“Inspiring…Soul-stirring…Uplifting…”
were the comments overheard as attendees of the 6th Annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon exited the Lake Merritt Sailboat House on November 17.
The sunny afternoon was emceed for the second consecutive year by Children’s Fairyland Executive Director, CJ
Hirschfield. The opening featured a moving, musical invocation by local singer-songwriter, medicine woman and sound healer, gina Breedlove. She offered her original song “The Healers” and reminded us of the power of our own voice, as both a metaphor to join community dialogue and be heard, as well as the benefits of conscious speech and singing to enrich our daily lives. Attendees were invited to hum along at one point, galvanizing the energy in the room and creating a warm community spirit.
With 2017 marking Family Paths’ 45th Anniversary, Executive Director Barbra Silver shared agency history and
provided a modern context for the impact of current events compounding the challenges that our clients face daily, yet they remain courageous and resilient. Barbra also shared that we have recently reconnected with Carol
Johnston Davis, the founder of Parental Stress Service, the agency which became Family Paths, who was able to be in attendance. Barbra presented Carol with the WLL Honorary Chairwoman Award. Carol spoke about her experience as a graduate student and single mom in 1972 and the process that lead her to found a 24-hour parent support hotline. Carol went on to share an incredibly moving account of her industriousness that followed: securing 501(c)(3) status for Parental Stress Service from the state in just 4 weeks; writing and receiving approval for a grant that was ultimately never funded because PSS couldn’t “prove the number of children who were spared from child abuse as
a result” of their services; eventually finding an opportunity to work with the state Department of Mental Health, which endorsed their fledgling hotline and grassroots approach. Carol acknowledged her delight and “overwhelm” at seeing all that has come since.
The afternoon was further enhanced in breadth and depth with a bold and timely Keynote Address entitled “Love and Let Live” by Denise Bradley- Tyson. At the outset of her remarks, Denise noted how she had been planning to speak to this theme for some time until the interim when the news of the Hollywood abuse scandal broke and the powerful #MeToo movement followed. Denise spoke with vulnerability, strength and grace about her time as a younger woman living abroad and her personal experience as a survivor of domestic violence. She recounted difficult anecdotes with inspiring outcomes, including the network of confidants and close friends who supported her at the time and have remained close since, many of whom attended the day’s events. Denise reminded us of the enduring
power of words to inspire and redeem, from Nina Simone to the biblical verse, “Love is patient, love is kind…” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8). She spoke of meeting her second husband, their love story and gratitude for how transformation happens and love is possible.
Family Paths extends our heartfelt thanks to Alanna Rayford, Carol Johnston Davis, CJ Hirschfield, Denise Bradley-Tyson, gina Breedlove, and all of our generous attendees, sponsors and in-kind donors including: Blue Heron Catering, Boot and Shoe Service, Brother & Sisters Flower Shop, Brown Sugar Kitchen, Curry Up Now, Era Art Bar and Lounge, Fairyland, GlamSity Beauty Bar, Hopscotch, Jennifer Johns, Kev Choice, Lyft, Manifesta Salon, Minuteman Press, Nice Design, Ocho Organic Candy, Penrose, Reenie Raschke’s Goddess Project, Slainte Pub and Grub, Torpedo Sushi, Urban Stitch Boutique, Yoshi’s, and Zoo Labs.
We can’t wait to lunch with you again at WLL 2018! We have already begun securing sponsors for our prestigious 2018 event. If you would like to partner with us or have suggestions for keynote speaker or venue, please contact Development Manager, Kimberly Cohn: 510 893-9230 X 262.
