The White House Project

Please check out The White House Project Web Site - - -

The White House Project Mission

The White House Project, a national, nonpartisan, non-for-profit organization, aims to advance women’s leadership in all communities and sectors, up to the U.S. presidency. By filling the leadership pipeline with a richly diverse, critical mass of women, we make American institutions, businesses and government truly representative. Through multi-platform programs, The White House Project creates a culture where America’s most valuable untapped resource—women—can succeed in all realms.

To advance this mission, The White House Project strives to support women and the issues that allow women to lead in their own lives and in the world. When women leaders bring their voices, vision and leadership to the table alongside men, the debate is more robust and the policy is more inclusive and sustainable. By supporting women and the values that allow women to succeed—the full range of health options, security platforms that utilize all our resources, economic stability for all—we work to create an equitable culture.

Find out more about our team at The White House Project:

• Board of Directors
• Advisory Board
• Staff
• Consultants
• Our Partners
• Job Opportunities
• FAQ

The White House Project
110 Wall Street
16th Floor
New York, NY 10005
212-785-6001 (Tel)
212-785-6007 (Fax)
admin@thewhitehouseproject.org

For press inquiries and interviews, please contact Candace McAdams, Director of Marketing and Communications at 212-785-6001 x 26 or Lindsay Clinton, Communications Manager at 212-785-6001 x 12.

June 15, 2006 Luncheon Speaker

Brenda Jones Quick, Traverse City
Brenda is an attorney with the law firm of Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge in Traverse City. Prior to joining the firm in an "Of Counsel" capacity, she served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (1995-1998) and Professor of Law (1989-2001) with the Michigan State University, DCL College of Law. At the time she "retired" from legal education, she was awarded the position of Professor of Law Emeritus. Brenda is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the American Bar Association. She has spoken at numerous events and has published several articles on a myriad of issues, including sexual harassment in the workplace and fair treatment for America's Native Americans. She currently serves on the Board of Zoning Appeals of Traverse City, the Board of Trustees of Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan, and is Secretary for the Board of Trustees of G.W. Services, Inc., a non-profit corporation dedicated to providing employment opportunities to the severely handicapped. She also is certified to provide national disaster relief services with the American Red Cross.

Brenda has expertise in the areas of law and education that should be useful to the Michigan Women's Commission. She is committed to women's issues and is willing to devote the time and energy necessary to promoting these issues. She also is in a position to provide insight into the culture of Northern Michigan, and how these matters might be addressed in that venue.

May 18 2006 Luncheon Speaker

Justice Elizabeth A. Weaver
Justice Weaver, of Glen Arbor, attended undergraduate school at H. Sophie Newcomb College, receiving her bachelor's degree, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1962. She earned her law degree from Tulane University in 1965, served as an editor of the Tulane Law Review, received the Order of the Coif, and served as law clerk for Judge Oliver P. Carriere of the Louisiana Civil District Court. Justice Weaver began her law practice in Louisiana, then in Michigan in 1973. Elected Leelanau County probate/juvenile judge in November 1974, she was re-elected to six-year terms in 1976 and 1982, serving through January 1, 1987. In 1986, Justice Weaver was elected to the Michigan Court of Appeals, 3rd District, for a six-year term, and was re-elected in 1992. She was elected to the Michigan Supreme Court in 1994 and served as Chief Justice from 1999-2000. She was reelected in 2002. Justice Weaver's term expires January 1, 2011.

Justice Weaver was appointed to the Michigan Commission on Criminal Justice by Governor William Milliken; to the Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice by Governors James Blanchard , John Engler, and Jennifer Granholm. She was also appointed to chair the Governor's Task Force for Children's Justice and the Trial Court Assessment Commission by Governors Engler and Granholm. She has served as chair of the State Bar of Michigan Juvenile Law Committee and as president of the Top of Michigan Probate and Juvenile Judges Association. In addition, Justice Weaver has served on the National Council of Juvenile and Family Judges and as secretary of the Probate and Juvenile Judges Association of Michigan. Justice Weaver's honors and awards include being selected as one of five "Outstanding Young Women in Michigan" by the Michigan Jaycees and as one of "Thirty Outstanding Women in Michigan" by the Michigan Womens' Commission. In 1999, she was named "Jurist of the Year" by the Police Officers Association of Michigan. In 2000, she received the "Michigan Champions in Childhood Injury Prevention: Lifetime Dedication to Children Award"; also in 2000, Justice Weaver was honored by Governor Engler and the Family Independence Agency for outstanding service to the children and families of Michigan. The Michigan Association of Drug Court Professionals honored her in February 2002 for her exceptional service to and support of Michigan 's drug courts. In 2003, she was recognized as an "Outstanding Woman in Leadership and Learning" by Ferris State University . She has been featured in People magazine. In October 2005, she was named to the Michigan Hall of Fame.

