#SisterPoweron10! Protect Our Girls

By: Carla Morrison
@SisterPoweron10!

Last week, I woke up to a number of facebook posts in reaction to the docu-series “Surviving R. Kelly,” and I was puzzled. I hadn’t seen the film, but I knew most of the responses on my timeline, were coming from people who had been aware of the R&B crooner R. Kelly’s “alleged” sexual misconduct with minors for years, but didn’t appear in an uproar, so why give your thoughts now.

It appears, the stories shared in the documentary “Surviving R. Kelly”, were presented in a way that viewers could no longer ignore R. Kelly’s “alleged” sexual assault, abuse and misconduct with under aged black girls; leaving many feeling a deep sense of guilt for dismissing the harm R. Kelly has caused many young black women and girls across the country, for over 15 years.

A number of individuals have shared their feelings against and for the Pied Piper online, while others have revealed their own heart wrenching experiences with perpetrators and abusers, like Robert Kelly.  After reading a series of personal testimonies and reactions against the girls who were featured in “Surviving R. Kelly”, I thought to myself, what could I do? And then my advisor called.

Although I like to talk, I’ve always been a woman of action. When my advisor challenged me about how I would use my platform to help black women and girls in the arena of sexual abuse, I had to sit and really let the spirit speak to me. You see, my passion to advocate, empower and mentor women and girls runs deep. So deep, 10 years ago, I created an organization, Sisters of Today and Tomorrow, that helps to develop and nurture a healthy self-esteem and leadership ability in women and girls.

My drive to transform the lives of women and girls is so strong, I often jump out the plane without a parachute. However, before I act, as I’ve done for the past 10-years, I'm looking at the whole picture and asking all of YOU, sisters and stand up brothers for your help.

What are you going to actually do, to help change the lives of these abused women and the thousands more to come? Who is not just talking the talk, but walking in it. Putting your time, talent and treasure into working with women and/or girls to build them up, so when perpetrators like the man next door, or an R. Kelly, and the like, propositions or manipulates them, the girls or young ladies will know what to do, where to go and how to handle themselves and the situation?

The advocacy and protection for women and girls is not a fad. The abuse and harassment that women have endured has been going on for years, better yet centuries and it is time to put an end to it. Marches, talks, social media posts and press conferences are nice to draw attention to the matter, but the real work takes place in Sisters Circle….I know this because God created it and when done right, the outcome is transformative and healing.

Sisters Circle is a safe space for women and girls to connect, share, support, empower and mentor one another. Sisters Circle is so personal and reflective, always leaving the group with so much raw emotion. The sentiment shown in the women and girls who participate, is the foundation of what my organization Sisters of Today and Tomorrow (SOT) was built on – “the village” that engages, empowers, and mentors.

All week, the thought of planning a series of Sisters Circle has been on my mind and in my spirit. With your support, this critical program can become the movement to really make a difference, transforming women and girls to heal, as well as fight against predators like R. Kelly, the sicken family member and/or the unassuming man down the street, for decades to come.

To get involved or contribute your time, talent and treasure, visit our website www.SOT2Girls.org . Sisters Circle is one of seven programs under Sisters of Today and Tomorrow, where we help to develop an open and healthy inter-generational dialogue. 

THE TRANSFORMATION OF SISTERS OF TODAY & TOMORROW

By: Carla Morrison
@SistersofToday

Have you heard about Sisters of Today and Tomorrow's powerful Sisters Circle? There's only one way to describe it... #Transformative!

What is the Sisters Circle? A safe space for women and girls to connect, share, support, empower and mentor one another.

Professional women and girls from all walks of life sit in a circle and experience dialogue, moderated by a Psycho-Therapist, who raises a series of questions. Through an enlightening verbal exchange, the spirit of a higher power moves the circle, where both the women and girls make an emotional connection - and begin to see their reflection in one another.

