Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: This podcast is brought to you by MHA of Dutchess county and produced by CMJW Entertainment.
This episode of the Vital Women of Washington Heights is proudly sponsored by Levy Ahmed Spa.
[00:00:12] Speaker B: You're listening to the Vital Women of Washington Heights.
[00:00:21] Speaker C: Hello, everyone. My name is Iris Douglas and my co host here is Yvette o'. Sullivan.
[00:00:26] Speaker B: Hello, everyone.
[00:00:27] Speaker C: We are in. I welcome back to the Vital Women of Washington Heights living in Dutchess County. And today we have a very, very, very special guest for both of us, Rocio Chirac.
We love Rocio. She's an amazing woman. She has developed an organization, a group of women Latinas that is called Entre Mujeres that Yvette and I actually met because of Rocio. And now we're here, we're having this podcast. We have Connor, we're part of Mental Health America. And Jose is here to tell us how and why did you want to start all of this? Could juju with Entre Mujeres because you started with a small group and now it's building girl.
[00:01:03] Speaker D: Yes. I just want to start with saying thank you and I'm so grateful to be here with both of you. Yes. So I started from Whereas now two years. I can't believe it. Two years ago. And the reason I started this group was because I love networking and I have been living in the Hudson Valley for more than two decades now. And always, always it has been with English speaking ladies. And I was like, where are the Latinas? I know there's more than just me, so I always was eager to just form a group. And I did it two years ago. And we started with just eight ladies. My first group was with eight ladies. And now the group grew to 70 ladies. And we come, you know, the Latinas come from all over. We have ascending Peacekill from Kingston.
They come to Mujeres.
[00:01:49] Speaker C: I remember when I had the center, you always hear, they're not coming, they're not coming. And they all used to show up. It was amazing. Jose.
[00:01:57] Speaker D: Yes. At the health center, I was like, you know, the Hudson Valley Health Center Healing center sponsor a lot of the groups. And I was like, you know, most of the ladies didn't sign up at the end. I don't know how many are coming. And I remember saying, you know, whoever comes, comes. And then suddenly I'm like, oh, we have more than 20. It will work.
[00:02:15] Speaker C: And what did I say? What would I say? Because, yeah, they're coming and we will prepare the tables for them and all that. So thank you so much for that experience. I really apprec.
[00:02:24] Speaker B: Well, Rocio, thank you so much for being the founder of Mujeres. And I am very grateful that you had this idea because we've known each other, I don't know, going back 11 years. And actually Rocio was a board member when I had my non for profit, so.
And I remember going through Facebook or Instagram and I saw that you had organized Andre Mujeres and I hit you up and I'm like, what are you doing? And you're like, I'm doing this because I was like out of touch. I had moved on to do different things. And you're like, come, come. And when you invited me and I went, that's when I met Iris. And things started to unfold from there.
But I always like to tie my Dominican roots with what's going on here in the US And I call it the Bochin che of the day. And in doing my research, you know, in Dominican Republic, they are several women networking groups that come together, professional and also social groups. Women supporting each other with, growing, with any idea that they may have business wise and also in a very personal level. So thank you. You're doing a great thing for the women here in, well, not only in Dutchess county, but in other areas as well.
[00:03:43] Speaker D: So I was just going to mention that one of the success for Entre Mujeres has been that the connection, you know, and actually, that's actually part of the mission of the group when I started is, you know, connection, supporting one one, one another, inspiring one another and learning from each other.
[00:04:01] Speaker C: Absolutely.
[00:04:02] Speaker D: And I'm so happy that you guys got connected in Entre Mujeres and then you, you know, you created these, these great events and Grease, baby.
[00:04:10] Speaker C: But that's what. Okay, so you hold it a space for all of us to come and you know, kind of vibe out. Right. And within that space, we met other women too, that we are working as well with. So you see what I'm saying? So it's, it's all starting. And you started. You had a dream, right? I feel like it's a dream for viewers to connect and have these parties and everyone to have fun and feel good and educate. Because you're a good educator. You always like to tell people what's going on too. Yes.
[00:04:36] Speaker D: And actually that happened in one of the events that we did in the Hudson Valley Healing Center. One of the ladies. Because in the networking groups that I do, you guys know that it's not just, hi, my name is so and so we, I like to do games. So Interactive. Interactive games. So. And that's when they get the connection. So I remember I did a game at the healing center. It was two different group. And this lady was just saying her stuff and then she just went on and on and on. And then I told her, do you know what you just did? And she's like, yes, I just spoke in public, right? I said, yeah, you spoke in front of all of us. And she was like, I'm afraid to speak in public. And I was like, you just did it. So I think for me, those little things are very successful. When. When I see somebody, you know, getting something from the group, it's a support group.
[00:05:26] Speaker C: So you bring in support. Remember the time we had, like all the ladies and then we had served cacao, the girls that came from Kingston. So do you see what I'm saying? And also, the healing center was this place where you can actually heal. You can actually, you know, open up and just kind of feel safe within the space, right?
[00:05:40] Speaker D: Yes.
[00:05:41] Speaker C: So listen, you are being. And that's what it is.
[00:05:43] Speaker D: Also, our group is not only for connection, but it's the inviting. It's like a system. I want them to feel comfortable. And even, you know, if somebody was new, it's like they were quiet in the beginning, little by little, but then they feel comfortable. And that was part of what I wanted in my mission statement, is the environment for them to come in and feel comfortable. And we as Latina, you know, first we're like quiet, but then we like, we can't stop.
[00:06:11] Speaker C: We like.
[00:06:16] Speaker B: So aside from filling a gap that you noticed that was needed in this area of not having an authentic women's networking for Latina, what inspired you? Like, what thoughts did you have when you were putting all of this together?
Can you share about that?
[00:06:31] Speaker D: So what inspired me is, like I mentioned at the beginning, not only because I was attending networking event by myself, that not seeing any other Latinas, but also I wanted to make sure the Latinas mindset in the Hudson Valleys grow. Like, that's what I'm working actually for next year.
My word for next year is to level up, level up, level up the group. Because Latinos that come from our countries, like, I came from Ecuador, some Latinas just stay there, like. And I'm not saying, you know, keeping our culture is bad, but it's growing and starting and learning something new. So that's what I was like, you know what?
