American fashion model and activist Bethann Hardison is one of the first high-profile Black fashion models in the industry. With a career spanning over five decades, Hardison has gone from working in NYC’s Garment District, to becoming one of the first Black models favored by European and New York designers and now a creative director and producer. She was an early advocate of diversity in the fashion industry and is the mother of actor Kadeem Hardison - one of the stars of the 80's sitcom A Different World.
Hardison attended the New York University Art School and the Fashion Institute of Technology but did not graduate from either and worked briefly as a corrections officer. During the 1960s, she worked in the New York City Garment District as saleswoman.
In 1967, she began working as a fitting model for African American fashion designer Willi Smith. She also worked for designer Issey Miyake and crossed over to runway shows. Hardison broke barriers in the '70s appearing in Allure, Harper's Bazaar, and Vogue magazines. In 1973, she was featured in the Battle of Versailles fashion face off, a historical moment in which France's best designers competed against the top American designers of the time. Hardison then joined a startup modeling agency in 1980. As a booking agent, she produced fashion shows, handled public relations for design houses, and became a contributing editor at several magazines. Concerned with the politics of the fashion industry, she changed her focus from modeling to activism in 1981.
In 1988, she founded the Black Girls Coalition, and in 2013, spearheaded the launch of the Diversity Coalition. Hardison received the Council for Fashion Designers of America (CDFA) - a non-profit trade organization - Founder’s Award in 2014. In 2018, with CDFA support, she founded The Designer’s Hub to guide and empower Black designers. In 2019, Hardison became an inaugural member of the Changemakers Council for Gucci.
Sources: CFDA.com; NPR.org; TheHistoryMakers.org; Time.com; Wikipedia.org
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Is college or a training program on your mind? Questions about how to pay for education after high-school or adult learning programs? Financial aid available. It all starts with the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid also known as the FAFSA.
Different from previous years, the form has been streamlined and will be available by Dec. 31, 2023.
Get a head start on the process: The Washington Student Achievement Council has a wealth of information about both federal and state financial aid programs and grants. Grants do not have to be paid back! View the www.wsac.wa.gov website or call/email Student Financial Assistance staff with questions finaid@wsac.wa.gov or 888.535.0747
For those in the Vancouver area, attend one of three upcoming FAFSA help sessions. Click the poster below to register.
 Wait! Hold up! I dont know how to choose a career!
The Washington College and Career Compass website is where you begin! Find guidance and resources based on your interests. Anyone can use this tool to help you find the training or formal education you need! Do you need forklift training? Prepare yourself for tomorrow and find a course/module near you!
 What is a Legislative Page? A page is a student, between 14-16 years old who helps deliver documents and provide assistance during floor sessions, all while attending the Legislative Page School. Paging presents students with a unique educational opportunity to participate in the legislative process.
The Washington State Legislature is proud to offer one of the finest page programs in the nation. Since prior to our statehood in 1889, students from across Washington have come to Olympia to serve as pages for the Washington State Legislature during the legislative session. Pages serve a one-week term and earn $65.00 per day for their service.
Openings are limited and slots fill quickly. Applicants must:
- Have parent or guardian permission
- Receive a recommendation from a teacher and your principal
- Be at least 14 years of age and have not reached your 17th birthday
- Provide a Social Security card in order to receive the page stipend of $65 per day. If you do not have a Social Security card, you are still able to participate without receiving the daily stipend. *
To learn more about the role of a page, view the Day in the Life of a Page video! For questions, contact Myra Hernandez, Civic Education Director
Myra.Hernandez@leg.wa.gov (360) 786-7498
Celebrate the joy of the season with Black Girls Code's Holiday Funday, sponsored by Hasbro, Inc. ‘Tis the season for holiday fun, and learning something new at the same time!
The whole family is invited! Girls 7-17 learn to code games, picking up a new, valuable skill. The rest of the fam can enjoy our holiday photo booth, gift bags, goodies and activities.
Lunch is provided, plus transportation for anyone requiring assistance.
*One gift card per family, to be distributed upon event completion (supply is limited.)
Why is coding for me?
As of 2023, women only make up 27% of the TECH workforce, of which Black women account for only 3%. Black Girls in TECH brings diversity to how problems are solved across all domains, helps to shape technology that meets a range of needs, and paves the way for a more equitable future for women in TECH. Black Girls are needed to bring TECH to the next level! Join a session and get ready to make an impact on our future. Black Girls Code (BGC) is dedicated to empowering black girls through computer programming workshops and engaging events designed to cultivate knowledge and skills within TECH. BGC offers a platform for students to learn about TECH career paths, foster meaningful connections, and build confidence.
Two time slots: Saturday, December 9 · 12 PM & 2 PM
This event is free - Register
TAF Bethaday Community Learning Space
605 Southwest 108th Street Seattle, WA 98146
Know of an upcoming community event? Let us know about it! Forward details to ckerney@caaa.wa.gov
 Embrace the holiday spirit by creating unique and heartwarming crafts with your loved ones. This event is for all ages; students under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Each participant, regardless of age, please register via Eventbrite.
Date & Time: Saturday, December 9 · 12:30 - 2:30pm
808 Harney St. Suite B, Vancouver, WA
 What if losing weight isn’t about losing weight?
This workshop is an inside out approach. When you change your mind you change your body. Over three days, this workshop will reveal my secrets to releasing weight for life through faith and fitness!
Transform from the inside out creating a fit and healthy lifestyle so you can thrive spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
Let me show you how Monday, December 18 - 10 to 11 AM
Register for this virtual workshop here
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