This weekend I had the opportunity to attend Woodhull’s Young Women’s Ethical Leadership Retreat.  It couldn’t have come at a better time.  In my life I’m still adjusting to my transition from full time employee to full time student, a different apartment and roommate and all my own personal issues.  It came after I did something that wasn’t too ethical and was beating myself up over it and getting beat up over it by the person I did it to.  In short, I was kind of a mess.  I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect,  but Leah and my aunt had both told me it would change my life.  I was looking for a change and so I went open minded.

I had forgotten how empowering it can be to be in an all women environment.  I had forgotten how supportive we can be.  I had forgotten how amazing we can be.

I can’t give away everything we did.  But something that kept coming up is how we get in our own way.  How we constantly doubt ourselves.  How we can’t/won’t own our accomplishments.  How hard it is for us to ask for help. So one exercise was to create a superhero power to help you conquer what ever’s holding you back.  I had a few but the one that relates most to SASSY is this boot.  My superhero power was this boot that would come out and kick me in the butt to push me onto the next thing I have to go.  I get so scared of failing (or writing crappy posts) that I just don’t do anything.  Which in itself is a major #fail.  So what I’ve been doing when I’ve been procrastinating and talking myself out of doing what I need to do is imagining the boot coming out of (hrmm… hadn’t thought of exactly where it comes from, but someplace above – like inspector gadget) and kicking me square in the butt and then I start what I need to.  So far it’s been working.

SASSY ladies, I encourage you if you’re in a transitional period or just need some advice/encouragement/support about what’s next.  Go to Woodhull.  It’s more than some kumbiya session where you hug it out and paint pictures.  We also covered negotiation (a skill I desperately want to work on now), financial literacy, and public speaking (talk about shaking like a leaf).  It was also a lot of fun.  I’m sure that video of me killing “I Want You Back” will be hitting the internet very very soon.

Thank you Woodhull Insititue for Ethical Leadership.  Thank you Woodhull 72.

peace,
e.

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending Princeton’s Graduate Women of Color Caucus’s conference, The Changing Role and Influence of Women of Color in Society. It was such a great experience. The keynote was by Dr. Ruth Simmons (current President of Brown, former President of Smith (whoot whoot)). She is simply amazing. If you don’t know about Dr. Simmons, you need to ask someone. She is the Michael Jordan of academia.

She was candid. She was funny. She was honest. Dr. Simmons broke down what we need to succeed in higher education, and especially in some of the most prestigious schools in America.

Know your field. Like really know it. Know the markers of your field. Where should you be published? What prizes should you be striving for? What grants should you be receiving?

Mentors. Of course you know you need a mentor, but how do you know if you have a good mentor. Dr. Simmons told us if all your mentor does is tell you how wonderful you are, get a new mentor. You need a mentor to tell you what’s not pretty.

Let them take credit for your work. It’s happened to her many times before, and it’s bound to happen for you. It’s better for us, if you succeed. Who cares if they want to take credit for it.

This is going to require maturity. Unfair things are going to happen to you. Expect that. So now, how are you going to handle it? You cannot throw a fit. You must handle disappoint with grace. When your boss/professor talks crazy to you, take it. Save the tears for your office.

Don’t let others pacify you. Again, like with your mentors, if you are surrounded by people who only tell you how great you are, be aware. Be your own worst critique. Tear your own work about if you have to.

Endure. Be strong. Do not let grad school break you. You will be dealing with all this drama for a good reason – that good MA or PhD.

Be broad. Most of there are studying something related to people of color, and that is great. But we must remember to be broad enough to affect others. This will also make us more marketable when we hit the job market. It’s important to be near the center. Being in the margin is not where you want to be.

Remember how important you are. Yes, you need the school for an education, but they need you too. The better you are, they better they look. Don’t let them treat you like they are doing you a favor and that you don’t belong. Remember your value to their institution and be good to yourself.

It was exactly what I needed to hear and at the exact time when I needed it most. Thank you Dr. Simmons. You are a gem.

peace,
e.

xposted on evahaldane.com

Oh man, I just got my taxes done and I was not happy about the results.  Of course after I got them done I ran across this article about a ton of overlooked tax deductions.  Looking forward to saving some money on taxes next year.

Among my favs were:

• Hearing aids, eyeglasses, contact lenses
• Education expenses to maintain or improve job skills
• Job-related professional journals and newspapers
• Employment agency fees or commissions
• Home office expenses (if you work from home)
• Moving expenses
• Donated clothing or other goods; note the estimated value (see “Valuation Guide” at goodwillpromo.org) on the receipt
• Student loan interest
• Accounting or legal fees involved with taxes (oh word?)
• Jury duty pay reimbursed to employer

Check out the entire article here.