April 20, 2006 Luncheon Speaker

JUDITH WRIGHT is hailed as a peerless educator, world-class coach, lifestyles expert, inspirational speaker, best-selling author, and corporate consultant. In her first book, There Must Be MORE Than This: Finding More Life, Love, and Meaning by Overcoming Your Soft Addictions, she examines how Soft Addictions often get in the way of a more fulfilling life. In her new book, The One Decision, she shows readers what a fulfilling life of MORE really is, and how making the decision to live a life of MORE changes what we do, how we think, and what we feel.

A history of vision in action
Judith's life has been dedicated to exploring optimum ways of living and being. After receiving her BA in psychology and her MA in education and counseling, Judith rose to national prominence in her first career in academia where she designed programs to help adults with disabilities attend college and modeled nationally recognized programs to support children with disabilities and their families. A trailblazer in human development, she has since been revolutionizing the personal growth industry, founding SOFIA (Society of Femininity in Action), a cutting-edge woman's organization and co-founding the Wright Institute in Chicago with her husband Bob, where they help individuals, couples, families, and corporations get more out of everything they do—more meaning, fulfillment, and success in relationships, career, parenting, and all the areas of their lives.

Prolific and effective in experience
Called "one of the most sought-after self-help gurus in the country" by the San Francisco Chronicle, Judith demystifies what it takes to lead a great life as she teaches proven, time-tested perspectives on how to have it all through her writing, teaching, coaching and public speaking. A media favorite, Judith has appeared on over 300 radio stations and 30 television shows, including Oprah, Good Morning America, The Today Show, and Fox & Friends. Magazines and newspapers across the country feature her work, including Marie Claire, Fitness Magazine, Health, Better Homes and Gardens, Shape, The New York Daily News, The Chicago Tribune, The Boston Herald, and The Detroit Free Press.

A speaker of inspiring truths
Judith is a sought-after speaker and expert in areas like relationships, creative conflict, work productivity, wellness and lifestyle, women's training and development, spirituality, and more. She has been a keynote speaker for many events, conferences and corporations, including Miss USA Symposium, Association of Junior Leagues International, McDonalds, Bank One, AC Nielsen, and the Association of Humanistic Psychology. Judith has the rare ability to touch audiences of all different types and sizes, communicating her messages with great passion that inspires audiences.
Judith and her husband, Bob, are the founders and directors of the Wright Institute in Chicago (www.wrightliving.com), where every day they inspire and teach others to live lives of MORE by making their One Decision. Judith and Bob live, love, work, and play near the Institute in Chicago, and at their conference and training center in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.
Judith Wright will be sponsored by Bottrell Wireless, Your Alltel Authorized Agent in Manistee and Benzonia.

netWork Update

Lots has been happening with the netWork in the past several weeks - - here is an update:

We have raised over $6,000 to date towards the Women's Empowerment Giving Circle fund we formed with the Manistee County Community Foundation. What an incredible amount to raise so quickly. Thanks to all who gave. We have a long way to go until we are able to grant dollars - - so don't stop giving. Please give more if you can; please ask someone else to give. It's simple - - - 100 women give $100 each - -we have the $10,000 we need to start the granting portion of the Giving Circle. Thanks to all so very much.

