May 2017

On May 23rd, A multigenerational audience of women (young and mature) filled the private room at Ambler’s Gypsy Blu restaurant to engage in a #letstalkphilly dialogue about what it would take to awaken young women to their unique purpose, power and potential. The mature women, ranging in age from 32 – 40, in the room had an opportunity to listen to the younger women, ranging in age from 10-22, to understand what they believed they need. Likewise, the younger women heard from the mature women. Overwhelmingly similar messages were felt throughout the evening (Click here for images). The question was “What will it take to awaken young women to their purpose, passions, power and potential?” And the consensus is this: A strong understanding of who we are A chance to learn who we really are while being who we are expected to be A few close friends or support system to check in and encourage us A place to talk and freely share when we need to An opportunity to be heard An outlet to release An invitation to deal with life’s struggles and to self-assess A safe place to try new things, gain new experiences and learn their interests (exposure) A program that is dedicated to teaching young ladies to build one another up A reminder of their potential in a world that sends mixed signals about value, significance and self worth A victorious mindset that removes limiting beliefs, self doubt and defeat before even trying A sense of balance (not being too ambitious and focused, but not being too chill, either) A movement that promotes positive messaging about us and our potential Wow! These young ladies provided examples, specific to their experiences of ways people, environments and messages have caused them to shrink, stop believing and cease striving. While some have chosen to fight through it, others have honestly shared they have not. So, the work, through conversation, has just begun. Stay tuned to see what happens next.

Tuesday, May 23rd, I Choose To Win will host a multi-generational conversation with middle school students, high school students, young adults and adults to understand what it may take to reach the young women with messages of empowerment and cause them to embark upon an empowered journey of their own. We will hear from young women at different stages of life for a rich and robust dialogue. This conversation is part of many conversations being held around the Philadelphia, PA area in partnership with #OntheTablePHL. There are over 150 organizations having civic dialogues and candid community conversations around varying topics to engage new voices and fresh insight with the hopes of forming innovative solutions for some of today’s problems or challenges. By no means is there an expectation that anything will be solved after these conversations, it’s just an opportunity to invite diversity of perspectives and thought leadership to help get our wheels churning with ideas that we may be able to execute. Our conversation will be held on Tuesday, May 23rd 6:00 – 7:30 pm in Ambler, PA at a restaurant to be disclosed only to the recipients who signed up.  

May 4, 2017 – I Choose To Win supported a local Montgomery County school district event that featured students who have embarked upon journeys in pursuit of their passions. At the event, guests and volunteers deposited words of encouragement to students aligned with their areas of focus and deposited quarters into piggy banks provided by the event host and sponsor, Beneficial Bank. I Choose To Win provided the quarters, a value of $120, which directly benefitted middle and high school student endeavors. Student ambitions, gifts and talents were diverse ranging from sports, baking, tee shirt designs, slime production and distribution, performing to video editing. All students were exceptionally prepared, focused and on their way to greatness. Students left the event with encouragement, boosted confidence and committed supporters who connected the students to opportunities aligned with their respective interests. It was a great evening. To God be the glory in the lives of these young ones, and the mature ones who supported on their behalves.