FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2008
Contact: Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, APR
Falcon Valley Group
619-997-2495

Domestic Violence Survivors Graduate from Innovative Program March 15

Women’s Leadership Institute gives participants skills to be successful at work and in life

( SAN DIEGO) Women who have escaped the terror of domestic violence have overcome challenges most of us can’t imagine. But the six women who will graduate from the Speak for Success Women’s Leadership Institute on Saturday, March 15, have successfully met even more challenges in a pilot program designed to help them create a successful, positive life for themselves and their children.

Graduation ceremonies for the first Women’s Leadership Institute program will take place at the Sempra Energy Resources Building, 101 West Ash Street, from 3 to 5 p.m. on March 15. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear each graduate Lana Culliver, Cynthia Jackson, Kristi Roth, Julie Scherer, Lakesha Sexton, and Anna Seymore speak about her personal journey out of domestic violence toward a successful future.

The participants in the program were nominated by their program or case manager to be considered for the program. All of them have been clients of or have received services from the YWCA of San Diego County or the Family Justice Center. Several of the graduates are currently residents in shelters and transitional housing provided by the YWCA.

“Women who flee domestic violence situations often have no money and minimal job skills,” says Casey Gwinn, chief executive officer of the YWCA of San Diego County. "Our programs give women and their families the support services they need to escape their violent living situation. Now with the Women’s Leadership Institute, we can take our support to the next level and insure that these women have the tools they need when they’re on their own to take care of themselves and their families by being successful in the workplace, and in life.”

The vision behind the Women’s Leadership Institute is to give women the tools, support, and confidence to:

  • Set and achieve personal and career goals
  • Be inspiring role models for their families and women everywhere
  • Stand up and speak out as advocates for the prevention of domestic violence and other issues
  • Start their own businesses
  • Become leaders in their communities, corporations and non-profit organizations

Speak for Success Women's Leadership Institute is proud of its partnerships with the YWCA of San Diego County, Family Justice Center Alliance VOICES, Operation for Hope Foundation, Inc., National University, San Diego City Councilmember Jim Madaffer, Dress for Success San Diego, and Sempra Energy, which has generously underwritten this event.

Dana Bristol-Smith, founder of Speak for Success, created the Women’s Leadership Institute to help women build self-confidence by finding and using their voices for positive change in their lives and their communities. “It’s hard to say who has benefited most from the program – the participants, or myself and my team of instructors. These extraordinary women have inspired us with their courage and strength,” said Bristol-Smith. “Everyone involved in the project has fallen in love with these women and has been deeply touched by their stories and their successes.”

The long-term vision for the pilot program is to expand into a national program to empower more women to reach their potential to become powerful voices and leaders in their communities.

The Women’s Leadership Institute Team includes:

  • Dana Bristol-Smith, Professional Speaker, Trainer and Author
  • Helice Bridges, Professional Speaker, Trainer, Consultant and Author
  • Debbie Lousberg, Certified Career Coach, Trainer and Author
  • Donna Lange, Certified Career Coach
  • Beth Thorp, Certified Image Consultant, Professional Speaker and Trainer
  • Deborah Waitley, Ph.D, Professional Speaker and Trainer
  • Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, APR, public relations practitioner

To learn more about this project’s partners, please visit the following Websites:

YWCA of San Diego: www.ywcasandiego.org
National Family Justice Center Alliance: www.familyjusticecenter.org Operation for HOPE: www.operationforhope.org
National University: www.nu.edu

If you’d like more information on our program, please contact Dana Bristol-Smith at 760-726-5272.

To see pictures of our first session click here.


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