Despite only being my second day in my new role with YWCA Cambridge, I knew that I was exactly where I needed to be. On Tuesday, April 14, our community of supporters gathered at The Underwing for an intimate evening of honest discussion and heartfelt stories. As always, I am in awe of the tenacity and grit that keeps women and gender diverse folks on our feet, even when the world is persistently trying to knock us down. The atmosphere in the room was vibrant with passion and potential.
Each speaker shared their HERstory over the span of 10 minutes, but every word was so gripping that it transported the audience into their life and gave an opportunity to walk alongside them through each raw moment. It is one thing to share a bit about yourself out of obligation – it is something entirely different to give the gift of connection through the art of storytelling. As someone with an extensive background in non-profit fundraising, I know revenue is often the most important KPI used to determine the value of an event. However, SheTalks flips that assumption on its head. We are measuring the volume of personal connections made and depth of vulnerable discussions had amongst like-minded community leaders.
Toni Laurentino, from Wild Heart Yoga, began her talk by leading the room in a grounded breathing exercise that changed the atmosphere – with each breath the room opened their hearts a little deeper, let down their walls, and felt the strength to speak their truth a little louder. In a sold-out room of 60 attendees, our collective breath felt powerful. It felt like the most unconventional group therapy session as we collectively mended our own heartaches through each others’ stories.
The change that we need in Cambridge and Waterloo Region begins with us. SheTalks defies the notion that women and gender diverse folks ought to wait for someone else to tell us what we need. SheTalks recognizes that the power to create change is in the hands and hearts of women and gender diverse folks who collectively feel every choice, mistake, and success that is made on our behalf. As Stephanie Soulis, from Little Mushroom Catering, shared, we know what we deserve and we will not settle for less.
YWCA Cambridge is an invaluable organization that I am honoured to be a part of. I have witnessed and felt generations of women and gender diverse folks, caught up in the chaos of gender equity, coming together to be seen and to be heard. At SheTalks, I watched as Nicole Schiener and Jill Summerhayes inspired attendees to feel moved, challenged, and reminded of their own strength. I experienced women and gender diverse folks coming together to be a part of a larger community mission and showing that we can uplift one another. Everyone was exactly where they needed to be.
Want to get in touch with Sarah? She’d love to hear from you! She can be reached at s.amoah[at]ywcacambridge[.]ca or 519-267-6444 ext 400.
