Women's History Month: A Showcase of BIPOC Women Leaders in Oregon
Join Boosting Our Voices as we celebrate Women's History Month and BIPOC women across Oregon. This episode features some of our best clips highlighting BIPOC women leaders from past episodes.
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Our Host
Ari O’Donovan
Transcript:
Ari O'Donovan: (00:00)
Thank you so much for listening to boosting our Voices. This program has been brought to you by Boost, Oregon. You can find them online@boostoregon.org. During this episode, we are here to honor Women's History Month. There's a lot of women out there doing amazing things across the state of Oregon. Some of them have taken some time to share their work and stories from boosting our voices. If you hear a clip you like, we have linked all the episodes as they appear in order in the show description and on our website. We hope you enjoy. Our first clip is from our sixth episode, showing up for indigenous communities, listening, learning, and connecting with Tam Lutz and Tyann. Connor, I appreciate that you guys are so willing to work together and with other caring and intelligent individuals that want to reach the same common goals that you guys do. I think that's the best way to reach people and I think it's the best way to tailor your resources so that they make the most sense for the communities that you're trying to do the outreach in.
Tyanne Conner: (01:12)
Well, I think that's a really good point about tailoring the resources because I think for a lot of, especially a lot of white folks in the United States, they're like, oh yeah, the tribes, and they think that it's a monolith or they think that, you know, people don't exist. They, they're, you know, they've been erased. People have been erased. So if they do think of tribes, they're like, yeah, and they think of like one kind of area. And a lot of times it's the Navajo nation because they're, you know, very large and have great representation. Um, so really educating people that every single tribe is sovereign. They have completely different things going on in their communities. They need different resources, they have different values sometimes. And so being able to be flexible and let them tell us what we can do to serve them, that's the most exciting part because you know that the work that you do is going to make a difference because you're not just sort of putting it out into the ether, you're directing it towards people. Mm-hmm who already know what they need and they just need some support.
Tam Lutz: (02:20)
And I think, you know, during Covid, it actually oddly enough, forged some recognition for tribes and some relationships were improved. Um, local health jurisdictions or county health jurisdictions could see the good work that tribes were doing for their own populations in terms of, of vaccines for C O V or responding to Covid. And, and many times tribes reached out to their neighboring communities providing vaccinations not just for the people in their tribal population, but the non-native population, either that was living on reservation or even in ca in some cases for schools that were, had a tribal population there and they could see the work that they were doing and you know, built relationships that may have been strained in the past or just underutilized.
Ari O'Donovan: (03:19)
Yeah, and it's just like both of you really mentioned for me it starts with the acknowledgement. That's the first step right there. There's more than one tribe. There's many tribes and each one of them has their own values, their own culture, their own way of doing things
Tam Lutz: (03:35)
And their own government
Ari O'Donovan: (03:36)
And their own government. Exactly. And you can't come into a situation where you're trying to do something collaborative with a tribe, with just a list of things that you want to do your way that is never going to work. It's never appropriate.
Tyanne Conner: (03:53)
Yeah,
Tam Lutz: (03:53)
Agreed.
Tyanne Conner: (03:54)
I think I really like that Boost Oregon has, has made a lot of really great awareness campaigns. I guess your, I noticed that your website is different and really looking at and serving communities of color intentionally I think is really important because a lot of times people don't know the disparities. They don't know why it's important to tailor, you know, messages differently in different communities. So anytime that those messages can be out there, I think is gonna be really beneficial for everybody.
Ari O'Donovan: (04:37)
Next we hear from Kimberly Porter about leading community doula alliance during the episode from wellness to womb caring for Bipoc families and communities. Is there anything that you would like to make sure listeners know that is unique that Community Doula Alliance does that other no other group is doing?
Kimberly Porter: (05:01)
Well, I think the fact that it is a black woman led organization. We're the only black woman led doula agency in the state of Oregon. And I am that black woman leading this organization. So that within itself is a powerful, the fact that I feel like we are a community. I'm not, don't have this, I'm the leader and so I, you know, have a dictatorship. Like I, this is a community. This organization was based upon our community voices as doulas. I just provide the leadership, provide the fiscal responsibility, provide the mission, and you know, kind of articulate the mission and vision of the organization. But I glean a lot of insight from our doulas from in there different generations. You know, we have some millennials, gen Zs, we have some one of baby boomers. We have a variety of different folks that are actually doulas and we have a lot of community support from folks that just really believe in what we're doing.