The December meeting luncheon was one of our best. Each woman who came to lunch brought a book on a women's issue or an issue of importance to women. Over 55 books were donated to the Manistee County Library System on behalf of the Women's netWork. We also had door prizes: Thank you to the Hollyhock, Hulls of Manistee, the Book Mark, Lake Michigan Broadcasting, Inc, Tuscan Grille, Goody's Juice and Java, the Little River Casino Resort, and Closson's Jewelry of Ludington. Our speaker was the wonderful Camille Kocsis who prepared us for the new year with a dynamite goal setting session. Thank you Camille!

A PowerPoint presentation is now complete. "The Status of Women in Michigan" is based on recent studies. Judy Ouvry did the first presentation January 17 to the evening Rotary in Manistee. We would like all of our governmental decision makers and leaders in the community to see this presentation. If anyone is interested in the presentation please contact the netWork manisteewomen@yahoo.com for details.

After the January luncheon - we all feel a little better equipped to protect ourselves. Thanks to Manistee City Police Det. Sgt. John Riley and Officer Kirsten Goodspeed who presented self defense and self protection information and tips. Trust your intution when faced with potential danger. Have a plan. Work the plan. Call the Manistee City Police Department if you would like a copy of their tip sheet. Thank you!

Watch for the list of speakers the netWork has put together for 2006 - - so far! Yo won't want to miss a single luncheon.

Very Good Looking, Damn Smart Woman's Day

Today is International Very Good Looking, Damn Smart Woman's Day, so please send this message to someone you think fits this description. Please do not send it back to me as I have already received it from a Very Good Looking, Damn Smart Woman! And remember this motto to live by: Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

This was sent in by our personal coach - Camille Kocsis

Giving Circle On Line Giving

The Women's Empowerment Giving Circle in now online!
Online giving is up and running.
So anyone can now give online at: www.manisteefoundation.org.

Click on About our Funds

Click on WEGC

Follow directions for donation.

Thank you! We are nearing our $5,000 initial endowment.
Please help if you can - any amount - when pooled with the
contributions of others - will make a significant impact.

Women's Business

Women's Business

These resources are designed to help women create and run their own businesses.

Center for Empowerment and Economic Development (CEED)
The Center for Empowerment and Economic Development (CEED) provides entrepreneurs and business owners with the technical, financial and professional enrichment support services necessary for business success. CEED offers classes and seminars for entrepreneurs as well as networking opportunities to grow their business.

Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW)
GROW offers long-term training and counseling and also provides training in economic self-sufficiency and asset building through its Individual Development Account program. GROW is also actively involved in providing training for home-based day-care providers in business management and setting up financial management systems.

Women's Business Development Centers
Each women's business center provides assistance and/or training in finance, management, marketing, procurement and the Internet, as well addressing specialized topics such as home-based businesses, corporate executive downsizing and welfare-to-work.

WomanMotorist.com Story

Check out this web site...be an educated consumer.

Established in 1996, WomanMotorist.com is the oldest, and largest, consumer automotive magazine for women. The online publication reaches 1.5 million readers a year – about 200,00 a month.

The site contains thousands of articles, available free-of-charge, including new car reviews for every passenger car and truck sold in the United States. It provides pricing and data for both new and used cars, and entire books on the subjects of new and used car buying. Comprehensive archives of maintenance and safety advice, along with the industry-leading automotive glossary provide every tool car shoppers need to be happy consumers.

For repeat readers, WomanMotorist.com provides travel stories and destination articles, chats on every subject from racing, motorcycling, and RV travel and ownership. Readers can also send their personal automotive questions to the publication editors for expert answers. And for the thousands of subscribers to WomanMotorist.com, they received offers from vendors selling products that are of interest to them.

Women find everything they need to know about being successful automotive consumers, and have fun doing it on WomanMotorist.com. And every bit of it is free.

This information was submitted by Kathleen Lightbody at Crain Communications in Detroit: Kathleen is a member of the Women's netWork

More about Gail and Laughter

Last month at the Network, we 'laughed for no reason' with Gail Robinson. I would like you know a little secret about Gail. She is also an inventor of sorts. Gail has formulated an earth-friendly laundry powder called Moon Works. It is 100% biodegradable and, as the label states, "naturally low suds, brightens, deodorizes, cleans like crazy & rinses with no residue." I can attest, after my fourth load of laundry this morning, that the statement is true. It comes in three varieties: lavender, balsam fir and unscented. The soap is available at Port City Organics, 321 River Street. This is the proverbial win-win-win-win situation: empowering a woman entrepreneur, supporting a local vendor, caring for our beautiful environment, and laughing over the laundry. After all, you'll think of Gail every time you throw in a load.

