Strong Girls, Strong Women Leadership Conference on May 4, 2013

Do love supporting strong girls and women? Do you work with middle school girls, or high school girls? Women's Herstory Month may be nearing its end but that does not mean we have to stop celebrating the girls and women in our lives and communities.

Please join the Santa Clara County Office of Women's Policy as we partner with American Association of University Women (AAUW) San José to host the 2013 Strong Girls Strong Women Leadership Conference on Saturday, May 4, 2013.

Date: Saturday, May 4, 2013 from 8:00am to 1:30pm
Location: School of Arts and Culture at the Mexican Heritage Plaza at 1700 Alum Rock Ave, San José, California 95116.

This incredible day includes a private film screening of award-winning documentary MissRepresentation, four different leadership tracks for high school girls and a special track for Strong Women.

Workshop topics focus on money matters, media literacy, healthy body image, advocacy, and college-going culture.

We encourage all high school girls, middle school girls (must be accompanied by an adult), all mothers, and advocates for women and girls empowerment to participate :-)

Hurry, and register NOW! Registration is FREE, and RSVP is required: http://bit.ly/YFt1wR

There is complimentary breakfast and lunch. Lunch will feature local leaders and elected representatives.

Devanshi Patel (Stanford, 2014), star of MissRepresentation, will be moderating our panel on Strong Girls = Strong Community, featuring local girl leaders from Latina Coalition YLTLP, Girls Scouts, and Girls for a Change.

Share this on Facebook. Please share this video (public service announcement - PSA - by yours truly) and event with your friends!  I am helping the SCC Office of Women's Policy do outreach, and we thank you your partnership and support to advance the girls and women leadership.
We look forward to seeing you there.

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Credits:

"Character" Original song by Van Hunt. (Mara Hruby, From Her Eyes, 2010)
Mara Hruby is a local artist from Oakland, California. Her work is AMAZING, please visit her channel and listen to her music.

Photos:
Devanshi Patel and MissRepresentation (Jennifer Siebel Newsom, 2011)

"We Are Over It!" - Designed by Yan Yin K. Choy (2012). Assisted by the SJSU Women's Resource Center, SJSU V-Day, friends, and allies

Reports:
"Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School" (American Association of University Women, 2011)

"Women and Girls 2012: The State of Women and Girls in Santa Clara County" (Santa Clara County Office of Women's Policy, 2012)

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Questions? Call the Santa Clara County Office of Women's Policy at 408-299-5152.

New Adventures

Hi everyone,

Happy 2013! Somehow I managed to survive my last semester of five research classes while working close to full time and being ill during finals. I am grateful for everyone's support throughout my last four and a half years at San Jose State University. I graduated in December 2012 with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and minor in Anthroplogy. I will not be walking until the Spring 2013 ceremony, so wait up for the pictures :-)

I am currently completing research of a Health Impact Assessment of the Santa Clara County General Health Plan Element, and participating as a fellow in the Asian Pacific American Leadership Institute (APALI)'s Civic Leadership Program. I look forward to new adventures and discovery. 

I've made some time for hiking,

Mission Peak Sunrise

Moonlight Morning at Mission Peak

View from Mission Peak, Fremont, California

Embrace the sunrise at Mission Peak

and painting...

"Honu'ea ohana swimming through the coral reef." By Yan Yin K. Choy. Chinese brush watercolor painting,11"x14"

"Honu'ea ohana swimming through the coral reef." By Yan Yin K. Choy. Chinese brush watercolor painting,11"x14"

"Hiking at Coyote Ridge" featuring...California Poppies and Bay Checkerspot Butterfly. By Yan Yin K. Choy. Chinese brush watercolor painting.

"Midnight adventures, galloping along the waves." By Yan Yin K. Choy The horses are inspired by Xu Beihong's Galloping Horses (date unknown).

 "Promoting Health Across Generations." Acrylic on canvas, 1/26/13. By Yan Yin K. Choy

I painted this for Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI)'s 40th anniversary celebration. AACI (1973-present) strives to build healthy communities and promote healthy lives. I am honored to have the opportunity to participate and meet very amazing and dynamic artists. The painting of the first three individuals (from L-R) are inspired by photographs of community members supported by AACI. I wanted to demonstrate the diverse communities AACI serves and empowers.

