feminism

I think it’s so incredible when a local group can bring together people for a message that needs to be heard nationwide-and this week I had the opportunity to go to one of these inspiring events.

Carson Ronketto, one of the women I profiled for my Girl Em[Power]ent series invited me to this event called The Empowerment Project, put on by the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas and The Power of the Purse. The event was basically a screening of the documentary created by Sarah Moshman and Dana Cook, which was incredible.

Sarah and Dana, along with their all women film crew traveled across the US for a month, interviewing 17 women in powerful and interesting roles, asking what they thought should be done about empowering women. It was so interesting to see how different each woman was, yet how they all wanted to achieve the same goal-to empower women and men.

The event was really thought provoking also, as after the documentary screening, several women doing great things at the university were brought on stage for a discussion panel, as well as Sarah and Dana. It was so neat seeing the goal of the film play out in real life-as the creators wanted the documentary to start a conversation about empowerment, and really get the audience thinking. I especially loved this message-to have the film screened in large events, as opposed to sitting t home by yourself, so that a discussion could be had, and you would use your mind and think.

After leaving the event, I felt so empowered-like I could literally take on the world. With my Girl Empowerment series, I was able to profile women of all different ages and in different careers, not only in the NWA area, but all over the US. It is so important for young women and all women alike to see ladies they can identify with and relate to, So many women growing up didn’t have women that looked like them, or talked like them-and now that there is more diversity, I think we should really be shining a light on this so that girls don’t get discouraged and give up. I think it’s essential to really talk to women in different careers with different goals and views, because that’s when you really discover that all women are reaching for the same goal no matter what-to be empowered and empower others, but also not bring others down.

With that said, I am starting up my Girl Empowerment series again in a few weeks, finishing with a few women I think should be know, and that are doing great things. I hope you’ll keep following along!

xo, flancake

[for how to how to host a screening of The Empowerment Project, look here]

Girl em[Power]ment – A Series of Short Essays.

Over the next few months Flancake.co will be bringing you the Girl em[Power]ment series, which consists of interviews with several working women of all ages in different stages of their career. These are women I not only find inspiring and interesting, but who I think women of all ages should know about and learn from. These women hold careers in several different industries, from creative design to politics.They’ll give us an inside look into what their job is like, how they got there, share their advice for twenty-somethings, and touch on what Girl em[Power]ment means to them.

Our first influencer of the Girl em[Power]ment series is Carson Roncketto, a friend and mentor. I’ve known Carson for about four years, when our paths crossed because of her [awesome] jewelry business. She’s not only creative and passionate about her work, but is an overall genuine and kind soul. I’m so glad she was able to kick off the series and give some serious insight.

Introducing Carson Roncketto, of CirclesUSA.org + @croncketto + @chaincrochet

Q: What is your current job title, and can you please briefly explain your career path?

A: I am the Chief Learning Officer for Circles USA, a National Non-Profit that inspires and equips families and communities to resolve poverty and thrive across North America. As CLO, I direct our organization’s training and coaching efforts, design and align new materials to support our model and mission, and work to advance organizational development and effectiveness in our network through learning.

Q: Where did you go to school and what did you major in?

A: I have an undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas in Broadcast Journalism and a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Q: How do you deal with negativity towards women in the work place [if at all]?

A: I am very fortunate to work for an organization that is dedicated to the empowerment and advancement of women both in the workplace and in communities across the country. No glass ceilings to speak of here. I will say that being confident and self-aware, have made it easier for me to avoid negativity based on sex.

Q: Have you ever felt unsure of yourself or felt that you weren’t “enough”, and how did you overcome that?

A: I have had moments of self-doubt where I questioned if I was DOING enough, was I SUCCESSFUL enough, GROWING enough…I think all of these feelings are normal as you journey through your professional career. Social Media allows us to paint a rose-colored picture of our personal and professional lives that filter the day-to-day realities of living and working. I think it is important to remind ourselves that we don’t need to measure our self-worth or success by comparing it to someones else’s, especially as it’s presented on social media accounts.

Q: What are other things you do [hobbies, projects, interest] that you feel passionate about?

A: I am a proud member of the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Council representing the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas. Our council is made up of incredible women doing incredible things throughout NWA, of which I am lucky to be a part of. Our mission is to promote philanthropy among women and to help women and girls achieve their full potential. WFA is a great positive resource for women of all ages, focusing on expanding and strengthening our role in society.

I also started a small jewelry line called Chain Crochet in 2012. My designs are compromised overlooked items from the past, vintage heirlooms, and bits and baubles…antique stylization mixed with modern charm.

Q: What do you do in your free time to relax?

A: Hot Yoga and watching murder mystery docu-series galore! [because what gal doesn’t love that right?]

Q: What career and/or life advice would you give to your twenty-year-old self?

A: Don’t be in a big damn hurry to get where you are going and don’t be so hard on yourself. I have to still remind my 30-year-old self of this! In my twenties, I was in such a rush to make more money and move up the ladder, thinking that this would bring me some kind of professional nirvana. What I have realized is that even as I advanced, so have my goals and what is important to me. I would bet these things will continue to evolve. Because of this, I try to remember to stay present (and that struggle is REAL for me)…but, I would encourage you to do the same by avoiding all of the hypotheticals of your future and being exactly where you are right now.

Q: What does Girl em[Power]ment mean to you?

A: Girl em[Power]ment means realizing (and helping others realize) our power and potential. It starts with our own perceptions of who we are. We can make the choice to be both who and what we desire.

As Beyonce says, “Who run the world?” GIRLS. And Beyonce is never wrong.

Stay tuned for the next Girl em[Power]ment influencer!
Xo, Flancake