FIERCE FABULOUS FITCHBURG FEMALES
Local women discuss issues, opportunities in Roundtable Discussion
FITCHBURG » With so much divisiveness in our society on so many different levels, often women are painted as uncooperative and unable to associate with each other. To move forward, the Fierce Fabulous Fitchburg Females — including Kenisha Coy, Jennifer Jones, Audrey Pendleton- Chow, Jessie Olson, Coe McIninch and Sam Squailia — believe these harmful accounts need to be addressed and dismantled.
“One of the best ways of dismantling the idea of women is by demonstrating through authenticity,” said Kenisha Coy, of My CARE Initiative. “There is a bond within sisterhood that can aid those involved directly and then there is representation, which is important on all levels including, positive interacting among women.”
The Fierce Fabulous Fitchburg Females are collaborating as one to offer a Roundtable Discussion centered around local leadership in the arts and cultural sector in Fitchburg.
“Many of the women have stepped into roles having been the first within either ethnic, gender or other cultural classifications and identifiers,” Coy said. “Coming to the discussion table, the women of varying ages, racial and other strata are bringing their talents for the betterment of Fitchburg. This roundtable will present different topics, by different women united by arts, cultural and civic comradery.”
The Roundtable Discussion, which was hosted by Sam Squailia, can be watched on FATV’s “Discussing Fitchburg Now” by visiting https://tinyurl.com/bafw6y2z
Let’s meet the Fierce Fabulous Fitchburg Females:
Kenisha Coy
“The purpose of this event was to gather local women to uplift, share and connect our experiences in leadership,” Coy said. “I’m a believer of art having the ability to heal and transform lives. I love and live in story and the narrative.
Finding beauty, especially during this pandemic at times has been hard but, important. We need more ways to bring us together and I think art has a way of doing this.”
What went into getting this event done was very much like leadership: willingness, requests and feedback.
“A variation of distinct women were contacted and in wanting to keep this discussion small, hopefully with more in the future, questions were passed along among us and discussed via emails and messages through social media,” Coy said.
Coy believes that being a woman is beautifully complex, there isn’t one cookiecutter woman.
“There isn’t one sole way of being a woman,” she said. “You define what being a woman is and, help not hinder other women — allow for your light to shine and know that another woman’s light doesn’t mean yours has to diminish.”
Jennifer Jones
Jones is treasurer of the Fitchburg Cultural Alliance and wants to share how how privileged she feels to still have a voice in the direction of arts and culture in the city.
“Art and culture mirrors humanity and society,” she said. “It expresses who we are, where we came from, and where we are going. It is also healing. It gives us a reason for being, defines our identity and brings joy and beauty into our daily lives.”
Jones says that knowing your neighbors, respecting differences, working together to solve problems around shared goals is what community means to her.
“Arts and culture in communities provide a bridge to inclusiveness, diversity, beauty, inspiration and healing,” Jones said. “Like all people, we need our voice to be heard, respected, and given equal access. Arts and culture is another way of speaking our truth and to tell our story.”
After a rewarding career with the Fitchburg Public Schools as an arts administrator, Jones said she is most proud of teaching music to children.
“I am currently composing music,” she said. “And working on a book titled ‘A Collection of Expressive Piano Pieces for Children,'” with her own original music.
Jones believes its crucial to learn something new, challenge yourself, “listen intently to others, open your heart and find a way to give back to your community.”
Audrey PendletonChow
Pendleton- Chow is owner of Curious Escape Rooms/co-chair of the Fitchburg Cultural Council and she is thrilled to have this opportunity to spread awareness of the Fitchburg Cultural Council and other arts and culture organizations on what they do.
“I want to highlight the amazing events and programs the city has to offer,” she said. “I want to support the incredible women in leadership that I have the honor of being in this roundtable discussion. And I hope to encourage other women, young kids, artists and people from various backgrounds to become leaders and get involved in their community.”
If there was ever a question of the necessity of the arts, Pendleton- Chow believes that has been answered during this pandemic.
“How many of us relied on art and creativity to bring light and beauty in a dark time?” she asked. “We are blessed to live in a golden age of streaming television. I appreciated the breakdown in societal standards of ‘what you’re supposed to do’ or ‘what is expected,’ including my own high expectations. I am the kind of person who can become overly excited for potentially amazing experiences, events, plans, etc. However, I have had no expectations during this pandemic and that has been freeing. It allows me to appreciate every moment of spontaneity, uniqueness, and gesture of love.”
Jessie Olson
Olson is the newly appointed president of the Fitchburg Cultural Alliance.
“I am glad to know all these women through various connections and committees,” said Olson. “I observe how they run businesses, host events, educate, help and lift others, and get things done. Imagine the things we can get done if we bring our resources and energy together?”
However, Olson says we all need to know we aren’t going it alone.
“Nothing is more motivating than the knowledge that someone has your back,” she said. “And if someone has your back, you know how important it is to be there for someone else.”
Olson’s thoughts of the isolation this year due to the pandemic is something she wants to share.
“We’ve all been in our separate worlds, connecting mostly through screens,” she said. “And screens are fatiguing. But, to invoke a cliché, it certainly makes one appreciate what matters. Sharing conversation and ideas with others. Seeing a smile. Making something instead of experiencing the reality we know dissolving. I have found myself in more intentional conversations because they matter and my biggest hope is that we hold onto the recognition of what matters.”
Sam Squailia
Squailia believes that women are still facing many barriers when trying to rise through leadership positions.
“Traditional gender roles, cultural issues, and social stereotypes have to be overcome by women to succeed,” she said. “Women can work to support other women to reverse the stereotype that we try to tear each other down trying to compete for the ‘seat at the table — by creating more seats for women – inviting them in, encouraging and asking them directly to run for that position, or apply for that job, write that book, or start that new business.”
Coe McIninch
McIninch is an artist, maker, educator, and photo-media specialist at Fitchburg State University, along with past chair of the Fitchburg Cultural Council.
“Art reaches across so many social, ethnic, socioeconomic and cultural barriers to touch the common narratives that make us all human,” said McIninch. “People coming together to share experiences, stories and ideas and then building from the strength of that shared knowledge is what is most important.”
McIninch believes that arts and culture, whether formally and publicly presented or shared only in smaller circles, gives women a chance to remember and honor the quieted voices and collectively amplify the stories and ideas that should never have been hidden in the first place.
“That truth has power,” she said. “Women have been historically silenced and discounted in the celebrated narratives of the past and still lack the same representation and recognition in professional and creative circles as their male counterparts. On another note: In the past decade, only 11% of all work acquired by the country’s top museums was by women. The call for equality in the arts is still quite strong.”
McIninch states that the arts offer us an alternative way of communication and exploration. They offer a way to focus on an idea and break it down to its barest parts.
“When there are cultural, spiritual, ethnic and language barriers to be crossed, many times, it is the art, music, song and dance that help us find a common ground in our humanity,” she said. “That common ground is the seed for collective experiences to grow into a vibrant new community.”
Connection, interaction, and engagement are all important necessities in life.
“This has been a tough year and it’s been a year of awakening,” said Coy. “For so long there has been a long running narrative of, ‘… it can’t be done.’ So many access points have shut down due to the pandemic but, many have also opened — the way we connect and interact is important and hopefully not taken for granted.”
Coy is also quick to point out that this discussion roundtable isn’t to suggest these are the only women in leadership.
“This is just a snapshot — a significant one — but one nevertheless of the women in our community who have been leaders in arts and culture and, who want to make a positive difference in our city,” she said. “We all have that in common and that unites us for sure, newer leadership as well as more seasoned. We hope you join us.”