A Thanksgiving filled with Gratitude

For many of us, this year like 2020 has been trying.  Some have lost cherished loved ones, while others have had to modify what used to be regular and structured routines to provide caregiving to others.  Still others of us have work remotely and care for children, to ensure their educational needs were met.  It may be hard to find gratitude in these times.  However, if we take just one minute to count our blessings, there is much for which to be thankful.  As some of our mothers and grandmothers would say, "I woke up this morning clothed in my right mind.  And for this, I am grateful!"

The Power of Sisterhood.  

Sisterhood is --

“Uplifting other women, standing in the gap, promoting peace, and understanding our journey and sharing it together.” (Anonymous Sister)

Kudos!

Sister-to-Sister, Inc. OctoberGathering

Sister-to-Sister, Inc. extends gratitude to Sister Nathifa Miller, J.D., for a conscious-raising session at our October gathering, and Sister Michelle Campbell for co-hosting it at her beautiful Denver mansion!  Every Sister attending this gathering - whether in person (wearing masks and social distancing) or virtually - enjoyed an arousing and enriching experience. 

Board Service Commendation for Sister Gwendolyn Mami, J.D.

Sister-to-Sister, Inc.’s Board of Directors wishes to thank Sister Gwendolyn Mami, J.D., a private consultant of Haitian ancestry, for her contributions. Recently, Sister Gwendolyn resigned from the Board of Directors to pursue other interests. During her tenure on the BOD, she dedicated knowledge, skills, helped design and launch our public charity.  She will be missed from the Board, however, has expressed her intent to play an active role in Sister-to-Sister, Inc.

Events

Bold Women. Change History. Dr. Carlotta Walls LaNier

https://calendar.time.ly/63iq9y15/event/bold-women-change-history-dr-carlotta-lanier

(Shared by Sister Joanne Edwards Wade)

 Longmont, Colorado Museum

TONIGHT!!

JustUs:

Stories From the Frontlines of the

Criminal Justice System 

Thursday Night @ the Museum

• Date:  11/04/2021 7:15 PM - 8:45 PM  
• Location:  Stewart Auditorium
  400 Quail Road
  Longmont, Colorado 80501
• Introduction:  Formerly incarcerated leaders tell artfully crafted autobiographical monologues that expose the devastating impact of the criminal legal system and inspire action towards a vision of true justice.

Special Note:  Our very own Sister Madelyn Strong Woodley will appear on stage.

Save these Dates for Cultural Replenishment

In celebration of Black history, the NAACP Boulder Chapter Freedom Fund, is bringing the renowned Withers Exhibit and the acclaimed Fisk Jubilee Choir to Colorado!  The Withers Exhibit will be available for viewing from January 15th to February 28th at the Dairy Center for the Arts Gallery.  The Fisk Jubilee Singers of historic HBCU Fisk University will perform on Sunday, February 27, 2022, at the Macky Auditorium in Boulder, Colorado.  These events are OPEN AND FREE TO THE PUBLIC! 

(Shared by Sister Madelyn Strong Woodley)

Rare Employment Opportunity

Washington, D.C.-based Civil Rights Attorney Position Vacancy

October 27, 2021

The HHS Office of General Counsel Civil Rights Division is Hiring.  The Office of the General Counsel is currently conducting a search for a General Attorney in its Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C.  Vacancy announcement at:

https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/ogc/careers/open-opportunities/index.html

The application period ends on Monday, November 8, 2021 and is open to all U.S. citizens. For consideration, complete applications must be submitted to OGCCRVacancy@hhs.gov using the subject line “Civil Rights Division Civil Rights Attorney” in the email. Feel free to share this opportunity with individuals who may be interested in this important position. OGC is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from a diverse pool of high-quality candidates.

(Shared by Sister Valerie Alston-Morgan, Special Assistant to the Principal Deputy Director, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights)

When we don’t have a seat at the table and a voice that we use to insist on inclusion, change will remain evasive!

Interested in Diversifying Colorado Courts?

