women's issues

The Caroline Fund Women's Day Award 2024 03/17/2024

From The Caroline Fund:

The Caroline Fund is delighted to announce the recipients of its Women's Day Award: Jacob Borgre, Thato Ratsebe, and AALV. Join us to celebrate and honor their exceptional contributions to the empowerment of women and their families within our communities.

Congratulations to the winners for their unwavering dedication and impactful efforts.

Positively Vermont: Empowering Gender Opportunities 10/30/2023

Dennis McMahon speaks with Doris Sumner, President of Empowering Gender Opportunities (EGO).

For more information visit: http://www.itsallaboutego.com/ | Learn about Doris' Book Here

Greater Burlington Women's Forum: Winter Blues - SAD Got You Down? 01/09/2020

Does SAD (seasonal affective disorder) make you sad? You’re not alone!

SAD is diagnosed four times more often in women than men, and younger adults have a higher risk of SAD than older adults. You or someone you know may have experienced these “winter blues.” Managing feelings and emotions through the long Vermont winters can be a big challenge, but it’s not impossible. A panel shares their expertise on this pervasive disorder and offers tips for how to navigate the winter blues.

Panelists:
Dr. Kelly Rohan, Professor, Director of Clinical Training Program
Dr. Jean Szilva (Personal story)
Katherine Elmer, Spoonful Herbals & Railyard Apothecary

Special Guest:
Katie Hodges, Vermont Comedy Club

Greater Burlington Women's Forum: Real Talk - Young People & Healthy Relationships 04/30/2019

Are you curious about what dating life is REALLY like for today’s youth? A panel of experts will share what really goes on in the community each and every day in teen relationships, discuss the dynamics of sexual and gender-based violence, and provide tips to start discussions about difficult topics with the young people in your life.

Learn about the teenage dating climate and gain insights and strategies to begin conversations that will help your loved ones feel listened to, cared for, and safe as they navigate the messy process of growing up.

Panelists:

Amanda Rohdenburg (she/her): Director of Advocacy at Outright Vermont

Chani Waterhouse (she/her): Director of Member Relations at the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

Jen Tierney (she/her): Youth Advocate at HOPE Works

Morgan Wagner (she/her): Hotline and Volunteer Manager at Steps to End Domestic Violence

Marla Goldstein (she/her): Education and Prevention Coordinator at Steps to End Domestic Violence

Moderator:

Sarah Mell (they/them or she/her): Education & Outreach Coordinator at the Women's Center at the University of Vermont

Greater Burlington Women's Forum: Put Your Money Where It Matters - An Introduction to 'Impact Investing' for Women 03/28/2019

Investing can be an intimidating word - it makes us think of ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ and volatile stock markets - but it doesn’t have to be scary. Impact investing (as we’ll talk about it) is about putting your money where your heart is. Whether you have $20 or $200,000 to set aside, our panelists are here to discuss approachable strategies and dispel the myth of ‘investing’ as something reserved for big-shot executives.

Panelists:
Joy Hastings - Mascoma Bank
Yvonne Garand - VSECU
Louisa Schibli - Milk Money

Moderator:
Madeline Bromberg - Director of Strategic Partnerships at Vermont Innovation Commons

Greater Burlington Women's Forum: Women Preventing Gun-Related Domestic Violence - FIVE AWAKE Film Screening & Panel 01/09/2019

The Greater Burlington Women’s Forum, in conjunction with GunSense Vermont and Steps to End Domestic Violence, is hosting an evening documentary screening of "Five Awake" and a panel discussion featuring Donna Dees, the documentary filmmaker; Clai Lasher-Sommers, Executive Director of GunSense Vermont; and Kelly Dougherty, Executive Director of Steps to End Domestic Violence Vermont.

For more details: http://bit.ly/FiveAwake

Greater Burlington Women's Forum: Women In Tech - Where Have all The Women Gone? 11/15/2018

In 1985, 37% of computer science bachelor degree recipients in the U.S. were women. By 2016, that number had dropped to 19%.* In Vermont, it’s even lower: a scant 14% of computer science program graduates from UVM and Vermont state colleges identify as female.**

Those declining numbers play out in the workforce: in 2017, only 26% of all professional computing occupations were held by women. And the percentage of women in leadership positions in technology is small, and it isn’t growing very quickly. What’s going on here? Listen to a panel of professional women in technology careers tell their stories. Find out how they got where they are today, what some of the obstacles were along the way, and how they overcame those obstacles.