Sisters Circle is so personal and reflective, always leaving the group with so much raw emotion. The sentiment shown in the women and girls who participate, is the foundation of what Sisters of Today and Tomorrow was built on - "the village" that engages, empowers, and mentors.

Sisters Circle normally takes place during SOT's National Leadership Conference for Girls, annually in July; culminating a full day of  workshops focused on self esteem, personal development, leadership, financial literacy, writing, health & wellness and more...

After 9 years of producing successful conferences, limited resources have caused SOT to postpone the conference in 2017.  With your support, this critical program can continue to positively impact women and girls for decades to come. As a member of the beloved community, SOT asks you to consider a donation in any amount to help provide funds to sustain our programs and conference.

Donate online, and visit our website www.SOT2Girls.org to learn more about our history and program outcomes.

About the organization
Formally established in 2008, Sisters of Today and Tomorrow's mission is to transform the lives of girls and the women who raise them, through innovative programs that focus on self esteem building, education, health & wellness and careers/entrepreneurship.

Through the mission of SOT, and the support of many community members and business leaders, the organization has transformed the lives of young women and girls across the country. 

Sisters of Today and Tomorrow's (SOT's) 10-year report card

·  Served over 5,000 youth and adults (through all programs).

·  95% of SOT members are in school (secondary & post-secondary)

·  85% of SOT alumni are now earning college degrees at the following colleges and universities:

• Alabama A&M University
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• Georgia State University
• Howard University
• Louisiana State University
• Quinnipiac University
• Savannah State University
• Spelman College
• Tuskegee University
• University of Connecticut
• University of West Georgia
• Wesleyan University

#SOTWorks!

www.sistersoftodayandtomorrow.org

SISTERS RISE: WHY WE MATTER

SISTERS RISE: WHY WE MATTER

By: Carla Morrison

@carlamorrison

Carla and Bria

New Haven native and resident Bria Holmes, was drafted into the WNBA, as a first round draft pick, 11th overall!  What an exciting time for her, her family & friends, as well as her hometown. 

One would think, this major life event was newsworthy enough to make front page of New Haven's mainstream hometown newspaper (or at least a major feature in the Sports section), as well as, New Haven's very popular online publication. That wasn’t the case. There was a small article in the Sports section of New Haven's hometown newspaper on Bria Holmes and no mention at all in the online publication.

As an advocate for girls (with a strong affinity for Black Girls), a proud New Haven, Connecticut native & James Hillhouse High School alumni (c/o 88) and a seasoned public relations professional, the fact that Bria Holmes was not celebrated properly in New Haven’s top two news publications concerned me. The first day, I expressed my disdain to the store cashier, where I was going to purchase a paper. The second day, I shared my concern with a friend and mentioned my healthy relationship with the mainstream hometown newspaper Editor; That friend suggested I contact her. That same evening I went to celebrate with Bria Holmes, her family and friends, with the intent to capture her special moment for the world to know who she is and what she has accomplished and to inform her and her family that I am an Elm City native, living in Atlanta, for the past 21 years, that they can count on, since Bria has been signed to the Atlanta Dream.  

 

The third day, I took action… I first wrote a letter to the editor of my hometown paper, as I did the popular online publication publisher (who is a Hillhouse alumni). I didn’t include our weekly black publication, the "Inner City Newspaper", in any correspondences, because I know, without a shadow of a doubt, within a week of this announcement, Bria Holmes will grace the cover page of the Inner City Newspaper; Because both the publisher and editor understands the significance of highlighting the accomplishment of a black girl from the inner city of New Haven being drafted into the WNBA. (Side note: The reason it is so important for black people to support black newspapers, is to make sure we will always have a vehicle to share the story and history of black people.) The mainstream newspaper editor, who is an avid supporter of Sisters of Today and Tomorrow (SOT), immediately responded. Not quite the response I was looking for, but she acknowledged my concern.

