See Jane Do...

250 Women Unite at Passion Into Action

 

"Be the kind of woman who, upon getting up in the morning, places her feet upon the ground and the Devil says, 'Oh crap. She's up!" ~Kathy LeMay Passion Into Action keynote speaker

 

It began to the beat of one drum as over 250 women joined together at the 2nd Annual Passion Into Action Women's Conference in Grass Valley, CA. From the moving performance by the Feather River Singers, to opening up with Nina Simons, crying & laughing  with Kathy LeMay, being authentic and ready to lead with Tiffany Dufu, bringing women into circle with Jean Shinoda Bolen plus 17 amazing presenters, we are forever changed by this experience & thank each of you who participated in the event.

 

Nina Simons' passion for cultivating women's leadership and enhancing the planet is contagious and inspiring.  She did an incredible job of engaging the participants and providing a safe space for them to open up and share.  We so appreciate her ability to listen, her honesty and her sincerity.   

Kathy LeMay wowed us with her presentation.   We especially loved how she engaged the participants through her personal stories, out-of-the box thinking and sense of humor.  She has redefined philanthropy and how we can utilize our passion to be of service to each other.  While she has raised over $500 Million dollars for organizations she reminds us that giving to the greater good doesn't require millions.   

 

Tiffany Dufu, new President of The White House Project is striving to train 8,000 women to take the lead in the United States and there is no doubt that she will achieve that goal!  We especially appreciated her attention to authenticity and action in her presentation. It was such an honor to include Tiffany and two of her incredible team members, Liz Johnson and Nevada Littlewolf in the Passion Into Action line-up.  Liz and Nevada were extremely inspired and moved by the energy, enthusiasm, and passion of the attendees.  We hope to collaborate with The White House Project again in the future.

 

Activist and author Jean Shinoda Bolen is gathering women together and empowering them to create social change. Her personal stories around bringing women into circle, activism and her efforts to spearhead a 5th World Conference on Women are encouraging and hopeful.  Jean speaks from the heart and  inspires women to do what they love and share it with the world.  

 

We are extremely grateful to the 17 talented and powerful women who took the time to share their passion and lead 15 workshops at the conference including: Patt Lind-Kyle, Kathleen McIntire, Sonika Tinker, Elizabeth Johnson, Jessica Reeder, Shawn Tuttle, Amber Clisura, Kim Stravers, Stacy Malkan, Carole Carson, Linda Joy Myers, Lisa Schrader, and to our Boston friends, Alexis Schroeder, Jeanne Dasaro, and Jennifer Cohen.  We wish Chameli Ardagh a quick recovery and look forward to partnering with her on future events.   

 

A year of planning goes into organizing this conference and we couldn't do it without your support.  A sincere thanks to our fantastic volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, Gather the Women, David Nicholson, Kial James, Haute Trash, Summer Thymes, Briar Patch, the Center for the Arts, Friendship Club, Sierra Mentoring Partnership, Sugar & Oats, Suzie Daggett, APPLE, Women Worldwide, Blossom Organics, Veritea, Nana's Baked Goods, Mayor Jan Arbuckle, Council Member Reinette Senum, Dawn Lorraine, Oberon, KVMR, Stephanie Camp, Jennifer Hall, Sadie Wight, supporters, friends, family and extraordinary participants who helped to create the magic of Passion Into Action.

 

So, what's next?  We are developing the next plan of action to continue the synergy from the event and support each others work and passion.   

 

Keynote Speakers:

Did you miss Passion Into Action?  We are hosting a special screening of the four keynote presentations and panel discussions at the Magic Theater Sat. May 14th at 4:00 PM, Sunday May 15th at 1:00 PM, Sunday May 22nd at 1:00 PM, and Monday May 23rd at 7:00 PM.  This will include special guests who will share tips and tools on how to put your passion into action.   More info to come! 

 

We look forward to aligning our work with the extraordinary presenters of Passion Into Action and will keep you posted. 

 

 

Share the Passion

DVDs of keynote presentations including: Nina Simons, Kathy LeMay, Tiffany Dufu, and Jean Shinoda Bolen are available for purchase.  The cost is $9 per DVD and also includes the panel discussion.  To order your DVD contact us at info@seejanedo.com.   

