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“I
did not create a film festival in order to change society,
but just raise consciousness.” - Nancy Buirski
Raising
Awareness
We often
move through our daily routines without recognizing how
everyday events and interactions with others shape our vision,
our morals and our values. When
I read the quote above by Nancy Buirski, founder of the
Full Frame Documentary Festival, I immediately identified
with it, albeit on a different level. It
was one of those "aha" moments.
While
her path has taken her down a different road from mine,
the parallel between what
Buirski sought to do with the creation of the Festival is
in a large part very similiar to my desire to create an
online publication with columns and articles written by
and for the women of North Carolina. Being
able to network with so many wonderful people and organizations
across our state has been such a tremendous experience for
me especially when I think about those organizations and
writers I have been able to share with our readers.
So in a sense, the Journal serves and offers
a much greater social purpose than just all this text on
a white background. If I've been able to
share with you through another Journal contributor a special
story, organization or person, then I've accomplished what
I set out to do and that's raise awareness. And
in doing so, this endeavor has been the most empowering
experience I've had. The transformation has given me a greater
sense of purpose, and I'm certain that this is due to the
wonderful network of women across the state who have helped
give me encouragement to move forward each month.
If you
don't have a good network of supporters and friends, I strongly
encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and join
an organization that will meet your needs. The
Business and Professional Women of North Carolina is an
excellent one if you need to network with other professional
women. Or perhaps your need is really to
network with other women in your particular industry. One
of the best groups to join and probably one of the ones
most overlooked is the local Y. The Y has some great programs
geared not only at creating healthy lifestyles and relationships,
but also geared towards community outreach programs and
social activism.
Our feature
story this month focuses on some of these programs going
on under the watchful eye of the Greensboro YWCA Executive
Director, Carolyn Flowers. In an interview by Theresa
Bennett-Wilkes, Ms. Flowers, board members and YWCA members
share great things about their experience in being a part
of this 150+ year old organization. Whatever path
you choose, make the most of your involvement with the group.
It's not enough to just show up. You've got to get involved
to make the most of your time and money commitment.
So,
research those organizations in your area, join, connect
and then watch yourself grow!
Wishing you all the best,
Paula
Monahan
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A
resident
of
Raleigh,
North
Carolina,
Paula
Monahan
is
a
past
President
of
the
American
Marketing
Association,
Triangle
Chapter.
With
over
fifteen
years
of
experience
in
sales
and
marketing,
Paula
is
putting
all
of
her
learned
skills
and
talents
to
good
use
in
this
online
publication
for
women.
As
a
way
of
reaching
out
and
connecting
with
women
from
a
variety
of
backgrounds,
her
goal
is
to
create
a
networked
community
of
online
women
readers
who
value
inspiring,
insightful
and
empowering
content.