I need to start something where I can bring Latinas and tell them, just come and even if you don't have A business or an education or a degree or you don't speak English yet, but you're gonna learn it. I felt inspired for that. And I had, like, you mentioned, the dream, the idea, but I needed to put it in action. And one of the actions I took was to, you know, speak up, speak to different ladies. And I remember one lady said, well, I have the restaurant. You can come and talk to the.
And I took action. So I was like, I was inspired for years, and I.
I saw the need for the Latinas within. You know, they had somebody to. To get together and. And learn from each other and supporting. Now, you know, seeing the ladies in social media, you know, how they support each other, I was like, you know what? Even if they don't come to a monthly meetings, at least they are supporting each other in their own counties or in their own towns.
That's. That's.
[00:08:03] Speaker C: You started that web. You started that web of networking of women in business. Latina. And it's always felt safe to be in your space, right? It always felt safe. It was always fun. Your games are always, like, entertaining. So. Yeah, and just keep it up, because there's more Latinas coming.
[00:08:18] Speaker B: And.
[00:08:19] Speaker C: And I feel that you also represent, like, an empowered Latina.
You have that power, you know, you have a lot of connections, and you've done a lot of good work in Dutchess county, you know, so I feel like you. There's a lot to do with Entre Mujeres, and I know Yvette is excited to see whatever we can bring into your organization, because we are part of your tree. We are the branches, and now we're growing.
[00:08:43] Speaker B: I love that analogy.
We are the branches.
Yes. And you said something that I feel that we need to touch on. You said not only for women that have businesses, but also for women that maybe they're not there yet to build their business, but to grow.
Grow personally. Learn what it is to stand in front of an audience and speak, break those fe.
Not only are you supporting women in businesses, but you're helping women break those fears as well.
[00:09:10] Speaker D: Yes. And that has been one of the challenges for me leading this group since the beginning, because I realized that the. The Latinas were in different stages in their life and professional life. They were in different stages. So for me, it was like, you know, not concentrated in the business and professional, but also personal. Some ladies in the groups, they felt, I think, eager to say their personal problems. In the beginning, I was like, oh, my God, now what should we do? And then all the ladies just started, like, Coaches, like mentoring this lady who was, you know, telling us her personal problems. I was like, wow. So for me it was like, wow. Each lady is in different stages. So it's learning from the community of the group that was coming in and yeah, helping them. I forgot that word. Empowerment to empower them to keep.
Not just stay there.
[00:10:00] Speaker B: That's what you do.
[00:10:01] Speaker C: So one of the other services that Rocio provides is, you know, she was my personal assistant that she helped me with everything, but she also inspired me. She. She kind of guided me. She seeks for things for me to do. You know, you were such a good support and you know that I was all over the place, but you still guided me no matter what.
[00:10:19] Speaker B: And you didn't judge me because you.
[00:10:20] Speaker C: Knew that I was holding a community of. In the healing center. So I mean, it's. It's big stuff you. You're working on and there's just. Just a little bit. You started with eight, now you have 70.
[00:10:30] Speaker D: Yes.
[00:10:31] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:10:31] Speaker D: And actually, you know, that brings me back. When I came from. From Ecuador, you know, I came with a vision of starting making money and go back to Ecuador. But then I stay here and, you know, I have been in. I got my master's degree in human resources management. So I know a lot of different personalities and I never thought, you know, to having a side hustle that finally I started my own business as a virtual assistant and translator. I was like, finally, that's my.
My baby. And then I was like, now that I have that, I need to provide, you know, my knowledge in human resources to the community. And that's what I was able to. To create this group and tremojeres among women for that. And not only to support, you know, economically and, you know, professional as a virtual assistant, but also to provide Latinas like me that come from our countries to, you know, in the beginning we're like, I don't know, just leave some money and go back.
[00:11:23] Speaker B: They need some guidance. And you're there to provide that guidance as well.
[00:11:27] Speaker D: Yes. And I'm happy that the group of ladies that comes, you know, are like ladies like you, ladies that teach the other ladies or the people that I. You see in the group that they can. Somebody gets stuck or sometimes I get texts saying, for CEO, this lady in the picture, she says something really nice, but I don't remember her name. You know, the connection is like, you will learn something from. From. From whoever you're contacting them. You know, it's up to them, but it's feeling that they're Doing connection. And yes, it's like a whole mini mentorship.
[00:11:58] Speaker C: There's a whole bunch of little mini mentorship because there's a mentor of yours that you shared with me that I love so much. You know, Marcela, and she was amazing, and I met her through a connection that you had in your group as well. So you also have that mentorship going on. You know, I. I love that your group provide you. I mean, this group is amazing. You have entrepreneurs, you have healers, you have accountants, you have social workers. In her group, I mean, it's a group of powerhous house women, you know, so, yes, we are good for you.
[00:12:29] Speaker B: For me, the challenge is that I love the fact that is for Latinas, and a lot of the Latinas that go there, they speak Spanish. So in my household, I have very little opportunity to practice my Spanish. So going to your group gives me that opportunity for me to stay up with my Spanish, practice new words and learn the professional words, you know, in different fields. So that has been terrific for me.
[00:12:54] Speaker C: I did all that. I did all that because, you know, I have been in. I have been in corporate. I come from Madison Avenue and stuff. So my language is always English, English, English. So when I came to Duchess, I, you know, I was in sales at Raymore and I was English. So when I met you, and now I gotta practice my. My Spanish, I'm like, oh, my God. But it's like Evie said, it's like, you gotta go back and practice your Spanish. But, yeah, I love that.
[00:13:17] Speaker D: And that is one of the differences from the, you know, the entre mujeres among women from the other networking events is because it's not only Latinas, but we speak Spanish. Because a lot of Latinas that I know, they don't feel confident yet to speak English and to introduce themselves in English. So I'm like, you know what?
Even if English is not your first language, just come. Just. You'll see, you know, and there have been so many speakers that are like, rocio, Spanish is my second language, but I still want to be a presenter. So they still, you know, and we're like, no, no, no problem. When the Spanish word doesn't come out, we. We translate for you.
