How Hiring Women Other Businesses Won't Has Made 'All The Difference'

Robert Frost suggested that taking the road less traveled made all the difference. The Women's Bean Project, a nonprofit in Denver, Colorado, employs only women generally considered unemployable. For nearly 30 years, the social enterprise has worked to help women learn to work by giving them jobs; that is how they make a difference.

The "Bean," as insiders know it, was recently selected by REDF, a national organization that supports social enterprises like the Bean, that "provide jobs, support, and training to people who would otherwise have a tough time getting into the workforce," for a growth investment, according to Carla Javits, President and CEO of REDF.

The Bean, according to CEO Tamra Ryan, generates $2.2 million in revenue and employs 75 women. The business generates a modest gross margin on sales of gourmet dried food products of just 8 percent. The organization's other costs are funded by grants and donations. Read the story in Forbes.

Helping women finish their education. Creating leaders.

The Conference of Women Legislators (COWL) has established a scholarship fund to assist mature women (age 25 and older) who wish to continue their undergraduate education. The goal of the scholarship is to focus on deserving, qualified women whose educations were interrupted due to family concerns and economic problems. Particular consideration will emphasize women who have shown leadership promise through community service.

The one year undergraduate scholarship will cover tuition, books and fees up to $2500 per year, including summer school. Applicants for the scholarship must meet certain requirements to be eligible. In addition to being a woman 25 years of age or older, she must be an Illinois resident and plan to attend an accredited on-campus school in Illinois for at least six semester hours (online college are not eligible).

The scholarship application instructions, application & Waiver of Confidentiality can be downloaded from the COWL website.

Application materials must be postmarked no later than April 15, 2016 to be considered and all applicants will be notified by May 31, 2016. COWL Scholarship Program is for the 2016-2017 Academic Year.

Four Supreme Court Justices Featured in Grand-Scale Painting at the National Portrait Gallery

The Four Justices by Nelson Shanks;  2012;
Ian and Annette Cumming Collection, on loan
to the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery will display a loaned portrait of the first female Supreme Court Justices, Sandra Day O’Connor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, beginning Oct. 28. The 9-foot-6-inch by 7-foot-9-inch oil painting by the artist Nelson Shanks features the four women in an interior based on the Supreme Court Building; it will be displayed in the museum for three years.

This portrait recognizes the achievements of these four women—the first to serve on the nation’s highest court.

“The scale of this painting speaks to the grand accomplishments made by these four women and the example they set for future generations,” said Kim Sajet, director of the museum. “I imagine this portrait will spark a conversation among young people, particularly young women, about breaking barriers.” Read more from the news desk of Smithsonian.

Amy Guth takes aim at online harassment of women

Celebrated Chicago journalist Amy Guth knows what it’s like to be the target of vicious and terrifying harassment by online trolls — and to be advised by well-meaning friends to pretend it didn’t happen.

She’s not pretending anymore.

On Wednesday Guth launched a Kickstarter campaign to secure funds for production of an ambitious documentary series about “harassment and civility in the online world and how it relates to women.”

The untitled series, which will be released in episode form over two seasons or more, will explore women’s stories in the digital world and delve into the complex and widespread problem of invisible predators on social media. As host and producer, Guth already has begun lining up interviews around the country. Read more by Robert Feder.

Southern Illinois women face their flaws and 'Feel Beautiful'

Being a woman in the Western world means that our beauty — or lack thereof — is valued above just about everything else. Especially because most of us don't fit into the narrow parameters that define that beauty.

Jenn Fortune, a photographer based in Marion, and the 20 Southern Illinois women who modeled for her "Feel Beautiful, Know Your Beauty" photography project, are hoping to spread body positivity and acceptance in all shapes, sizes, ages and races.

Fortune hosted an exhibit opening at her studio in the Star Centre Mall this past Thursday, where she displayed her 1950s-inspired pin-up photos. Read Alee Quick's story in the Southern Illinoian.

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman

 Mitch Ingold bravely stood before 85 women and delivered potentially disappointing news.

It was a warm, breezy Saturday in the woods — perfect weather for camp. But Ingold had to tell the women, who had come to this north central Illinois site to learn as much as they could about the outdoors, that approaching storms might impact Sunday's activities.

"But what about archery?" a woman called out.

"Beekeeping?" asked another.

"Power tools?"

The women were participants in Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, a weekend-long workshop coordinated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources each June and September.

The most recent event was held over three days on the Lorado Taft Field Campus of Northern Illinois University, adjacent to Lowden State Park. Twenty-four classes were offered on a variety of outdoor-related topics, each lasting 3 1/2 hours. Along with lessons about firearms and fishing, topics included everything from horse grooming and dutch oven cooking to picnic table yoga and, yes, power tools.

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshops are offered in 39 states and six Canadian provinces. Illinois has hosted them since 1995, but Ingold, field education coordinator for the IDNR, said they have never been so popular.

"Six years ago, 40 or 50 would sign up and it would take three months for registration to fill," Ingold said. "The last three years all workshops have been full, registration closed within six weeks, and this time we had a waiting list.

"You can always tell how good your program is by the number of returning participants," he said. "Ninety percent of our new participants come a second, third or 10th time."

The camp has become increasingly popular as more women get involved in outdoor sports, and as more women live independently, according to Ingold. Read the story in the Chicago Tribune.

Find out more:
Illinois Becoming an Outdoors Woman Workshop