also managed to find time between phone calls to check the phone book to see if the YWCA happens to be listed BEFORE the YMCA. (It’s not.) I just pray that the YM isn’t receiving similar calls from someone in distress!

Maybe then, it’s just general confusion. Maybe this community really doesn’t know that while the YM/YW organizations shared a building for over 50 years, they were in fact always two separate organizations. Both organizations have maintained separate buildings for over 30 years now.

We are two of the oldest non profit organizations inNiagara. We are two organizations who are proud to say we shared a very long and very beneficial history, but we are also two organizations that recognized that the community was beginning to be confused and began to increasingly perceive us as one “Y”. We separated to focus on our separate growth and our separate desires to address the needs in our community.

The YMCA addresses the need for mind, body, and spiritual growth. They have a gym, a pool, and a daycare.

The YWCA offers hope to homeless women and their families. We have three shelters, 45 off-site transitional apartments, 11 on-site apartments, and a Court Street residence.

But man, it would be really nice to have a pool here and maybe some young good looking men who like to lift heavy objects. (Seriously, it’s not fun moving office furniture around when there is not a man to be seen in our buildings!)

A sauna would also be nice.

For more information about YW programs and services check out the Our Work  section of the YW website.

For more information on the YMCA…give them a call. Their number in St. Catharines is 905-934-9622.

And now, I am proud to introduce the amazing women of the YWCA Niagara Region Blog (in their own words).  Happy Reading!

Brigette Armstrong

When it comes to writing I could write all day long about other things or people, but when I have to sit down and write about who I am I hit the ever stubborn ‘wall’. I could give you the facts ‘in my 20’s new to the field social worker pushing to make a difference in the world’ but there is so much more to me than that it just doesn’t seem to sum it up. I guess the best place to start is why I was inspired to become a social worker. I had a child young and had to turn to social assistance to make it through, I experienced the sneers and ridicule of being a ‘statistic’ just another number on the caseload; until it happened…a ray of shining light in a world of doubts. I encountered LEAP and the incredible worker who gave his all to young girls who needed compassion. From that day forward I knew I would give someone else the same hope he gave me.

In just 4 short years I managed to graduate high school, be accepted and finish the dental program, take a stab at the world of teeth realise it wasn’t for me and venture my way in to social work where I completed my second college diploma. All of this while raising a special needs child on my own and battling the daily tasks of bill paying and house keeping. So there I was, diploma in hand and ready to conquer the world and along comes the YWCA, a place of refuge for women from all walks of life. I tell my clients day in and day out “it wasn’t so long ago I was on the other side of this desk” I come from a place of ‘been there, fought that’. I am a strong believer in women and the power each of us hold even in our darkest days. Need to know more? Well I’m also just your typical play date having, grocery buying, novel reading, shoe admiring , part time rapping, home DIY decorating, tattoo loving, coupon clipping, bargain hunting – former other side of the desker type gal!

Michelle Cowles

Well hello everyone! My name is  Michelle and I am as of right now finishing up college in the Social Service Worker program. I am 19 years old and am aNiagara Fallsnative. I am currently a student intern at the Y.W.C.A ofSt. Catharinesand absolutely love it. Why choose YWCA you ask? I too stayed in a shelter when I was 15 with my mother. I’m not here to tell you my story, but I’m here to say that I can understand your story. Staying in a shelter has showed me how easy it is to go from having everything to having nothing and working your way back up. I have built character from it and have discovered my passion to help other women with their hurts and struggles.

But here’s the thing..I want to do something for our community. I want to allow women to be confident. I want to let them know that it’s okay to be yourself, and to be unique. I want to teach them how to be aware of the oppression that women face everyday and learn to overcome it, and lastly I want them to take their life into their hands and achieve whatever they desire!

I don’t think that’s so much to ask is it?

I believe in the strength and power of women and the potential of every human life. My passion is to promote self esteem and empower young women everywhere.

Linda Borland-Fitzgerald

Linda Borland-Fitzgerald has been a storyteller from age 8 after winning a prize for her ‘Letter To Santa Claus.’  It has taken decades for her to finally find her voice. She has written for Canadian decor & life-style magazines preferring to write stories about real-life strong women who have survived life.  The strength of her own mother is the inspiration for ‘Blanche,’ the working title of the book that has been coming together over the last few years.  Meanwhile, she writes essays and opinion pieces on her blog, My Tapping Fingers (Blogspot).  She is married to Terry and is mother to one daughter who ‘lives her life out loud,’ in NYC and two furry kids, Sophie and Harry.