[00:13:51] Speaker B: Yes, you do.
Yes, you do that.
[00:13:54] Speaker C: With Yvette Sanchez at the CBD store. You helped her. You helped her tremendously. So I'm just going to share a personal story. My mother, she didn't want to speak English. She understood every single word, but she didn't speak it because she didn't feel Confident, you know, because of the pronunciations and stuff. So, yeah, so that's also a lot of, you know, that's also a factor that Latinas don't want to express themselves, even though their mind is like, the words don't come out right. But yeah, and it's also backwards, like.
[00:14:22] Speaker D: For those who come from. Just come from our country, you know, South America, Central America, and they don't feel confident. They're the only Spanish speakers, you know, that's the invite of Int. Mujeres bring, you know, just come, come as you are and speak Spanish and we all speak Spanish. And then you will learn English eventually. Because, of course, you're living in the United States. So, yes, that's part of the environment that we, we having in.
[00:14:45] Speaker C: But I think that, that also I also saw in Mujeres, you know, a lot of numbers being exchanged and a know, like, help, you know, maybe, maybe you could start something like that, like people learning English within the group. I don't know.
[00:14:57] Speaker D: English and Spanish.
[00:14:58] Speaker B: English and Spanish.
It's an inspiration because I, I, I put myself in their shoes. I'm like, you know, they're taking a chance and they are pushing themselves to learn English. So let me take that chance and push myself to continue to practice Spanish.
[00:15:12] Speaker C: I love that.
[00:15:13] Speaker B: So it's also an inspiring group.
[00:15:16] Speaker D: Yes.
[00:15:16] Speaker B: That brings on challenges.
[00:15:19] Speaker C: Exactly. Because I remember when I went with you the first time to Mariel. Remember, we both went.
[00:15:25] Speaker B: But when I went with you first.
[00:15:26] Speaker C: Time, I was like, oh, my God, it was crazy. I couldn't. My Spanish was like, I don't know, in the archive somewhere. But it was easier when I went with Yvette. Yeah, it was easier.
Yeah, it was good. It was good stuff. Yeah. I love Maria. She's good stuff.
[00:15:41] Speaker B: So I'm looking at my questions because I want to make sure that we cover, you know, everything that we put down here. And I think we already spoke a little bit about, you know, personal reflection in the future, but I am going to ask, so what has led this group and what it has taught you personally? The power of building a community.
And you shared a little bit about the vision, you know, how you are working on certain things for next year and you don't need to share that at this moment. But personally, what have you learned from, from coming up with Entre Mujeres?
[00:16:16] Speaker D: That I have to listen to their needs and their wants to, you know, I had to listen how to guide them to the next level. You know, next year is going to be totally about. And actually, you probably saw some polls that I did in the WhatsApp group is because we're trying to acquire what does the group really want?
[00:16:37] Speaker C: Okay.
[00:16:37] Speaker D: What do they need about service with different questions, you know, what do they need? What do they want? What they want to learn next year.
So that's what I have been learning from the group for going forward is they will guide me if they're asked. Well, now I have asked them about their needs and wants and those answers are guiding me to the next level.
[00:17:01] Speaker B: Terrific. Thank you for sharing.
[00:17:03] Speaker C: Yeah, it's good stuff. I'll see you. I can't wait to see what you're gonna come up with next year.
[00:17:08] Speaker D: We're cooking.
[00:17:09] Speaker C: Yeah, I know you're cooking.
[00:17:10] Speaker D: Yeah, it's like the Rock said, can you smell?
[00:17:13] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:17:15] Speaker B: I love that.
[00:17:16] Speaker C: I love that.
[00:17:19] Speaker B: Even our producer is cracking up.
[00:17:22] Speaker D: I love you.
[00:17:23] Speaker C: I miss working with you so much. But I'm sure we will work again together. You inspired me all, all the time. You kept me in check. You know, I really do appreciate you.
[00:17:32] Speaker D: Thank you. Same here. Same here.
[00:17:34] Speaker B: So it's exciting to know that you started with about eight members and now you are probably at 70.
[00:17:40] Speaker D: You mentioned.
[00:17:41] Speaker B: So besides having such a large group of AS members, what else do you envision besides bringing different leveling up for the organization, what else do you envision?
[00:17:55] Speaker D: I'm visual a lot, but you know, I listen a lot to Louise Hay and Paola Herrera, who is a Mexican lady. And she said, don't say it, you know, out loud, your ideas yet until they're really complete. Because you don't know what's gonna come up. But what I can say is that I envision for the ladies more groups. Absolutely. But also more ladies to come to the front and say, Rocio, I'm not only wanna present, but I also want to teach A or B. Yeah. Things to the Latinas.
[00:18:29] Speaker B: Fantastic.
[00:18:29] Speaker D: And that's what I'm looking at because I have few ladies that DM me, you know, severally and said, universio, I, I would like to do this, but I need this, this and this. And of course I'm supporting them, but I envision, and that's what I said in the beginning, the word level up. Because it's not going to be just, hi, my name is Rocio, how are you? Can I change names, numbers? It's going to be like, oh, I learned this, this and this. I'm going home with these skills.
[00:18:56] Speaker B: Right.
[00:18:57] Speaker D: That I'm gonna use not only in my personal life, but in my professional life. And that's what I envision. In few words, I am looking forward.
[00:19:06] Speaker C: To that because I can definitely see you definitely excelling in that, because you're very good at that.
[00:19:11] Speaker D: Thank you.
[00:19:12] Speaker C: Very good.
[00:19:12] Speaker B: But that is also taking it to the next level, having your members bring something to the table.
[00:19:17] Speaker C: Not.
[00:19:17] Speaker B: Because this year, you know, they learn how to be confident, they learn how to make those connections. So I idea how next year for the members to bring something new to the table as well, whether it is teaching. And I'll be the first one to sign up because, you know, that I do my menopause education. So I'm happy to teach Latina women all about menopause. And I feel, you know, that information is lacking in our community, in the.
[00:19:41] Speaker D: Latino community, especially, you know, Latinas finding out the symptoms, because sometimes we're, like, sweating. I'm like, what am I sweating? And then sometimes they don't even know where the symptoms are for menopause. Yes. So, yes, that's what is coming up for next year.
