United Way Women’s Leadership Breakfast

Last Updated on Friday, 21 October 2011 11:27 Written by Donna Karan Friday, 30 September 2011 03:39

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The concept of uniting is at the forefront of my mind. I’m celebrating Rosh Hashanah and ushering in a New Year, a year where my focus is on connecting the dots and creating unity; bringing communities of people together to create change.

The United Way Women’s Leadership Breakfast in Miami captured this concept of unity with poignant clarity. I was honored to serve as the keynote speaker for this extraordinary event and was blown away by the response. With a greater attendance than they’ve ever had before – 1200 women – the breakfast underscored the important work United Way is doing. To me, United Way symbolizes everything I hope for Urban Zen. I was so touched by the turnout and was truly honored to have the opportunity to share my story and my belief in connecting the dots to create unity through community.

I loved reconnecting with Susan Luck, one of our contributing faculty from the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Program. Susan is the woman who first got me involved with United Way in Miami and she also introduced me to Susan Miller and Leslie Miller Saiontz, co-chairs of the breakfast. I have to say, I was so inspired by Susan and Leslie, they are an amazing mother and daughter team working together to amplify the long-standing legacy of philanthropy in their family. Another highlight of the breakfast was meeting Dr. Donna Shalala’s 100-year-old mother, it was such an honor to meet her and I was invigorated by all of the connections.

The United Way Women’s Leadership Breakfast was truly the most fitting way to go into Rosh Hashana; I love that I started my New Year uniting. As I write this I am continuing to celebrate Rosh Hashana with my community of Kabbalahists, where I am being reminded of the truths I believe: Unite, connect with the light and give whatever you have.

I wish each and every one of you a Happy New Year and I look forward to continuing to connect and collaborate with you. Let’s come together and make this year a year of unity.

Photo Credit: Ryan Pinder & Bob Soto

This Week’s Community Highlights!

Last Updated on Friday, 23 September 2011 03:14 Written by Urban Zen Friday, 23 September 2011 03:14

It was a busy week for us. With the WIE symposium, the book launch for @PIH’s Paul Farmer, and Donna Karan’s appearance on CNN, our Twitter feed was abuzz. Many thoughtful women took to their smartphones in order to share with the world the inspiration they felt from the symposium attended by leaders such as Arianna Huffington, Christy Turlington, and our very own Donna. Our contest winners, especially @katiewsimon, were documenting their amazing opportunity to accompany our founder throughout the two-day event. We were thrilled by the theme of women and girls as part of the Annual Meeting for the Clinton Global Initiative. Our founder Donna Karan and Executive Director Myra Magaletta, including many of our followers such as @Alayna, were deeply moved by speeches from President Obama and the Clinton family as well as the heartfelt commitments from so many influential world leaders. Coincidentally, we had two Presidents at the Urban Zen Center for the launch of Paul Farmer’s latest book, “Haiti, After the Earthquake. We were excited to have @erinschrode join us for this special evening. She is a founder of @theschoolbag for Haitian children and filled up our Twitter feed with her enthusiasm. Last but not least, our Twitter party for Donna’s appearance on @PiersTonight was a big hit. @RikaJ83 felt Donna portrayed Haiti in a realistic but positive way. @JATetro felt the Urban Zen’s mission for Haiti could be applied to global health initiatives. Others were excited to see our artisan crafts on the show, such as @mariansalzman. We want to thank Twitter friends such as @colleenecleary for spreading the word about the Twitter viewing party as well.

Being Compelled into Action at the 2nd Annual WIE Symposium

Last Updated on Friday, 21 October 2011 11:32 Written by Donna Karan Wednesday, 21 September 2011 11:17

I have to admit; I find the balancing act difficult. At times I struggle with the multi-faceted, deeply layered role of being a woman. It’s a challenge, but I’ve learned that it’s so much easier when I am surrounded by a supportive community. For me, co-hosting the 2nd Annual WIE Symposium with Sarah Brown and Arianna Huffington was exactly this – an amazing group of inspired and inspiring women coming together because we believe that together we can really do something.

The 2-day symposium kicked off with a day of sharing enterprise and entrepreneurial advice. Young women gathered to learn the insights and wisdom of industry experts. Understanding that the world will be positively impacted by female leadership means passing on the lessons learned with the women rising; it’s an amazing thing to have heroines like Nancy Pelosi and Tamara Mellon contributing to the shaping of the women who are becoming the trailblazers of tomorrow.

The enterprise day was followed by a day of inspiration. I was honored to participate in the day and be a part of the energetic community of women. We began with a special breakfast for the White Ribbon Alliance, a coalition committed to the advancement of maternal health. Health care is an issue that resonates with me, and the stories of the midwives working to save the lives of women and children was truly moving. Sarah Brown, patron of the White Ribbon Alliance and WIE co-host, graciously invited Arianna and I to participate in the breakfast. I was thrilled to collaborate with Magalee of Caribbean Craft to create a special paper mache bag to benefit the WRA’s efforts to advance maternal health in Haiti. As I shared earlier, we were also able to collaborate with Paula Coles to create a beautiful white bag made of recycled tee-shirt materials designed to benefit the WRA as well.

Recycle/Love: Haitian Bags to Support WIE & the White Ribbon Alliance

Last Updated on Thursday, 29 September 2011 04:10 Written by Donna Karan Friday, 16 September 2011 09:40

One of the highlights of my last trip to Haiti was connecting with Paula Coles, an amazing designer who has created exquisite recycled bags. Paula and Richard Coles have a tee-shirt manufacturing company in Port au Prince and Paula noticed an opportunity – she saw that entire truckloads of the jersey fabric scraps used in the tee-shirt fabrication process were being thrown out every single day. She let her creative juices flow and eventually came up with a gorgeous bag design, made entirely of recycled materials.

Paula had been searching for the perfect way to support children’s education in Haiti – an initiative that is very close to my heart. She is passionate about caring for our planet and this project married these passions together.

#FF Follow Our Winners for the 2011 WIE Symposium!

Last Updated on Friday, 16 September 2011 07:47 Written by Allison Rapson Friday, 16 September 2011 12:00

Since we announced the winners of the WIE Symposium contest, these lovely ladies have become key members of our online community. They share their beliefs and values as well as engage with others with thoughtfulness and kindness. It warms our hearts that we have selected the right kind of young women to be representing us at the symposium. We encourage to follow them on Twitter and become connected with them.