Earl Skip Cooper Foundation
“Serving Humanity"
WOMEN
We Are...
Mother
Aunt
Soldier
Cook
Wife
Mayor
Girlfriend
Businesswomen
Sister
Bread winner
House Keeper
Lover
Caregiver
Best Friend
Teacher
Secretary
Psychiatrist
Chauffeur
Doctor
Partner
Entrepreneur
Referree
Advisor
Friend
Manager
Daughter-in-Law
Grand Mother
Mother-in-Law
Helpmate
Activist
Social Worker
Leader
Politician
Homeowner
Daughter
Musician
Judge
Innovator
Great Grand Mother
Sister-in-Law
- Vice President of the United States of America -
Cheer Leader
And so much more
Niece
Confidant
Being a woman means being able to be powerful and assertive, yet kind at the same time.
It means being compassionate and vulnerable towards those we love in our lives without feeling weak for doing so.
It means striving for our goals even in the face of the adversity we may encounter along the way.
At ESCF we strive to empower women in our community and beyond. Our objective is to offer resources
and support for women of all backgrounds. The purpose is to help women recognize and embrace
their roles as powerful, unique individuals, and as vital contributors to the greater whole.
The mission is to offer a variety of examples and narratives of women with those attributes,
along with a wealth of resources for personal and professional growth.
The Black Woman’s Guide To Finding
“Me” Time
BlackDoctors.Org
May 25, 2016 by Felicia Vance
Do you ever find yourself longing for some time to yourself? Dying to catch a break from the tremendous amount of stress and pressure put on you as a parent, a daughter, a wife, and a professional? All of these roles combined leave many of us not taking adequate care of themselves — which is what sustains and gives us the energy to take care of all the other responsibilities that come into play.
Women today have been told we have it all — careers, families, kids, community involvement, and relationships. But..
Black Women's Network (BWN) was formed in March 1979 as the result of the energy of the Black women who attended a regional career conference in Downtown, Los Angeles, California.
Our Mission: We support the growth and development of Black Women in general and especially in their businesses & careers. We believe we're all in the business of living our best lives, as well as the professionals and entrepreneurs among us.
Visit us @ https://blackwomensnetwork.net
SPOTLIGHT
.png)
Dr. Maya Angelou
April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014
Dr. Maya Angelou, the iconic American author, poet, and civil rights activist! In this video, we celebrate her life and legacy, and reflect on the impact she has had on generations of readers and writers around the world. Born Marguerite Anita Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 4, 1928, Dr. Maya Angelou overcame tremendous challenges in her early life, including racism, trauma, and poverty. Through her poetry, memoirs, and essays, she explored themes of identity, self-expression, and social justice, and inspired countless people with her wisdom and grace.
An American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees. Angelou is best known for her series of seven autobiographies, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), tells of her life up to the age of 17 and brought her international recognition and acclaim. (Wikipedia)
With the publication of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou publicly discussed aspects of her personal life. She was respected as a spokesperson for Black people and women, and her works have been considered a defense of Black culture. Her works are widely used in schools and universities worldwide, although attempts have been made to ban her books from some U.S. libraries. Angelou's most celebrated works have been labeled as autobiographical fiction, but many critics consider them to be autobiographies. She made a deliberate attempt to challenge the common structure of the autobiography by critiquing, changing and expanding the genre. Her books center on themes including racism, identity, family and travel. (Wikipedia)
This year in celebration of her 95th Birthday,
Dr. Maya Angelou becomes the 1st Black woman featured on US quarters
The United States Mint recently began shipping quarters featuring the
image of Dr. Angelou, the first coins in its American Women Quarters Program.
Visit the:
Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation
"Be a Rainbow in Someone Else's Cloud"
We can all "be a rainbow in someone else's cloud,"
Be a blessing to others, no matter who they are!
Dr. Maya Angelou
Oprah's Master Class | OWN | 2014
VIDEO
SPOTLIGHT
Barbara Lee
Barbara Jean Lee, is an American politician and social worker who has served as a U.S. representative from California since 1998. A member of the Democratic Party, Lee represents California's 12th congressional district (numbered as the 9th district from 1998 to 2013 and as the 13th district from 2013 to 2023), which is based in Oakland and covers most of the northern part of Alameda County. According to the Cook Partisan Voting Index, it is one of the nation's most Democratic districts, with a rating of D+40.
She started her career by working on the presidential campaign of Shirley Chisholm and was later involved with the Black Panther Party. After working as chief of staff for U.S. Representative Ron Dellums, Lee served in the California State Assembly from 1990 to 1996 and in the California State Senate from 1996 to 1998.
Lee was elected to the House of Representatives in a 1998 special election to succeed Dellums. A noted progressive, she chaired the Congressional Progressive Caucus from 2005 to 2009 and the Congressional Black Caucus from 2009 to 2011. In addition, she is the vice chair and a founding member of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, a co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, and a co-chair of the House Democratic Steering Committee. She has played a major role in the antiwar movement, notably in her vocal criticism of the Iraq War and for being the only member of Congress to vote against the authorization of the use of force following the September 11 attacks.
