
Check out our Winter 2021 Newsletter here!
Check out our Winter 2021 Newsletter here!
The WFS Conference Management Team invites you to participate in this year’s Conference Logo Challenge! We are seeking an image that represents our slogan and can lay the foundation for our conference marketing and materials theme this year.
Design Considerations:
Technical Requirements:
Some Royalty-Free Resources:
Selection Process: Logos will be evaluated based on a number of factors, including consistency with design considerations and technical requirements, relation to other organizational initiatives, usability in print and other mediums, etc. Depending on quality, suitability, and number of submissions, two or more logos may be opened for a poll of WFS participants. Final selection of official logo rests with the Conference Management Team.
The 2021 Virtual Conference event will be held online
June 11-13, 2021
Our new diversity, equity, and inclusion group starts August 2nd! In order to offer a variety of times so that as many women as possible can attend, the schedule will be:
At our first meeting, we will review the results from the initial survey, pick out a name for the group (top contenders include “WEcovery” and “It’s a New D.E.I.”), collaborate on creating a group agreement and framework, and determine next steps. The group will have two major goals:
This is an open group available to all WFS participants on a drop-in basis. The group will be facilitated by VKI and Adrienne.
First Meeting:
Sunday, August 2nd
Noon-1:00 pm US/Eastern
We hope to see you there!
I want to talk about how we talk about tough stuff today. There are a lot of difficult things going on in the world right now, and I feel like we have reached an unprecedented level of polarization in America. Everything – even a major community health crisis like a global pandemic – is being heavily politicized, divided into “red against blue”.
So where does that leave us 4C women, who come from a variety of backgrounds, belief systems, and political affiliations? How do we support each other as we navigate our very real and often very deep feelings about current events and how they affect our New Lives? How can we capably and competently process the effect these topics are having on us whilst simultaneously maintaining caring and compassion for ourselves and our Sisters?
The easiest-to-manage answer is to just put a complete moratorium on anything “political” in our groups, which has been a practice in WFS in the past. However, given that it seems like nearly everything is a political issue these days, it doesn’t feel like that is a sustainable or helpful solution, and is likely to strip our meetings of the dynamism that our founder Dr. Jean Kirkpatrick intended for us. I would propose that the complicated challenges facing today’s women call for more nuanced solutions.
A Sister on our WFS Online community summarized the need for a conscientious approach well by saying,”The political IS personal because it influences our lives, our thoughts, our feelings, our anxiety levels, our enthusiasm and capacity to think positively about the future.”
So, here are some ideas on how we can effectively navigate these difficult topics whilst also gaining support for our New Lives, respecting the diversity of our Sisters, and maintaining a safe space for all:
Talking about controversial current events, politics, and other types of difficult topics in WFS meetings might be new ground for some of us. But I believe that we are 4C, capable of keeping the focus on ourselves and our recoveries, without wading into persuasion and convincing. There will probably be missteps. Some of us will make mistakes. I might get caught up in the moment and spout an opinion or two – it has been known to happen. But I have a lot of faith in 4C women. I’ve seen us do some pretty amazing things!
With Much Love,
Adrienne Miller
WFS President/CEO
Do you have any additional ideas about ways to talk about the effect that current events are having on our New Lives without getting into debate or conflict? Please share them here!
You are also invited to the new inclusion workgroup of 4C women exploring how to dismantle our personal and organizational biases. Please participate in our brief survey to assist us with planning!
Feminism & Women For Sobriety
by Jean Kirkpatrick, PhDIn the early years, I was always startled when persons referred to WFS as part of the feminist movement and yet, I see quite clearly that it is. Although I always knew that the values sought for through the Program are for women to be free from domination from others and to find themselves, I just never spoke of the WFS Program in this way.
But what is feminism? Has there ever been a movement or a word so badly treated and misunderstood?
To me, feminism is the right of women to seek equality in jobs, in payment for those jobs, and to be treated equally under the law. But it is so much more then that too.
To me, it means that we are to seek an equal status for ourselves and, in order to do that, we must find ourselves, define ourselves, and believe in ourselves. And that’s what our program seeks to do.