Kimberly Porter: (05:51)
I mean, our organization was created from a white doula family that basically gave me the seed money to start. They just believed in the vision of what we're doing. So we didn't have to go through the kind of traditional route that most nonprofits go through where you have to get a, a fiscal sponsor and all those type of things. It was just like I sat with this couple, they were one of the co-founders. They were the, the client of a co-founder of the, one of the co-founders doulas. They sat down and said, what would it look like if you could dream? That's what it looked like. They're like, okay. So that's kind of how it started. And they, over the last two years, they've given us over $300,000. So it wasn't as difficult for me to get a fiscal sponsor. And they just really believed they had, they're a wealthy white family here in Portland.
Kimberly Porter: (06:32)
They could have had a better birth outcome, but they, you know, did pretty well with their son. But they're like, I can't imagine what it would be like if we were brown or black. And so like we support your mission and you know, we don't wanna, you know, you have to jump through all these different hoops. We wanna make it smooth for you. And so they've always supported this organization. So we have other folks as well that are not brown and black folks, that are white allies that have said, you know, we know racism exists. We know outcomes are worse for you all, your community is for us and we wanna support you a hundred percent. And so they also said, we know you're not afraid to challenge the status quo and we are there to support you a hundred percent. And they've done that.
Kimberly Porter: (07:09)
So that's opened up the doors for other major funders to actually fund us as well. And so that's kind of how Meyer Memorial Trust has been a great funder of ours. They just gave us money around gender-based justice cuz our organization is woman led. And a lot of these organizations I think are giving us funding for us to establish our infrastructure because it takes a lot for, you know, culture specific or iPOC led organizations to kind of get started. And so we have been blessed to be able to do that. And I think it helps because I've been doing in nonprofit, so I understand from the entry level all the way up to executive director in terms of systems, in terms of funding, in terms of all the things. So I think it's helpful, but for that leadership to come from someone that looks like you is important.
Kimberly Porter: (07:52)
And I've known people been asking for that in Portland for a long time. I'm authentically African American. I'm unapologetic about it. I am a woman. I represent diversity and inclusion, all the things I'm not afraid of change. So I think that's what makes us unique in everybody, like you said on our website, is they're melanated folks. They're coming from their communities. And so the fact that we have that and we're representing it, just, I think it just makes us unique just within itself. The fact that we are the only organization agency that's led by a black person or a person of color, I wouldn't say person of color. Cause there's one of our board members in in Medford who's Latina, who's running their organization. But I feel like, you know, a black woman agency that's dual organization that's in in Portland makes us unique and it represents everything that we're talking about. So when people are talking about equity optics or diversity, equity and inclusion, we actually breathe that. It's not just lip service for us, it's represented in our leadership, in our board, in our doulas, in our marketing, in our website, in our Facebook and our Instagram. Everything about our organization has brown and black faces all over our brick and mortar space. So people feel like, yeah, you guys are walking to walk. You're not just talking to talk
Ari O'Donovan: (09:13)
Next. Rebecca Rodella discusses her work as an artist and a muralist featured on the episode, art, culture and Family. You say that your mom was with you every day when you were creating that mural. Wow. That is dedication. Oh yeah. That's amazing. How long, how many days, how many hours, how many supplies did you use? All in total.
Rebecca Rodela: (09:40)
So, um, I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity via the Regional Arts and Culture Council. So RAC in Portland, which I'm not sure if you're familiar with, they are in charge of curating all of the different artworks and art pieces, installations that go into the county building. So they do a lot of funding. Shout out to myself because I also have three paintings hanging in different buildings. So two of them are in the Gladys McCoy building off of Broadway and the other one is at the, the Portland building, which I still didn't go visit. It happened like they purchased it right as the pandemic was beginning. So I never gotta go see it, how it's like actually being hung up. But that one people can actually go and visit the Gladys McCoy one. It's on a private patient floor so people aren't able to, unless they go in for, you know, an appointment.