Hey, if you haven’t done your taxes yet and want some face time at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center and get answers to any last minute questions, today (March 21st) is your lucky day.  Click here to find out where your nearest IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center is  and get some help with your taxes.

peace,
e.

Source: Real Simple

The economy, recession, and Wall Street are all words that you’re probably sick of hearing, I know I am! If you are employed, you might be worried about losing your job, and if you’re unemployed you are trying to figure out how to make extra money while in between jobs. This current economic state is enough to stress everyone out as we all figure out how to get by. When I was younger my mother always taught me to never just depend on one source of income, I didn’t get it then, but boy do I get it now. Below are a few ways to get your hustle on in the recession.

1. Clean the Clutter! Yes, I know the online consumer run sites like EBay and Craigslist can be time consuming, however don’t count them out.  If you pick just two hours out of the week to clean your house/apt./room there is almost a guarantee that you will find something valuable that is no longer of use to you.  Electronics and furniture are big ticket sellers, and will certainly put extra cash in your pocket.
2. Be creative! If you were the shining star in Ms. Johnsons fourth grade art class (ok maybe that was me) or if you’re just extremely creative in general, sell your crafts! Websites like Handmade, Etsy, Fusion, and iCraft allow you to upload and sell your creations online.
3. Babysitting! With so much new free time on your hands (if you’re unemployed)  what better way to make easy money than babysitting for your loved ones, neighbors, or friends for a couple hours during the week? The best thing about babysitting is that you can give the kids back.   Most parents pay $20-$150 for babysitters to watch their kids for 2-5 hours.
4. Blog for Cash! New Media has been taking over corporate America for the last 10 years.  Many companies are hiring recent graduates to set up official blogs, facebook, and twitter sites to help market their products.  Make sure to include your technology savvy on your resume!  If you see a company without a blog who could really use one, call them up and offer your services (no really!).
5. Online Surveys! Ok, I admit surveys are absolutely no fun at all. However, filling out surveys for research corporations is one of the easiest ways to make money. While completing these surveys for cash will not exactly make you a millionaire, it will put a little extra money in your pocket.

Most importantly, put yourself and your talents out there, no time to be shy, it is the recession after all!

Mia

And quite frankly, that’s kind of scarey. According to their new terms of use, facebook has license to do whatever it wants with whatever you upload (even if you delete it).  Don’t believe me, check out this article on the consumerist.  Here’s another article on these new terms.  So basically, be careful with what you put on the net because it looks like facebook is keeping it all and trying to find a way to profit from it.  Think you’re off the hook because you’re not on facebook?  Think again.  If you have friends who are on facebook (and I’m sure you do), if they post any pictures of your or any of your work, facebook owns that too.  To that, I give facebook two thumbs down.

peace,
e.

h/t – Perez Hilton (crazy I know)

UPDATE: Facebook totally pulled an about-face this morning. Your stuff is safe(r).

Today is Earth Day and I’m encouraging all SASSY wo/men to ‘Go Green’. Hence, by using the familiar ethos of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”, I’ve come up with a list of simple suggestions to help reduce your carbon footprint, which is the measure of the impact of our activities on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced.

Though this isn’t usually considered a environmental trinity, but I’d like to encourage everyone to Reexamine the way you spend your money. In a perfect world, everyone would earn livable wages, but since we don’t live in one its important to know where and how your money is used once its left your wallet.This may read like a plug, but my primary example is American Apparel, who pays its employees at their Los Angeles based plants approx $12/hour, along with benefits like sick leave, bus passes, and in an effort to reduce the rapidly spreading fog in the area, free bikes and repairs. Just based on the ethical treatment of their employees is enough to make me want to buy all of my casual wear from AA ( however their ‘slim, youthful fit’ + my body shape = bad math.)

In no way am I suggesting that we all become ‘freegans’ and start dumpster-diving in the name of environmentalism. however, if everyone tries to incorporate one new idea per week, gradually we will make a difference in the collective quality of life for ourselves, and most importantly, the future generations of SASSY wo/men.

Here’s the thing. Being SASSY isn’t just a personality trait, but a way of life, a state of being. You don’t just become SASSY overnight, and it certainly doesn’t come and go like those monthly fits of rage or irritability, though many would confuse them with sassiness. There’s obviously more to it than shooting back razor-sharp wit or being a little more than pushy when trying to get what you want, and true SASSY women know how and when to turn it up a notch and when to hold it back. But for those of you who haven’t quite figured it out yet, or for those who find themselves in uncharted waters, I’ve compiled this little handy list of general ground rules for being SASSY. Consider it a sort of Sassy 101, if you will.