The judiciary is one of the most powerful institutions in the world in that decisions made by judges can impact a person’s life for better or worse.  There are four levels of courts in Colorado.  County courts, the lowest level handles traffic and misdemeanor cases, while district courts handle criminal felony cases and civil lawsuits.  The Colorado Court of Appeals is responsible for appeals brought based on decisions by district courts, and the Colorado Supreme Court acts as the final arbiter of appellate decisions.  Have you ever seen on television or read about a judge’s decision that you considered unfair?  Did you wonder how that judge rose to her or his position?  In the District of Columbia (D.C.) and twelve states, including Colorado, Judicial Nominating Committees (JNC) choose candidates to recommend to the governor (or mayor in D.C.), and from this candidate pool, one governor must select one of the candidates for appointment.   For information on your state’s JNCs, see  https://iaals.du.edu/judicial-nominating-commissions-states.

Colorado's Black population is steadily growing.  Yet, as of August 1, 2019, the state had no African American (Black) district court judges.  Historically, less than a handful existed.  Never before had Colorado, which presents itself as a progressive state, had any Black female district court judges.  The dearth emanated from the virtually all-white composition of JNCs.  The impetus for change occurred in late August of 2019, when a strident member of Sister-to-Sister, Inc., lawyer, and racial justice advocate called out Jared Polis, Colorado’s governor, at a meeting convened by the Colorado Black Roundtable.  Afterwards, beginning in October 2021, Governor Polis appointed Colorado's first Black woman district court judge.  By April 2020, five more dynamic Sisters had been appointed to the judiciary.  This unheard of number of appointments of Sisters led to the cover of Essence Magazine! And, since the first gubernatorial appointment,  more Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) lawyers earned judgeships.

As of December 31, 2021, Colorado will have 32 JNC vacancies on 20 nominating committees, including one attorney and one non-attorney vacancy in the Second Judicial District (i.e., Denver).  See  http://www.courts.state.co.us/Courts/Supreme-Court/Nominating.cfm for more information. Apply online; https://www.colorado.gov/governor/boards-commissions-application.  Include a current résumé or biography, where noted in your application. 

October 18th

Launch of Social Justice Connect!

SocialJusticeConnect.org is an amazing resource hub that supports organizations like ours that are purposed towards social justice. This unique resources aids such organizations in reaching a broader range of audience for their important work!  And, its website users can now easily locate and connect with these social justice-related events taking place in our communities and online. Sister-to-Sister, Inc. is pleased to serve as a founding partner of Social Justice Connect. 

Food for the Soul Blog

Time Management

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one. -Mark Twain

Have you ever wished for a few more hours in the day? Why is it that some people seem to get everything done effortlessly and others feel that time constantly eludes them? The secret to managing your time well isn’t working more hours. It is about prioritizing the important things and learning to use the time you have more efficiently and effectively. The secret is working smarter, not harder.

Some of us, by nature, organize and get tasks out of the way before we relax, while others of us play first and work later. It is important to first recognize which type you are and whether your style is allowing you to have the life you really want. Maybe you are super-organized at work, but burned out because you don’t know how to make time for yourself. Maybe you are naturally a less organized person who knows how to relax, but you are dissatisfied because you aren’t fulfilling your goals and dreams.

Rather than labeling yourself or beating yourself up, realize that time management is an area of your life that you can strengthen. Like a new muscle, it takes practice and repetition to make it stronger. To help you get started, here are some steps to streamline your days at work and at home. Try the first one or two that jump out at you:

• Allocate time for planning and organizing.
• Create to-do lists that are realistic, not intimidating. Use only one to-do list.
• Under-schedule your time: Leave time for the unexpected and for interruptions. When you estimate how long something will take, add on a third of that time.
• Schedule your time in a way that reduces interruptions that lower your productivity.
• Practice the art of intelligent neglect: Eliminate trivial tasks.
• Prioritize what is most important and do that first.
• Consider your biological prime time: At what time of day do you work best? Plan to do your most important work at that time.
• If you say yes to everything that comes your way, learn to say no.
• Ask for help and delegate.
• In the evening make your to-do list for the next day, so it will be out of your brain and on a piece of paper. Leave work with a clear head and a clean desk.
• Acknowledge yourself daily for all that you have accomplished.

Also take a look at the two biggest hindrances to using time effectively: procrastinating and lacking purpose. We usually procrastinate when a task seems too daunting, too large, or too complex, or when we feel we won’t be able to handle it. When you get that “deer in the headlights” feeling, try “chunking”: break the large task into smaller, manageable action steps and start with the first one. We also often drag our heels or use our time inefficiently because we are bored, unengaged, and uninspired. The most effective people will tell you that they love what they do and are aligned with a greater purpose. When it comes to managing your time, you may need to ask the larger questions, “Am I doing what I love to do? Am I doing something meaningful to me?”

