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What
is The Women's Mosaic? |
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| What is The Women's Mosaic? | |
| The Women's Mosaic is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to uniting and empowering women through programs that promote intercultural understanding and personal growth. Each month we offer unique educational activities and events that build bridges, expand horizons, and improve the lives of women both here and abroad. We are a community of dynamic women interested in expanding our horizons by creating positive change that can individually and collectively enrich the world. | |
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| Why was The Women's Mosaic started? | |
| The Women's Mosaic was founded in January 2001 to provide a friendly, creative atmosphere for open-minded women of various backgrounds to easily meet one another, learn about other cultures, enjoy new experiences, discuss issues affecting women, fundraise for women's human rights organizations, and provide motivation and inspiration to help women achieve their full personal and professional potential. | |
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| What is the mission of The Women's Mosaic? | |
| The Women's Mosaic believes that strong, independent, creative and compassionate women are the key to making this world a better place. Our mission is to foster the growth of a unified, universal women's movement by dispelling cultural ignorance, prejudice and bigotry and by providing women, both here and abroad, with the resources and tools necessary to be masters of their own lives. | |
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| What does The Women's Mosaic do? | |
| The Women's Mosaic offers
monthly educational, inspirational and motivational activities and
events that incorporate multicultural, self-empowerment and personal
growth elements in a variety of creative, unique ways. Our gatherings
provide a forum where women of every background meet in a comfortable,
relaxed atmosphere, and through sharing common interests, are able
to express ideas, gain new perspectives, develop friendships, discover
new passions, and make positive change in their lives as well as the
lives of others. A portion of the proceeds from some of our events
are given to other charities that support the overall mission of The
Women's Mosaic. The Women's Mosaic explores the history, tradition and vitality of a specific culture through guest speakers, food, photos, exhibits, group activities and ultimately, members' personal experiences. Workshops, conferences, lectures and panel discussions provide many opportunities to support, benefit from and be inspired by others' knowledge, services and perceptions. |
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| The Women's Mosaic participants: | |
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| The Women's Mosaic members
are strongly encouraged to plan a meeting or activity to further develop
and share their own cultural and personal interests. Past and potential organizations to be supported: Global Fund for Women, Equality Now, AJWS Women's Empowerment Fund, Sakhi, Women to Women International, Gabriela Network, International Rescue Committee, Earth Rights International Women's Project, RAWA, Avon 3-day Walk for Breast Cancer. |
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| When and where does The Women's Mosaic meet? | |
| The Women's Mosaic members meet at least once a month for scheduled activities. Most meetings are generally held on weekday evenings at a New York City location. Additional special events and workshops occur frequently throughout the year. | |
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| How can I be a part of The Women's Mosaic? | |
All women who are interested
in meeting new people, learning about different cultures, and gaining
new perspectives and insights to improve their lives and the lives
of others can participate in The Women's Mosaic. Our meetings are
held on different days of the week each month. Attendance at and planning
of monthly meetings is encouraged to help promote a thriving member
foundation of community, continuity and commitment. Admission fees
and suggested donations vary ($5 to $40) and include the costs of
participation in the arranged activity, such as dinner at a restaurant
or attendance in a workshop, and at times a financial contribution
to a related nonprofit organization. Sign me up to be on your list and get any updates, Evites, newsletters
and mailings you send out.
I want to support The Women's Mosaic by becoming
a member, which means I'll get some free and discounted stuff
in addition to all the updates, Evites, newsletters and mailings. |
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| What do our past participants have to say? | |
"It was intimate and friendly, open and enlightening.
Everyone had very intelligent, intriguing stories to share - I
am so inspired
to effect change within our culture!!!" "I was extremely moved by
what I learned and equally impressed with the organization of
the event.
