Across the state of California, our female staff are working to empower our neighbors experiencing homelessness as they navigate their journey to housing. This month we are elevating the voices and experiences of several of our PATH staff members in recognition of Women’s History Month and honoring the theme, “Providing healing, and promoting hope.” This year’s theme is central to the work PATH provides to our unhoused communities and is embedded in our mission. Every day, our staff dedicate their passion and commitment to fostering an environment where healing and hope remain at the forefront of our work.
PATH’s staff are on the front lines every day, working to connect people to services, employment, benefits, and ultimately, housing. Each person’s episode of homelessness is as unique as they are and so are our team members. Get to know a few of our PATH staff that engaged in a series of questions about this year’s theme, empowerment, and female heroes they look up to for Women’s History Month.
What does the 2022 Women’s History Month theme mean to you, “Providing healing, promoting hope”?
The loss of my grandmother due to COVID-19 was a trying time for me and my family, especially because we could not grieve together. Providing healing means that we will take the time to be together once again and celebrate the life of a strong and loving woman. Promoting Hope means that we look forward to a brighter future. My family and I have vowed to take this as an opportunity to grow and cherish the moments we share together.
Who is a woman you look up to?
I would like to take this opportunity to highlight Trudi Butts (pictured on the left). As my mentor for over 17 years, she helped shape my work ethic, confidence, and professional career. Trudi is an extraordinary woman whom I’ve had the honor of celebrating her 88th birthday this month. Trudi was born in Okolona, Mississippi, has been married for over 50 years and raised two sons. Here is a snapshot of her many accomplishments: served in the U.S. Air Force, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Tuskegee University, worked at the VA in New Jersey and Los Angeles, earned a Master of Science degree in Nursing from UCLA as the second African American student in her class, became Director of Nursing at Los Angeles Orthopedic Hospital when no other African American person had a leadership position, held the first health fair at Southwest College while being the head of student health, launched a mentorship program at Charles Drew University, brought health education and HIV/AIDS testing to the Jenesse Center, Inc. Domestic Violence Intervention and Prevention Program, where I had the pleasure of meeting her. She overcame tremendous racial and gender discrimination without allowing it to slow her down.
What does the 2022 Women’s History Month theme mean to you?
To me, the theme “Providing healing, promoting hope” is very special and intentional because I feel like right now a lot of individuals and families are in a space where they are just beginning to pick their lives back up. After 2 years of being in a pandemic, witnessing social injustices and protests all across the country, and now dealing with the fear of what’s to come with war in the world, a lot of people need healing. A lot of people need hope, and women have always been the providers and promoters of both.
How do you empower other women at work?
I empower other women at work by showing up to my job as myself and encouraging other women I work with to do the same. I change my hair and the color of it all the time, I wear heels, and make-up, I do my nails, and I take the time to reaaaally get dressed (most days, lol). And I show up to work, and put my best foot forward everyday while feeling beautiful and embracing my womanhood. There are a lot of stigmas surrounding women in the workplace and how we should look, or dress, or speak, or lead. & I am none of those things. It is possible to be professional while embracing your womanhood and the key to that is confidence; and authenticity. No one can penalize you for being you. 
When do you feel most empowered?
I feel most empowered in the morning when I’m focusing on myself by meditating and practicing yoga.
How do you empower other women at work?
Through encouragement and motivation. Daily motivational quotes, a joke or just making light of any given situation when the day starts to look a little dim. A smile goes a long way. My office is full strong beautiful women from all walks of life. We encourage each other.
Who is a woman you look up to?
So I have two, they are sisters and they both raised me, my mother and my aunt. I admire the strength and courage they possess. Both immigrant women, both faced adversity and thrived through it. They have instilled in me a resilience and strength that I am now passing to my 10 year old daughter who will eventually grow up to be a phenomenal woman, taking the world by storm. 
When do you feel most empowered?
I feel most empowered when I am able to help someone, even if it’s just to put a smile on their face. Seeing others smile and happy means everything to me.
How do you empower other women at work?
I empower other women at work by assisting with work duties, working as team, complimenting them whenever someone does something amazing, or even just giving words of encouragement to boost someone’s confidence at work and feeling comfortable in their own skin.
Who is a woman you look up to?
I look up to quite a number of women but 1st place would got to my mum. Raising a child in Africa is not easy, more so with limited resources and you grow up in a home with extended families, but never lacking anything and growing up with a lot of values always leaves me speechless. But to add to the list is the awesome Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Malala Yousafazi, Condoleezza Rice, and my wonderful director Andrea Carter, blessed to have a leader who is inspires you every day. 
What does the 2022 Women’s History Month theme mean to you, “Providing healing, promoting hope”?
There is healing through sharing stories, food, clothing and personal hygiene products. There is also healing through responding to trauma and referring women to resources that are safe and effective. Hope comes through new opportunities for housing, increasing income, and knowing that this situation is temporary.
When do you feel most empowered?
I feel most empowered when I finish a hard workout.
How do you empower other women at work?
I empower women at work by checking in with them to see how they’re doing, giving them praise and talking about their personal safety with them and giving them the space to share their stories. 
What does the 2022 Women’s History Month theme mean to you, “Providing healing, promoting hope”?
This theme was created as a tribute to frontline workers, which I have been throughout this pandemic. While I am familiar with the work myself and others have done as essential workers, I’m only recently becoming familiar with the work I have done on me personally. I realized that I have been providing healing and promoting hope to myself, which is also as essential function.
When do you feel most empowered?
I feel most empowered when I remember to use a tool such as healthy boundaries or remember to practice self-care. I also feel empowered when I complete another certification or educational workshop.
How do you empower other women at work?
Most of the women I work with, I’m working with as a service provider. So I affirm their expertise on knowing themselves. I listen to their desired outcomes in housing or treatment. I promote their inherent worth and dignity. Women start taking their power back when they feel like leaders in their own lives. So I encourage them to be the leader they always needed. Sometimes that’s by being their cheerleader. 
What does the 2022 Women’s History Month theme mean to you, “Providing healing, promoting hope”?
Providing healing and promoting hope is what we do here at PATH everyday! One way to provide healing is to provide new opportunities and fresh starts. We can also be the change we want to see in the world.
What does the 2022 Women’s History Month theme mean to you, “Providing healing, promoting hope”?
How do you empower other women at work?
I make an effort to be a support to women, whenever I can. This support can look like, pushing others to reach self-actualization.
Who is a woman you look up to?
A woman I look up to is Angela Davis. Angela Davis is a member of the Black Panther Party, an activist, scholar and writer who advocates for her community. A particular quote by Angela Davis that resonates with me is, “You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.”
