Mensimah's Round Table: Conversations for Women of Power and Grace

I just visited Ghana, my place of birth. It is obvious that there are stark differences between what is valued in Ghana and America—differences about wealth, health, happiness, love, success, prosperity and money. I will address these in future podcasts with guests.

Living by grace is a beautiful concept because it lessens the pressure we put on ourselves, ultimately allowing room to live joyfully, especially during periods of uncertainty.

As I continue my travels, I hope to share insights and wisdom to facilitate our wellbeing — together as divine beings on this planet.

Autobiography

https://mensimah.com/sankofa/

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In this episode, I take a position on the recent Supreme Court decision in reversing Roe vs. Wade. My focus, however, was not to get entrenched in the political persuasions of the day, but rather to highlight a spiritual path of wisdom, which Saint Teresa of Avila, a mystical theologian used to reorganize her Order. She speaks of the dignity of each soul in grace, and shows a path one can follow to uplift that dignity.

I note also that a matriarch’s embodiment of spiritual knowledge, wisdom, and dignity is based on three distinct understandings:

1. The physical changes in her body- menstruation, sexuality, pregnancy, lactation, menopause;
2. Confronting/responding to challenges and still shine in our wisdom and spirituality; and
3. Contemplating the Divine Source and allowing, accepting the expressions of her own life experiences as truth.

A reflection on the spiritual journeys of our mothers brings to mind all the women elders—who set a dignified tone for all to emulate. Their lives and generosity of spirit provide the grounding and nurturing needed to ensure the endowment of wisdom that permeates many dimensions.

We can win this new battle....

Autobiography

https://mensimah.com/sankofa/

Please support our channel.

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In this episode, I referenced the importance of relating to sacred images of the feminine and highlighted images of powerful women in history who could influence our dispositions, especially weary ones. If we created a sacred space, where we could commune daily with our powerful inner selves, we will realize that there is nothing we cannot do or be. We have work to do to save this planet, and we implement the changes we need only via spiritual strength. If we are spiritually strong, we can subsequently change the outer world. Creating a sacred space allows us to heal old wound, and build strength for the journey(s) ahead.

Happy listening!

Autobiography

https://mensimah.com/sankofa/

Please support our channel.

https://www.patreon.com/join/mensimahshabazzphd

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Mensimah's Round Table - Join Women's Group on Facebook

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Mensimah's Round Table Podcast:

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https://solo.to/mensimahshabazzphd

Myrna Garcia-Bowen started her career in higher education in 1982 at Eastern CT State University. While there she held the position of Assistant to the Director of Admissions. Two years later she was promoted to Assistant Director of Admissions. 

Myrna was hired at Central Connecticut State University where she served as the Director of Recruitment and Admissions until 2005. In 2005 to present she holds the title of Director of the Office of Transfer and Academic Articulations. Throughout her tenure in higher education, she has been an advocate for Women’s Rights and Social Justice for all underrepresented populations.   

 In 1983 MS Garcia-Bowen became involved in the Connecticut Association of Latinos in Higher Education, better known as CALAHE. She served as the organization’s president from 2007-2019.  The mission of this organization is to advocate and promote full access, retention, and participation of Latinos/as throughout Connecticut higher education at all levels.   

 In addition to other professional organizations, MS Garcia-Bowen’s involvement in the following committees and organization speak to her pioneer work, dedication, and advocacy for marginalized populations.   

• Committee on Concerns for Women 
• Women of Color-sub-committee 
• 2019 Award Recipient 100 Women of Color 
• Latin American Association-member (served as officer as well) 
• Latin American, Latino and Caribbean Center advisory board- member 
• President Citation Award Selection Committee 
• SUOAF-Steward 
• Represented CCW on Campus on Compassion Committee 
• CSCU System Equity Council member and Tri-Chair 

We discuss:

• Having a sense of self, belonging and being loved
• Love and security of family and structure
• Race as a boundary
• Being teaching agents
• The pain of losing children
• Recognizing the varied components of community
• Aligning our visions and missions with like-minded people.

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/kmJMpd-p9xA

Please enjoy, share, and comment!

Autobiography

https://mensimah.com/sankofa/

Please support our channel.

https://www.patreon.com/join/mensimahshabazzphd

https://PayPal.Me/MRTPodcast

Contact Links:

Mensimah's Round Table - Join Women's Group on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/191292605667511

Mensimah's Round Table Podcast:

https://mensimahs-round-table.captivate.fm

Website:

https://mensimah.com

Other Social Media Links:

• https://solo.to/mensimahshabazzphd

I appreciate you tuning in to listen to the conversations with other women of power and grace.

