Brains, Heart, & Courage

GSBA Reaches Out to Seattle's High Schools

2009-01-08T16:08:00.000-08:00

The Scholarship Committee spent the Fall of 2008 sifting through demographic information and discovered that less than 3% of last year's qualified applicants came from a Seattle-area high school. To combat this this surprising statistic, the Scholarship Committee decided to take action. Working in cooperation with the Pride Foundation, GSBA began scheduling outreach presentations for the Gay-Straight Alliances. The goal is to meet with as many of Seattle's 12 high schools as possible before the January 23rd application deadline.

In early December, Board Members Martha Davis and Michael Staeb made their first presentation at Chief Sealth High School. The 12-15 students there were extremely receptive and interested in the scholarship programs offered by Pride and GSBA. Eagerly asking questions they consumed all of the paper applications brought by GSBA's representatives.

Just this week, Davis and Staeb visited their second GSA at Garfield High School. A larger group of 20-25 students met them. Again the representatives of GSBA were greeted by ethusiastic students who should make excellent applicants.

2 down and 10 to go!

WANT TO HELP US OUT?
If you have a contact at a Seattle-area high school, such as a GSA faculty advisor, counselor, or similar member of the school's administration, please contact the GSBA Program Director, April Thanos at 206-363-9188 or via email office@thegsba.org.

Happy Holidays from GSBA

2008-12-24T10:36:00.001-08:00

Dear GSBA Scholars,

From the staff and Board of the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA), we wish you a safe and happy holiday season. As we prepare for the New Year, we want to wish you the very best for 2009. We look forward to partnering with you to continue our work for your equality and economic success in the coming year.

For many, we have been each other's colleagues, associates, vendors, donors, friends and family for more than 28 years and for others, our relationship is newer and growing. But, whether you are a founding member, a member of five years or a brand new member, we thank you for all you do to work for equality, diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. We are proud of our GSBA family and how well we support each other and our community.

Here is to equality and success in 2009!

BREAKING NEWS: UW Braces for Student Rally Against Homophobic Article

2008-12-05T11:45:00.000-08:00

Thank you to GSBA Scholarship recipient Kyle Rapinan for bringing this to our attention.

University of Washington Braces for Student Rally Against Homophobic Article

Seattle, Washington, December 2nd, 2008 — University of Washington braces for student rally against homophobic article on Friday the 5th at 12:30 PM on the west side of the Husky Union Building (HUB).The University of Washington student ran newspaper, The Daily, printed a homophobic image and opinion piece last week to a circulation of more then 40,000 students and alumni. This has caused a huge uproar of letters to the editor which The Daily published last Monday. Now a student group on campus calling themselves "Students for a Hate Free Daily" is hosting a rally to support a safer and more inclusive UW community for all minorities, including the gay community.

"We have over 800 students and alumni as registered members of our organization. We are hoping to make it clear that this homophobia and hate for minorities is not welcome by the UW community" explained Kyle Rapinan, freshmen at the UW, and creator of the student group.

The community rally for a more inclusive UW is going to be held on the 5th of December at the University of Washington's Husky Union Building (HUB) from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Members of the community are strongly encouraged to attend.

The homophobic article and image can be found on The Daily's website at: http://dailyuw.com/2008/11/25/gay-marriage-lets-stop-and-think-about/

GSBA Scholarship Volunteers Wanted

2007-10-17T17:08:00.000-07:00

The 2008 GSBA Scholarship applications have been sent out and now it is time for us to start putting together our scholarship selection teams. If you have wanted to learn more about our scholarship program, or have always wanted to become more involved with the program, we encourage you to become part of this amazing process.

Volunteers will need to be available for training sessions, team meetings, and the day-long final interview process. Although there is a significant time commitment involved, the personal rewards of being part of this team are incredible.

If you are interested in becoming part of this year’s scholarship team, please contact Kirsten Weiss or Mary Ann Bailey for more information or a application packet.

The deadline for volunteer applications is FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH. So sign up today!

Thanks, and we look forward to working with you.