Take care,

Sharron Lemmer

ha ha ha, ho ho ho, hehehehehehe

More Powerful Women Coverage

November 14 issue of Fortune magazine with Martha Stewart on the front has a special section on the 50 most powerful women in business worldwide and other related articles. Definitely worth picking up.

To your success!
Camille Kocsis

The Key To Taking Control

The Key To Taking Control
By: Brian Tracy

Set Priorities
Stress management requires that you take complete control over the activities of your daily life. This means that you plan your day, set priorities and work on high value tasks. The indispensable key to time management is concentration, the ability to focus single-mindedly on one thing, the most important thing, and to stay with it until it is 100% complete.

Create Chunks of Time
This is not only the hardest challenge that a manager faces, but the ability to concentrate single-mindedly is probably the rarest single ability in the workplace. Most of our important tasks take large chunks of time. We need to plan and organize our days in such a way that we allocate these chunks of time so that we can do the jobs upon which our success depends.


A Burst of Energy
The wonderful thing about setting priorities and concentrating single-mindedly is that, the very minute that you do these two things, you will begin to feel a tremendous sense of control and well-being. As you work progressively toward the accomplishment of your most important tasks, you will feel a flow of energy and enthusiasm. As you finish something that is relevant and significant to your company and to yourself, you get a burst of energy. Your self-esteem improves. You feel good about yourself. You have a wonderful sense of making measurable progress toward greater successful in your career. You feel like you are making a difference.

On the other hand, working on small tasks or low priority items simply causes you to feel more and more stress. Even if you finish a dozen or a hundred of these minor and irrelevant low value tasks, you get no feeling of satisfaction or accomplishment.

Action Exercises
Now, here are two ideas you can use immediately to concentrate single mindedly on the highest value use of your time.

First, analyze your work before you begin and then ask yourself, “What one thing, if I did it quickly and well, would have the greatest impact on my work?” Whatever it is, go to work on that one item immediately.

She's Gotta Have It...Businessweek Investor

JULY 22, 2002

BUSINESSWEEK INVESTOR
By Michelle Conlin

She's Gotta Have "It"

A growing mound of research shows that female execs trounce men in nearly every area of performance. But many lack "executive presence"

She has Everest-size ambitions, a flawless track record, and an uncanny knack for strategy. "I'd love to promote her," the CEO says. "But she just doesn't have `it.' "

"It," in this case, is executive presence, the elusive quality that has over the past year become a major focus in women's leadership development circles. This trait is so important to companies such as Shell Group and J.P. Morgan Chase that they have packed off their high-potential female managers to special seminars to develop "it," lest they wind up adding to an already depressing statistic: Women make up half of management jobs but are still just a sliver--5%--of the executive ranks.

Executive presence goes far beyond banishing the wardrobe of frumpy brown suits and stopping the nail-biting at meetings. It refers to that ability to take hold of a room by making a polished entrance, immediately shaking people's hands, and forging quick, personal connections instead of defaulting to robotic formalism and shrinking into a chair. When leaders with executive presence speak, people listen--because the talk is filled with conviction instead of equivocation. They inspire that I'll-follow-you-anywhere loyalty, conveying an aura of warmth and authenticity to everybody from the receptionist to the CEO.

It makes sense that executive presence is the latest key in unlocking women's advancement. Over the past few years, a growing mound of research has revealed that women executives trounce men in nearly every aspect of performance. But a gender gulf remains in the most crucial area: confidence. And confidence is the secret sauce in executive presence.

It sounds so utterly, self-help simple. But Cynthia Scott, a partner with San Francisco-based executive coaching firm Changeworks, says she's astounded at how often females in danger of being written off for advancement will leave a meeting without having said much--if anything. That makes them come off as passive and unengaged. When they do pipe up, Scott says, they often blow it by using qualifiers such as "perhaps," pronouns such as "we"--and, worst of all, ending the sentence with the inflection of a question, causing people to doubt what they've just said.

