The Women's Initiative

08/13/2025

Do you have a story waiting to be told?

Join Kishara Joy Griffin, MSW, and 2024 author Samman Akbarzada for two 90-minute Challenge Into Change pop-up writing workshops. Together, you'll explore prompts, share ideas, and create space for your voice, whether through prose, poetry, or something in between.

You’ll leave with inspiration (and a draft!) to submit by the 9/19 deadline and the option to have your work published in our 2025 Challenge Into Change book.

Learn more & register: https://www.thewomensinitiative.org/all-programs?category=Challenge%20Into%20Change

08/10/2025

In case you missed it, Sister Circle Community-Based Counselor Jada Edwards joined 29News WVIR to talk about Sister Circle and the importance of culturally responsive mental health support through The Women’s Initiative. Learn more about upcoming offerings, including Challenge Into Change and a new program called "Sister, Reframe Your Story."

Watch here: https://www.29news.com/video/2025/07/24/community-conversation-jada-edwards-with-womens-initiative-07-24-25/

Learn more about Sister Circle programming: https://www.thewomensinitiative.org/all-programs?category=Sister%20Circle

08/07/2025

Acompáñanos a una noche de bienestar donde realizaremos diferentes actividades de arte y creatividad para cuidar nuestra salud mental en comunidad. ¡Esperamos verles allí!

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Join us for a wellness evening where we'll engage in various art and creativity activities to take care of our mental health as a community. We hope to see you there!

08/05/2025

Challenge Into Change celebrates the power of storytelling as a tool for healing, connection, and self-discovery.

We invite you to share your voice through a short piece of prose or poetry about transforming a difficult experience, and how that journey has shaped your path toward wholeness.

Writers have the option to be published in our Challenge Into Change book, a collection that uplifts the strength and resilience found in every story.

Submissions will be accepted through Friday, September 19.

Learn more: https://www.thewomensinitiative.org/challenge-into-change

08/03/2025

Real healing happens when you feel seen and supported.

At The Women's Initiative, our trauma‑informed, culturally sensitive counselors are ready to meet you where you are with kindness, expertise, and respect. Wellness clinics are free four days a week.

See our clinic hours: https://www.thewomensinitiative.org/wellness-clinic
View all our programs: https://www.thewomensinitiative.org/all-programs

07/29/2025

Meet Our New Executive Director: Nicole Thomas, Ed.D., joins The Women’s Initiative this August with 10+ years of experience in higher education and nonprofit leadership. Her work is rooted in equity, wellness, and transforming systems of care. Most recently, Nicole led well-being programs at UVA’s Contemplative Commons and helped raise over $8 million in support of inclusive, equity-focused initiatives.

We’re honored to welcome her into this next chapter of healing and leadership.

07/28/2025

What does slowing down look like in practice? Our latest blog post shares how the Sister Circle team is modeling self-care this summer — and why joy is a vital part of community healing.

Read the post: https://www.thewomensinitiative.org/twi-blog/summer-joy

Learn more about Sister Circle: https://www.thewomensinitiative.org/sister-circle

07/23/2025

“The heart and soul of our mission is access to mental health care.”

Thank you to 29News WVIR for interviewing our counselors Emily Zeanah Shelton and Shelly Wood and for highlighting our recent state and national recognitions — the APA Foundation Award for Advancing Minority Mental Health and Virginia’s Dr. Eva Stitt Award.

We’re grateful for the support and the opportunity to share the work and community behind our mission.

📺 Read more and watch the short interview: https://www.29news.com/2025/06/13/womens-initiative-earns-state-national-awards-innovation-care/

07/22/2025

Sharing your story can be an act of courage and community. We’re honored that past Challenge Into Change author joined 's Writing Your Resilience podcast to reflect on how writing supported her healing journey.

If you’re ready to reflect, express, or simply be heard, we’d love to read your story.

📝Submissions are due Friday, September 19. For more information, visit https://www.thewomensinitiative.org/challenge-into-change.

▶️ Watch or listen to the interview: https://lisacooperellison.com/the-power-of-words

07/16/2025

Need support today? You can walk in or give us a call during our wellness clinic hours, offered four days a week.

Whether you’re ready for care or just exploring your options, we are here for you. Our clinics are free, and no appointment is needed.

💚 Learn more about hours and current offerings: https://www.thewomensinitiative.org/wellness-clinic

07/15/2025

We see each other, even when we don’t coordinate! ✨ Sharing a little fun from around the office with some unexpected matching moments.

Every day, we show up for one another, and for our community. Learn more about what we do: https://www.thewomensinitiative.org/wellness-clinic

07/09/2025