Too long we have been treated unfairly through the overriding dominance of the male system, yet there was none other. Too often I think we wanted to rebel but didn’t put anything in the place of the rebellion.
We cannot rise up against something unless we have something better to offer and I believe that can only happen when we change ourselves from dependent persons to independent persons, women strong in our beliefs, convictions, and commitments.
It is too easy to cry out about inequality without any substance underneath. The WFS Program should provide a way to make us strong in beliefs that provide substance to our outcry. Improving ourselves ultimately improves society.
One therapist, Miriam Greenspan, believes our thinking is at fault. Women fail to recognize the ways that men depend upon women and we end up thinking of ourselves as ‘dependent,’ when, in reality, it is men who are dependent. Women have been misled in our thinking. Society continues to accommodate male independence and thwart women’s, and so we, as women, have impaired thinking.
Women for Sobriety stands for women’s strengths. Both the program and the organization are dedicated to women finding inner strengths to create, and live the kind of lives we desire to live.
In the late 1980’s, WFS program founder Dr. Jean Kirkpatrick wrote the above article for the Sobering Thoughts newsletter. She also wrote frequently about women’s rights and the gender pay gap, and openly lamented about the Equal Rights Amendment not being ratified. Additionally, Jean testified twice before senate sub-committees advocating regarding the gender-specific needs of women with substance use disorders. Indeed, Jean was not afraid of “getting political” when it mattered – when it was relevant to the cause of empowering women so that they could come into their own and take control of their lives and their addictions.
As feminist theory has evolved, it has broadened to recognize the concept of intersectionality. This is the idea that in addition to the challenges faced by all women in our culture by virtue of their gender, some women face additional systemic and social barriers that compound marginalization and pushes them further to the fringes. These systemic and social barriers can range from the more invisible challenges such as education level, class, socioeconomic status, and sexuality, to more visible differences such as physical disability and non-white skin tone.
It has taken me a long time to de-stigmatize my own feelings about having prejudices toward people with different skin tones. I was raised to believe that only bad or evil people are “racist”, and I initially felt really defensive when I started to look at my own subconscious prejudices. “But I’m a good person!” was my underlying thought. It took me a long time and a lot of work to accept that my deeply ingrained biases didn’t make me a bad person — they are simply an inevitable result of growing up in a society that was built on a racialized system. We have come a long way, yes, but there is still a very long way to go.
I recognize my privilege as a white woman. Even though I have experienced a number of other sources of marginalization, my skin color is not one of them. I recognize that I sometimes jump too quickly to sharing my own, unrelated challenges when my friends of color share their stories of racial discrimination. I recognize that I am quick to say that I advocate against racism while in actuality I take very little concrete action to change the system that perpetuates it. I recognize that even though this topic is important to me and highly relevant to WFS (our program surveys show that a disproportionate number of our participants – over 90% – are white), my own insecurities and privilege kept me from addressing this critical topic sooner.
Today, I am following Jean’s example and taking a risk. I am “getting political” about something that matters to me, and something that I believe should matter to every single woman that walks through the proverbial WFS door. I am scared to be “going there” in my official capacity as WFS President/CEO. I feel really vulnerable sharing these things in this public way, and as a public figure in this organization. Yet I know that my discomfort does not come close to comparing to the discomfort of my 4C Sisters of color. And I know that as a woman in a leadership position, my conscience would not be clear if I did not respond in some way to the issues that are currently being raised.
So here I am, asking my 4C Sisters:
Dear Competent Women,
I know it’s been a tough week. No matter where you are in the world, I can’t imagine that you haven’t been touched in some way by the current pandemic. As always, WFS and a whole community of 4C women are here to support and encourage you.
Competent Women Getting Stuff Done
Here’s an update on our major service areas and how 4C women have been coming together to keep each other supported during this time:
Triple Your Donation with a Double Match
I was brought to tears yesterday when an angel donor pledged to match this year’s conference season donations 2-to-1 for up to $40,000 in matching funds! You read that right: for every $1 you donate, they will donate $2, effectively tripling your money. Please help us get the full $40,000 by reaching the $20,000 goal by June 14, 2020. As a bonus, receive an entry in our Teddy Bear & Bunny Drawing by making your donation through the Teddy Bear Challenge. This year, drawing winners will have the option of receiving the stuffed animal personally or donating it directly to someone in need who has been affected by the COVID pandemic. It’s a win, win, win!