Rachel Forgeron

Rachael’s personal writing career has been on hold since the age of four when her series of dictated stories went – soft. She is a graduate of Western University’s English Literature and Business Management programs, and hopes to pursue her education further. Her plans include continuing her squash and jewellery making passions, working administratively for a Non-Profit organization and bringing Girl Power back.

Donna Shelton

As some might crave the spotlight…..I don’t, so when asked to prepare a personal biography I am for a brief time at a loss for wording.  What would readers want to know about me or better yet, what do I want you to know about me?

I am my own woman, an equal partner with a super guy going on 14 years and we still laugh…a lot, argue less often and enjoy cooking, cheering for the LEAFS  and watching UFC together, a mother of two truly beautiful daughters – each continuing to amaze and frustrate me as they blaze their own trails in the big world.  I am a daughter, although my Dad has passed, from whom I got my off-beat sense of humour, I am close with my Mom, for whom I blame or credit – depending on circumstance, I got everything else.  I am a daughter-in-law to one of the most generous, caring ladies I know – yes, lucky me, and I am a sister, or better definition…middle child…enough said.

I have been with the YWCA for 15 years, growing along with the organization into the position of Executive Assistant, where I work behind the scenes to ensure the ongoing operation of the YW – I am the paperwork behind our programs and services.  I document everything….and I am the first to offer……”Let me get you an Advocate” for anyone in need of anything other than administration support.  In fact, I sometimes wish I could use that Advocate line at home!!

What’s left to say…….there are but only a few people’s opinions of me that I care about……I love gardening, even the getting dirty part…..heck, especially the getting dirty part, I love sunshine, Autumn is my favourite season, I celebrate my birthday the entire month…….October…….in case you really wanted to know…..I highly recommend celebrating your 43^rd birthday twice…….I can’t count, so the not good with numbers tidbit goes without saying, I love the quiet of the morning as I sip my coffee, watching the birds in my garden, rooting for the underdog…explains the LEAFS fan that I am….a good book that makes me cry and a movie that makes me think.

Lastly, I chose the few close friends I have carefully…..my first impressions are always right……. I have been blessed with great intuition ….. if only I would learn to listen to it more often than not……I try to look for the best in everyone….and only rarely have I been disappointed. I look forward to working with our YW Blogging Group, and am amazed at how diverse we are, but all so dedicated to the mission and vision of the YW.  I hope I add value to our readers and all enjoy by musings as much as I am writing them.

Carli Taylor

I’m a girl who finally started to believe and good things started falling into place. I’m a proud Mom of my ten year old son, I’m a deliriously happy fiancé, and I’m a loving slave of a very confusing cat. I also adore my job at the YW. Want some random facts? Here goes:

• I would rather cut off one of my legs than have it waxed or sugared again.
• When I was little, I cut my own bangs. Off. By the time my mom had finished ‘evening’ them out I literally had tiny sprigs sticking straight up from my forehead. To boot I was missing my two front teeth. How she took me out in public I’ll never know.
• I sometimes worry that half of the Virgo traits could have been written specifically about me.
• If I were to die in my sleep, I can honestly say I’d died doing what I love best.
• I am a neat freak in all of the most anal ways. Most friends get a kick out of moving my things around and timing it to see how quickly I notice.
• I have an insane fear of being pushed from a height. I wouldn’t trust my own mother behind me if I was standing before an open space with a long drop!
• I looked like Dolly Parton for a good year after my son was born. That was NOT a good thing, and my chest has never fully recovered.
• I really like my own printing and could care less that some people say that neat printers lack imagination.
• I couldn’t even begin to describe the way I talk to my cat….but I do know I fully expect her to answer sometimes!
• I met Jeff from Today’s Special. It’s 25 years later, and yes I am still excited about that.

I chose to join this blog partly because of my passion for the work we do, partly because I have my own share of experiences with some of the issues we will be discussing, and partly because I forgot how much I enjoy writing….so hopefully, you will enjoy reading!

Here is Elisabeth’s first video blog post.