In this episode, I'd like to take the opportunity to give you a glimpse of who I am and the reasons behind what I do, and how I do it. I bear testimony of divine providence and grace. I believe that the universe endows us with gifts and resources to support our transformation(s). If and when we yield to our calling and trust the processes that unfold, we live with heightened awareness. We literally experience the heavens opening, and feeling the flow of adom—Grace. I am on that journey now with all of you. I am truly grateful.

In this episode, I mention:

• The cost of staying in toxic relationships
• Acting on unfounded fears
• Staying rooted in spirit
• The providence of the universe
• Surrendering to universal consciousness
• Healing & transformation
• Understanding multidimensional ways of being.

Please enjoy, share, and comment!

Autobiography

https://mensimah.com/sankofa/

Please support our channel.

https://www.patreon.com/join/mensimahshabazzphd

https://PayPal.Me/MRTPodcast

Contact Links:

Mensimah's Round Table - Join Women's Group on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/191292605667511

Mensimah's Round Table Podcast:

https://mensimahs-round-table.captivate.fm

Website:

https://mensimah.com

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https://solo.to/mensimahshabazzphd

Donna Hylton is a technology professional and community leader with over 30 years of experience. Donna began her technology career in college while working as a Data Center Coordinator in New York City. She has worked as an end-user database specialist, programmer, systems team leader, and information systems manager before making the transition to academia. In 1997 Donna started teaching at Middlesex Community College as an adjunct professor and was hired full-time in 2000. Today she serves as a professor and Program Coordinator of the Computer Information Technology Systems and Management Information Systems degree programs at the college.

Donna has a deep desire to inspire people from all strata of life to be the best they can be. She also applies this energy to the many community-based activities with which she is engaged. In 2002, she created “Adventures in Learning” an afternoon program of JOY Camp, a free enrichment camp for kids. This educational camp (which she continues to direct) uses creativity and innovation to get children excited about academics.

​In 2017 Donna took a sabbatical leave from Middlesex Community College to attack the problem of the under-representation of women, girls, and people of color in STEM. Out of this community endeavor, Donna founded the STEAM Train non-profit organization that works to move generations of under resourced and underrepresented populations to STEM. Today, Donna serves as STEAM Train’s president and she is joined by a Board of Directors who are STEM professionals. This diverse group provides thought-leadership to the organization... https://www.steamtraininc.org/

Our conversation focused on:

• What brought her to the path she's on?
• JOY Camp - Adventures in Learning
• Computer Information Technology Systems
• Chairman, President, CEO of Steam Train Inc.
• Motherhood, raising kids
• Challenges women face – helpful strategies
• What teachings can we pass on to the younger generation, especially girls
• Humanitarian Mission Trips – Most memorable trip
• “Inspiring people from all strata of life”
• Striving to do it all with excellence and humility.

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/bgiFYPvdVzk

I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Please support our channel.

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Mensimah's Round Table - Women's Group on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/191292605667511

Mensimah's Round Table Podcast:

https://mensimahs-round-table.captivate.fm

Website:

https://mensimah.com

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https://solo.to/mensimahshabazzphd

In this episode, I share some thoughts with you about losing loved ones, especially suddenly like 9/11 or other similar situations. There's has been so much tension in our world, transitioning from Covid, as well as globally. There are several conflicts, some making the news and others not. War, in my opinion, is not waged only by physical violence but it is reflected in the environment, our words, our attitudes towards each other.

I ask some reflective questions, including what you'd do differently if you had one day to live. This is to shed light on this transient journey we are on and what our vision is for ourselves and for the world.

I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Please support our channel.

https://www.patreon.com/join/mensimahshabazzphd

https://PayPal.Me/MRTPodcast

Contact Links:

Mensimah's Round Table - Women's Group on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/191292605667511

Mensimah's Round Table Podcast:

https://mensimahs-round-table.captivate.fm

Website:

https://mensimah.com

Other Social Media Links:

https://solo.to/mensimahshabazzphd

Shilpa Ahuja is a daughter, wife, mom, entrepreneur, and world traveler. She was born in India, raised in Oman, studied Architecture in London and got married in India, and came to the United States. 