Bowtie Project

Here is a preview line for my clothing line with Le Tran - we will be launching an Etsy store selling handmade goods soon! Various bowties made by Thy Truong and Yan Yin K. Choy from repurposed material. Photography by Brendan Vu and by Yan Yin K. Choy, and modeling by CG and Yan Yin Choy. Stay tuned here, and also following @yanyinchoy (Twitter and Pinterest).

The bowtie is made by Yan Yin K. Choy, photography by Yan Yin K. Choy, and modeling by CG. 

 The bowtie is made by Yan Yin K. Choy, photography by Yan Yin K. Choy, and modeling by CG. 

 The bowtie is made by Thy Truong, photography by Yan Yin K. Choy, and modeling by CG.

 The bowtie is made by Thy Truong, photography by Yan Yin K. Choy, and modeling by CG. 

The bowtie is made by Thy Truong, photography by Brendan Vu, and modeling by YYC.

The bowtie is made by Thy Truong, photography by Brendan Vu, and modeling by YYC.

The bowtie is made by Thy Truong, photography by Brendan Vu, and modeling by YYC.

Girl Talk in San Jose - Thursday June 28

Hi folks,

I wanted to help my friend Ingrid give a shoutout to her program:


From Ingrid Mapanao, SJSU alumni and leader, invite all the young womyn you know (ages 13-19) to participate in GIRL TALK - tomorrow Thursday June 28 in San Jose!!!

"Hi LT Fam! I am currently working for Asian American Recovery Services (AARS) in San Jose. One of the program we have is called "Girl Talk." Every year we host a Sister to Sister Conference for young girls to develop their strength, courage, respect, and self-worth. We are looking for girls 13-19 in the area to participate in the summer program. They will be able to become empowered and stronger young women by attending the various workshops we have planned for them once a week. I know this is last minute, but we have an info night tomorrow that runs from 3pm-4:30pm (all details are on the flyer). If you know any high school girls or just graduate from high school girls who would probably benefit from this program please e-mail me at i.mapanao@gmail.com or call/text me at 408-849-3228. BTW, did i mention FREE FOOD?!

Another program we have is called Social Rec where we have high school students come to our office and play some games, eat dinner, and hang out with volunteers (mentors) and staff members. They also go on field trips once a week. It is a service for at-risk, high-risk, intentional or gang impacted youth ages 11-18. Those run every Thursday from 4pm-8pm until Sept. 15, 2012. If you know any middle or high school students who may benefit from this program please contact me!"

MissRepresentation Film Screening

Hello all,

Join me at the MissRepresentation Film Screening with the Santa Clara Valley Water District.  It is on June 26 so you must RSVP quick to RSVP@valleywater.org.

I will be selling artwork and doing outreach for the South Bay Womyn's Conference and SJSU V-Day so stop by my table and say hello!

Featured in Stop Street Harassment

We are featured on StopStreetHarassment.org thanks to Holly Kearl, activist, and writer.  Read more here and be sure to share the videos and link!

I am grateful for the hard work of everyone that collaborated on the mural, video, room, and ongoing campaign of Hollaback San Jose: ending street harassment everywhere!   

Also on a related note, I participated in the SJSU RAINN Day 2011 Flashmb which won Cosmos Fights Campus Rape contest. View the video here.

Email me at yanyinchoy@gmail.com if you would like to commission a copy of the mural "We Are Over It."

Social Media and Project Management Workshop

I am hosting a workshop next Tuseday.  Join me if you are in the area and please forward to your networks!

SOCIAL MEDIA + PROJECT MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP

Join our free workshop to learn how to use social media, Google documents, and more to manage your projects and outreach.  Join us for the first event of the quarterly womyn’s networking programs.

We welcome all genders!   

Please bring food (gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy-free—to avoid allergies) to share at the potluck.  Please also bring your own reusable utensils and plates.    