[00:19:56] Speaker C: Whatever you need me to do, whatever.
[00:19:59] Speaker D: You need me to do, I'm here. That's what we. And I always use the word we. And hopefully, hopefully next year, you know, we form maybe a board with two, three people, ladies in the group, you know, because I have been doing this for two years now by myself, and it has been hard, tough. But at the same time is, you know, seeing you both having this connection, this. This podcast for me. Yeah.
[00:20:24] Speaker C: It's inspiring because that's the whole point. And you're here. We're here because of you.
[00:20:30] Speaker D: I love this.
[00:20:30] Speaker C: And you're here because of us. So now you're building that, you know, you're building that, you know, I'm spiritual, so I'm going to talk in the spiritual way. You're building the team, you know, you're building because this is something that you always wanted on our rides to our little whatever, you know, you always talked about it. So I'm excited. Super excited.
[00:20:47] Speaker B: And you made a good point. It takes a year or two to build a strong foundation, and then once that foundation is built, then you start putting those levels, and that's exactly what you're doing.
So thank you.
[00:21:00] Speaker D: Thank you, ladies.
[00:21:00] Speaker C: Yeah, you're very welcome.
[00:21:03] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:21:03] Speaker C: What else would you like to share other than personal or anything else that you feel that you want to bring into the. That you want people to know or that you feel that you want to express that we haven't covered.
[00:21:15] Speaker D: Well, I can also, you know, whoever would like to be part of Entre Mujeres among women.
[00:21:21] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:21:21] Speaker B: Give them the information.
[00:21:22] Speaker D: You still feel, you know, shy about or not sure if you know this group is going to be for you or it's going to help you in any way. Just calm, you know, just feel confident. Just to meet one person, one person is enough. And then, you know, the engagement will grow from there. As Latinas, as we mentioned, you know, we like to talk about.
And if you are new out there listening to this podcast and feel, you know, my Spanish is little or my English is actually English, you should be listening to the English because this is in English. You should know English.
[00:22:06] Speaker B: Thank you so much. Yes. So if you need to practice your English or learn English, please come. This is a great opportunity for you also to take in the information. And we receive you with open arms.
[00:22:20] Speaker D: Gracias. So thank you.
[00:22:23] Speaker B: I see you as a leader and I don't think we cover this part.
As a leader, what do you feel you need to work on yourself personally? Iris had mentioned something that when she had the healing center, it took a lot of energy out of her. And you have seen her growth in the last two years.
So as leaders, it takes a lot of energy to put out or to produce different products or your baby, like you said. So what do you do personally to maintain that level of energy so you're not drained, so you're able to give back as a leader.
[00:23:01] Speaker D: So I learned how to, you know, get boundaries or choose boundaries in my. As a leader, you know, two years has been learning different things, but I, I learned to, to take time. And actually this month of November, which is my birthday month, I'm a Scorpio.
I. And I think I mentioned it to you ladies that I, I decided to take a pause. I call it a pause because I felt that I was just like, like how you call it, like a cop out, like running on and on and.
[00:23:36] Speaker B: On, like the energizer, but constantly running.
[00:23:38] Speaker D: Wait a minute. This is not me, my energy.
And it's not that we're crazy. I call it my internal conversation.
[00:23:46] Speaker B: Mommy, your self talk has nothing to do with being crazy.
[00:23:51] Speaker D: I'm like, rocio, this is not you. And I felt so exhausted. Not only emotional and physically. I was like, I need to pause because, you know, like I mentioned, I have been doing this by myself and I needed to, to. To take time for myself.
Not only my energy was depleted. I was like, I need time to gather my energy, to gather my thoughts and plan for next year. I mean, what is it that we want with the group and I realized that I needed to take that pause for. For me, for my mental health.
[00:24:21] Speaker B: And. Good. Good for you.
Because taking, you know, a step back and taking a pause and looking at things, it's so good for our mental health, emotionally, physically.
It just sometimes, you know, people don't realize how important it is to take that pause.
[00:24:37] Speaker C: You have to reset your mindset, for sure. You know, meditation has helped me tremendously. I think maybe we spoke about meditation, but I think you have a good. You personally have a good sense, because we've talked about this on how to, like you said, boundaries and how to slow down. You've learned to slow down, too, Rocio, because, you know, we were, you know, learn to slow down.
[00:25:01] Speaker D: And that's a good advice that I can give to whoever wants to start a group like this is to.
[00:25:06] Speaker B: To.
[00:25:07] Speaker D: To learn how to. To know your own needs and want as a. As an individual.
Because if you don't know that, then you're going to crash, and you're not going to only hurt yourself, but also your family members and friends are going to notice your. Your changing. So it's like it's time to. To, you know, to pause sometimes and take a break, relax and. And then, you know, always take actions eventually, little by little, take, you know, small steps.
[00:25:33] Speaker C: Pamper yourself, girl.
[00:25:34] Speaker D: Yes, that's what I do.
[00:25:35] Speaker C: Yeah, I know.
[00:25:38] Speaker D: I know. You pamper yourself.
[00:25:40] Speaker B: Okay, well, thank you.
[00:25:42] Speaker C: Thank you.
[00:25:43] Speaker B: Do you want to cover anything else that perhaps we haven't mentioned that you feel that there's a need for you to bring up?
[00:25:49] Speaker D: Yeah. So whoever wants to be part of the Entre Mujeres group, you guys can text me at 845-243-0037. That's 845-243-0037. And just, you know, just say, hey, Rocio, my name is so and so. I heard you on the podcast, and I would like to be part of Entrepreneurs Among Women. And we put you, you know, on the list, and we will invite you next and. And remember that this group is not only for, you know, business ladies, whoever you want to come and meet and learn from each other and support.
There's maybe somebody that you think you might meet in this group.
[00:26:27] Speaker C: That's a good word.
[00:26:59] Speaker D: So that's.
Thank you.
[00:27:04] Speaker C: God bless. Lots of love, girl.
[00:27:06] Speaker D: Thank you.
[00:27:06] Speaker B: You're welcome. You're welcome.
[00:27:08] Speaker D: Thank you again, ladies.
[00:27:09] Speaker C: We're here because of you.