 

Soiree Into Action

We will continue to hold our quarterly Soiree Into Action events with a specific focus around uniting our community of women and sharing tools to put our passion into action.  We are also looking to include teleseminars and webinars to include communities of women across the country.  Do you have a topic you'd like to share or learn more about?  Please contact us at info@seejanedo.com.

 

Your Voice

Within the next couple of days Passion Into Action participants will receive an online survey.  As we look to possibly expand Passion Into Action in other small towns and rural communities we look to you for suggestions in order to enhance the PIA experience.     

 

Connect with Us

Our radio program continues to feature the stories of everyday extraordinary women.  We appreciate the support of our host station, KVMR as we move towards syndicating See Jane Do this year on other stations across the country.    

 

You can also read about extraordinary women in our column in The Union Newspaper.

 

We are excited to speak at the Green Life Eco Fest May 21st-22nd and the National Federation of Community Broadcasters annual conference June 1st-4th.   

 

Passion Into Action is a success because of your commitment to invest in "you", doing your part, sharing your stories, and following your heart.   We appreciate your support and can't wait continue the momentum and energy this coming year.

 

All the best,

 

Elisa and Jesse

Defining You with Patt, Kathleen and Linda Joy

"By learning more about who you are, you become the heroine of your own life, and can create positive change in the world" ~Linda Joy Myers

 

As a global community it feels like we're at a tipping point, the conditions of our planet could go either way depending on our actions.  As a society of women, however it feels like we're on the verge of new possibilities.  The dramatic shift that is necessary will require women to stand up along-side our brothers and lead the way towards a healthier future. 

We can't think of a better time than now for women to collaborate and come together at an event like Passion Into Action.

 

Chameli Ardagh at Passion Into Action

Studies show that in times of stress women tend to gather together to share, communicate and connect.  Men on the other hand tend to isolate themselves; figuring out a way to solve the problem on their own or fight it out.  As we face current challenges it's no surprise that women are flocking to events like The Women's Conference, Gather the Women, TEDxGrass Valley and Passion Into Action.  We refer to this phenomena as the "Water Cooler Revolution".  Rather than gather in the kitchen at home or around a water cooler at work women are revolutionizing leadership and forming together in large numbers at meaningful events in order to find their purpose, identify role models and create solutions to a better world. 

Passion Into Action

It seems there are several components necessary to facilitate the change that is needed. First, women need to come together.  Second, as individuals we each need to do our part.  And third, we need to figure out what that part is.  We created Passion Into Action to address all of these issues; connecting with our community of women, discovering our passion and acquiring the tools to do so, and most important taking our passion and activating it into action with the support of others.  Figuring out our purpose, our calling for the greater good and essentially what makes up happy is key to leading a collective force of positive change.

Passion Into Action is the ideal space to explore what moves you.  We are thrilled to feature three extraordinary women who will provide techniques, exercises, stories and tools to define your passion.

Kathleen McIntire is a teacher and a healer. Through her passion she creates sacred space that allows room for transformation, awakening and healing within.  Her deep commitment to women's issues has taken her around the world, most recently to Israel and Palestine with the Nobel Women's Initiative and to the Ecuadorian rainforest where she co-leads expeditions.  Kathleen is also a trained facilitator for the Pachamama Alliance's "Awakening the Dreamer" symposium and certified practitioner of Cellular Memory Release ™.

 

Kathleen's workshop From Fear into Freedom

Riding the Waves of the Seven C's with the Power of The Grandmother spirit is designed to help create the highest and best for your life and examine where fear, denial and being in the "victim" holds you back.  Kathleen says that one of the biggest take-aways from her workshop is to learn how to call in the Grandmother's Spirit and ride the waves of "The Seven C's" :

• Courage
• Confidence
• Co-creation
• Connection
• Compassion
• Clarity
• Choosing

She believes that "the world is counting on each one of us NOW to step into these gifts and bring them forward into the world. Each one of us is a thread in the tapestry of wholeness, each gift is essential!"

 

Click here to read more about Kathleen's story.