She started her career in various Architectural firms where she gained a wealth of experience in commercial retail design, creating prototypical building sets for state-of-the-art Gyms, shopping centers, and retail outfits. Her design philosophy has been that an Architect resides within all of us, it’s her job as an Architect to extract the ideas from a client and transfer that into formulating a good, functional, budget-friendly space. During Shilpa's stint as an Architect, she worked with this Spa brand called Massage Envy to design their franchise locations in CT. In 2010, she and her husband were looking to do more with their lives, looking for a challenge, since she was designing Massage Envy, they were able to get some great insight from these owners, their backgrounds, and how they started their business and that led them into becoming Massage Envy franchisees. They now own 2 locations in CT. They have both been hands-on in the business and have built a wonderful team that is now running the locations, giving them time to develop and pursue new business opportunities, and the diversification of business and investment portfolios.

When Shilpa's daughter decided to go to Florida State University in 2021 they followed, and relocated their home base to Florida and are in the process of developing four locations of The Joint - Chiropractic Place in Tampa, Florida. 

Shilpa's ultimate spiritual goal in life is to be one with God. In Hinduism, we believe that A human being is not merely a body made from flesh and blood. There is the presence of a divine spirit which is generally known as SOUL (ATMA) or SELF which is a smaller part of the supreme being, God. At the end of life, this soul wants to go meet and be one with the All-mighty. This is called Moksha, being one with God! To achieve this goal, she lives her life by practicing to be a good human being, by living a conscious life, practicing mindfulness, being positive, and being grateful for everything I have been blessed with. 

Our conversation focuses on:

- Sharing our beautiful stories

- The architect in all of us

- Recognizing strengths in our partnerships

- Being a good human

- The legacy of our parents

- Women exemplars

And much more...

YouTube: https://youtu.be/TEi5DGyIlaw

Please support our channel.

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Mensimah's Round Table - Women's Group on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/191292605667511

Mensimah's Round Table Podcast:

https://mensimahs-round-table.captivate.fm

Website:

https://mensimah.com

Other Social Media Links:

https://solo.to/mensimahshabazzphd



Sally's love of historic homes and decorating has made working as a licensed real estate professional a natural choice these past few years. She is licensed in the state of Rhode Island and in addition helps individuals and their families with asset management and life protection income in Rhode Island and MA.

She worked as a Therapist in private practice and as a consultant to the State of Connecticut and Mental Health Agencies such as Wheeler Clinic and the Child and Family Agency. Sally took time off to raise her three daughters but continued to volunteer at numerous non-profits, at the schools her daughters attended and their family's parish as a religious education teacher and in other ministries. She returned to the workforce at her family church, The Church of St. Patrick in Farmington CT. While there she assisted the church as their director of Social Media and Coordinator of the church's 24 ministries, she implemented live streaming Mass services even before the covid pandemic. She helped the parish raise millions of dollars for a much needed new building.

She has been active over the years with: 

• The Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation
• The Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Save the Bay 
• The UCONN Health Center and the University of CT
• The Ethel Walker and The Renbrook Schools where she also served on the Board as a Corporator. 

She most recently worked with Amirah Inc., helping them open their first Safe Home in CT for victims of sexual trafficking. 

In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, walking in nature, being around all animals, exercising and reading. Sally lives in Newport with her husband Scott of 26 years, three daughters, Carina, Morgan and Helena and two very spoiled rescue dogs. 

We talk about:

• Prioritizing our Mental Health
• Raising awareness about our social responsibilities
• The power of one
• Spiritual Practice, Meditation
• Sharing our Stories

And much more.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/TEi5DGyIlaw

Please support our channel.

https://www.patreon.com/join/mensimahshabazzphd

https://PayPal.Me/MRTPodcast

Contact Links:

Mensimah's Round Table - Women's Group on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/191292605667511

Mensimah's Round Table Podcast:

https://mensimahs-round-table.captivate.fm

Website:

https://mensimah.com

Other Social Media Links:

https://solo.to/mensimahshabazzphd

Shannon Seeley is a Licensed  Massage Therapist of 12 years she has wide ranging experience from deep tissue clientele all the way to offering touch therapy at Group homes on Sunday mornings. Shannon is a mother of two school aged children , a wife and a friend to many. She started #momlifeunfiltered on Facebook in 2018 looking to help women feel supported and empowered during what could be an isolating period of time. 

She is my social media specialist and a dear friend of mine. 

We discuss:

• Benefits of Massage and Touch Therapy
• Bringing Healing to others
• Gratitude to teachers, family, and children of the world
• Spiritual Practice
• Seeking Positive Spaces

And much more.

YouTube Video

https://youtu.be/foV03_0MSuk

Please support our channel.

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Contact Links:

Mensimah's Round Table - Women's Group on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/191292605667511

Mensimah's Round Table Podcast:

https://mensimahs-round-table.captivate.fm

Website:

https://mensimah.com

Other Social Media Links:

https://solo.to/mensimahshabazzphd