I realized last night that, for me, spotting helpers is not enough. I am comforted so much more when I am actively doing what I can to make things better. I’m challenging you, too, to take it one step further and be a helper. WFS needs you now more than ever!
As you read this, the volunteers in WFS are responding with support for you. In posts on the WFS Forum, in Chat meetings, in their response to setup Video meetings in areas that have had to cancel face-to-face sessions.
Rest assured that you have an army of sisters you can reach out to… via the WFS Forum messages or phone or email. If you are having anxiety… take the leap and contact one of us or join a meeting! If you see this message, you can find us! We are Chat Leaders, Certified Moderators, WFS Board of Directors, Phone Support Volunteers, and sisters on the WFS Forum!
Take care of yourself and your family. When you have time, consider a donation to The Teddy Bear Challenge. Funding the services and tools that this volunteer army uses to help the WFS community, in part, comes from The Teddy Bear Challenge.
CLICK HERE to donate to the Teddy Bear Challenge
Hugs and Aloha,
BunnyH
bunny@womenforsobriety.org
Have a Listen
Check out the latest episode of the SoberSoul Recovery Podcast where Lynn Matti interviews yours truly (I still haven’t listened to it!) about WFS and the upcoming conference. It may be bittersweet hearing about the upcoming event which has now been postponed, but take comfort in the fact that Lynn has already agreed to join us at our Virtual Conference 2020!
A Friendly Reminder
Here are some resources put together by experts to help with difficult emotions during this time:
I send you all deep appreciation, care, and love as you move through recent challenges and maintain personal, emotional, and spiritual growth. Again, please join us on our online forum 24/7 or call the office at 215-536-8026 during business hours (9 am to 5 pm US Eastern, M-F) if you need support or encouragement, or to support and encourage others.
Bonded in Compassion,
Adrienne Miller
President/CEO
Women for Sobriety, Inc.
Stuck at home with social distancing? Hop on the phone and join WFS President/CEO as she delves deep into the topic of self-imaging in recovery.
Workshop Description: Due to the impact of addiction on multiple areas of life, many people with a substance use disorder feel a strong loss of identity when they try to make changes to their substance use. We will explore why this is so, and share some simple methods to help the recovering person redefine their self-image to one of an empowered, capable, and sober individual.
Date & Time: Wednesday, March 18, 2020, 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET
Presenter: Adrienne Miller, Women for Sobriety
Link to Seminar: cigna.com/substanceuse
Call-in number: US/CAN Toll Free: 1 (866) 770-3260 Int’l Toll: 1 (509) 844-9004
I am writing today to address the current coronavirus pandemic and its implications for the services of Women for Sobriety, Inc. First and foremost, I wish to share my love and compassion for any difficult feelings you are experiencing in this uncertain time. My brother and his family live in China, and I am originally from Seattle, so all phases of this outbreak have hit incredibly close to my heart. All feelings, whether they are frustrated because you feel like this is all overblown, or fear for the health of yourself and/or loved ones, are valid. Indeed, I have probably felt them all myself over the past couple of months.
Here are some resources put together by experts to help with difficult emotions during this time:
Much Love to All,
Adrienne Miller
President/CEO
Women for Sobriety, Inc.
In September 2019, after much sorting, organizing, purging, and packing, the WFS office completed its first move in over 35 years! Thanks in large part to outsourcing of our literature production tasks, we were able to downsize our square footage by half. This is part of an overall effort to decrease overhead so we can spend your generous donations where they really count – developing the New Life Program and empowering women to overcome addiction!
Our “new” building is a classic Quakertown structure that is being restored – check out those amazing original hardwood floors! Shown in the picture is our streamlined bookstore and shipping department, with a circle of chairs that we use to hold our weekly on-site WFS meetings.
Soberful Podcast
Listen as one of our 2019 conference featured presenters, Veronica Valli, interviews WFS President/CEO Adrienne Miller about the New Life Program.