 

Author, Patt Lind-Kyle returns to the 2nd Annual Passion Into Action Conference! Patt's workshop in the Defining You track is designed to help remove mental barriers, deal with impossibilities and tap into your passion.  Her work is driven from an interest in research of inner development and optimal performance and will apply techniques from her award winning book Heal Your Mind, Rewire Your Brain: Applying the Exciting New Science of Brain Synchrony for Creativity, Peace and Presence. 

Patt says the biggest take-away from her workshop, Tapping Into Your Passion is "for individuals to understand and know how to change their mind and literally rewire their brains and alter their DNA by using some very reliable tools that will open them up to a new level of freedom in their lives."

 

Click here to read more about Patt's story.

 

The power of story has the ability to transfer cultural beliefs from one generation to the next.  These tales might carry sorrow, hope, joy, or strength.  A story might shift our way of being in the world and reflect the path recently walked on.  The power of the story reminds us that as the author, we must question how our personal story serves us and how our story will benefit those of the future?

 

Dr. Linda Joy Myers works with others to expand their lives into story. Linda has been a therapist in Berkeley for over thirty years, and combines her background in art, clinical work, and writing in her work. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Mills College, and offers unique memoir workshops and trainings in the Bay Area and nationally. She is former president of the California Writers Club, Marin branch, and a member of Women's National Book Association. Myers is an award-winning fiction, poetry, and non-fiction writer, her first book "Becoming Whole: Writing Your Healing Story" was featured on the Marin Bestseller's list.

 

Dr. Myers is leading the workshop, The Heroine's Journey-Find your Path Through Writing Your Story. 

 

She hopes the biggest take-away of her workshop is "learning about the power of creating your story and seeing yourself as a heroine of your own life helps you to understand your past, your identity, and how you can shape the future. Knowing that each step your ancestors have taken have brought you to this moment-where you are empowered-weaves the past and present into a colorful tapestry that helps inspire the world."

 

Click here to read more about Linda Joy's story.

 

A limited number of tickets are available and are going fast.  You can register for the conference here or go to www.seejanedo.com .  

 

We look forward to seeing you all very soon!

Books, Beauty Bar, Fashion & Passion

 

It is hard to believe the 2nd Annual Passion Into Action Conference is just two weeks away!  

 

Tiffany Dufu

In addition to an incredible line up of world renowned keynote speakers that includes Nina Simons of Bioneers, feminist icon Jean Shinoda Bolen, author and social change agent Kathy LeMay and Tiffany Dufu of The White House Project we also have 15 workshops and 17 workshop leaders that will not only inspire and motivate you, but give you tips, tools and the plans to help kick start your own projects, organizations and communities.  

 

But the conference doesn't stop there. We have an exciting schedule that also includes book signings and a beauty bar in the Expo Area plus a very special Haute Trash Fashion Show during lunch.  

 

In between keynote speakers and workshops be sure to check out the Expo Area located in the lobby of the conference.  Here you will find over a dozen non-profit organizations that are committed to working towards the advancement of women, the environment and for social justice.  

 

Keynote speakers Nina Simons, Jean Shinoda Bolen and Kathy LeMay, workshop leaders Patt Lind-Kyle, Stacy Malkan, Linda Joy Myers, Carole Carson plus Kathryn McCamant author of "Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities" among others will be signing their latest books in the Book Store at Passion Into Action.  The book store only accepts check or cash so please plan accordingly.  

 

A Haute Trash Creation

Visit the See Jane Do Beauty Bar featuring natural and organic beauty products by Sugar & Oats Day Spa, Oberon Cosmetics, Dawn Lorraine Conscious Skincare and Blossom Organics. Enjoy aromatherapy scalp and hand massages, plus mineral makeup application on cheeks and eyes by Sugar & Oats Day Spa and Oberon Cosmetics.  Discover Dawn Lorraine's Conscious Skincare products and be sure to check out her Pomegranate Crisp Body Creme which she is donating a portion of her sales to See Jane Do.  And pick up a sample from Blossom Organics' Intimate Care Collection.

 

Haute Trash, the ridiculously talented group of women artists that create beautiful fashion out of trash will present a fabulous runway fashion show for Passion Into Action attendees during lunch time.  Join in the fun and volunteer to be one of the models! If you'd like to take part, contact Kathi Griffis (aka Prima Debris) at primadebris@hautetrash.org.  All sizes and ages are welcome and encouraged!