Rebecca Rodela: (10:26)
Which I was like, I actually find that more endearing cuz I was like, it's so much more intimate and it just like, it relates to my work on a such a more intimate level and it's playful and I just love it. And then the other one's at the Portlandia building, which is super cool, but RAC was in charge of getting all of the things in motion for this program. It was the going public program and it was me and four other, other four other, other four other artists, um, to paint murals around Portland, which was super cool. And Miller Paint donated paints and was, you know, the site to go to in case we needed extra. And they were just absolutely amazing. So I got paired up with trim and so that's where my mural is at. It's that gateway gateway transit station facing 2 0 5.
Rebecca Rodela: (11:18)
So when people are on the cusp of having a coronary from traffic, they can just take a nice peak to the right and then see my, see my mural. And in total, I was very lucky this year for the great weather that we had, it was like the only perk of global warming, which it seems so weird to say, but I'm like, we had amazing weather through mid-October, like 80, 80 degree days. 90 degree days hot. Like everything's just melting off of your, like your body is melting. And yeah, I started mid-September, ended mid-October. I was, my contract with Trim to work on the mural was 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday. And then on the weekends I was tattooing in total it took 23 days. I was doing hidden Countdowns on Instagram between like eight and 10 hours each day out there. And my mom was my personal photographer and afterwards I was like trying to I was trying to like, you know, get people.
Rebecca Rodela: (12:31)
I was like, yo, you need a photographer. I know a great woman. She has a great setup. It's really compact. It's called iPhone six. She takes the best shots possible at like weird angles. I was like, I can take care of editing whatever you need. And we were like, thank you for that. No. Like we, if it's a little bit more like, we were like photographer suggestions. I was like my mom with iPhone six, I'm pretty sure we were . I know. It's like she can get it like right as the sun's coming for you, right as you're like thinking that you're gonna start melting with pavement. She'll take very flattering photos of you at any point that you want . But yeah, it, I was like, mom, like some of them I was like, okay. So by the end she was like, you know, I may go and get myself contract with somebody to get like a, I was like, mom, you better, you better work.
Rebecca Rodela: (13:24)
I was like, think about it as Stella, it's a nice, nice little hobby you picked up while I was painting. So, and she was like, I know. And every day she's like, I know I can't beat that much of that much help, but like how can I help? And I'm like, just stand there because like me when I'm working, I'm like, I like, I like drawing. So like that entire mural, hand painted head drum, like I was just like, I need to do this. And then not until like the very last day was like, like mom grab a brush now. And then like the poor woman, she's like busting her hump like painting and like doing this. And she was like, is that great? I was like, mom, I think you did about four coats in the same area. I think we're, I think we're good.
Rebecca Rodela: (14:06)
I don't think it's going anywhere. But I was like, thank you so much. It actually, it, it was a huge help. She wouldn't get up on the ladders. Cause I also, I love to parent my parents and be like, you are not allowed to get up on the ladder. You're not about to go like multiple feet up. I was like, the last thing I need is all of a sudden we're starfish and on the ground, like we're not gonna do that. So I'm like, you, you take care of everything that requires your feet to be flat on the ground. I was like, and just start painting. So it was a lot of fun. I definitely had like emotion emotions, feeling like if I had broken up with something, like missing it immediately the next day, like still waking up like at six 30 in the morning to like, you know, wake up, you kind of like lay there in bed for a while, you think about your life choices and then you're like, all right, I can do this. And then like you actually physically get up and then you drink your coffee. But yeah, the next day I was like, so I don't get to go on the side of the freeway and work like I've been used to. And now that I'm almost like, please stop telling people that you work on the side of the freeway. I'm like, but it's true. She's like, I know, but it doesn't, what guys doing? I was like, she's like, it doesn't rain well. And I'm like, I mean kind of, but I see your point...
Ari O'Donovan: (15:23)
Maybe not.
