|
Community Connections Workshops General Info
|
 |
 |
 General Information |
|
Who Are We? We are an internationally recognized organization that provides diverse and innovative programs offering women opportunities for personal growth and transformation. We are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where all will feel welcome to pursue healing and growth. By deepening spiritual awareness, Women of Wisdom serves to empower the lives of others. How We Began The founder of Women of Wisdom Foundation is Kris Steinnes, who in 1992 had a vision of gathering women together to learn from diverse women leaders and their stories from around the country. At the time, Ms. Steinnes was on the Board of Directors at Seattle Unity Church, a non-denominational congregation, where she was given the freedom to establish a committee of women to create the first conference of its kind, a week-long event for women. The first year was a success with over 500 attendees and 24 individual events. The spirit and desire of women to gather was so evident that very first year that it was quickly decided to make the conference an annual event, and it has continued to grow and gather momentum each year. Now in its 9th year, over 3,000 women benefit from this conference; over 90 events are sponsored during the week and it continues to grow every year. This is a special Pacific Northwest event and now women from around the country are beginning to attend as word spreads of its transformative and spirit filled energy. In 1998 Women of Wisdom spun off from Seattle Unity Church and became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, newly named the Women of Wisdom Foundation. In 1999 Women of Wisdom Foundation moved into their first center, a house in the Greenwood neighborhood of north Seattle, which serves as our administrative offices. Here staff and volunteers come to share their talents and skills to create and manage our programs. Although the center is small, workshops and classes are also delivered from that location. In addition to sponsoring our annual conference, our programs have enlarged to be year round, so that women can continue their desire for personal growth and seek community and support with other women. We have been fortunate to bring many wonderful speakers to Seattle, including Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D., Jeanne Achterberg, Ph.D., Iyanla Vanzant, Angela Davis, Marion Woodman, Ph.D., Isabel Allende, Gabrielle Roth, Angeles Arrien, Ph.D., and many more. Many of these women will be on our board of advisors. Our vision is to create a multi-purpose women's center, incorporating a healing center for women, a counseling center, art center, women’s store and tea house. We also desire to increase our support for women by providing a Women's Resource Guide, a publishing firm for women, a speaker's bureau, support for women artists and other innovative programs that empower women to actualize their dreams. What Women Have to Say about WOW What an incredible event you have created! Changing women’s lives is HAPPENING, Propelled along by a blast of spiritual energy gathered at the conference. These life changes are deep and full of exciting potential for the GREATNESS of women as a whole. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I thank you for allowing us to see the manifestations of the feminine side of God in every possible way this week with music, dance, art and workshops. It is such an affirming experience to be here and to feel at a body and cellular level the numinosity of the feminine archetype. I have never felt anything quite like it in terms of numbers and variations. Women of Wisdom has facilitated an arena where we as a community can bring forth ideas, dreams and visions of healing and transformation on a personal and collective level. Every year I see the ripple effect of the powerful gathering reaching further within and outside ourselves. Women of Wisdom has taught me so much about life balance and connecting to my spirit. I wish I had known about your organizaiton during my years as a financial services executive. I hope you can attract more women from the corporate world so they can learn how to find happingess and serenity without feeling the need to abandon their careers. Thank you for your help and support for my workshop. The WOW Conference is one of the best organized and most presenter-friendly in which I've participated (and there have been many.) I am so happy and encouraged for you each time I receive a newsletter. Each one shows me how much your dream has grown and how far the WOW Foundation has gone in making its mark in this world. It's wonderful to watch and to know that I was able to participate and I hope contribute something positive in a small way. I support the Women of Wisdom Foundation and the work they do because they provide a place for women to integrate healing and spirit into their everyday lives, with their families and careers. Yes it is possible to bring spirit to the corporate world! I'm just starting to go back to work after three years of struggling with Manic Depression. Attending this Women of Wisdom Gathering was the best thing I could have done for myself....it truly does empower and support a women's dreams and spirit.
Women of Wisdom |
|||