 

Tickets are still available but are going fast.  You can purchase your tickets and register for the conference here.  

 

We look forward to seeing you all very soon!

Patt Lind-Kyle: Tapping Into Your Passion

Author, Patt Lind-Kyle returns to the 2nd Annual Passion Into Action Conference! Patt's workshop in the Defining You track is designed to help remove mental barriers, deal with impossibilities and tap into your passion.  Her work is driven from an interest in research of inner development and optimal performance and will apply techniques from her award winning book Heal Your Mind, Rewire Your Brain: Applying the Exciting New Science of Brain Synchrony for Creativity, Peace and Presence. 

Patt shares with us the inspiration behind her passion, how women and girls will effect the future, and the biggest take-aways from her workshop.

Q.  What is your personal mission or passion that is helping to re-shape the future?

A.  We all have an inner world as well as an outer world. By knowing how to discover our inner world we will really understand our unique passion, how to implement it and manifest it into the outer world.

Q.  Describe a significant moment or experience that inspired your personal mission or passion to make a difference?

A.  I did a six month silent retreat where I discovered my passion which was to teach people in a scientific acceptable way how individuals can develop the power of their minds and use the mental tools of intention, attention, receptivity and awareness to change their lives.

Q.  What do you hope will be the biggest take-aways for the attendees who participate in your workshop?

A.  For individuals to understand and know how to change their mind and literally rewire their brains and alter their DNA by using some very reliable tools that will open them up to a new level of freedom in their lives.

Q.  How do you see women and girls in the local and global communities affecting the future?

A.  Women and girls today are far more conscious, more confident, more educated and have programs and mentors for personal development that provides a community of support for them that we older women didn’t have.  Because there is this growing support of women in so many different ways through various programs, etc. women today have a greater vision of possibilities. This quality of growing support and development will affect the future by bringing back into our civilization greater qualities of human caring, focus and meaning rather than just material consuming.

Q.  Why is it so important to participate in groups and events that connect women and feature their talents, ideas and solutions right now?

A.  Women are relational. Women need other women to help reduce their stress in this highly pressured society. Coming together in groups creates energy, inspiration, new ideas, and comradeship in community effort as well as mutual support. Coming together creates more mutual brain resonance that produces a higher level of understanding and awareness and therefore helps each other develop greater insight, vision and passion to be a force in their communities and in the world at large.

Q.  What is your message to women around the world?

A.  Leadership first and foremost is learning about energy. It is learning how to develop this energy in your self and how to use and demonstrate it. To be an energetic leader with passion you must love yourself. Learning to love your self builds energy within so that you can extend this power in your leadership in truly creative, powerful  and compassionate ways to others.

Patt's Workshop at Passion Into Action:

Tapping Into Your Passion

The new brain research has much to teach us and has revealed remarkable information on how the brain works to be an effective leader. We can use the brain as a mirror to open our lives, access our gifts, transform our lives, and to make a positive impact on our communities.  

The focus of this workshop is to learn how to release out of what blocks movement in our lives. Intention is a mental tool that if used properly will guide your brain into the right direction and the brain will strategize to make it happen.

THE OBJECTIVES

• Experience how to talk and listen to your unconscious
• How to effectively use your intention and where to put your attention
• How to remove emotional barriers that inhibit action
• How to deal with impossibilities
• Learn how to use the basic recipe of EFT (emotional freedom technique)

To participate in Patt's workshop click here to register for Passion Into Action or go to www.seejanedo.com. 

Passion Into Action: A Women's Conference Tickets On Sale Today

 
Be Inspired, Be Motivated, Be Moved

Passion Into Action, Friday & Saturday, April 29 & 30, Holiday Inn Express, 121 Bank Street, Grass Valley, CA featuring special guests Nina Simons of Bioneers, Marie Wilson of the White House Project, Jean Shinoda Bolen, Kathy LeMay and many more.