Panelists include:

Sam Roach-Gerber of Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET)
Lisa Dion, Professor in the University of Vermont Computer Science department
C.D. Mattison, Principal UX Architect & Designer at Social Sentinel, Inc.
Meghan Purvis, Scrum Master at Dealer.com/Cox Automotive, Inc.

Greater Burlington Women's Forum: Trailblazing - Women in Police, Fire, & Corrections 10/03/2018

Women in law enforcement, fire fighting, and corrections spend their days doing their best to keep our community safe. In this forum, women in these challenging careers will share their stories.

We'll hear about what drew them to choose their path, what it took to get there, and the effort and the rewards found in working in these strongly male-dominated fields. We'll learn about the compensation for doing this critical and often dangerous work, and the training and experience required.

With panelists Ingrid Jonas, a division commander (Major) in charge of the Support Services Division of the Vermont State Police; Raysa E Ortega, a former shift supervisor for the VT Department of Corrections; and Kathleen Lanphear, a firefighter with the Burlington Fire Department for 8 years.

Greater Burlington Women's Forum: Women and the Power of Giving 05/16/2018

Gender matters in charitable giving - as women, we contribute our financial resources and time differently than men. We play a significant role in improving our communities and focusing energy on our most pressing societal problems. So, how are we, as women, making decisions about how, where and when to give? How do we see ourselves as "philanthropists" or "fundraisers"? Our panelists will share their insights, expertise, and journeys in the world of philanthropic giving, and inspire us to harness our power in new ways.

Panelists:

Meg Smith, Director of the Vermont Women's Fund
Yael Friedman, Senior Development Officer for the University of Vermont Medical Center’s Foundation
Shireen Hart, Co-Founder of LIFT Giving Circle and Shareholder/Director Primmer, Piper, Eggleston & Cramer PC

Greater Burlington Women's Forum: The Gifts of Mindfulness 01/10/2018

The topic of "mindfulness" can conjure up a range of emotions, from discomfort to joy. Join the Greater Burlington Women's Forum in exploring mindful ways to develop healthier relationships with our thoughts, food, and our bodies. As we juggle a multitude of responsibilities and roles, self-care can often take a back seat. Our panelists will share their stories and expertise to decrease stress, increase well-being, and find ease in nourishing and moving our bodies. Whether you have trouble finding a moment to be mindful, or have a committed meditation practice, together, we'll create a space to tap into the power of mindfulness -- in whatever way is right for you.

Panelists

— Arica Bronz helps individuals of all abilities to move their body with integrity, grace and comfort through the mindful, open-hearted approach of Polestar Pilates. As a classically trained dancer, Arica fell in love with this intelligent approach to movement over 20 years ago. Arica helped to found All Wellness in 2008, where she continues to offer Pilates private lessons and group mat/Reformer classes to students of all levels.

— Roz Grossman MA, teaches mindfulness meditation through her business Mindful Stress Relief. She has offered workshops for cancer patients, caregivers and staff at the University of Vermont Medical Cancer Center since 2010. Roz is certified in the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program and has a background in nursing and health education. She brings compassion from her own cancer journey. Roz has had a meditation practice for over 20 years and is a Reiki II practitioner.

Learn more at www.btvwomen.org.

Featured Story

Applications Now Open for the Spring 2025 Cohort of the Neighborhood Community Media Internship Program

Town Meeting TV is excited to announce that applications are now open for the Spring 2025 cohort of the Neighborhood Community Media Internship program. Join up to 8 other youth to engage in interesting media making projects! This paid media internship opportunity is designed for youth aged 16-20 who are eager to gain professional experience in the audio-visual field and develop a deeper understanding of their local community. The group will meet under the leadership of Town Meeting TV's Travis Washington from the end of January 2025 to the beginning of June 2025, on a schedule agreed upon by the whole cohort. Click here to apply!