March 2023 Newsletter
March 17, 2023
Quorum collaborates with the South Sudanese Intellectual Womens Forum
By Julie Livingston, WantLeverage Communications
Women across the globe are rising up to make their voices heard. They’re creating change even when under great duress, and that’s inspiring.
On February 23rd, during an emotional Zoom presentation, members of the South Sudanese Women Intellectuals Forum, Nyathon Hoth Mai, Aisha Arabi and Anne Pita Lomole shared how their nonprofit, founded in 2020, is providing a nonpartisan, non-religious platform for South Sudanese women worldwide to connect, support each other, increase access to educational resources for themselves and their children.
All three women were born during intense conflict and raised by their mothers during a civil war. They had to flee their homes to find security, education, and healthcare. As refugees they were able to receive a college education and find safety in other countries beyond Africa but were always conscious of their displacement and differences. This compelled them to take action to improve realities in their home country as well as for the South Sudanese diaspora community.
With membership of 5,500, the South Sudanese Women Intellectuals Forum has attracted women from all professions and walks of life including physicians, environmentalists, and even a representative to the United Nations. Its long-term goal is to foster peace and future development via mentorship and education for women amidst the post conflict reconstruction of South Sudan. One of the organization’s main goals is increasing internet access. As the world goes digital, the women of South Sudan are in great part being left behind because of basic connectivity. The group also intends to lobby South Sudanese politicians, so they are better equipped to stand up and make life better for future generations of women. Considering that South Sudan is demographically among the youngest nations in the world – roughly half the population is under 18 years old – this is an imperative.
Leveraging the possibilities of digital programming, the organization’s work to date is impressive and will hopefully serve as a model for other women’s rights organizations around the globe. It has produced weekly online discussions on more than 120 topics led by women from across industries covering tribalism, culture, sexual and gender-based violence, health, income and employment, representation, empowerment, and leadership. They also share information about educational scholarships and mentorship.
The Quorum Initiative is proud to partner with the South Sudanese Women Intellectuals Forum to amplify their message and provide support. If you’re interested in getting involved, please email ss.womenintellectual.forum@gmail.com
Introducing Quorum Live on LinkedIn
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’ve introduced Quorum Live, a series of live conversations with Quorum Initiative members and friends about female leadership and rising to the C-suite. In keeping with Quorum’s purpose, these discussions focus on HOW to create change and take action.
HOW To Build a Personal Board of Directors
Our first installment, on March 7th featured special guest Lynne Murphy-Rivera, Managing Director, Americas, AESC, in conversation with Julie Livingston, WantLeverage Communications on “Beyond A Business Card: HOW To Build a Personal Board of Directors.”
Watch the replay here.
Leading With Authority and Service
On March 14th, Patricia Roberts, JD, Chief Operating Officer, Gift of College spoke with Julie Livingston on “Leading with Authenticity and Service”, including some great takeaways on leadership, credibility, motivating others, and ways that women can leverage their unique emotional intelligence.
Watch the replay here.
The Floor Is Ours March 21st
Tune in on Tuesday, March 21st at 10:00am ET for The Floor is Ours: Boosting News Coverage of Women with special guest, Chief Communications Officer, Arielle Lapiano.
Tune in here.
Interested in being a guest on Quorum Live? Please reach out to Diane Silverman for additional information!
Spring Cleaning?
Wondering what to do with business clothing that you no longer use? Please consider donating these items to one of the many non-profit organizations in your community that help change the lives of women who are on the path to financial self-sufficiency. Thanks to DC Chapter Co-Chair Veronica Torres for raising awareness of these opportunities. A few local organizations are listed below:
Kansas City, MO
Washington, D.C.
New York City
Local Happenings
Stand up comedy in NYC
Quorum member, Liz Austin, will be performing her stand up comedy at Comic Strip Live NYC.
Wednesday, March 22nd
7:30pm Doors (8:00pm Showtime)
Comic Strip Live NYC
1568 Second Ave
New York, New York
POP! DC SPRING 2023
Friday, April 14th
5 – 7:30 pm
The Women’s Club of Chevy Chase
7931 Connecticut Ave
Chevy Chase, MD
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Culpepper Garden
For those in Quorum’s DC community, here’s an opportunity to enjoy cocktails, shop, and raise money for a great organization, Culpepper Garden, an Arlington retirement home for low-income seniors. The money allows those who have run out of funds to spend their last years in the homes they know and receive care from people they trust.
For more information or to RSVP, reach out to Marta Hill Gray, Quorum Advisory Board member and ED at Culpepper Garden.