"The most incredibly evolved group of women I have ever met in my life!" - Gloria Feldt

"Passion Into Action is like falling in love.  If you fall in love deeply enough with that which really matters to you, everything opens from there." - Chameli Ardagh

"You could see what the outcome of this conference is...it's a way for women to voice what the issues of the day are, how we can improve our community, the nation, our planet.  It provided me with inspiration, but also tools." - Elaine Sierra

Join today’s leading women’s speakers and activists at See Jane Do’s 2nd Annual Passion Into Action: A Women’s Conference. See Jane Do will host world renowned speakers and over a dozen workshop leaders on self development, green living, health & wellness, leadership and the value of you.

This inspired gathering of hearts and minds was realized after an exciting year traveling across the nation to capture the incredible stories of everyday women who were doing extraordinary things for the planet, for our monthly radio show and website.

We wanted to design a conference that specifically served women in rural communities and small towns. These are places where small steps can lead to bigger changes at a rapid pace and community members are vested on a personal level in taking care of each other and the area in which they live.

Passion Into Action creates a space for the women in their community to meet, network and explore ideas on how to work together on one another's projects and strengthen their community. Most important, the content of the event will hopefully transfer ideas into action. The event showcases real women with real solutions; mixing local and non-local leaders & visionaries, artists & musicians, mothers & grandmothers, teachers & students, homemakers & business owners among others.

Whether you’re seeking tools to fund your passion and business, connect with a group of like-minded women to support the good work you’re doing, or finding your voice and simplifying your life, we hope you find Passion Into Action to be an investment in your and our collective futures.

Friday, April 29, 2011
Passion Into Action Opening Night "A Special Evening with Nina Simons of Bioneers" plus Feather River Singers and special guests
630pm Reception, 7pm Show

Saturday, April 30, 2011
All-Day Conference with Keynote Speakers Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen, Marie Wilson of The White House Project, Kathy LeMay and Nina Simons plus Workshop Leaders: The White House Project featuring Elizabeth Johnson & Nevada Littlewolf, Kim Stravers, Linda Joy Myers, Jennifer Cohen & Gina LaRoche, Sonika Tinker, Shawn Tuttle, Carole Carson, Chameli Ardagh, Kathleen McIntire, Jessica Reeder, Patt Lind-Kyle, Jesse Locks & Elisa Parker, Stacy Malkan, Alexis Schroeder & Jeanne Dasaro.
830am Registration, 930am-530pm Conference

Tickets

Save & Buy the Full Conference Pass - Friday "Opening Night With Nina Simons" & Saturday Conference (includes Continental Breakfast & Lunch) $95adv/$105 door

Friday "Opening Night Only With Nina Simons, Feather River Singers and Nevada Littlewolf" $35adv/$45door

Saturday Conference Only with Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen, Kathy LeMay, Marie Wilson & 15 workshops (includes Continental Breakfast & Lunch) $70adv/$80door (Please add $3 for service and handling fees)

Click Here to Register & Purchase Tickets!

See Jane Do's Top Seven Take Aways from 2010

2010 was definitely a roller coaster ride. The year’s top news stories included fierce acts of Mother Nature such as the earthquake in Haiti, the Icelandic Volcano, the Chilean earthquake and tsunami; man-made disasters like the Gulf Oil Spill; historic legislature that included President Obama signing the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and health care into law; plus Elana Kagan was sworn in to Supreme Court the fourth ever female Supreme Court Justice. In California, Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown went head to head for governor. American hiker Sarah Shourd was released by Iran after being detained for 13-months for crossing an unmarked border and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi was also released after years of detention by Burma’s Junta.

In some ways these national and international news stories mirrored the twists and turns of our communities and our own lives. 

With See Jane Do we are striving to uncover those stories that fly under the radar even though they affect all of us.  We are redefining information sharing for women through bridging of traditional media with new media; streaming radio, linking video to webisodes and connecting people from a virtual world back to a regional one. 

Unlike other programs geared towards women, which mostly covers entertainment, beauty and some women’s issues, See Jane Do takes current news topics we are concerned about and creates a personal story with a reason to care and a solution to do.  Our programs are organized around the media, social justice, power of the purse, environmental action, health & wellness, politics and leadership.

It’s our hope that See Jane Do provides a platform for you and other everyday women to speak from and hear from real women with real solutions.   

Today we will feature some of our biggest take aways from 2010; the stories, events and experiences that reaffirmed this movement is a lot bigger than we thought and yes, you and I are the one’s we’ve been waiting for.  It is our time. 

