Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Association For Women In Communication's Annual "Women Of Achievement Awards"




“I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint - and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you. ” 
 Oprah Winfrey

*MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE FABULOUS SLIDESHOW AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS BLOG. If you were at this event, there's a 90% chance you're in this slideshow! 

*Please feel free to leave your comments at the end of this thread. If you mention someone, make sure to "tag" them so they're aware of the post. 


There are moments (and I'm lucky enough to have them more often than not) when I feel truly blessed and grateful to be doing exactly what I'm doing: photographing, mingling with, and working with AMAZING women. On Wed. June 5th I had the sweet privilege of photographing a truly inspiring and uplifting event: The Association For Women In Communication's Annual "Women Of Achievement Awards." 




The Montecito Ballroom brimmed over with an amazing, multi-talented group of women and men who are movers and shakers here in Santa Barbara from Councilwoman Cathy Murillo to Founder of Women's Festivals of SB Patty DeDominic to CEOs, lawyers, chefs, and authors......all gathered to honor award-winning journalist and top-selling author Kathleen Sharp (Mr. and Mrs. Hollywood, Blood Medicine, and more) and Marsha Bailey, the Founder and CEO of Women's Economic Ventures, a SB-based non-profit which offers micro loans and self-employment training to male and female entrepreneurs (I'm a proud WEV Alumni and supremely grateful to Marsha and her hard-working staff for providing our community with an organization that has had such far reaching impact). 


After a beautiful and poetic tribute by AWC-SB Poet Laureate Perie Longo, both Sharp and Bailey treated us to individually unique speeches which touched upon humor, humility, and gratitude. Both women fittingly received standing ovations for their awards and what they have contributed to Santa Barbara.

It was one of MAGICAL days--between talking to poets, life coaches, visionaries, and designers--that filled me with that brilliant drive to go  DO REALLY, REALLY GOOD BIG STUFF IN THE WORLD WITH MY SUPERPOWER WOMAN POWERS! 

It was also a poignant reminder that it's not enough to simply do our best. It's important that we also take the time to reflect and celebrate each other's successes. 

As it turns out, there's enough abundance to spread all around. 

Our sisters' successes are also our own.

Here's to celebrating each and every one of these beautiful moments! 

BIG KUDOS TO THE PLANNING COMMITTEE: Lisa Angle, Kathleen Barry, Karen Feeney, Lynn K. Jones, Lois Phillips, and Cindy Faith Swain. Well done!!!



*Enjoy the slideshow! If the music doesn't come on when you click play, refresh your browser and click "play" again. 

*Prints are available by clicking on the gallery here: http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/awcluncheon6/13


*If you're a staff member or speaker and would like to ask about access to some of these images, please send me an email at: rachel@rsthurston.com 











Saturday, June 15, 2013

The Writer Magazine Article on 2013 Santa Barbara Writer's Conference





Super happy to see that an article on the Santa Barbara Writers Conference (as well as one of my photos!) made it into The Writer Magazine in an article by Hillary Casavant in this month's issue (June 2013). This is one of my favorite shots from last year's animated "First Book Panel" featuring SB local and longtime SBWC volunteer and author Melinda Palacio (Ocotillo Dreams) along with Ramona Ausubel (No One Is Here Except All Of Us), Toni Margarita Plummer (The Bolero of Andi Rowe), and Amy Franklin-Willis (The Lost Saints of Tennessee).  I've been involved with the SBWC for the past ten years and have been one of the lead photographers of this national event for the last three.

SBWC has become a truly invaluable and supportive community in my journey as a writer. I am forever grateful to all those who have worked their butts off to keep SBWC going (Monte Schulz, Nicole Starczak, Grace Rachow, and our kick-butt staff!) the past several years. I feel blessed to be a part of this incredible team!