“Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity.”
~ International Women’s Day (IWD) website
Dear Friends,
This week, on March 8, International Women’s Day* (IWD) was celebrated around the world with the theme Embrace Equity. Equity is key to creating an inclusive society and livable world for everyone, not just for women.
So what is equity exactly? Whereas equality is that everyone gets the exact same resources or opportunity, equity takes it a step further recognizing that each individual has different circumstances and strives to provide the necessary resources and opportunities with a goal to create equal outcomes. Sharon Amesu provides a helpful explanation in this short video from IWD.
Coming with the understanding and appreciation that we humans sharing this planet have complex and nuanced differences, we are capable of creating cultures and systems in which we all are supported. But it takes attention, care, and concerted effort to do this.
Feathered Pipe has since its humble beginnings created a space of inclusion, with the convergence of people from diverse backgrounds all coming with the intention of connecting on a higher level. We’ve also fostered personal empowerment through many women’s circles with female leaders like Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen, Lilias Folan, Brooke Medicine Eagle, Marti Glenn, and Jan Lovett Keen, to name a few. Yet not everyone who would like to is in a position to come to the Feathered Pipe Ranch.
We are working to create equity and increase accessibility to our programs through various channels including quality free online content like The Dandelion Effect Podcast and blog articles, and our scholarship program to attend empowering, in-person retreats.
In honor of International Women’s Day, I’d like to celebrate and share the voices of three amazing women: India Supera, Stephanie Tovar, and Phylise Smith.
Feathered Pipe Dream with India Supera
Okay, you need to be a little patient for India’s story, but it’s worth it. Please join us by Zoom on April 8, 2023 at 9am PT/Noon ET for Feathered Pipe Dream with India Supera. We will stream a recording of India’s story time recorded by Erich Schiffmann in 2016 at the Feathered Pipe Ranch. Register in advance.
The Dandelion Effect with Stefanie Tovar
Love shines through Stephanie Tovar. You will feel that the second you hear her as she joins us for The Dandelion Effect Podcast’s latest episode. Last summer we met for the first time at the Ranch and felt an instant and deep bond.
Stefanie is a healing artist, a singer, a yoga teacher, a racial healing facilitator—and so much more. Stefanie’s life experiences have led her to working in wellness, with a mission to lovingly disrupt the status quo of what it’s “supposed to” look like to be a part of this growing industry. As a Latina, she speaks of the importance of diversity in all healing spaces—diversity of race, socioeconomics, religions, belief systems, sexual orientation, abilities and functions. Her work truly highlights the intersection between wellness and social justice. Join us for Our Mystically Untamed Nature.
Spring is Approaching- Phylise Smith
Phylise Smith embodies the spirit of seva, or selfless service, not only by caring for several family members but also by teaching yoga to students who would otherwise not have any access to yoga. Thanks in part to Feathered Pipe’s scholarship program, she attended a workshop at Feathered Pipe Ranch in 2022. Please enjoy Phylise’s article Spring is Approaching about her Ranch experience and how she will share that with her students.
We continue to work to expand our scholarship program. Click here to donate to the Feathered Pipe Scholarship Fund.
With a warm embrace we continue in our learning journey to work towards equity.
With love and gratitude,
Crystal Water
Executive Director of Feathered Pipe Foundation
*While started in the US in the early 1900s and later adopted by the United Nations in 1977, International Women’s Day is not federally recognized in the US. Wait. What? Yep, you may want to just Google it as there is a lot to learn.
Feature image credit: Anne Jablonski