Beyond Addiction Show
Go to Episode 32 for another in-depth interview with President/CEO Adrienne Miller about the New Life Program.
KYW Newsradio
Quick tips for navigating the holidays sober.
From the WFS Blog
HOME AT LAST
…There is nothing special about me, I just realize the importance of putting in the effort to get what I want and what I am worthy of. Because of Women for Sobriety, I am doing what I dreamed of as a child and countless things I never would have dreamed of. Read More
NOTICING THE JOY
I recall feeling like I was going to lose my mind around my one year mark, but then SO MANY people told me that was absolutely normal. I recall the day that I realized that I didn’t know how many sober days I had accumulated… I actually had to count. I cried for the joy of that ~ it was my new normal and that day I knew I had found my New Life! Read More
Maplewood, MN: Wednesdays – 7 pm
For Licensed Healthcare Professionals Only
San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico: Wednesdays – 10:00 am
Everett, WA: Thursdays – 6:30 pm
Patterson, CA: Saturdays – 10:00 am
Chandler, AZ: Saturdays – 10:00 am
Albuquerque, NM: Wednesdays – 5:30 pm
Auction Coordinator Needed!
Do you look forward to the annual fundraising auction at conference each year? Help us carry on the tradition by volunteering to coordinate the event! If you are interested in taking the lead on this vital fundraising project, please email admin@womenforsobriety.org today!
Call for Presentations Available
Learn more about being a conference presenter on our conference page.
The WFS New Life Program is a self-help program that promotes behavioral changes through positive reinforcement, cognitive strategies, letting the body help and dynamic group involvement.
Women for Sobriety meetings, also frequently referred to as “face-to-face” groups, are available in the United States and Canada. WFS meetings are limited to women who are personally engaged in recovery from problematic drug and/or alcohol use.
WFS Online is a free, open forum for women overcoming their addictions using the New Life Program. WFS Online consists of a 24/7 message board, as well as online text chat meetings.
WFS provides Phone Support via women who have volunteered to be phone contacts for women who may not have access to other WFS peer support or who wish to develop a more individualized support relationship.
WFS hosts an Annual Weekend Conference. This retreat-style weekend offers workshops, presentations, and WFS meetings from Friday evening to mid-day Sunday.
Your year-end gift will allow WFS to continue providing services to women in recovery! Thank You!
Financial and other information about Women for Sobriety’s purpose, programs, and activities can be obtained by contacting WFS at PO Box 618, Quakertown, PA 18951; 215-536-8026; or contact@womenforsobriety.org, or for residents of the following states, as stated below. Registration in a state does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation of WFS by the state. CO: Secretary of State, 303-894-2860, www.sos.state.co.us/ re: Reg.No 20183006027. FL: CH53986 A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. IL: Contracts and reports regarding WFS are on file with the Illinois Attorney General. MD: For the cost of postage and copies, from the Maryland Secretary of State. MI: MICS No.CS 58804. MS: The official registration and financial information of Women for Sobriety, Inc., can be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office by calling 1-888-236-6167. NJ: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING (973) 504-6588 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/charfrm.htm. REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT. NC: Financial information about this organization and copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 919-814-5400. NV: The state of incorporation of WFS is PA. PA: The official registration and financial information for WFS may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. WA: From the Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504-0422, 1-800-332-4483, or www.sos.wa.gov/charities. WV: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, West Virginia 25305. CONTRIBUTIONS ARE DEDUCTIBLE FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW.
Check out our newest updated offering – Reflections for Growth! Originally written by WFS New Life Program founder Dr. Jean Kirkpatrick as 12 short monthly booklets, this compiled volume contains the full year of daily meditations. It has been lightly revised to increase relatability for today’s recovering woman and a different Acceptance Statement (the foundation of the New Life Program) added to each day.
Also check out our Moving Sale! Due to the deterioration of the building where the office is currently located, WFS will be moving by the end of September 2019. There is a lot to do to prepare for the move, including reducing our inventory. Check out these great deals:
Half Price – All CDs & DVDs
$1.00 – All Legacy Literature booklet & the Woman on the Mountain enamel pin
$5.00 – T-Shirts & Tote Bags
FREE – On the Road to Sell Recovery