6:00 pm– 8:00 pm Tuesday June 19. 2012 · Rm 107, The Cardea Center · 1922 The Alameda, San José, CA 95126 

Close to VTA bus line 22 and 522 · Check www.vta.org for transit. 

This event is wheelchair accessible. 

Call (408) 427-1149 for more info or email yanyinchoy@gmail.com

Hosted by the Cardea Center for Women, Maíz, South Bay International Womyn’s Day Network, San José Peace and Justice Center, 5th Element, SJSU V-Day, South Bay Womyn’s Conference, San José Women Rising Collective, and the SJSU Women’s Resource Center.

Presenting Artwork and Speaking at Women Rising - Save the Date!

I have the honor of participating in the panel and art gallery of Women Rising: A Night of Creative Empowerment II.

I hope you will join me.

What: Women Rising: A Night of Creative Empowerment
When: Friday June 8, 2012 // 6pm - midnight
Where: Backwater Arts Gallery // 681 Quinn Ave. San Jose
Cost: $5 *Donation* (goes to community mural project)
Check www.vta.org for public transit lines to get to the gallery!

All Ages - All Genders - Art - Music - Poetry - Resources - Crafts - Family Time

This event is wheelchair accessible.

For more information:

A Night of Creative Empowerment II is hosted and organized by Women Rising and sponsored by the community to showcase the multitude of female artists in the Bay Area.

We are a grassroots collective that focuses on women empowerment through the arts and open dialogue. Through artistic expression, Women Rising encourages women of all ages to rise up and become leaders in the movement towards discovering one’s identity amongst the perpetual misrepresentation and under-representation in our social culture.

 In October of 2010 Women Rising hosted their first Night of Creative Empowerment at Room 404 at the Citadel in downtown San Jose. The night was full of positive energy and joyous support from the community—and went incredibly well. This year we will host a panel with inspirational women from our community, as well as live music, poetry, art, and performances at Backwater Arts Gallery ( 681 Quinn Ave, San Jose CA 95112).

A small donation of $5 will be collected at the front door which will help our collective fund this event, future events, and our community mural project set to be completed this summer in downtown San Jose .
Featured Performers and Artists: Raks Africa, Kinsey of The Wild Reeds, Adriana “LaPatriota” Garcia (poet), Alex Perez of Mates, DJ Hells Bells, Leslie Quintanilla (poet), Frankie (poet), April Gee (art), Teri Paschere (cell0), Chara Bui (poet, animation), Veronica Malki, and many more to come!
Facebook Invite: http://www.facebook.com/events/411411585556318/

Returning to Artistic Roots

I have been getting back into Chinese ink paintings, watercolor, mixed media, collages, and murals. I recently had the fortune of displaying my artwork for sale at benefit auctions.

Let me know if you are interested in commissioning my artwork, by commenting with your email below.  It would help me save up for graduate school!

Here are some pieces I have created.  These are to give you a sense of my style.

"Chinook Salmon Swimming River Water."

For friends and community leaders Megan Fluke Medeiros and Mark Anthony Medeiros.
Inspired by an ink painting of two koi fish.
Medium: Watercolor

"Chinook Salmon Swimming River Water." 

For my wonderful parents.

Also inspired by a painting with two koi fish. 

Medium: Watercolor

你是我的明月光 (You Are My Bright Moonlight)

Painted in 2009.  
The horses are inspired by Xu Beihong's Galloping Horses (date unknown).
Medium: Watercolor

These pieces I sold at the benefit auction for the New Leaders Council, "Emerging Artists and Emerging Leaders."

"Hiking at Coyote Ridge" featuring...California Poppies and Bay Checkerspot Butterfly.

Medium: Watercolor

"Chicken Walking Among the Amaranth."

Medium: Watercolor

Happy Land Manifesto by Yan Yin Choy.

Inspired by "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Elliot. June 2008.