Kirsten Weiss – Scholarship Committee Chair
kirwei@safeco.com
206-925-1864 or 206-473-5931

Mary Ann Bailey – Scholarship Manager
maryann@thegsba.org
206-760-0478

2008 GSBA Scholarship Applications Now Available

2007-10-08T12:11:00.000-07:00

The 2008 GSBA and Pride Scholarship applications are now available on our newly updated GSBA Scholarship web site. Applications are due on Friday, January 25, 2008. There will be workshops held in the Seattle area for anyone who wants help in filling out the application. The first workshop will be at Antioch University on November 1st at 6:30pm. The times and dates of other workshops will be posted as soon as they are scheduled. For more information about the application process call Mary Ann Bailey at 206-760-0478.

News Update from GLSEN Washington State

2007-09-13T18:03:00.000-07:00

Our Washington State GSA, (Gay/Straight Alliance), Network in one of the largest in the nation with nearly 300 GSA members across the state. Through on-going support, regional summits and annual events, we nurture these life-saving student clubs. Research shows that LGBT students do better when they attend a school with a GSA.

A new research brief from GLSEN National, released today, found…

** Students in schools with GSAs are less likely to hear homophobic remarks such as "faggot" or "dyke" in school on a daily basis than students without a GSA (57% compared to 75%).

** LGBT students in schools with GSAs are less likely to miss school because they feel unsafe compared to other students: a quarter (26%) of students in schools with GSAs missed school in the past month because they felt unsafe compared to a third (32%) of students at schools without GSAs.

** Students in schools with a GSA are more likely to report that school faculty, staff and administrators are supportive of lesbian, gay and bisexual students (52% compared to 32%).

We also launched our Transgender Youth Awareness Program, which seeks to increase the delivery of culturally competent service to transgender youth and reduce the incidence of bullying, harassment and discrimination they may experience. Check out our new website for additional details. http://transgenderyouth.org./.

GLSEN Washington State: http://glsenwa.org/.

Kristen Ericson Reports in From Kenya

2007-09-10T20:34:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I have been in Kenya this summer doing HIV education and teaching English in primary schools in a village on Lake Victoria. I also was working in a daycare for orphans and partial orphans whose parents have died of AIDS. It has been an amazing experience, and I can hardly believe the summer is already over. I get home in a few days and I will write more about my experience once I get settled. Thanks, and I will be in touch.
Kristen Ericson
2007 GSBA Scholar

A Fun Day at Volunteer Park

2007-08-27T09:55:00.000-07:00

A small, but enthusiastic group of GSBA scholars, members, friends, and family gathered at Volunteer Park yesterday for the First Annual “Back to School Scholarship Picnic”. The weather cooperated in a timely fashion with the sun breaking out just as the picnic got under way. Participants of all ages enjoyed great food, a little Frisbee, some Whiffle Ball, and lively conversation.

John Otto Takes Position with the National Center for Transgender Equality

2007-08-24T10:08:00.001-07:00

I recently moved to Washington DC to take a position with the National Center for Transgender Equality. Founded in 2003, NCTE is a national social justice organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender people through education and advocacy on national issues of importance to transgender people.

I am filling the newly created Privacy and Documentation Program Manager position at NCTE . Translated, that means I am working on information privacy and identity document issues, such as drivers licenses, passports, Social Security records, and medical record privacy, plus federal legislation and policy that affects transgender people. Sometimes these policies intentionally affect transgender people; sometimes they are unintended consequences of legislation meant to do other things, such as the REAL ID Act.

I am thrilled to be doing this work and it is a dream come true to have employment that combines my undergraduate work in transgender studies--for which I was supported by GSBA with a scholarship--and my Master of Library and Information Science degree. It's as if this job was tailor-made for me. This job also allows me to "change the way people think" (as I told the GSBA scholarship interview committee I wanted to do) and to change the world in some very practical ways. I seriously think that without my scholarship from GSBA, that the chain of events leading me to this job would never have happened. Thanks to you and everyone at GSBA, and all of the funders, for being part of me doing this work!

best,
John Otto
2003 GSBA Scholar

Bryce McKibben – Student Lobbyist for UW Undergraduates

2007-08-06T13:16:00.000-07:00

I have been involved with leadership roles in student government since 2005. In my work with the Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW), I have focused my efforts on queer activism and political and legislative issues. I am currently entering my second year of employment as the “student lobbyist” for UW undergraduates.