As you strengthen your new time management muscle, keep your focus on getting organized so that you can live the life you came here for. Instead of being a chore, good time management can be your ticket to more fun, greater satisfaction, and a vibrant, exciting life.

Food Focus: Root Vegetables

The roots of any plant are its anchor and foundation; they are the essential parts that support and nourish the plant. Root vegetables lend these properties to us when we eat them, making us feel physically and mentally grounded and rooted, increasing our stability, stamina, and endurance. Roots are a rich source of nutritious complex carbohydrates, providing a steady source of necessary sugars to the body. Instead of upsetting blood sugar levels like refined sweet foods, they regulate them. Since they absorb, assimilate and supply plants with vital nutrients, roots likewise increase absorption and assimilation in our digestive tracts.

Long roots, like burdock, carrots, parsnips, and daikon radish, are excellent blood purifiers and can help improve circulation in the body and increase mental clarity. Round roots, like turnips, radishes, beets, and rutabagas, are nourishing to the stomach, spleen, pancreas, and reproductive organs and can help regulate blood sugar and moods and alleviate cravings.

Recipe of the Month: Roasted Root Vegetables

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 25-35 minutes

Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

1 sweet potato

2 parsnips

2 carrots

2 turnips or 1 large rutabaga

1 daikon radish (or substitute/add in your favorites, like squash)

olive oil

salt and pepper

herbs: rosemary, thyme, or sage (fresh if possible)

Directions:

1.   Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2.   Wash and chop all vegetables into large bite-sized pieces.

3.   Place in a large baking dish with sides.

4.   Drizzle with olive oil; mix well to coat each vegetable lightly with oil.

5.   Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and herbs.

6.   Bake uncovered for 25-35 minutes until vegetables are tender and golden brown, checking every 10 minutes to stir and make sure veggies are not sticking.

Note: Any combination of vegetables will work. Roasting only one kind of vegetable also makes a nice side dish.

Forward to a Friend

Are you curious about how easy-to-make changes (such as choosing high-fiber foods like root vegetables) can make a big difference in your health? Would you like help in making healthier food choices? Let’s talk! Schedule a complimentary wellness consultation with me today – or pass this offer on to someone you care about!

Please note my new website is under construction. Soon you will be able to go there to see all my services. In the meantime, I am launching a Fall Detox ($$) and my FREE 30-Day Wellness Transformation Program: Rejuvenate Your Life!  Please follow me on Instagram - @terishealthyways or join my Facebook group, Wellness Walk and Talk Group. Discounts available to all Sister-to-Sister, Inc. members.

Join My Email List

Teri Sewell Huff

Certified Integrative Nutrition Coach

And Plant Based Culinary Nutrition Expert

terisewell@gmail.com 

Applause!

On July 1, 2021, Sister Lolita Buckner Innis was installed Dean (and Provost Professor) of the University of Colorado School of Law, the first African American and female to ascend to this leadership position. For an inspirational story on Dean Buckner Innis’ path to this position of stature from childhood poverty, see the Fall 2021Edition of Amicus:  University of Colorado Law School.

In September 2021, Sister and and distinguished physician Sheila Davis received a gubernatorial appointment to head the Office of Health Disparities.  In recognition of her trailblazing history in public health, Sister Sheila was also recently honored by the Colorado Black Women Political Action at its Annual Awards Luncheon.

In October 2021, long-serving president of the NAACP's Boulder, Colorado Chapter Sister Annett James, received the 2021 Women Who Light the Community Award. Those who have met or know Sister Annett are acquainted with her blazing trails in pursuit of equality. A Mississippi native, Sister Annett is a passionate Civil Rights advocate.  This passion and compassion for others makes her a stand-out leader!

Sister Howitt Lovell recently concluded her term as the first African American female chair of the Alumni Board of Directors at Colorado Law.  Howitt, an Ethiopian American, worked as an engineer after earning her undergraduate degree in chemical engineering.  Following law school, she worked for a technology law firm where she rose to the partnership level.  She is now an Assistant Attorney General in Colorado’s Attorney General’s Office.