Medium: Newspaper, Acrylic

"Save the Statues Garden."  14"x17".  October 13, 2011.  Be a part of Growing Roots of Wellness { G.R.O.W. }. Visit the website www.growsjsu.wordpress.com to be a part of this community garden and make it grow :)

Medium: Marker, Color Pencil, Ink

 "We Are Over It: End the Rape Culture, Break the Silence, and Celebrate All Genders." 4'x8'. April 2, 2012. Created by Yan Yin K. Choy and coloring in collaboration with Sharon Singh, Joshi, Mirna Mendoza, Alessa Baldonado, Chara Bui, Lauren Doyle, Lindsay Sporleder, Eva Roa.

Medium: Acrylic, Color Pencil, Marker

Advoacy is Not Done

Hello everyone,

My term as the A.S. Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities has officially ended.

I will be passing the torch to your next Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities, sophomore Mykel Jeffrey.  Soon his contact information, along with the new A.S. Board of 2012/2013, will be posted on the A.S. website.

All of these achievements could not be fulfilled without you.  Thank you for an eventful year filled with advocacy.  I will not be graduating until the fall of this year (December 2012).  I am happy to connect you with any resources you might need to address any grievances or violations of your student rights.  My responsibility to all of you to be an advocate continues to remind and strengthen my purpose.  Thank you for continuing to uphold the torch of justice and hold me accountable.

"If not us, who? If not now, when?"

Saving the Statues Garden (CAMPAIGN IN PROGRESS)

• Generated over 1,250 signatures for the Save the Statues Garden within 14 days of our campaign launch, with the help of 15 student leaders from October - November 2011.
• Partnered with the A.S. Child Development Center, who also organized an amazing protest with their children--the children of staff, faculty, and students at SJSU--at the Statues Garden.
• Negotiated with FD&O in two meetings where decision for possible relocation has been postponed to a future date during fall 2012 for decision. 
• NEXT STEPS: Volunteer at the G.R.O.W. garden!  Contact the organizer Ashley Burns for more info. 

Students for Campus Safety 

• With the help of 10 student leaders this generated over 500 signatures within two weeks of petition launch, 
• Inspired Police Chief Desena to start a Student Advisory committee, and within one month by November 2011 the escort shuttle service was extended.
• Developed partnership with the SJSU Master of Public Health program graduate students who implemented a creative flash mob to raise awareness and generate support for the campaign during November 2011.
• Results included a change from opt-in to opt-out for the Alert SJSU system by February 2012.
• NEXT STEPS: Join Spartans on Safety to stay connected and get involved with the coalition of faculty, staff, administrators, and students on campus safety. 

The Vagina Monologues

• Fundraised $4,000 for beneficiaries YWCA Rape Crisis Center and Asian Women's Home, as well as the global campaign for the women and girls of Haiti. 
• Produced 10th annual benefit play by Eve Ensler, "The Vagina Monologues"
• Hosted a film screening of Miss Representation and produced the project "Hollaback San Jose" (read more below).
• NEXT STEPS: To get involved email sjsuvday@gmail.com or stay connected in September for auditions! 

Hollaback San José

• Collaborated with student and community leaders to create two videos to address bystander prevention tips to end street harassment.
• Created a mural in collaboration with student leaders to end street harassment as well as hosting  the room Hollaback San Jose at the 8th annual Tunnel of Oppression to raise awareness.
• Be an active bystander no matter the gender of the person being harassed.  

South Bay Womyn's Conference

• Winning the "Best Collaborative Programming Award" at the Inaugural Student Leadership Gala at San Jose  State University.
• Connected participants through 15 workshops, panel, art exhibit, film screenings, and more through "Herstory: Uniting to Sustain the Community!"
• NEXT STEPS: Join South Bay Womyn's Conference to host the 2nd Annual Conference! Email info@southbaywc.org for more details! 

Higher Education

• Outreached to raise awareness of the financial impact on students of the Academic Student Success Fee hike proposal that was passed at the Campus Fee Advisory Committee by a simple majority vote.  Read more here. 
• Next Steps: Hold your A.S. Board members accountable because in closed meetings like Campus Fee Advisory Committee, the information is inaccessible otherwise.
• Continue to demand ACCESSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
• Recognize your rights to see the A.S. mission achieved through the A.S. Board and the nine A.S. departments: to improved the quality of education and educational experiences, and represent all students at SJSU.