NATWA Conference

“You will touch the hearts of many.”

NATWA brochure

I had a great time at the annual North America Taiwanese Women’s Association (NATWA) convention! It’s a chance to get together with first-generation and second-generation Taiwanese, to bond and to enlighten one another. This year’s theme focused on compassion.

Here a few highlights from the weekend:

  • Margaret McCaffery (she fought against human trafficking and is now focused on a re-entry program for the ex-incarcerated). Her life is an inspiration of service, the latest of which is the Mustard Seed Project (http://www.soroptimistcoralgables.org/?q=node/35).I also loved the poem she shared from Jayne Brown called “Finding Her Here.” Here’s my favorite stanza:

I am becoming the woman I’ve longed for,
the motherly lover
with arms strong and tender,
the growing up daughter
who blushes surprises.
I am becoming full moons
and sunrises.

  • Gerrit and Mei-chin van der Wees (they’re editors of the Taiwan Communiqué). After spearheading a consistent publication of 35 years, they’re finally retiring. The journal offers wonderful insight into Taiwan happenings over the past several decades. (www.taiwandc.org/twcom)
  • Body Image Panel with Tammy Chang, Dr. Lisa Wang, and Dr. Sophia Yen (nutrition and fitness coach; psychiatrist; and pediatrician, respectively) They offered tips on how to deal with body image concerns for both young children and older adults. I loved their emphasis on the mind-body connection and how beauty is not just about physical appearance. I also heard about an exciting website that features strong and diverse female role models (http://www.sheheroes.org/).
Foodie Friday: Ground Peanut Cookies
Foodie Friday: Yellow Sweet Potato

Comments

  1. Sounds wonderful. I would’ve loved to hear that last panel.

    • Jennifer J. Chow says

      It was so informative, and all the grandmas in the audience were trying to up one another in the most unique questions to ask the experts!

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