WWPR, Author at Washington Women in Public Relations

Rise & Shine with Monica Trauzzi

Post date March 13, 2018
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Katie Hurd, WWPR Member — Article written by Katie Hurd,
WWPR Member,
Director, Baltz & Co.

On Wednesday morning, WWPR kicked off the day with a Rise and Shine event focused on finding one’s ideal work/life balance.

Manisha Tare of recharj® began the morning by leading the group in a guided meditation exercise. The sessiaon focused on mindful breathing as well as how an awareness of energy in the body can help us to de-stress and recharge.

Once the group relaxed and centered, communications exec and Flywheel fitness guru Monica Trauzzi shared her approach to striking an ideal work/life balance. Below, a few of the key takeaways from Monica’s keynote:

Make time to take stock. Whether you’re assessing your accomplishments at the end of the year or checking in on a monthly basis, take time to not only set goals for yourself but also to track your progress.
Ask for your balance. Aside from seeking out organizations that encourage a healthy work/life balance, you have to take things a step further and ask for what you want. Think about what’s important to you, what gives your life value, and get to a place where you’re confident enough to ask for it. Chances are, you’ll get what you want.
Embrace imperfection. You won’t always make that 6am spin class. Work, life, and — let’s face it — the occasional happy hour can and will get in the way. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Take a moment, figure out how to move forward, and get yourself back on track.
Support those around you. One of the reasons Monica loves group fitness so much is because of the accountability factor. Sharing your personal goals with your friends, colleagues, or workout buddies helps to create a support system and network of encouragement.

If you missed this event, check out the video below for Monica’s motivational tips on how to be your best self:

Keep an eye out on WWPR’s event calendar for the next Rise & Shine event!

Thank you to our partners for their support in this event:

Sitar Arts Center Takes the Stage for Mayor Bowser’s Learn24 Launch

Post date February 28, 2018
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The opportunity for students to explore, learn and grow doesn’t exist strictly between the day’s school bells. Before class, after class and summertime are important periods for DC youth to engage in educational and enriching activities, too. These vulnerable hours are key to providing students every opportunity to express themselves to the world, to be inspired and to gain critical life skills that will set them on a path to healthy, successful lives.

Research shows participation in afterschool and summertime programs leads to improved academic performance and social skills, as well as better health and well-being. Sadly, and all too frequently, students with the greatest need for enrichment programs outside of the typical school day are the least likely to have access to them.

The challenge: How do we provide all students equitable access to such programs outside of the school day—regardless of their socio-economic status or where they live in the city?

The solution: Student-centered, youth development organizations like Sitar Arts Center.

Sitar exemplifies how effective investments in arts programs make a difference in the lives of children and their communities. Sitar creates a sense of belonging and community, providing more than 900 children and teens (80 percent of whom are from lower-income families) year-round access to transformative, high-quality visual, performing and digital arts programs.

“Arts are important to a well-rounded education in our city.” – Mayor Muriel Bowser

That’s why Mayor Muriel Bowser visited Sitar on February 5, during Education Week in Washington, DC, for the launch of Learn24, a new initiative geared toward helping ensure all local children have access to quality activities beyond the school day. The initiative includes the new Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes, which will award $2 million in grants annually to 40 organizations, including Sitar, serving more than 23,000 children in Washington, DC.

Joining Mayor Bowser at the press conference were Jennifer Niles, Deputy Mayor for Education and Maureen Dwyer, Executive Director of Sitar Arts Center.

But, the star of the press conference was 10-year old Sitar student, Daniela Carrillo. Daniela spoke eloquently of her years at Sitar and of how it has enabled her to find her true passion.

“It’s better to be at Sitar than at home watching TV”, Daniela said. “Because TV will always be there, but missing a day at Sitar can never be replaced.” With these words, Daniela put the impact of Sitar’s community into perspective for all to witness.

Daniella then had the honor of welcoming Mayor Bowser to speak. Again, displaying her confidence in a moment that could make anyone nervous, this exceptional young lady was at ease bringing the Mayor of the nation’s capital to the podium.

The Mayor spoke of her vision for a Washington where families across the cultural, economic and racial spectrums can live and thrive. Learn24 plays a feature role in obtaining that vision. It is a program aimed at helping DC students advance socially, civically and academically. (Students and families find safe and enriching programs that fit their needs by visiting the Learn24 online guide, learn24.dc.gov.)

