Hoping for hope!! And being proud of all the young people who are voting for the first time.

Today is election day. I spent a good part of the day taking folks to the polls. It was exciting watching all the college kids vote....most of them for the first time. Although if you are reading this you know that I am to the left especially on social justice issues............what I want you to know is it didn't matter to me how they were voting.....it mattered to me that they were voting and that they were excited to do it!! I'm proud my daughter stood in a 2 hour line, and pre-registered before her 18th birthday was even here.
So no matter how it turns out tonight I have a huge amount of hope for our future. As long as this energy continues and the young folks get involved change will happen.

Bethune-Cookman students are READY to TAKE BACK THE NIGHT

I was in Daytona today with Cha Cha speaking at Bethune-Cookman. What an exciting time as they kick off there community wellness program. We had an exciting program with students and faculty about domestic violence issues. We had a good turn out of motivated folks ready to make a difference in the world.
The nursing students are ready to take on the world. It's always heart warming to see the excitement in their eyes as they are getting ready to become our next activist.
A huge thank you to all of you who are taking a stand and being the voice for those who can't stand for themselves. I will be very excited to hear about your rally in November and each of you should be proud of your school for taking a stand!!
Until next time.
Cathy

Getting "REAL" with the Knights at UCF

Monday was a great day.....Kelly, Cha Cha and myself headed over to UCF for the day.
It's always a good day when I get to visit Tom Hall and have lunch and ride in the Cadillac of all golf carts!
The class was a lot of fun. Everyone had good questions and comments. I can't believe how many emails I had from the class before I ever got home.
It was fun checking out the free speech zone on campus. I think every college campus should have one of those. It was definitely politically charged yesterday as we get really close to election day. But isn't that what college is about, learning your boundaries and expanding your knowledge.....I love it!!
I will back at UCF November 19 for a diversity program. I hope to see some of you there.
Love and light,
Cathy

Uiversity of Texas Pan Am

This has been an awesome week. I traveled to SOUTH Texas Monday and Tuesday to speak at UTPA. This was my first visit to that part of the world. Ken went with me since nobody trust me getting close to the boarder of any country! lolol
We had great flights and spent Monday afternoon in San Antonio. What a really nice city...with some yummy food. Tuesday we spent on the college campus...it was about 4 hours south of
San Antonio so t took a little while to get there.
The program was a lot of fun. The students had great questions and were really engaged. It's always fun to go to a new school and meet new people.
Now I am in North Carolina. I arrived last night and had dinner with a bunch of community activist that are all passionate with amazing spirits. Today I have the honor or co-presenting with Marti Sinclair. Marti is the woman who discovered AZT....what an amazing honor it is to share the same stage with her. I'll let you all know how it goes.
Cathy

School days school days.........wow we're off and running

It's hard to believe summer 08 has come to an end..........where did the time go. I hope you all had as nice of a summer as I did. I spent most of the break with the kids....mine and the rest of the gaggle of boys that hang out at my house. One of those kids Sean leaves today for Marine boot-camp.....I think I am as nervous for him as his own Mom. Lyndsy starts college full time in the morning and Garrett is officially a junior now......and I am officially old. I think I do have a new empathy for the helicopter parents that I am always complaining about though......oh no have I become my Mother? hehehe
As school starts I've already been on the road. I was asked to speak to all the PE and Health ed folks in Pinellas County last Friday. It was a really nice group and my first time doing anything for that school system so that is always fun for me. I spent the rest of the week doing various trainings for the campus leaders at FSC as always I am so impressed with all of them.
This week I will be doing a training for the new freshman on campus Monday and then traveling to Tallahassee Tuesday and Wednesday then back to FSC to meet with all my incredible HCC kids.................all that really depends though on Faye the storm heading our way........hmmm didn't we do this in 2004.
I hope each of you have a great 08-09 year. We are currently booking my speaking schedule so if you want to get on the books email bookingcathy@aol.com
Take care!
Cathy

Summer days.................

Hey everyone. Summer is going by really fast. I've been doing a variety of here and there classes, working on booking schools and just trying to catch up on stuff in general. Here's a big shout out to the students at the AHEC camp you guys rocked!!
Lyndsy graduated from high school a few weeks ago.......so that was a big deal!! She already has 34 college hours so she is well on her way to her next diploma.
We are heading out on July 5th for a real 2 week family vacation. We'll be in Key Largo for a week and Orlando for a week, so it should be a great time.
I hope everyone is having a great summer. I look forward to lots of new schools and lots of new students next year.

End of the year whirwind!!

The last few weeks have been crazy busy. Last week I had 29 classes and this week there will be 17!! This is the time of year for lots of programming in middle schools and high schools. Tomorrow I will be at St Edward's in Vero. I'm thrilled to be going back there. In the past it was one of my regular schools but it has been about 5 years since I've visited them. Tuesday I will be at Clewiston High.....that means I get to have dinner with my Mom and Dad......not something I get to do to often.
Big news on the home front. Lyndsy got an early graduation gift. Troy and I got her a 1999 Betel. She had no idea............it was totally a surprise. She is counting down the days to graduation and I am counting the gray hair that is popping up while she learns to drive!!