It accomplished exactly what I had hoped it would in terms of correcting
prejudices, teaching me the truth and expanding my understanding." "It gave me a wonderful feeling learning about the power
of being a woman and the changes we can make." "It was so wonderful to hear such well-spoken representatives
of the various religions speak about their personal experience
with religion. It was also very satisfying that they were all
so open about religion and spirituality without rules, restristrictions
and exclusive boundaries. It re-activated by faith in women and
in people in general, and made me so thankful to be part of a
world that is so full of loving and open people and ideas. I
feel so lucky to have experienced this - thank you!" "The Filipina event was wonderful! I thoroughly enjoyed
myself and learned a great deal. It was extremely well organized
and it was evident that a number of individuals put a lot of time
and effort into making this such and informative and fun event." "I thought about how wonderful it is when women come together
to share support and nurture one another’s souls and everyday
goals and aspirations, instead of competing with one another. We
do accomplish much more this way, and humanity, on the whole, benefits
from our unique gifts." "Mosaic UN event REALLY ROCKED! The speakers were dynamic
and it was great that they represented two aspects of the U.N...My
group's guide was a powerful, fascinating tour leader. These woman
are all doing work that is meaningful and that they enjoy. What
inspiration! Many, many thanks!" "I feel I have grown as a person because of The Women’s
Mosaic. Thank you." "I'm so glad I found this group - none of my friends would
ever want to try anything like this." "I had a great time listening to all these wonderful women
and most of all I was inspired by their determination....based on
tonight [I know] anything involving women is going to be great." |
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| Who's Saying What About TWM... | |
| "The Secretary-General has asked me to thank you for
having sent to him the most recent issue of INSPIRER. You
know the
importance which he attaches to efforts undertaken by inter-
governmental and non-governmental organizations alike,
as well as by individuals, to promote inter- cultural understanding.
He has read with interest, therefore, the account of the
recent activities of the Women's Mosaic in this field." -
Special Assistant to Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the
UN
"....so happy to have a report on your work - it is such important work - you are inspiring and result-producing." - Helen Gurley Brown, founder of Cosmopolitan Magazine "TWM brings women together to connect in deep and profound ways -- offering transformative experiences that touch and empower the soul. Opportunities like these allow the healing process to begin from a place which recognizes that we are all universal beings." - Terrie M. Williams, Inspirational author, The Personal Touch and the forthcoming Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We're Not Hurting (Scribner 2007) |
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| INSPIRER Newsletter Online | |
| Have a look at our four color printed INSPIRER Newsletter online for a more in-depth look at our programs! Download PDF's here: INSPIRER Newsletter ISSUE 3 (2006-2009) INSPIRER Newsletter ISSUE 2 (2004-2006) INSPIRER Newsletter ISSUE 1 (2001-2004) If you'd like to get the next issue in hard copy, be sure to join
our e-mail list and fill in your postal address. |
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| TWM eNewsletter Archives | |
| You can now see all the previously published issues of our eNewsletter in our eNewsletter Archive. To get the next issue directly in your email inbox, subscribe now! |
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| Who is Kristina M. Leonardi? | |
| Kristina Leonardi was born in Long Island,
New York, and is a second generation American, of Paraguayan, Uruguayan
and Sicilian heritage. She grew up proud of her exotic ethnic background
and developed a natural curiosity about other cultures from a very
young age. She was always drawn to learning about other countries,
languages and customs, and her dream was to someday work at the United
Nations. At some point in early adulthood, she realized that if the world was going to be a better place, it was up to the women to do it.... So, in January 2001 she founded The Women's Mosaic as a forum for women of every background - race, culture, occupation, religion, age, whatever - to come together by participating in informal educational activities in order to learn about each other, form new relationships, improve their lives and the lives of those around them. In addition to wanting to encourage women to appreciate both the similarities and differences in one another and our connection as a whole to the human race, it is her belief that all women should realize their full potential and the more women who do, that this would have a truly beneficial effect on our planet. Kristina holds a B.A. in International Relations from Boston University, and has over 20 years of experience traveling around and working with people from all over the world. She has managed the client service aspects of an educational travel company arranging tours for Harvard, Yale, Smithsonian and the American Museum of Natural History and has taught extensively for NYU's Center for Hospitality, Travel and Tourism. Kristina served as a representative from The Women's Mosaic to the NGO Forum of the United Nations World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa in August 2001. She speaks Spanish, has studied French, Italian and Mandarin and is an avid dancer and fan of Latin music. Kristina Leonardi is a women and diversity expert available for seminars, workshops and other speaking engagements at your company or organization. For more information, please visit www.KristinaLeonardi.com. |
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| Copyright © 2001 The Women's Mosaic. All Rights Reserved. |