In her remarks, Mayor Bowser also declared her admiration for Sitar’s focus on the arts. Referring to arts as more than an add-on, a fun thing to do in addition to academics, she noted how the arts contribute to a student’s ability to learn, and how a focus on students’ creativity and imagination translate to success both in and out of the classroom.

After the press conference, Mayor Bowser visited with students and classes at Sitar Arts Center. She witnessed firsthand Sitar students creating, performing, and learning outside of regular school hours.

5 Things You Need to Know About Our New Pro Bono Client

Post date February 27, 2018
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Danielle Veira, President, Washington Women in PR — Article written by Danielle Veira, WWPR 2018 President, Senior Manager of PR & Advocacy Communications, American Diabetes Association
Twitter: @DaniV7101

Adorable mini ballerinas-in-training, smiling kids playing drum solos, teens telling stories through film and live musical theater. What’s not to love about WWPR’s new pro bono client, Sitar Arts Center (Sitar)? We’re still scratching the surface, but we’re pretty sure this is a match made in heaven.

For 25 years, WWPR has been supporting local non-profit organizations that serve women and children through its pro bono program. In 2018 and 2019, we’ll be bringing the talents of our impressive pro bono committee, led by co-chairs Bonnie Piper and Carrie Johnson, to Sitar. Our mission: to make sure everyone knows about the transformative work that this organization has been doing to provide high-quality arts programming to local children and teens and help low-income families thrive in a rapidly changing Washington, DC.

In addition to communications assistance, Sitar will receive the funds we raise from our annual PR Woman of the Year luncheon raffle, and donations collected during our annual holiday party. As the 2018 President of WWPR, I can barely contain my excitement about this chance to make a tangible impact on the lives of DC families (I’m also a little tempted to get out my ballet slippers and join those ridiculously adorable girls…they really are super cute, as you can see for yourself)!

To whet your appetite and get you excited about our next community service opportunity with Sitar, here are a few things you should know about our new client:

Sitar sets aside 80 percent of its enrollment for students from households making 50 percent or less of area median income, a critical benchmark for a city in which the income gap has widened rapidly in recent years. More than 120 talented artists volunteer their time weekly to teach and inspire Sitar’s more than 900 children and young adults in a state-of-the-art facility. Sitar is a local neighborhood arts institution that draws kids citywide. For more information about Sitar’s programming and its impact, click here.
Since its founding in 1998, Sitar has worked to develop unique coursework and opportunities alongside partners like The Washington Ballet, National Symphony Orchestra, the DC Jazz Festival and Meridian Hill Productions. These partnerships enable Sitar to offer arts education to low-income families who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
Sitar has been honored for its nonprofit management and afterschool programming with numerous awards including the 2017 Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence in Arts Education, the most prestigious honor conferred by the District of Columbia to individual artists, teachers and arts organizations; the 2009 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, the nation’s highest honor for afterschool and out-of-school time arts and humanities programs which celebrates the creativity of America’s young people, particularly those from underserved communities; and the 2015 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management from the Washington Post for its outstanding organizational management, including fiscal management and use of technology.
Sitar’s unique contribution is its creative youth development that allows students to discover themselves. These children will build confidence and stage presence through physical acting, playwriting and vocal classes, or learning to play a musical instrument. They’ll explore digital arts and master skills that will make them more attractive to employers once they graduate. Sitar helps students find their true passion and pursue their dreams for a brighter future.
The Sitar Arts Center is in Ward 1, which has the highest concentration of children living in poverty in any ward west of the Anacostia River. In February, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser visited Sitar to announce the launch of Learn24, a network of afterschool and summertime opportunities supported by the Bowser Administration to ensure children and youth in the District have equitable access to educational and enrichment activities beyond the school day.

I am so excited to have Sitar Arts Center as our pro bono client for 2018-2019. Let the partnership begin!

Introducing the 2018 WWPR Board of Directors

Post date January 5, 2018
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We are excited to introduce you to the 2018 WWPR Board of Directors. This year, you’ll find an inspiring blend of returning Board members and new additions that we know will be successful in supporting the WWPR mission to create a member-based professional society that cultivates and inspires female communicators to reach their full potential in the DC market and beyond, and that are committed to providing you with leadership opportunities, professional development, mentorship, and industry networking.

The formal induction of the Board occurred on January 25, 2018 with keynote from Lisa Osborne Ross of Edelman. – Read the full press release here.

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2018 WWPR BOARD SLATE

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