"Women Who Dare To Make A Difference" Event
Source: #BondGirl007eNewsRoom
“We need to ask who´s not at the table and give them a voice.“ ““ Rae Luskin, Author, Artist & Creative Activist, Speaker & Coach
Several weeks ago, Rae Olin Luskin, a multi award-winning 40 year (+) community activist hosted her debut "The Creative Activist" book signing event, “Women Who Dare To Make A Difference“ on the occasion of celebrating International Women´s Day (#IWD2016), March 8th, 2016 with the rest of the world; and at one of the most creative & stimulating environments in downtown Chicago, IL ““ Catalyst Ranch.
Luskin raised awareness for the event gathering months ahead of it with consistent calls-to-action that integrated visually engaging public relations campaigns & social media managed awareness that resounded her event´s thematic purpose: “Women Who Dare to Make a Difference“ celebrates women and a few great men who are creative activists, leaders in shaping of our world´s future. This offers a unique opportunity to network with talented women and men who share their time, talents and treasures to advocate for a more just and peaceful world.
Rae Luskin is the founder of Art and Soul Connections and The Winning Adventure. For over fifteen years she has been a leader in using creative expression to nurture self-esteem, resilience, healing and social change through the arts. She is the author of two books; “Art From My Heart and “The Creative Activist: Make the World Better, One Person, One Action at a Time.“
Luskin believes in connecting, collaborating and communicating to create conversations that matter about issues that need social change and action, telling her guests with opened hands “It is really important that you are a part of the conversation.“ Luskin shared with her event attendees, what she felt was part of the unmet need that continues to leaves social change issues for women particular in-waiting for overdue solutions stating “We need to have new images“¦creative-innovative ideas & solutions that people can tap into“¦´cause that´s what is gonna open up hearts and minds.“ Hearts and minds were opened during Luskin´s #IWD2016 event as both men and women took turns exchanging stories of inspiration, their passions and focal purpose in carrying out their contributions to society to impact social change. Luskin reminded her audience that “It´s a transformational day for everyone in this room to have an opportunity to become Creative Activists today.“
Attendees were seemingly awed, inspired and transformed in their experience by Luskin´s creative women´s honor card-making activities and especially by the stories of commitment to passion and purpose for social change shared by leaders who were featured in Luskin´s book “The Creative Activist.“ Jane Ramsey, Founder and President of Just Ventures, a social justice firm talked about her seasons of social justice work that continues “engaging Chicago on issues of poverty and justice.“
Eva Niewiadomski, Founder of Catalyst Ranch, a creative meeting & event space in the West Loop, Chicago host venue for the evening´s event said “it´s about getting people around you to buy into what you are trying to do ““ and that´s really what helps you to succeed“¦thinking what could I do that was different than anyone else. I feel environments are important ““ you don´t know what you can do if you don´t know what those possibilities are outside the little world that you´re in.
Mark Papadas, Founder of the IAM4KIDS Foundation created an understanding of his creative activist work by prompting attendees to ““¦Think Elmo“¦Big Bird (Sesame Street television programming) and what they´ve done for reading and math (for education) over the last thirty years or so“¦so we´re gonna kinda do the other side of that coin ““ we´re gonna do for empowerment and development what they did - for IAM4KIDS characters.“
Jonny Imerman, Founder of a cancer support network known as “Imerman Angels“ gripped Luskin´s audience with the tremendous story of his personal tribulation experience dealing with the pain of learning (as a young adult male) his diagnosis, and subsequent treatments for an advanced-stage form of cancer. Today Imerman´s Angel support network mission statement: “is to provide personalized connections that enable one-on-one support among cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers.“ Imerman´s support network is a free service that is bringing inspiration to many lives through a mentoring process that connects people that are fighting through cancer and/or their caregivers to others who have shared a similar kind of cancer illness, as a survivor or caregiver.
Attorney & Founder of The Skinless Project, Maaria Mozaffar, held the attention of attendees deeply with her empowering stories of challenge and triumph as an impactful creative activist in a raised voice stating that “You can have an extraordinary life (and you have to mind my language)! Cut the bull****, recognize the bull**** and you´re able to have a huge global impact, despite what people tell you (that) you´re supposed to be doing and cannot do. You have to get up, fine-tune and“¦go forward!“
In a post-event attendee testimonial, Sarah Karnes, a long-time fan and collaborator of Luskin´s said “I loved the caliber of people who really care about making a difference and coming together - loved everyone inspiring each other in small ways and really big ways, and was touched deeply by everyone´s stories. I got a lot of ideas for the things that I´ve been wanting to move forward with.“
Luskin sealed her #IWD2016 and book event evening with these words: “I have a dream to connect one million creative activists around the world. I think they are the voice that can open hearts and minds ““ bridge the gaps and take us to the next level!“
Shortly after her #IWD2016 event, Luskin´s book “The Creative Activist“ won a gold Benjamin Franklin Award from the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA). The Benjamin Franklin Book Awards are administered by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) with help from over 150 publishing professionals, including librarians, bookstore owners, reviewers, designers and editors. In a press release issued to weeks ago at a Salt Lake City, Utah gala, Angela Bole, IBPA´s Chief Executive Officer said “Winning a Benjamin Franklin Book Award expands your marketability and solidifies your credibility“¦considering how crowded the book market is today, these are two very powerful things.“
Luskin´s invitation extends both within and beyond the International Women's Day to celebrate social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women with awareness all year round. In her global community, each day brings another opportunity for Rae to trumpet her clarion call to the world“¦for accelerated “creative activist“ action. Luskin declares, ““¦I want people to know their voice, their vision matters. We all have a story to tell.“
Visit Rae Luskin´s website at http://www.thewinningadventure.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/winningadventure, videos on on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/raeluskin, and on Twitter: (@RaeLuskin).
