| Pat Kelley
August 2003
Chello Sisterfriends,
I’m Pat Kelley, President of the
Houston Chapter of Sisterfriends. Having transplanted myself to Houston
in December of 2001 (from San Francisco where I was born and raised),
I was on the internet looking at local organizations to get involved
in and found Sisterfriends. My original purpose was to showcase some
of my poetry (which I still haven’t done), but I ended up forming
the Houston Chapter instead – got a little sidetracked there.
I can truly say how glad I am I found the Sisterfriends Organization.
It is so awesome to be in the company of so many energetic, positive,
spirited, intelligent and friendly women. We have some real talent
in this organization,
and I personally thank Michele Johnson, the Founder/CEO for her innovative
idea to provide women of color a presence on the net as well as in
communities throughout the United States and elsewhere. Also thanks
to Kim Grant-Skinner for all that she does to support the infrastructure
of Sisterfriends.
My professional background is in banking
where I spent over 15 years in various areas of banking, and most recently
9 years as a branch manager with securities licenses, as well as operations,
facilities and administrative management for Silicon Valley software
companies. With the current failing employment economy such as it is,
I'm currently involved in entrepreneurial business endeavors in consulting,
legal protection, wellness and nutrition, and the cosmetics industries,
and my goal is to build PGK Enterprises into a successful and viable
business enterprise. Buy Cigarettes
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President - Houston Chapter
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I am an avid reader, collect books
by African American authors, write poetry and fancy myself actually
finishing and publishing the novel I’m writing one day,
as well as a collection of poetryJ I realized one of my dreams
this year, and performed the spoken word at a poetry venue sponsored
by HoustonPoets.com. I could have been a clinical case in stage
fright – but what an awesome experience to finally realize
something you’ve just dared to dream about! Friends, family,
positivity and growth are important to me, as well as my ever-evolving
personal spiritual walk with God. I love gospel music – from
the old to the new - Yolanda, CeCe, Donnie, Shirley Caesar and
many more. And I love jazz – give me some Coltrane and
Regina Carter, and I’m good to go. The wisdom of elders
and the fresh naiveté and truth from the mouths of babies
and children are dear to my heart and tenets of life to cherish
and live by.
My current life stage is one of a
personal mission to find my passion and celebrate ultimate joy
in my life! One facet of which has been to be involved with a
positive and uplifting organization such as Sisterfriends. I
have been blessed with meeting some really wonderful women to
partner with to develop the Houston Chapter. I am meeting and
networking with some truly awesome and inspiring Sisterfriends:-)!!
Houston Sisterfriends is a spectrum
of women of varying ages from 21 to 65. We are from all walks
of life, educational backgrounds, talents, passions, interests
and shared experiences, thereby diversifying our exposure to
life’s challenges and solutions, and maximizing our joys
and rewards through an extended support system. We have come
together to celebrate and strengthen the bonds of Sisterhood
through positive interaction with each other in our personal
and professional endeavors, our life experiences and our spiritual
growth as well.
In addition, our mission as a chapter
is to reach out to others through volunteer participation in
community projects and national issues affecting the quality
of life and health of women, children and families and those
in need of support, encouragement and assistance. We also believe
in information and resource sharing focused on the goal of empowerment,
economic health, wellness and professional and personal development
of our members and sisterhood communities.
Our chapter faces many challenges
as no doubt most grass roots chapters may, yet I personally remain
committed and am excited about the possibilities of our chapter
and the national organization as well. I know that we collectively
are, and will continue to be a positive, viable organization
for sisters who desire to celebrate and strengthen the bonds
of Sisterhood.
We definitely are Women of Color Celebrating Excellence!!
Houstonsisterfriends.tripod.com
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Houston Chapter
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