[00:27:11] Speaker B: And Connor and Connor, our producer and Mental Health America.
[00:27:15] Speaker C: Health America, too. Andrew o'.
[00:27:17] Speaker B: Grady. Thank you. We're very grateful.
[00:27:19] Speaker C: America, you guys for this opportunity. Thank you.
[00:27:23] Speaker B: The Vital Women of Washington Heights presents Beyond Hot Flashes and High Heels Fashion Show.
[00:27:28] Speaker C: A night to mingle and embrace the beauty and power of being a woman. The event takes place at the Salt Boutique Labs on 70 East Main Street, Wappinger's Falls on Thursday, December 4th from.
[00:27:38] Speaker B: 6 to 9pm the night will include an inspiring fashion show, hors d' oeuvres.
[00:27:42] Speaker C: And specialty cocktails, local vendors and more.
[00:27:45] Speaker B: Not to mention, I'll be DJing.
[00:27:47] Speaker C: You can go to the link in the description or visit the QR code on your screen to get tickets for this fashionable and festive event.
[00:27:56] Speaker A: Hi everybody, this is Andrew o', Grady, CEO at Mental Health America of Dutchess county, coming to you from our new MHA studios where Connor Walsh is now producing all of our social media. I'm so happy to be here and we're going to be right here in this spot this Monday the November 24th from 2 to 4pm Michelle Barone and I from RED will be sitting here. We're gonna have guests on for two hours and we're gonna be holding a telethon. We're gonna be raising money or video thon I guess we're gonna be raising money to fund gift cards for our clients here at MHA who can't afford food for the holiday season. So I'm hoping that you tune in, you put a little thing in your calendar and check us out live on that day. There'll be a way for you to donate and if you see the feed, if you're sitting home and you're at work, you see the feed, share it, share the live feed on your own so we can get this word out and people can watch our show and hear what's going on and you guys can all help out, make a donation. And we're gonna make a lot of people happy this holiday season because of your help. So please help us out. Look for us on Monday the 24th from 2 to 4pm Hang hope this holiday. Support Mental Health America. MHA's annual wreath sale is back back Support Mental Health America of Dutchess county this holiday season by purchasing a beautiful fresh wreath for only $30. Please pre order by November 19th to guarantee availability. Orders accepted while supplies last order online at mhaduchess.org wreath or call 845-473-2500 extension 1391 to order or schedule delivery. Happy holidays from MHA of Dutchess County.
[00:29:29] Speaker C: Hello everyone, my name is Iris Douglas and of course with me is my co host Yvette o'. Sullivan.
[00:29:34] Speaker B: Hello, everyone. I hope you guys are having a wonderful day, because we are.
[00:29:38] Speaker C: Yes, we are. We are. I and I, we are the vital women of Washington Heights living in Dutchess county. And we here to share and just, you know, kind of just share our experiences as we grew from Washington Heights. Right? Yes.
[00:29:49] Speaker B: And that's why we're here, Iris, you know, to talk about our upbringing, growing up in such a vibrant neighborhood and what our experience was like and the high schools that we went to.
[00:29:59] Speaker C: So it's crazy because I went to Washington Irving High School and Yvette went to Mapleton Bacon, and it was a rival school. It was like, if you're from Mapleton Bacon and they knew you were from Washington Irving, like, do not get on that train.
You know what I'm talking about?
[00:30:13] Speaker B: Yes, that train. Oh, my goodness. At 3 o', clock, it was something to be.
It was crazy because when some of the girls saw the girls from Washington Irving, a war would start. And I always stood away from that because I'm not a fighter. I always was the peacemaker and taking care of things and breaking up arguments. But it was wicked. That train at 3 o'. Clock, it was wicked.
[00:30:38] Speaker C: It was wicked. And you know what? To a certain extent, and I hate to say that, I hate to bring this up, but it was kind of dangerous to act sometimes because, you know, let's, let's. Let's talk about. What we really want to talk about is like, we had rivals and we had fights, and why, why, why did we. What, what kind of energy were we experiencing back then, back in the 80s, that we were fighting and we didn't even know each other? That was ridiculous.
[00:31:02] Speaker B: That was ridiculous.
It really was. And you know, the sad part is that sometimes that happens today.
Women bring that kind of energy when they're together, because whether it is through jealousy or is it a power trip or you look better than I do, whatever the reason is, it's ridiculous at times. And they do not come together to support each other, but instead they fight and like, you're my sister. And sometimes, you know, we fight because we have little disagreements. But then an hour goes by and you call me or I call you, and we're like, okay, let's take our time, let's unpack this, let's work this out. But sometimes, yeah, well, grown ups don't do that, or women don't do that.
[00:31:45] Speaker C: So let's. Yeah, we're both alphas, we're strong women, and we're very passionate about what we want. And Our purpose, you know, and it's just actually communication. Sometimes I think it's just lack of communication. And I think that's key when women are partnering and working together, creating something that they both believe in. I think. I think it's important that we. That you communicate and you stay on. On. On shared goals.
[00:32:08] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:32:09] Speaker C: You know, and I think that sometimes what happens, Yvette, is that maybe you have something going on but you forgot to tell me, and I'm. Then I get confused. But instead of saying, hey, Evie, you know what? You know, I get into my head, and that's where we need to stop. You know, we need to stop doing that, getting in our heads. Because just because we've had bad relationships with other women, you know, we.
We gotta let go of that. That and move onward with better communication. Right. Because we're, like, amazing together, like creating and, like, vibing. But then when we have those moments, you know, it's like, wait, we have a difference of creative. Of creativeness or whatever, of communicating a certain way. But. But we have goals, so we have to remember that we have those.
[00:32:50] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:32:50] Speaker C: Because there's a commitment that we have to a certain extent, you know, and we have to make sure that we focus, follow through that. But I appreciate the fact that we're having this and going back to the high school age.
I mean, it was ridiculous. And I think that that's still going on now where, like, you know, we're all so beautiful. Women are so beautiful. We all have our beauty. Whether our hair, our eyes, our legs, our skin, our complex, whatever. We all have. Like my mother used to say, don't be jealous of anyone because you might have something that she doesn't have, or she's got something, you know, I. But you complement each other, and that's the point.