Congresswoman Lee has been leading the fight to protect women’s right to choose, lift people out of poverty, securing funds to fight against HIV/Aids throughout the nation and around the world.
The Honorable Barbara Lee is running for a seat in the U.S. Senate because representation matters. Currently, there is not a single Black woman serving in the U.S. Senate. Barbara has never stopped fighting for what is right and her candidacy is very important for African Americans throughout the nation.
Congresswoman Lee is not afraid to stand on the side of justice. She will definitely stand up every day for what is right on the floor of the U.S. Senate.
A Mother's Special Day
The bond of a mother and her child is so special that it is cherished forever, by children and their mothers. One day is not enough to celebrate motherhood and we should make every day as special as Mother’s Day to shower our love upon our mothers. We should acknowledge all the little things that our mothers do for us every day. No other gift can be more special to a mother than her children’s love and respect. So let us pledge to make every day special for our mothers and fill her days with warmth and joy.
Happy Mother's Day
to all the women who have sacrificed, loved, and nurtured
the human race
J'lyn All American Amputee Foundation
Gloria (Gigi) Thompson
An association developed to provide a level of support and understanding for those who have suffered the loss of one or more of their limbs. Whether it's through heart disease, diabetes, cancer, an accident, from poor blood circulation, birth defects, or surgery.
The focus of the foundation is to help provide some financial assistance. Along with support and encouragement as the amputee resumes an active and productive life.
SPOTLIGHT
Kamala Harris
Kamala Devi Harris is an American politician and attorney who is the 49th and current vice president of the United States. She is the first female vice president and the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, as well as the first African-American and first Asian-American vice president. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as the attorney general of California from 2011 to 2017 and as a United States senator representing California from 2017 to 2021
Ms. Harris, the daughter of an Indian mother and Jamaican father, has risen higher in the country’s leadership than any woman ever before her. From the earliest days of her childhood, she was taught that the road to racial justice was long. She spoke often on the campaign trail of those who had come before her, of her parents, immigrants drawn to the civil rights struggle in the United States — and of the ancestors who had paved the way. Ms. Harris spoke of being singular in her role but not solitary.
“Yes, sister, sometimes we may be the only one that looks like us walking in that room,” she told a largely Black audience in Fort Worth. “But the thing we all know is we never walk in those rooms alone — we are all in that room together.”
She writes in her memoir of when she recalled hearing Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to mount a national campaign for president, speak in 1971 at a Black cultural center in Berkeley that she frequented as a young girl. “Talk about strength!”
Harris graduated from Howard University and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, before being recruited to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office and later the City Attorney of San Francisco's office. In 2003, she was elected district attorney of San Francisco. She was elected Attorney General of California in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. Harris served as the junior United States senator from California from 2017 to 2021.
That she has risen higher in the country’s leadership than any woman ever has underscores the extraordinary arc of her political career. A former San Francisco district attorney, she was elected as the first Black woman to serve as California’s attorney general. When she was elected a United States senator in 2016, she became only the second Black woman in the chamber’s history.
Almost immediately, she made a name for herself in Washington with her withering prosecutorial style in Senate hearings, grilling her adversaries in high-stakes moments that at times went viral.
The pressure of being a “Superwoman” is a real and problematic issue affecting Black women today. The expectation for Black women to be responsible for their families, community, households, and jobs often leads to burnout and neglect of their mental and physical well-being. Last month during Women’s History Month, we all spent time celebrating our accolades and accomplishments. However, I think it’s just as important to do what we can collectively to challenge the status quo that places so much emphasis on status and outward success. Read More>>
It’s not what most people think.
WHAT'S REALLY HOLDING WOMEN BACK?
Summary. Ask people to explain why women remain so dramatically underrepresented in the senior ranks of most companies, and you will hear from the vast majority a lament that goes something like this: High-level jobs require extremely long hours, women’s devotion to family makes it impossible to put in those hours, and so their careers inevitably suffer.
Not so, say the authors, who spent 18 months working with a global consulting firm that wanted to know why it had so few women in positions of power. Read More>>
SPOTLIGHT
Michelle Obama
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama is an American attorney and author who served as the first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017 as the wife of President Barack Obama. She was the first African-American woman to serve in this position.
Michelle Obama became a lawyer after graduating from law school. While working at the law firm Sidley Austin, she met her future husband.[5] In 1991, she left the company to work in the mayor's office as an Assistant to the Mayor, then she pursued various jobs outside the city including executive director, associate dean and executive vice president. After her husband’s inauguration, she focused on lifestyle and fitness, and she launched the Let’s Move campaign to eliminate childhood obesity.