Take Away 1 - Don’t underestimate the power of your story, it might just change the world.

"A movement isn't a movement unless it's moving" ~ Gloria Feldt

We kicked off 2010 with the first annual Passion Into Action Conference.  Over 300 women braved the snowy conditions and traveled from all over Northern California to attend this sold-out conference, which featured Nina Simons of Bioneers, best-selling author and activist Gloria Feldt, and former US Ambassador Linda Tarr-Whelan.  We wanted to create a space for women to share their story with others in addition to meeting, networking, and exploring ideas on how to work together and strengthen our communities, with the intention to transfer ideas into action. In addition to our incredible keynote speakers the conference included seventeen workshop leaders.

Nina Simons shared the importance of owning our story, the relationship we hold with the earth and the potential women have to enhance our planet together.  

Gloria Feldt challenged us to think about power and the importance of Sister Courage.  She has been a tremendous advocate for See Jane Do and we were extremely honored that she included us in her new book, "No Excuses, 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think About Power". 

"See Jane Do's unique multimedia platform holds exciting promise as a new model for civic engagement and leadership in today's fast-paced, fragmented world." ~Gloria Feldt

Extraordinary Janes:  Nina Simons, Gloria Feldt, Linda Tarr-Whelan, Chameli Ardagh, Reinette Senum, Marilyn Nyborg, Mary-Elizabeth Young, Kathleen McIntire, Nancy Shanteau, Robin Mallery, Patt Lind-Kyle, Wendy Van Wagner, Robyn Martin, Cathe' Fish, Christina Hills, Susanna Dimmitt, Molly Fisk, Rachel Barge, Shawn Tuttle, and Sonika Tinker.

Take Away 2 – You cannot be what you cannot see.

One of the most powerful mediums to amplify women’s voices and perspectives and ultimately transform culture is through film.  See Jane Do traveled to the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas, to interview women filmmakers and film festival organizers.  Later that month we headed to New York City to cover The White House Project’s EPIC Awards and host their Media Lounge.  While there we met with the Women’s Media Center to get a clear picture of where women stand in the media.  We were shocked to learn that only 7% of the stories we watch at the movies, are told by female directors. This means that 93% of the films (even the ones about women) were interpreted through a man's perspective.  Women hold 3% of decision-making positions in all forms of media.  We also celebrated Kathryn Bigelow’s Academy Award for best director for the film Hurtlocker, the fourth time a woman had been nominated for the award and the first time a woman had won in the history of the Academy.

Extraordinary Janes:  Fay Ann Lee, Georgina Lightning, Janet Pierson, Katie Aselton, Carol Dysinger, Marie Wilson, Jehmu Greene, Beth Brooke, Alison Teal Blehert Koehn, Kimberlee Bassford, Barbara Bridges, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Katie Goodmanand , and Katie Madonna.

Take Away 3 - Speaking up, Speaking out, Taking Action – When enough is enough.

We met several environmental action heroes that were risking life and limb for environmental and social injustices this year including Diane Wilson, an award winning activist, author, co-founder of CODEPINK and shrimp boat captain.  Diane made national news as a result of her outburst during Tony Hayward's hearing (CEO of BP). The activist was awakened in Diane over twenty years ago when she discovered that she lived in the most toxic county in the United States. 

We also interviewed Goldman Environmental Prize Winner Lynn Henning a family farmer who exposed the polluting practices of livestock factory farms in rural Michigan.  Her efforts to require CAFO's (basically animal factories that confine thousands of livestock) to clean up the toxic brew that is contaminating ground water, lakes and streams, has gained the attention of the EPA. 

"Are you seeking approval of the world or seeking to change the world?"~Eve Ensler

Elisa covered The Women's Conference in Long Beach, California and spoke with powerful change makers like Donna Karan, Rosario Dawson, Lisa Ling and Eve Ensler.  Eve described the event as her coming out day since it was her first public speech having recoevered from uterine cancer.  She is playing a tremendous role in working to end violence against women and stressed that changing the world is not about being liked or seeking approval.  We must be brave and step up to create a better world.

Extraordinary Janes: Diane Wilson, Lynn Henning, Eve Ensler, Donna Karan, Stacy Malkan, Nicole Edmison, Fran Visco

Take Away 4 – There is Hope in Healthcare.