[00:33:23] Speaker B: But what is true jealousy, at least for me, this is the way I see it. Sometimes you admire something from another woman or that person, and you don't know how to pay a compliment or embrace the fact that you like something about that woman or that person that you feel jealous about. And instead of taking a minute and understanding it or even bringing it up, then that jealousy feeling comes up. That's how I see it. What do you think?
[00:33:49] Speaker C: Oh, no, absolutely. Oh, it's there. It's it. But, Evie, we were programmed that way, our mothers. You know, my mother was very beautiful. My mother. I keep telling you, you look like my mom. She was this radiant blonde.
[00:34:03] Speaker B: Blanket, she calls me blanket.
[00:34:04] Speaker C: And she was this radiant blonde. And trust me, when I tell You. She was a very confident woman, but there were times that she wasn't feeling herself and she saw someone else, and she was like, you know, but we gotta let it go.
[00:34:15] Speaker B: There's no need for that.
[00:34:16] Speaker C: There's no need. You gotta let it go, man. If you see somebody and you say, oh, my God, like, what is she doing? Find out what she's doing. Yo, what are you doing that you look so good, right? And then you share. Because that's another thing women sharing is caring. You know, like, I've shared with you some of my meditation, how I stay calm, cool, and collective. Because sometimes you will lose your top. You. You know, it's like we talk about it with menopause.
[00:34:36] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:34:36] Speaker C: You know, you. You gotta have good days, and you're gonna have bad days, but the bottom line is you need to learn to control that mind, body, and spirit. And once you control that, then your choices are better. Then your language is better. Then you won't feel jealousy, then you won't feel envy, Then you won't feel, oh, my God, I got to get what she's doing.
No, find out. Community is important.
[00:34:55] Speaker B: It's about growing and figuring out how you can take those steps to grow spiritually, mentally, and physically. And you brought up the point about menopause. You know, a lot of the times when women are going through menopause, everything is shifting, whether it is our bodies, our mental state, and that's when you need women the most. You need that support.
[00:35:14] Speaker C: Absolutely. Absolutely. Women in community.
Okay.
[00:35:18] Speaker B: All right.
[00:35:19] Speaker C: When I first started feeling some kind of way, I was like, oh, my God, what am I going to do? And I went to a friend and I said, listen, I think I'm going through menopause. Pre menopause. And she told me about energy work. She told me about Reiki. She. She's a female. Instead of holding it to herself, she said, maybe you should try this. That's what I would love for our community to be. And that's why we're here. Whatever's working for us, we want it to work for you.
[00:35:42] Speaker B: We want to share it.
[00:35:43] Speaker C: We want to share it to work for you. And this is why we have speakers and we have people that we are learning from, and we're sharing them with you, you know, because that's the way that's how we're going to stay young and beautiful. Mamacita. If we share our beautiful beauty tips, if we share everything that we're doing with other women, it comes right back to us. It's like a Reflection.
[00:36:02] Speaker B: Yes. Yes. I don't know when the shift happened, because I remember when I used to go to Dominican Republic during the summer so my parents could work, and I remember seeing my grandmother sitting around the table or in the patio with her sisters or her neighbors and the rest of the people from. Or women from the town, and they just seemed to have such a special relationship of supporting each other, of helping each other with.
Whether it was with the grandchildren or sharing recipes. So I don't know when it occurred that battle started to happen.
[00:36:35] Speaker C: Mama. Social media girl. Competition, competition.
You look at. You know, when I was a kid, a teenager, I looked at a Vogue magazine. I want to look like her. Or a teen magazine. I want to look like her. But now you go into social media, you go into Instagram, YouTube, there's so many, many different versions of whatever you could look like is stressful. Social media is very stressful.
[00:36:54] Speaker B: Just saying, you're saying the pressure. The pressure is trying to be every woman instead of being yourself and being authentic.
[00:37:00] Speaker C: You got to be yourself and you got to wear different hats. But you can't expect to be like. Like Suzy and Marilyn and Lucrecia and this and this and that. You can, Lucrecia. I don't know where that came from, but you know, you can. You can. But you have to find your balance within you.
But you can't be jealous of because of the other person.
Jealousy is never my policy. Jealousy is not a good thing. Trust me when I tell you it doesn't get you anywhere. It doesn't. You. We already have our beauty within.
[00:37:27] Speaker B: Yes. And that's what you need to bring out. It's the beauty within yourself.
[00:37:30] Speaker C: Absolutely.
[00:37:31] Speaker B: Embrace who you are instead of trying to compare yourself to other women or trying to compete with other women.
Look, who. Who is Yvette or who's Iris? Who is Lucrecia?
[00:37:41] Speaker C: I don't even know who Lucrecia is, but Lucrecia.
But. But that's the point. Eva, you are such a beautiful person. You inspire me. You know, I. I love working with you. And I. And. And when we have our little thing, it's. It's natural. We're mija. Somo Dominicana.
[00:37:57] Speaker B: Somo Dominicana. And we're human. And sometimes there's drama when Dominicans show up. You know, there's always a party and.
[00:38:05] Speaker C: Some drama, but that's something that also. That perhaps maybe we should work on, because that's in our DNA. Because Tusa, I mean, we. We both were raised in the heights, but we also had different upbringings. My upbringing was a little bit more chaotic. But that needs to stop. That triggers. Those triggers need to stop. And that's maybe perhaps, you know, when we were talking to Carol about the other day with the ADD and the adhd, that those triggers are still behind me. So, you know, I'm triggered, you know, sometimes. And that's where I'm going back into my meditation and going back into my yoga work and releasing tension and stuff. Because you and I are doing a lot of things, and sometimes it's a little stressful. We have our personal lives and it could be a little stressful. But the bottom line is that sisterhood is very important. Whether you come from Washington Irving or Mabel Dean Bacon, the bottom line is that sisterhood is super important. And we would love to see more women working together, because the more.
The more women work together, better, the better it is.
[00:38:58] Speaker B: The better it is, the better it is. Let's take a few minutes and talk about our fashion show.
Because that's when.
[00:39:05] Speaker C: You know who won at the fashion show.