Now, I can’t tell you how to be SASSY. Sorry, girls, but if you have to ask… Well, you shouldn’t have to ask, which leads me to tip #1 – know who you are. Just as funny people know they’re funny, SASSY women know they’re SASSY and are proud of it. They don’t go around asking people if they think they’re SASSY, and certainly don’t reply to that question with, “well, my friends say I’m SASSY.” OWN IT. Sassiness and confidence go hand in hand; you can’t have one without the other, kind of like chocolate and espresso beans. This may sound ridiculous, but spend some time doing some serious self-exploration. Before you embark on your quest to being a SASSY goddess, ask yourself if you really consider yourself SASSY, or if you think you could ever become SASSY. If you answer yes, go for it. Careful, though – there is no halfway in SASSY; you either are or you aren’t.

Tip #2 – and this one is essential – don’t be a bitch. There’s a very fine line between being SASSY and just plain being a horrid bitch, and you definitely do not want to cross it. Of course, there are those certain situations when jumping the fence is necessary to get what you want, but you should really save it as a last resort. Burning bridges is never a good idea, especially if you’re new at this, and especially at work. Plus, SASSY women are admired and envied; bitches are just hated and gossiped about.

Speaking of work and crossing lines, don’t overstep boundaries (#3). I’ve been SASSY my whole life and I still manage to screw this one up. I get too comfortable with people too quickly and end up throwing out a sarcastic joke that gets mistaken as rudeness or contempt. Luckily it hasn’t cost me anything major, but it has gotten me reprimanded and caused more than a few awkward moments with new friends. It’s really all about perception. Sniff out your surroundings, assess the situation, and ask yourself – objectively – can you really throw around the sass here, right now? If you have even the smallest inkling of a doubt, keep it in your proverbial pants and wait until you feel it’s right. Come to think of it, this advice may be applicable to more than one section on this site.

However, don’t mistake this advice as permission to be timid. If you do, refer yourself back to the first tip and realize that telling you to be shy and hold back all the time wouldn’t fit in at all with being SASSY. Do take chances; when you honestly think something you’ll say or do will work out in your favor with minimal – and in the best circumstances, no – collateral damage, go for it. After all, no one ever got anywhere from staying in the box. Just don’t go so far out of the box that you have to leave a trail of breadcrumbs to find your way back.

Tip #4: Don’t overdo it. Now, I’m not talking about over-vamping the sassiness here. If you’re not a seasoned pro, trying to be SASSY can come off as annoying and completely artificial; but I’m not saying don’t try. Please try. Try hard. Just try to make it look like you’re not (I know this is extremely difficult, but trust me, it’s important). Otherwise you could end up looking like that one girl in high school that wanted desperately to be part of the in-crowd and ended up incorporating every horrible adolescent trend into her wardrobe and no one wanted to be seen with her. So, for your own sake, keep the platform jellies in the closet.

Lastly (#5), be on your game at all times. Barring the rare cold or flu or other ailment that impedes brain function, you should always be on the ball and ready, because you never know when an opportunity will present itself. This doesn’t just mean being awake and alert (and, let’s face it, keeping caffeinated), but also knowing your territory and being prepared. Keep up to date on a common topic of conversation wherever you work or frequently hang out and learn from previous experiences to try to predict your next opportunity. But moderation is key – just because you can say or do something doesn’t mean you should; that quality vs. quantity rule does apply, so pick your battles wisely and you will (hopefully) always come out victorious.

Remember, being SASSY doesn’t just happen. Being SASSY comes from within, and it takes a long time to work it out, smooth out the edges, and mold yourself into the woman you want to be. I can’t just tell you to be SASSY. You have to want it. You have to work at it. And, to some degree, you have to earn it. There is no plan, just your own successes and failures that map out your “development.” Just keep in mind that there is no one right path and that when all else fails, stay true to yourself, because in the end, that’s really all that matters anyways.

-Allison

At the end of each week, we thought it’d be cool to share some most informative, crazy, funny and useful articles, blogs and videos.

U.S. Imprisons One in 100 Adults, Report Finds

Check out Amy Dubois (author of March’s book club book Get Yours) on March 27th.

Glamour magazine on Women, Race and Beauty

Stuff Educated Black People Like – we’ve been giggling all week

Shirley Chisholm is NOT to be forgotten now or ever

Did something catch your eye? Did we miss something big? If so, shoot us an email and tell us what you want to see.

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