As the Director of Government Relations for the ASUW, I represent our 30,000 undergraduate students in the educational policy deliberations of our state legislature and in Washington D.C. This winter I had the unique opportunity to live in the state capitol of Olympia, write legislation that was passed into law, lobby for policy and budgetary allocations, and to witness the historic passage of the Domestic Partnership legislation.

My experience in Olympia was truly remarkable; I participated in the passage of at least five pieces of legislation, including the capping of tuition increases, an effort to reduce the cost of textbooks, allow for voter registration to be done online, and make the State Need Grant available to part-time students. I also supported a state operating budget that included a total of $79 million in new financial aid to students in our state.

With the success of this year carrying forward, I was elected to the position of President of the Washington Student Lobby in April of this year. In this new role, I have joined other student leaders from around the country in lobbying on a national level with the United States Student Association. We are currently celebrating the impending reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, which will make the greatest investment in financial aid in the U.S. since the G.I Bill passed in 1944.

I extend my thoughtful thanks for your support of my leadership activities and education and of the whole GSBA Scholarship Program. I extend special thanks to Louise Chernin and Mona Smith, who have always been so supportive and helpful to me. And to the hundreds of other Board members, donors, and volunteers – THANK YOU for all that you do!
Bryce McKibben
2005 & 2007 Scholarship Recipient

Back To School Picnic

2007-08-02T16:43:00.001-07:00

The GSBA Scholarship Program invites you to a "Back to School" Picnic in honor of all our scholars. Come join us for an afternoon of fun, sun, food, and friends as we celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year for our scholars. This is a free event and friends and family are welcome.

Sunday, August 26th
Volunteer Park - 1247 15th Avenue East Seattle
1:00-4:00pm

Please RSVP to maryann@thegsba.org so we will have enough food. Hope to see you all there!

Tyler Smith Works to Improve Foster Care

2007-08-02T16:14:00.000-07:00

I have been doing really well. Since receiving the scholarship, I have been doing an internship with the Child Welfare League of America and Casey Family Programs. I'm working with both organizations to produce a CD-Rom that will be used as a training manual for caseworkers, family member, and foster parents of LGBTQ foster youth. It'll contain work from various professionals and many LGBTQ organizations such as Lambda Legal.

I am also working on the Ansell Casey Life Skills Assessment which is used to assess the skills of foster youth. Together, Casey and I are going to produce a video that will be streamed from the Casey Life Skills website to train caregivers on how to properly use the assessment. The video will also help caregivers better comprehend assessment results and find better ways to discuss them afterwards. This project is known as the "conversation."

I just got back from Washington, DC where I got to work with the CWLA and attend the National Alliance to End Homelessness' annual conference. While I was in DC, I helped facilitate an all day training with Prince George's County social workers in Maryland on LGBTQ specific issues. It was quite exciting!
Tyler Smith 2007 GSBA Recipient

Welcome to Brains, Heart, & Courage

2007-08-02T10:45:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the GSBA Scholarship blog, Brains, Heart & Courage. We created this blog because we have so many scholarship recipients who are doing amazing things in both their educational and professional lives and we wanted to have a vehicle for them to share their stories with other students and program supporters in a timely and consistent manner.

The name, Brains, Heart, & Courage comes from The Wizard of OZ. The story of Dorothy and her travels to the Land of OZ is really the story of a hero’s journey. Dorothy left what she saw as her dreary home in Kansas and was transported to a new, exciting, and sometimes frightening land. There she was befriended by the scarecrow, tin-man, and lion who represented the brains, heart, and courage that we all need to make our own hero’s journey. Once Dorothy had faced and conquered the many challenges put before her, she returned home with a new perspective and feeling of self-confidence, uttering those famous words, “There’s no place like home.”

All of our scholars are beginning, or continuing their own hero’s journey and hopefully will return home to our community someday ready to step into the roles of leaders and visionaries.

We would love to hear about your successes and your challenges. Please use this blog not only to report your stories, but also to receive support from all of us as you embark on your own hero’s journey.