[00:39:07] Speaker B: Well, I have. I have that background. My grandmother in Dominican Republic, she was a seamstress and she had her own business. And when I would visit her as a child, I would sit by her side and just watch her create and colors and sew. And it was just such a wonderful experience for me. So I carry that in my DNA. But the fashion show is to convey several messages.
So the message about uniting together as women, appreciating the beautiful person that you are within the message about menopause. Just because we have enter our menopausal journey does not mean that we lose our creativity or that we lose who we are. This is the best time for us to take a pause and see where we want to go in life and figure out how we can bring that creative energy, because it's in there. Creativity is in a lot of women, and sometimes they don't know how to bring that out.
[00:39:59] Speaker C: Well, they don't because they get stuck in their heads. Like for instance, when I was a little girl and I used to go into an arts class, I wouldn't know what to do.
I would not. A crayon, a piece of paint, nothing. That wasn't something that. But what wasn't that you and I have something in common, and we spoke about this a lot, is that you and I have that. Our grandmothers were seamstress. We were both seamstress.
And that's why we decided that we wanted to bring in a fashion show. Because women even taking this scarf and changing it up, you change the vibes.
You take that beautiful scarf and you put it on your waist to change the vibes.
It's hard.
[00:40:34] Speaker B: Well, this scarf used to belong to my mother in law. She left me a lot of scarves. And I'm still, you know, celebrating Diane Keaton. And I love my ties. If I think if I was a man, I would wear a tie every day. Because ever since I was a little girl, I've loved ties. I think they're very sexy in men. So this is my version of wearing it as a tie.
But the fashion show. What other message do we have when it comes to the fashion show?
[00:40:58] Speaker C: With the fashion show, I also wanted to mention the reason I mentioned my grandmother was because she was very much into dress.
Dress to impress.
You know, if you left the house looking like a ragamuffin, you are not going to impress anyone.
If you left the house you know, looking put together, that was important and people were gonna respect you more. So she was always about that.
[00:41:18] Speaker B: Well, you know, when you say that, the thing that comes to mind is I always heard, don't judge the book by its cover.
[00:41:24] Speaker C: Absolutely.
[00:41:24] Speaker B: But society does judge you by the way you look, by the way you present yourself, the way that you're dressed. And it's sad in a way.
[00:41:32] Speaker C: Well, especially with women because if their skirt is too short, they're categorized.
[00:41:38] Speaker B: That has a different connotation.
[00:41:39] Speaker C: You're, you know, so, you know, just don't want. That's a different podcast. But, you know, it's like. So my grandmother would say, you have to dress to impress. You have to look a certain way. You know, my father, he was a fashionista. He, you know, he worked downtown in Soho and he was pretty much a janitor. But he used to work. He used to get on that B train with a three piece suit because no one knew where he worked. But he was not gonna tell everybody he was a janitor. Do you see what I'm saying? That he was in maintenance, mind you. He was in the union. He had a good job, good pay, but just the janitor messed with his ego, you know, so he had to dress for success.
[00:42:13] Speaker B: But that's okay. If that's what he felt that he needed to do in order to feel great, terrific. Because that's the idea also behind the fashion show. You dress to feel confident. And not only feel confident, but also to embrace the beautiful journey that women our age are going through menopause. And I cannot talk enough about how important it is for women to embrace this stage. And I Know, I have a friend that she says, I'm going through this, I'm going through that. And how do you want me to embrace this stage in my life? I'm like, you got to look for the positive. Once those symptoms stop and you start feeling. Because it is beyond hot flashes and you start feeling better about yourself and doing certain things. And we've had plenty of guests here talking about exercise, eating healthy, and mindful mindset. Once you work on those three main.
What do I call it? Three main.
I came. I have a loss for words. Three main focus, I guess to bring your. Your body into a different gear.
[00:43:09] Speaker C: Well, mind, body, and spirit. If you're not connected, you're.
[00:43:12] Speaker B: There you go.
[00:43:12] Speaker C: And you're going through menopause. You're not going to be creative.
[00:43:15] Speaker B: You're not going to be creative. You're going to lose yourself.
[00:43:17] Speaker C: You're not going to be creative. That's why it's important that you. When you're going to. Through some changes, don't lose yourself. You know, keep. You. Keep your hair going, keep your skin going, keep your nails going, your nice. You know, it doesn't have to be expensive.
[00:43:29] Speaker B: Discover who you are. That's. That's the main message. Don't let the changes that you're going through stop you from discovering who you are.
[00:43:36] Speaker C: Yeah. And when it comes to design, you know, go thrifting. I mean, I got this at the Goodwill. I mean, listen. And it's a nice little jacket. It's a Brooks Brothers.
You know, seriously, goodwill. 5. I don't know, 10 bucks. So, you know, you don't have to spend a lot of. You don't have to be dressed Gucci all the time, but you can act like you're Gucci. Just putting. You look Gucci.
[00:43:58] Speaker B: Well, like I said to you this morning, I'm having fun. Because normally at this time of year, I'm not here.
[00:44:02] Speaker C: I know.
[00:44:04] Speaker B: So I go into my closet, and it's like shopping all over again. Because I've forgotten what I've had, you know, for fall and winter clothing. And I'm like, oh, this is exciting. I forgot I had.
So it's like shopping in my own closet.
[00:44:15] Speaker C: Yeah. Yeah. But that's what the fashion show is for, right, Evie? Just to. For women to wear clothes, feel more empowered. A different version of you wear different hats, you know, like something. I don't know.
[00:44:25] Speaker B: And we're gonna have special guests. We're not gonna announce who those special guests are right now.
[00:44:28] Speaker C: Just follow us. Just follow us.
[00:44:30] Speaker B: Just follow us. And we're gonna feed pieces of it. So that way you guys get excited and come and enjoy the fashion show with us. But we will share the date. December 4th.
[00:44:41] Speaker C: December 4th. From 6 to 9. And it's gonna be an amazing. And it's an amazing space. You want to share where?
[00:44:45] Speaker B: It's gonna be at the soap boutique lab in the village of Wappinger Falls. So please come join us.
[00:44:51] Speaker C: It's a beautiful space. It's quaint. It's. I mean, it's pink and white.
I don't know what to tell you.