A growing number of women are taking their health into their own hands, changing policy, setting deadlines, and creating hope in healthcare. Whether you're for universal healthcare or not, pro-choice or anti-choice, most might agree that women's health needs often take the back seat in the America.  As a result, many women are standing up and moving forward for their healthcare rights.  This also includes changing policy to expose and ban the toxic chemicals contained in many of our home and beauty products and setting a deadline to end breast cancer.

See Jane Do examined the stuff in our stuff with Stacy Malkan, author of Not Just a Pretty Face, Erin Switalski, Executive Director of Women's Voices for the Earth, and Britta Aragon activist and blogger of Cinco Vidas.  We covered the health care reform town hall meetings and captured a personal perspective of women's heath with the Women's Health Specialists.  Finally we featured extraordinary women who are taking incredible measures to end breast cancer by setting a deadline and bringing women together to support the cause.  We walked with women in the Barbara Schmidt Millar Triathlon, founded by Cathy Anderson-Meyers and spoke with Fran Visco, breast cancer survivor and president of the National Breast Cancer Coalition who shared their strategy to setting a deadline to end breast cancer by 2020.

See Jane Do hosted four Soirees Into Action in 2010 including the Green Makeover Party. 

Extraordinary Janes:  Stacy Malkan, Erin Switalski, Fran Visco, Women's Health Specialists, Cathy Anderson-Meyers, Kayle Martin, and Britta Aragon.

Take Away 5 – Women’s Economic Influence – Becoming the CFO of Your Household

Women now make up over half of the work force.  Women are launching businesses at twice the rate of men but funding sources still tend to lean towards male-owned companies.  We control up to 85% of what's bought or purchased in the United States and women control 60% of the wealth.  Why is it then that most women don't feel economically powerful?  In fact, about 90% of women surveyed said they don't feel financially secure.  In order to make a difference and enhance the planet we need to feel comfortable with our level of influence and in this nation, money talks.  We interviewed Maddy Dychtwald, author of Influence:  How Women's Soaring Economic Power Will Transform Our World for the Better, award winning poet Molly Fisk, Jane Roberts, founder of 34 Million Friends, Teresa Delfin, founder of Mountain Mama, Gina Robison-Billupsand, founder of Moms Making a Million, Nevada State Treasurer Kate Marshall and best selling author, Riane Eisler who is creating ways to implement a new economy.  We also hosted the Funding Your Passion Soiree Into Action.

Extraordinary Janes:  Treasurer Kate Marshall, Maddy Dychtwald, Molly Fisk, Jane Roberts, Teresa Delfin, Gina Robison-Billupsand, and Riane Eisler.

Take Away 6 – Mentoring Girls for Social Change

Many youth today, especially at-risk teenage girls are lacking role models.  They are overwhelmed with the struggles of coming from broken homes where drugs and poverty are prevalent, survival is a constant concern, and options seem limited or non-existent.  Programs across the US, including right here in our hometown of Nevada City, are uniting these girls with mentors to build confidence, teach social change skills, provide authentic and positive relationships, and reshaping their and our future for the better.  These are the seeds for future social activism that need nurturing.

Extraordinary Janes:  Whitney Smith, founder of Girls For A Change, Jennifer Singer, co-founder of Friendship Club, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and Stephanie Ramirez.

Take Away 7 – Definition of Community is a Common Goal

Last December, former Mayor Reinette Senum in her TEDxGrassValley talk raised the concept of community as a common goal and it got us thinking about the many community movements we covered this year and the need for collaborative leadership.  For many of these communities, they are on the frontline of environmental and social change and thusly being impacted the greatest.  It is essential to hear their stories first hand.  In our program on Transition Towns we traveled to Reno, Nevada. In the "wild west" where the attitude was once every "man" for himself, women are pioneering a gentler expedition and this time they are doing it together to create a sustainable city that isn’t dependent on peak oil.  We also attended the annual Bioneers conference in San Rafael, CA and the Women’s Conference in Long Beach, CA. 

Extraordinary Janes:  Reinette Senum, Molly Fisk, Chameli Ardagh, Ginny Woods, Suzie Daggett, Rainy Blue Cloud, Transition Reno founders, and the String Sisters.