Quotes
On women’s empowerment
“No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half its citizens,"
On protecting our freedoms
“You cannot take your freedoms for granted. Just like generations who have come before you, you have to do your part to preserve and protect those freedoms... you need to be preparing yourself to add your voice to our national conversation,”
On listening to others
“When somebody walks up to me, don't look around, don't look beyond them. Look them in the eye, take in the story,”
As a truly modern-day, revolutionary woman, who has championed a multitude of important causes throughout her life, she has encouraged better education for girls, equal rights, healthy living and more help for families living in poverty.
Michelle Obama has encouraged us to use our voices to effect change, give back, and follow our passions.
In honor of her new book, “The Light We Carry”– a follow-up to her best-selling memoir, “Becoming”– we reflect on some of our forever First Lady’s most inspiring quotes and moments.
Read '15 Ways She Has Inspired Us' from ESSENCE - Online -
FOLLOW 7 BABY STEPS TO A
'TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER'
BlackDoctors.Org
February 9, 2023 by Lisa Hammond
Statistics show that American’s total credit card debt is estimated to be a whopping $905 billion dollars. The average household carries a balance of $15,654 in credit card debt.
With so much debt accumulating, it can seem impossible for one to be financially free in less than five years. Read how Dave Ramsey In a little over two and a half years he and his wife lost everything due to overwhelming debt. Now, Mr. Ramsey, he gives seven baby steps to achieve financial freedom with his Total Money Makeover.
BOSS BASICS
This is it! This is the moment you leave behind that 9-5 and step out on your own as an entrepreneur. 35% of Black-owned businesses are also women-owned, so get ready to join this pack of fierce women by owning your own company and your life.
We’ve got some tips and strategies to help you develop your mindset and prepare for your future success!
Believe. Entering entrepreneurship will lead you to wear multiple hats – the visionary, strategist, and decision-maker. As you step into the fulltime role of CEO of your life, ... Read More>>
SPOTLIGHT
Sarah Harris
Sarah R. Harris is the publisher-in-chief of Suite Life SoCal magazine and president & CEO of the Black Business Association (BBA), the oldest active ethnic business support organization in the State of California.
In 1999, through her experience working in the community and as a self-taught graphic designer, Ms. Harris was inspired to publish her first magazine called SAVE THE DATE as a quarterly eight-page newsletter filled with event listings and news bits of community happenings. In 2005, SAVE THE DATE evolved into a full-color, high-gloss magazine. After experiencing challenges due to the downturn in the economy and shift changes in the industry, SAVE THE DATE was shuttered in 2010. However, Sarah is not one to quit following her dreams. In 2019, she once again resumed publishing with the launch of her current lifestyle publication, Suite Life SoCal.
In addition to her publishing venture, as the president of SuiteEvents, a Southern California creative services and marketing company, Ms. Harris has had the privilege of working with over a hundred organizations, elected officials, government agencies and small businesses, of which, in part, include: the Office of Councilman Curren D. Price Jr., the City of Inglewood, USC Marshall School of Business, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, YWCA of Greater Los Angeles, the Black Business Association and many others. Sarah’s efforts have been recognized by several entities including the: Black Business Association 2003 “Salute to Black Women” Awards Luncheon; Recycling Black Dollars 2006 “Masters of Publishing” Honors Luncheon; and Urban Issues Breakfast Forum for her contributions to the monthly dialogue forum for five years. Sarah was also chosen by Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas as the 26th District’s Small Business of the Year at the 2008 California Small Business Association’s annual Small Business Day Awards.
Most importantly, for more than 20 years, Ms. Harris has provided pivotal services for the BBA while working with Mr. Cooper and has the full confidence from the Board that she will help usher in the new era of the Black Business Association in a way that both honors what the previous leadership built and makes room for the next phase the organization’s evolution. Ms. Harris comes with many ideas and is optimistic for the future of Black business, not only in California, but globally
“Black Lives Matter”
“Black Business Matters”
“Black Business Association Matters”
NEED FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
By Shivani J | Nov 11,2022
Almost every country, no matter how progressive has a history of ill-treating women. In other words, women from all over the world have been rebellious to reach the status they have today. While the western countries are still making progress, third world countries like India still lack behind in Women Empowerment.
In India, women's empowerment is needed more than ever. India is amongst the countries which are not safe for women. There are various reasons for this. Firstly, women in India are in danger of honor killings. Their family thinks it's right to take their lives if they bring shame to the reputation of their legacy.
Moreover, the education and freedom scenario is very regressive here. Women are not allowed to pursue higher education; they are married off early. The men are still dominating women in some regions like it’s the woman’s duty to work for him endlessly. They do not let them go out or have freedom of any kind. Read More>>
THE “Angry Black Woman”
STEREOTYPE AT WORK
Harvard Business Review
Summary.
The angry Black woman stereotype exists in many parts of American culture — including the workplace. Studies show people in organizations believe Black women are more likely to have belligerent, contentious, and angry personalities, an assumption not as readily assigned to other men and women. Recent studies suggest this negative perception is a unique phenomenon for Black women, and the researchers suggest that when Black women outwardly express anger at work, her leadership and potential are called into question. Read More>>