I then began writing this piece, “Sisters Rise: Why We Matter” (inspired by the Final Call Newspaper, #BlackGirlMagic article and this year’s theme for SOT's Leadership Conference for Girls, July 14-16, 2016). This article is not only to highlight the accomplishments of the outstanding, humble Basketball star Bria Holmes, a New Haven native / James Hillhouse High School alumni, who is the 2016 first round draft pick in the WNBA, 11^th overall, signed to the Atlanta Dream; but to encourage and ignite the community to take action and pride in yourself as well as each other.

Bria with former Hillhouse teammates and Coach Catrina
Hawley- Stewart.

Former Hillhouse Principal Kermit Carolina, Coach Stewart,
 Bria, her mother Carol and mentor Ty Sullivan.

Saturday night, Bria Holmes, relished in the love and support she received from the same village that has been there since day one: Her mother, aunts, mentor, fiance, AAU and high school basketball coaches, principals, teachers as well as the high school security guards, including a few good New Haven Community members, who have been a staple of New Haven pride, cheering on any young person, doing good.

WE HAVE ALWAYS MATTERED!

Long before Hillary Clinton decided to run for President, there was Shirley Chisholm, in 1972, from Brooklyn, New York, who ran for President. The USA wasn’t ready for Chisholm, however, as the first black Congresswoman (1968), she blazed a path for women politicians. Black women – Sisters have always been pioneers… from Harriet Tubman, leading hundreds of enslaved people out of slavery through the Underground Railroad, to Fannie Lou Hamer, advocating for the rights of black people to vote; Which is the vote Hillary Clinton needs to possibly win the primary for Democratic Presidential candidacy.

There is a long list of black women pioneers who have accomplished great things, for which the many women, and girls (black, white, and other) I encounter, as well as myself, shoulders we stand on.

 SISTERS RISE: WHY WE MATTER

From First Lady Michelle Obama, to singing Icon Beyonce, to 1st woman Mayor of the City of New Haven, Toni Harp and Tyisha Walker, first woman president, in the 1800 year history of the City of New Haven Board of Alders, to New Haven Police Department 1st black woman Captain Patricia Helliger and New Haven’s own WNBA first round draft pick Bria Holmes, sisters have made and will continue to make significant contributions to society.

#WEMATTER…

Captain Patricia Helliger and
Alderwoman Tyisha Walker
share their story #SOTWomenPioneers

Carla Morrison is the Founder & Executive Director of Sisters of Today and Tomorrow, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing girls and the women who raise them, with regards to self-esteem building, education, health & fitness and careers/entrepreneurship. She is also a 20+ year Communications veteran, specializing in print media and online content. www.SOT2Girls.org 

#SistersRise

How Loud Are Your Actions?

By: Carla Morrison, Founder

Sisters of Today and Tomorrow

“Your actions speak louder than words.” Those were the words of wisdom imparted to me by Ms. Ruth Wilson, my first grade teacher. Forty years later, that statement resonates louder than ever. 

My actions say, I am about the business of empowering girls to become goal-oriented young leaders. My words say, “we need funding and support’” to keep doing the work.  My belief has always been, if I keep doing the work, the support and funding will come. And just as the wind blows, the support and donations come and go. 

For 12 years, I have been exposing and empowering youth across the country to various career and educational opportunities.  People often tell me what a good thing I am doing in the community and how I’m helping so many young people. Often times, it’s hard for me to see it, because I’m so deep in the trenches and the results of my actions aren’t immediate; yet I persevere. 

What drives me is a natural desire to help those who have the will to do and be great.

My passion to help and mentor others is deeply rooted in my DNA; however, the fuel that keeps me going is God and the giving people he sends my way. Will your actions help support our girls? Make a contribution today at www.SOT2Girls.org (Click the donate button) or mail your contribution, Sisters of Today and Tomorrow, PO Box 54066, Atlanta, Georgia. 30308.

Thank you!