As long as men continue to be the primary influence on the corporate culture, the nice-girl, seen-not-heard communication styles women were acculturated with will continue to hurt them the further up the career ladder they go. Recent research by The Leader's Edge, a Philadelphia leadership training firm, found that top females in Corporate America were far less comfortable challenging others than their male colleagues. They were also more guarded in their social interaction--even though speaking frankly to your colleagues becomes ever more important at the executive level. Building social capital is imperative for women. Leaders promote those they like and feel comfortable with.

One of the biggest ways women can improve their "it" is by not winging what they say at meetings. Coaches advise rehearsing what you say beforehand, using your own style of declarative speech without overcompensating by becoming a bully. Learn the art of polite interruption. Warm up the room by telling a quick story. "A lot of communicating is planning ahead," says Leigh Wasson, a managing director at J.P. Morgan who has worked with San Francisco coach Peggy Klaus. In hallways and elevators, open up about your personal life to forge bonds with the senior team--something many women confess feels riskier than burrowing into their work.

Self-promotion is also critical. In shadowing female executives, coaches cringe at how often high achievers dodge opportunities to trumpet themselves, almost as if their achievements will go without saying. "Women need to learn how to brag," says Klaus, who holds boasting seminars at companies such as Pfizer. One strategy: Weave accomplishments into anecdotes. Lighten up on the self-deprecation and pour on more humor.

The best news about confidence is that it's easier to develop than competence--the part of the job senior women usually have licked. Now, they just need to start working on their "it."

Hers columnist Toddi Gutner is on special assignment.

Copyright 2000-2004, by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.

Celebrating Women Festival

The Manistee County Convention & Visitors Bureau has announced the appointment of Catherine Zaring as Festival Coordinator for the Celebrating Women Festival for 2006.

Zaring has taken over the reins of the festival entering its second year, following a successful inaugural year in 2005 under the direction of the CVB staff.

“The Celebrating Women Festival offers a truly unique opportunity for Manistee to capitalize upon market specific events planning. We offer some truly interesting entertainment options for women…events that can highlight the special flavor of Manistee County’s diverse communities,” said Zaring.

Catherine Zaring brings to the festival many years of successful experience managing all aspects of festivals and special events in the Chicagoland metropolitan region. Most recently, she chaired the Wizard of Oz Festival in Chesterton, Indiana…a festival that draws almost 100,000 visitors to the small community over a three day period. She is proud of this festival which has grown to the point that visitors come from across the country and even from eight foreign countries.

The Celebrating Women Festival will be held over the first weekend of May stretching from May 3rd through the 7th.

For further information contact the Manistee County Convention & Visitors Bureau -
231-398-9355 or email cvb@manistee.com.

Laughing Matters

With the holiday season in front of us...Laughing Matters...so the speaker for the Thursday, November 17 Women's netWork luncheon is...Gail Robinson.

Gail Robinson spent twenty years as an elementary school teacher. She is the founder of the Montessori Elementary School in Suttons Bay, Michigan. Gail is a registered yoga instructor and Reiki practitioner. She established the first Laughter Club in Northern Michigan modeled after the Laughter Movement of Madan Kataria, MD. As a certified Laughter Yoga Trainer, Gail offers informational presentations.

Get to lunch early if you can - Gail said it is not pretty to eat while participating in this program! Check out her web site at laughingmatters.us

The luncheon will be held at Topo's, Nov. 17 from 11:45-1:30pm. Cost is $10.

If anyone can share information about Gail and the laughing movement - blog it here.

