PWA says, "Vote!"

Dear PWA friends,

We hope you're enjoying the last bits of summer as safely as you can in COVID season. For those with littles back in school, we see you. You got this!

This past month, we hosted a discussion on the documentary, And She Could Be Next, a look at grassroots movements across the country aimed at gaining representation in politics for historically marginalized groups in this country (namely, women of color). In the age of communication, it is difficult for social and political strife to go unnoticed. Much of our country -- young and old -- is awakening to the importance of participating in the political landscape simply because so many social and human rights issues seem to be partisan issues. It often feels like the fight for human decency is at stake, and it's hard to believe we're still being forced to take sides.

The Professional Women's Association encourages everyone who can to vote. The future depends on it. We've seen how much can change in a few short years, and how much progress gets lost when we're not looking out for each other. Luckily, California has not made it too difficult to submit your ballot this year, but you do need to make sure you've got everything in order to do so successfully and effectively. Check out Vote Safely, Santa Barbara County! to make sure your voice is heard this election season. 

We'd also like to invite you to the live-streamed forums featuring upcoming local election candidates, hosted by the League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara next Thursday. See the "Upcoming Events" section below for details, and visit https://my.lwv.org/california/santa-barbara for more information.

If you'd like to get involved with PWA's efforts to promote the vote, reach out to us at connect-pwa@ucsb.edu!

In peace and health,

The PWA Steering Committee

A Note from the Incoming Steering Committee President

Dear PWA friends,

I want to take a moment to introduce myself as the new PWA president for the 2020-2021 term. I am excited to continue PWA’s longstanding commitment to professional development and building community at UCSB. This is my third term with the PWA steering committee, so you may have seen me working on programming and events in the past couple of years. I’m also in my second year as an Admissions Counselor for UCSB. I am a recent transplant to Santa Barbara, having moved here from Iowa by way of Denver. I love living and working in such a beautiful place, and feel passionately about making this place more accessible and inclusive.

Let me say again that PWA is here for you. We are always looking to our membership community for feedback on what professional development and programming opportunities you would like to see, as the advancement of our mission only works when you feel the benefits! If you would like to see your Profession Women’s Association prioritizing certain programming or partnership efforts, please reach out and let us know!

PWA stands with our friends and neighbors fighting for justice and equity in our community and around the world because Black lives still matter. We continue to look toward this resource for Anti-Racism materials, this list of Black-owned businesses in Santa Barbara, and more ways to help (via #BLM) to help close the racial wealth gap and recognize the contributions, power, and legitimacy of BIPOC.

The Steering Committee and I look forward to meeting and collaborating with you through workshops, discussion forums, and virtual hang outs this year! Please reach out to us at connect-pwa@gmail.com with any suggestions/feedback!

In peace and good health,

Breana Barak

Statement from the Steering Committee June 11, 2020

Dear PWA Community,

Alongside our peers and colleagues across the nation and around the world, we mourn the loss of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many others who have been murdered as a result of inhumane police brutality that is perpetuated by a culture of white supremacy. Black Lives Matter. 

As a Professional Women’s Association committed to equity and justice, we must work to dismantle white supremacy in all its forms--which includes toxic white feminism. Now is a time for reflection and humility as we learn how to become informed anti-racist allies and accomplices. We share the sentiments of our colleagues at Oregon Women in Higher Education when they write, “White supremacy’s focus on perfection can make this work challenging but don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.”

Although we were not able to hold our annual conference this spring, we stand by our centering theme: Speak Up. We ask that you will join us in using our voices to demand justice. Moving forward, we will be using this platform to organize for action; facilitate dialogue; elevate voices of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC); and create spaces for our community to unlearn and learn together. 

In solidarity,

The PWA Steering Committee

resources & calls to action

• Donate to the organization of your choice that supports Black Lives Matter or any BIPOC organization, or a bail out fund through the National Bail Fund Network.

• Start the work with this Anti-Racism Resources guide forwarded to us by UCSB’s Office of Black Development Staff that was compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker, Alyssa Klein in May 2020.

• Contact your local government officials or members of your City Council demanding that they adopt a city budget that prioritizes community wellbeing from the ground up, divests from the militarization of the police, and invests in social and holistic services. Use the text and contact information provided by Defund12.org.

These are just a few of many ways to be involved in this vital movement for change. We will be continuing to provide resources for the PWA community through our social media channels. More to come.

Wherever you are, PWA will be here for you.

In the first few days and weeks of quarantine, I had to take a step back from doing or thinking about anything other than the absolute basics for survival. Even the littlest things overwhelmed me. I had to realign my priorities and for me, this meant not thinking about any of the “extra” stuff I usually loved doing which included PWA. I felt a mixture of relief and guilt to step away but I knew I had to.

As the days went by, I felt confused and unsure of where to start. I didn't know how to re-engage with this part of my life or when I would feel ready. Much of our work as a Steering Committee is facilitating opportunities to bring our community together whether it be through a workshop, our annual conference, or a happy hour at a local bar. Now that we can longer be with each other physically, what can we still provide for our members? What does virtual networking even look like? With everything that is going on in the world, is PWA still important?

At the beginning of this year, I was thinking a lot about my career and how to navigate my next steps on-campus. When thinking about making changes in my professional life, I felt confused and unsure of where to start. I had a lot of questions and often felt afraid to ask. How will my ambition be perceived? Do other staff feel the same way? And who should I talk to about this? 

As soon as I voiced my thoughts and feelings to the Steering Committee, I immediately felt better. Some of us felt similarly and were looking for support while others were excited to share advice, resources, and provide encouragement. As a Committee, we decided to pursue career development as our guiding theme for programming and discussion. We were so happy to see the interest and engagement from members and non-members alike. I feel lucky to have met and spoken with so many of you who, by coming to our workshops or socials and sharing your authentic self, have helped me and others feel less alone. 

Taking a step back has allowed me to see how much I've gained from being an active member of the PWA community. For me, building and nurturing this community is the heart and soul of PWA and what I now realize has become an essential part of my professional life at UCSB. As we enter the second month of quarantine, I am feeling ready to connect again. While many of my questions still remain, I am confident that PWA will continue to provide strength and connection during this time of transition and uncertainty. The Steering Committee has been working hard to create a virtual PWA community on Shoreline and we’re excited to see what we can do on this new platform. Wherever you are right now, whether you are feeling ready to engage or still need more time, PWA is and will continue to be here for you.

-Liz Holohan

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