Much love,
Mom

As a dance educator, and now also as a yoga teacher, “Yo” brings to her students her artistry and her wide understanding of how the body moves. She also is wise as to how the mind operates when the body is challenged, and is able to guide students from that level of understanding. She is a force for good in the dance world, helping young dancers find healthy actions and movements within the language of ballet.

In her thirst for continuing knowledge, Cathy travels to study—lately to Maine to study with anatomist Thomas Myers; she’ll return this summer for the benefit of a young dancer.

Yo and her husband Gerard Charles are terrific, tireless parents for their son, Max.

As a part of the Yoga on High community Yo embodies what we aspire to—impeccable standards, yet respectful and supportive of the individual’s journey. She is also knowledgeable and professional, and a dedicated practitioner of her arts.

Catherine Yoshimura is the most generous person I know—with her time in a wide variety of causes, with her money in donations and gifts, and with her knowledge to her students.

Yo is unfailingly willing to help in any circumstance – such as assisting in the Yoga on High MS classes and then quickly—and not surprisingly–becoming a beloved part of that community.

Catherine Yoshimura is in fact, as she was when I first saw her on stage, larger than life.

Saundra Thompson

 The Sister 2 Sister program is 36 week peer mentoring/leadership development program for girls. In partnership with Whitehall City Schools, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council, The Mentoring Center of Central Ohio, and Yoga on High, the Sister 2 Sister program teaches girls to focus their energy on supporting each other rather than relational aggression. Serving as peer mentors, Sister 2 Sister participants learn very quickly how their actions can create a powerful impact within the Whitehall community. The high school girls are designing the project, surveying their fellow high school students about what is important for girls, and then designing a program to respond to the needs identified. 

Additionally, another grant partner is cultivating teen women into informed leaders about comprehensive sex education.  Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio has initiated a Peer Education Pilot. This unprecedented program will train 10 teenage women to serve as Peer Educators. The role of a peer educator is to communicate accurate information to 300-400 peers about teen pregnancy prevention and building healthy relationships. Additionally, peer education leaders are encouraged to advocate for changes in government and school policy that promote women’s rights and comprehensive sexual education. These teenage women become the next generation of informed advocates, the new champions for women’s reproductive health and human rights.

This important work also gives us a fresh perspective on the ways in which girls support each other. New and unique in approach, these programs are cultivating the future women leaders of tomorrow. That is social change for women and girls.  Watch this new leadership from young women to change the ideas of what can be accomplished.  They are after all, our future.

Written By: Hallie Kloots, Ebony Richardson & Liz Kowlaski

As a community of advocates for social justice, we must recognize that Black history month is a time to re-energize our mission and work harder to end gender and racial inequality. Yes-we have come a long way since the civil rights movement, but there is more work to be done.

Let Black history month stand as checkpoint. Take this time to look closely at your community and evaluate what work needs to be done. Look to Black history as a blueprint of the past, and a footprint of our future- a future in which all women and girls have the confidence, skills, and tools to live productive and happy lives. 

As a community of advocates for social justice, Black history month means a time where we acknowledge the legacy of our African American foremothers and fathers and use the lessons they have taught us to create a world where all girls can graduate from high school, learn healthy behaviors, and become contributing women.  We believe all women have rights - to a seat at the table, to control their finances, to demonstrate economic power, and to create positive change in their neighborhoods, communities, and the world.   

Written By: Ebony Richardson

Audrey hosted an Womens Day at her church that was so heartfelf for all youngladies and women.

Keep up the good work