Moving forward in 2011, we ask what will your story be?  What’s your legacy?

We’ve heard and met so many extraordinary Janes this year, all of which started out as everyday women, but because of a certain issue or a passion that struck home for them, something inside was ignited to do more.  Some did it alone and created a movement where others joined them, while some reached out to friends, family, and their communities to organize around something they felt passionate about and make a positive change. 

Passion into Action and Patt Lind-Kyle

On January 23rd, 2010 over 250 women will come together in Nevada County to put their passion into action!  In addition to creating meaningful connections, collaborating with other women, and expanding your possibilities, one of our reasons for launching this event is to inspire and support the great work you are doing or want to do.  In order to nourish your passion we've established the track, Taking Care of You.  Your health and wellness is essential to leading the life you want to live, including mind, body and spirit. 

During the event author and consultant, Patt Lind-Kyle will demonstrate that reaching our full potential and unleashing our passion is about mind over matter.  She says she has discovered new tools to "help individuals become more effective with their brain/mind potential." 

You'll have an opportunity to experience Patt's work during her session, Change your Mind Change the World: Women Making a Positive Difference.   She shares with us the purpose of her passion and why it's so important for women to participate 

1.     How are you putting your passion into action?

My book was just published last month called, “Heal Your Mind Rewire Your Brain” that is how I am putting my passion into action.  I am passionate about the fact that our mind and brain is the key to unlock our potential in our selves and in the world. To be an effective leader in the world one must know how our brain/mind works. The increased stress of our fast passed life and our earth being in such peril led me to create a mind-training program.

2.     What do you love most about the work you are doing?

I love that we have choice to change our mind and brain and thus change our life.  Scientific research has validated this through the recent discovery of  neuroplasticity.  Neuroplasticity means the brain is flexible and adaptable by changing its structure and function to what ever you want.  Research is also   validating the relationship between our thoughts and behavior.  These two distinguishes how our emotional thoughts block our potential. From recent research it is now very clear that the brain has a negativity bias. It is this negative bias that creates mental stress, agitation, and physical disease.  The brain    and mind can be trained to over rule this negative bias. We can train the brain because of its changeability. Mental training opens awareness and teaches us how to make the changes needed in our minds to create new behavior. We just need to know how to use our brain so we can be the best most efficient, clear and directed leader in whatever capacity we choose.

3.     What were the motivating factors that inspired you to get involved and share your passion? 

For 38 years I have had a meditation practice experiencing many silent retreats that let me closely observe my mind. In my 6-month silent retreat I experienced the mind at peace for months. when I came out of the retreat I realized not many people would do what I have done to find that peace. A     question came to me, “How can I make it clear and easy for others to also know a peaceful state of mind instead of such stress?” After the retreat I discovered an EEG brain machine that monitors the brain.  Thus, I was able to show clients their brain when it was in peace or stress and how to change     the brain/mind by mental training.  After working with clients and teaching classes my clients encouraged me to write the book.

4.     Who were some female role models or mentors that inspired your work and passion?

A Buddhist nun was my seed teacher. She encouraged and taught me over the years and finally told me I was to begin teaching.

5.     Why is the work you are doing so important for everyday women?

Every woman gets caught up in this fast paced life today and lost in the machinations of her mind.  It is so easy for her attention to get side tracked or diverted.  Training  woman to have the ability to develop intention, attention, awareness and receptivity are the fundamental tools that the brain uses to create effective leaders.

6.  Why is it so important for women to participate in an event like the Passion into Action Conference? 

To explore her worth, find new ways to become more of who she is and to be with other women in a creative community.

6.     What are you hoping will be the biggest take-away for women at the Passion into Action Conference? 

An entry point for women to use the tools of her own mind and brain and to make a difference in her life and in the world.

The See Jane Do Passion into Action Conference takes place on Sat. January 23rd, 2010 at the Holiday Inn in Grass Valley, CA.  The event includes keynote speakers, Nina Simons, Gloria Feldt, and Linda Tarr-Whelan plus over fifteen workshop leaders.  For tickets go to www.seejanedo.com or Briar Patch Co-op in Grass Valley.

Elisa