Ari O'Donovan: (15:34)
And to conclude, Ruth Tema talks about the strong black woman mentality asking for help and self-care from the episode befriending our bodies. If you miss any of these episodes, it ain't too late to check 'em out. Stay tuned for even more dope upcoming guests until next time.
Ari O'Donovan: (15:55)
I told my mom I had a issue with anxiety at one point. I was really anxious about something and, and she told me to take a nap. You'll feel better when you wake up like, I'm not gonna be able to take no nap. My anxiety will keep me from taking the nap. And then I have even less time to be anxious about what it is after that. So, and she's like, don't tell nobody that you have these feelings except for me. You'll end up in a padded room. I'm serious . I'm like, and she, I don't blame her. I don't blame her. Like it's not her fault. She's just working with the tools she had and she's like 72 now. But it's like, we can't live like that though.
Ruth Tessema: (16:34)
I know. You're like, mom, come on. Like hop on this bandwagon with me. Like what's going on here? I remember that and I totally resonated with that when I listened to that episode. Cause gosh, like, you know, like this statement, you know, strong, independent black woman, you know, or like there's this message that we have been hearing for decades and you know, obviously stems from this need to be strong and independent. Like there you don't have a choice. Like you really just have to be resilient and persevere. But it can be a double-edged sword, right? Because if we're continuously getting this message that we just need to like just take a nap, you'll be fine , you know, keep it going, keep it pushing, like you'll be fine. You don't need help. You can do it on your own. These messages kind of really condition us to thinking about our mental wellbeing in a certain way.
Ruth Tessema: (17:30)
Like if there is any ounce of stress or trauma that's surfacing up or you know, some sort of pain or discomfort that we have to bury it or we have to suppress it and then, you know, you'll be fine. . So my mom said the same thing, like, and she is, is very much like epitome of resilience, you know, um, and I'm sure you could say very similar about your mom too. Like just very resilient and go-getter and all of that. And um, it could definitely be a double-edged sword because I want to, and I've had to learn, you know, personally speaking, uh, kind of the hard way, which isn't a bad thing, but learn that, you know, having a balance between your divine femininity and divine masculinity doesn't necessarily mean, you know, you don't have to have one or the other and you're not gonna be vulnerable and weak if you're asking for help or you're wanting support.
Ruth Tessema: (18:31)
And you know, on the other end of it, you don't always have to do things on your own, you know, and you don't, you know. So having a balance between that also means recognizing, okay, what's my body like being responsive to our bodies? You know, what does my body need from me right now? What is it saying like with your example of you having anxiety and then you know, mom saying maybe you just need to take a nap. It is being responsive, but in a different way where you're kind of not really paying attention and recognizing what it is it that your body needs. So you being curious, I'm hoping that, you know, people can still be very curious about what their body is saying. Like, so the anxiety, what does that mean? Or what's my body trying to tell me? What are the worries, the fears?
Ruth Tessema: (19:20)
Kind of just getting really curious about it and then hopefully, you know, following certain processes for healing that we recognize and we're attuned with ourselves and our body and we can give our bodies what we need. And if it is external resources, like, mom, actually I just want a hug or I just wanna talk to you about something, you know, I know this was way back for you and your example, but like it could be that now, right? Like external resources and then also your internal resources. Like what is it that I can give myself? Like do I need a ground? Do you know, what is it that I need? So yeah, it's a lot of rewiring. I'm noticing like just within myself too. But I know that our communities for sure are dealing with a lot of this confusion of, I like that I'm very resilient and a go-getter and all of that and I can do things all on my own, but I also wanna find space where I can be self-compassionate and, and actually listen to my body and get the help that I need. You know, external resource resources or internal resources. So I don't say that strong black independent woman mantra as much as I used to . But, um, I like, I like obviously like to still do it. But
Ari O'Donovan: (20:41)
Yeah, there's nothing wrong with that too. But there's more to it than that. Don't be a stranger. Email us or send us a voice memo at boosting our voices gmail.com with your health related questions. Your questions may even be featured on an upcoming podcast episode. Follow Boost Oregon on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok. You can find all of our social media and our website information in the show description below. Until next time, thank you for listening and be well.