Organization Spotlight: Multicultural BRIDGE
(Picture- Real Talk and Girls Inc participants with the cast of Emilie. Photo by Enrico Spada)
To support female empowerment, and the education of young women about history, BRIDGE is one of five Berkshire County, MA, based non-profit organizations partnering with WAM Theatre as a part of the Mass Humanities Education Outreach project surrounding WAM Theatre’s current production of Emilie: La Marquise Du Chatelet Defends Her Life Tonight by Lauren Gunderson.
Twenty high school girls participating in BRIDGE’s Real Talk Leadership Program joined WAM on Friday, November 15 for a matinee performance after attending a pre-show information session led earlier in the week by Kristen van Ginhoven, Artistic Director of WAM Theatre and director of Emilie.
When asked during the pre-show information session what quote they would want found written by them in 300 years, a handful of them shared:
“Why is color/race/religion any different from each other, is there a problem with that?” (Miriam Victoriano)
“Don’t judge me for who I am, how I am, and what religion I am from because for me we are all the same” (Sonia Garcia)
“Life is hard to explain, but there’s always a step forward in life” (Anonymous)
‘Forgive and forget. The past is the past. It’s time to move on from it”. (Anonymous)
“Do not think that I have forgotten how to dream. I have been a dreamer, and I have lived a dream. So can YOU. Dream your dream and make it real.” (Anonymous)
What is Real Talk?
For those not familiar, Real Talk is an 8-12 week Diversity Leadership Training program. Using a discussion-based style, Real Talk focuses on teaching effective communication skills, conflict resolution, and aspects of diversity. Students provide real life examples of diversity and inclusion to work through them together. Developed by JV Hampton Van Sant and Gwendolyn Hampton Van Sant of BRIDGE, Real Talk was named by two young ladies who were a part of BRIDGE Youth Corps in the summer of 2012, Talya Taliaferro and Laura Verastegui.
After seeing Emilie on the Friday student matinee with the Real Talk BRIDGE participants, Pittsfield High School teacher Janet Louise Smith-Celebi shared:
“The students (and I) were entranced. The performance was relevant, current, witty, funny, engaging and inspirational! Bravo to the all of the players who helped to make this production a reality! Thank you for the opportunity to include students who might not otherwise have the chance to have such an experience.”
WAM is so grateful to be surrounded by so many Modern Day Emilies with this educational project and look forward to strengthening what are truly some already beautiful relationships.
Gwendolyn van Sant, Executive Director of BRIDGE, answers five questions
In order for you to better get to know one of the co-founders of Real Talk, I have asked Gwendolyn van Sant, Executive Director of BRIDGE, to answer five questions regarding women, leadership, and aspirations.
1.) What is the best and worst decision you’ve ever made?
Best decision I ever made was to abandon believing my voice was not necessary. Worst decision…there are many… but each decision got me to the next phase in life so thinking of them as the best and worst is hard.
2.) What was your dream job as a kid and why?
My dream job was [to be] a lawyer or an engineer — either helping people overcome injustices as a college student or using math and problem solving skills that I loved as a young student.
3.) What do you think is the most significant barrier to female leadership?
Women believing [that] scrutinizing other women is natural! The judgments and labels of what it means to be a successful woman is our barrier.
4.) What woman inspires you and why?
I find so many women inspirational. Today I think of Angela Davis, Elizabeth Freeman, Maya Angelou, and the many women who have walked my path before me… I respect their wisdom, strength and integrity.
5.) What will be the biggest challenge for the generation of women behind you?
The biggest challenge of the women of the next generation is the same–to balance the internal with the external. And to achieve identity in success in their own design and not by the design of men and or media.
Learn more about BRIDGE here<https://www.facebook.com/
A huge thank you to JV for help with this blog entry!
Blog Entry written by Shanae Burch, who is overseeing the social media portion of the Mass Humanties Educational Outreach Project. Click here to learn more about Shanae and the project! Also search #WAMEmilie on Facebook or Twitter for more info.
Real Talk and Girls Inc. Participants at the talkback following the Friday Student Matinee of Emilie:
Real Talk Participants and JV Van Sant (on left), one of the co-founders of the Real Talk program