Women's Empowerment Giving Circle

The Women’s netWork, formed in May 2005, announced today at their regular monthly luncheon the formation of the Manistee County Women’s Empowerment Giving Circle. By the end of the luncheon, after an impressive report, 30% of the start up goal had been reached.
“Giving Circles are a grass roots phenomenon that began in early 2000,” said Judy Ouvry, one of the co-founders of the Women’s netWork. “These groups pool donations in order to make a greater impact on the causes they fund. This giving circle will fund women and girls’ issues in the areas of professional development and leadership.”
Karen Bruchan, executive director of the Manistee County Community Foundation presented the Women’s Empowerment Giving Circle at the luncheon attended by over 50 women.
“This will be a fund at the Manistee County Community Foundation. The mission of this Giving Circle is to encourage and promote the economic self-sufficiency and well-being of women and girls,” said Bruchan. “Grant-making will focus on key areas of growth including education, leadership, political readiness, business incubation, and professional development.”
The Manistee County Women’s Empowerment Giving Circle will have an element not common to giving circles. Women and girls who are awarded grants will also be assigned a mentor to support and guide her along her path of growth and development.
Bruchan noted numerous statistics about the status of women in Michigan, and specifically in Manistee County. According to the Status of Women in Michigan Report done by the Nokomis Foundation, one in ten Michigan women live below the poverty line. Michigan Women had a composite score of C-, earning two thirds of what Michigan men earn for full-time employment.
Locally statistic show that in 2000, over half of all female householder families with children 0-5 were considered to be in poverty. Manistee County women’s median income in 2000 was $3,521 less that the 10-county region.
“We were overwhelmed by the immediate financial support for this endeavor that came forward to start this fund,” said Vanessa Buhs, co-founder of the Women’s netWork. “But we were not surprised. Women give generously when they know there is a need and a solution. This giving circle will be part of the solution.”
For more information about the Women’s Empowerment Giving Circle or to join the Women’s netWork, send an email to manisteewomen@yahoo.com or contact the Manistee County Community Foundation at 231-723-7269.

Wealth for Women Seminar

Join Camille Koscic for the Wealth for Women program November 3-6 at the Portage Point Inn in Onekama.

Six months from now, a small group of committed women who invested their daily coffee money in themselves rather than mochas will be well on their way to having their dreams come true.

If you're not in that group, where will you be in six months? Will it be any closer to anything you want, or will it be the same old stuff?

Right now, call 231-383-0141 to register or to get more detailed information. It
will cost you only $3.99 a day to find out how to get anything you want.

To your success,
Camille Kocsis

P.S. If your life has been so contaminated by the whiners that you're not even sure what your dream is, we'll help you uncover it. You're here for a reason and this is how you can
find out what it is. Call now 231-383-0141.

P.P.S. A recent registrant said when deciding whether or not to spend the money to attend she asked herself this question, “"How valuable would it be to me to really let go of inaccurate and limited ideas about money and wealth and replace them with accurate and expanded ideas?". She decided it was well worth it.

P.P.P.S. How much progress did you make in the last six months toward your dream? Do you think that speeding it up in a big way might be good? Aren't you tired of waiting? Is
your dream worth $3.99 a day? Are you? CALL NOW 231-383-0141

Newsweek's When Women Lead

Please read the articles in the Oct 24, 2005 Newsweek -
the entire issue is on line at

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9712125/

When Women Lead
As a growing number of female executives rise to the top,
how will they change the culture of the workplace?

There is a lot to learn in this issue.
We'd love to read your comments....

Celebrating Women Festival Coordinator Needed

Good Monday to you all! We are again planning the Celebrating Women Festival
and are in need of a Festival Coordinator – we are currently accepting resumes
for this position so please spread the word and get back to me with any ideas you
may have. We also will be having a meeting for all those interested in participating
again this year. If you know of anyone who should receive emails about the festival
please forward their email address to me. And please feel free to forward this
message to anyone who may need it. I will get back to you with a meeting date,
time and place. Sure hope your summer went well.

Best Regards,

Evelyn J

Manistee County CVB
231-398-9355

Becoming a Great Conversationalist

Three Skills To Improve Conversation
By: Brian Tracy

One key to becoming a great conversationalist is to pause before replying. A short pause, of three to five seconds, is a very classy thing to do in a conversation. When you pause, you accomplish three goals simultaneously.

The Benefits of Pausing
First, you avoid running the risk of interrupting if the other person is just catching his or her breath before continuing. Second, you show the other person that you are giving careful consideration to his or her words by not jumping in with your own comments at the earliest opportunity. The third benefit of pausing is that you will actually hear the other person better. His or her words will soak into a deeper level of your mind and you will understand what he or she is saying with greater clarity. By pausing, you mark yourself as a brilliant conversationalist.