cge news

The Power of Movements

  In November Amy Levine, Executive Director and Mijiza Sanchez, Assistant Director of the UCSF Center for Gender Equity attended the 2008 Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) International Forum. Approximately 2200 people (primarily women) from all over the world attended the forum, an indication of just how much women’s rights advocates around the globe value this kind of platform. Held in Cape Town, South Africa, participants represented 140 countries, with 43% coming from Africa.

The theme of this year’s Forum was “The Power of Movements.’” Plenary sessions included The Future of Movements, The Contexts of Our Organising, Making our Movements Stronger: A Look Inside and Women Organising and Transforming the World. There were hundreds of break-out sessions including panels and interactive skill building workshops. It was extremely valuable to hear a global perspective on social justice and women’s rights.

I have included images from the forum here:

  
 

   

 

  

 

Written by Amy Levine

The Power of Purpose

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a WCAN (Women of Color Action Network) general meeting hosted by Google.  It was an after work event and the thought of driving to Mountain View after a long day of work was looking less appealing as the clock approached five.  I decided to go.  I am so glad that I did.  You see, I like to take advantage of every opportunity I get to network with other professional women of color, and as I'm striving to grow my own Women of Color Professional network here at UCSF, I figured it would be in my best interest to attend this event, not only for my own personal benefit, but perhaps I can bring back something to share with our staff, students and faculty. 

I would like to share with you a few of the highlights:

1.  Besides being able to network and meet other professionals, the distinct panel gave me quite a mouth-full of food for thought.  The panelists were Tara Canobbio, Associate, Google.org, Marvell Allen, co-chair of WCAN, Ted March, President of Two Win Communications and our very own, Vanessa George, Co-chair of WCAN & Director of Development at UCSF.  Each panelist gave a beautiful account of how they have come to realize their own purpose in life both personally and professionally.  Tara did a beautiful job of moderating this distinguished panel, and a few things stuck with me.

2. As one of the panelist eloquently stated "I am bigger than my profession or career."  This statement was quite profound to me because I realize that many women I know (myself included...) have the tendency to define ourselves by our careers.  I learned very early on in my career, that my career is not who I am, it's what I do.

3. Another resounding thought that has been etched into my brain is:  "A job belongs to your employer while a career belongs to you."  It made me think quite a bit about my lifes' work and how I've come to realize at a very early age that my purpose in life is to help others.  As we are all works in progress, I would like to encourage you to find ways to infuse your passion in everything that you do, and furthermore honor your purpose.

Lastly, I will leave you with a quote from Oprah Winfrey: "When you do what you love, every paycheck is a bonus."

Please share your thoughts on purpose. 
When did you realize what your life purpose is?
If you haven't already discovered your purpose, are there things you are doing to discover your purpose?
Would you be willing to share some of those things?

Written by Mijiza M. Sanchez, Assistant Director Center for Gender Equity