[00:44:57] Speaker B: Victorian house.
[00:44:58] Speaker C: It's a Victorian house. I mean, it's beautiful for any goddess to come and explore on a different version of you. So please come to our fashion show. We have beautiful, wonderful, important people coming to speak.
[00:45:09] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:45:10] Speaker C: We have a designer, too, that she's gonna come and she's gonna share. And we have someone that, you know, has this beautiful space that, you know, puts women together. So there's a lot of different. And again, this is women working together, right?
[00:45:20] Speaker B: This is women working together, empowered women from the village of Wappinger Falls that have their own business, and we're all supporting each other.
[00:45:28] Speaker C: So why are we doing this, you and I? Like, what happened?
Like, we went.
[00:45:31] Speaker B: We.
[00:45:32] Speaker C: I mean. Cause people need to know.
I mean, we just started something. She called me, let's do a podcast, and blah, blah, blah, and here we are. And now we're creating fashion shows with other people.
The will. Mira, when people want something, you get it.
[00:45:46] Speaker B: You know what? I think you brought up a point that when we were in school, we were given, you know, a pencil or a crayon, and we were told, this is the way that you need to create.
And I always felt like I was being held back.
I've never been the type of person, since I was a young girl to be told, you need to do it this way, you need to do it that way. So I think now all these ideas that I've had in my mind for years and the stage that I am in, I feel this freedom. And the freedom is to create and to feel empowered, to reach out to other women like yourself and say, hey, I have this idea. What do you think about this? And that's how we got together. You know, from the time that we met at that networking group, just our energies are so good together and powerful that the creativity just flows naturally.
[00:46:33] Speaker C: It just flows. And, ladies, you have to find a partner. You know, if you want to go into business, if you want to communicate, you have to find someone to do it with. It's so much easier to have someone to kind of yin and yang. Whether good, bad, or ugly, it doesn't matter.
[00:46:45] Speaker B: You know, it's part of relationships. It's gonna happen. No matter what relationship you're in, you're gonna have. You're gonna agree and you're gonna disagree.
[00:46:51] Speaker C: That's.
[00:46:51] Speaker B: That's part of life.
[00:46:52] Speaker C: That's how you grow and glow, you know, by making mistakes and figuring it out and communicating. What. What is it that you bring? That I bring? You know, we're always bringing something amazing together. So I'm excited for. For the fashion show. I'm excited for other things that we have cooking up. Yes, but.
[00:47:06] Speaker B: Yeah, but I will divulge this. We have our amazing producer, who will also be our dj, Connor Walsh. And he has an amazing, amazing voice. So to hear him speak is very powerful because he has the voice of newscaster.
I can't think of the name, but I remember growing up listening to, and he passed away, but he had, like, deep voice that I can't.
Oh, my goodness.
[00:47:28] Speaker C: His name is White.
[00:47:30] Speaker B: No, no, it was a man. I can't think of his name right now, but he used to be the Ed Sullivan Show.
[00:47:38] Speaker C: He was in the Esalen. Oh, so you're going way back up.
[00:47:40] Speaker B: Very deep voice, but also he was. Was a sports announcer.
Oh, my goodness.
I know. It's going to come to me later.
[00:47:46] Speaker C: You have a great voice.
[00:47:47] Speaker B: Connor, our producer.
[00:47:49] Speaker C: Thank you.
[00:47:50] Speaker D: You're welcome.
[00:47:51] Speaker C: So, yeah, so we. We got everything cooking up. You know, we got everything cooking up. The ladies.
[00:47:55] Speaker B: Exciting times for us.
[00:47:56] Speaker C: Yeah, the ladies at the boutique, at the Salt Boutique. They're amazing.
[00:48:00] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:48:00] Speaker C: And we're collaborating something, so we're.
[00:48:02] Speaker B: We're.
[00:48:03] Speaker C: It's going to be good stuff. And I can't wait. Evie. We're. We're. I appreciate you.
[00:48:07] Speaker B: Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate you as well. And not just the Soul Boutique Lab, but we also have Amy Parker, who is the owner of Day and Night, and she's another sexy entrepreneur in the village of Wappingers. And she will be catering for us and doing those special cocktails that mocktails that she has these wonderful names that she has come up with. So more to come.
[00:48:29] Speaker C: Yeah, we're happy. We're happy. So thank you. Thank you. I think we're running out of time. I'm not sure, but I think we are. Are we?
[00:48:34] Speaker B: I, I. Well, we got the signal that we have five minutes, so let's see what we can cover in those five minutes, because our show is wrapping up.
I don't know. In conclusion, do you want to say something that perhaps I haven't mentioned?
[00:48:45] Speaker C: I just want to, you know, I just want to say that women, women, we have to be better. We just have to communicate. Let's not be jelly, you know, let's not be jelly of each other because it doesn't work. I'm 62. It doesn't work.
You know, that's all I have to say, I promise you.
[00:49:02] Speaker B: Well, with that being said, you covered it all. It doesn't work.
[00:49:05] Speaker C: Let's work, work.
[00:49:06] Speaker B: Let's support each other. Women supporting women. And that's what it's all about.
[00:49:09] Speaker C: That's what it's all about. So who's our sponsor?
[00:49:12] Speaker B: Well, our sponsor is Andrew o' Grady from Mental Health of America. Our angel.
[00:49:17] Speaker C: Yes. Thank you, Andrew.
[00:49:18] Speaker B: Thank you, Andrew. We always, you know, keep you in our prayers and our thoughts because of everything that you're doing for us. And also I always like to show appreciation to our producer, Connor Walsh.
[00:49:29] Speaker C: Oh, he's the best. If it weren't for him, we would not be like this. Ok. We will be. Hot mess. Trust me. Thank you, Connor.
[00:49:35] Speaker B: Well, I hope everybody continues to have a wonderful day.
[00:49:38] Speaker C: Yeah. Thank you so much for watching us. Appreciate you.
[00:49:40] Speaker B: God bless. Bye. Bye.
[00:49:42] Speaker A: This podcast is brought to you by MHA of Dutchess county and produced by CMJW Entertainment.
[00:49:47] Speaker C: Thank you once again to this episode's sponsor, Levia Medspa.
