Julia Ray: Living Treasure

Report by Director of Development Tami Ruckman:

This past Sunday, at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute on the campus of UNC Asheville, a very special ceremony was held to honor four of Asheville’s “Living Treasures.” Spring 2013 Designees included Thelma Porter, Julia Ray, and John and Hazel Robinson. These four individuals join only 13 other individuals who have been named as Living Treasures.

Julia Ray was nominated by the YWCA because of her involvement with the YWCA of Asheville as the Black and White branches integrated. Julia remembers attending events at the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA from the time she came to Asheville.

In 1954, the election of Lucille Burton—the first Black member of the Central YWCA board of directors—put the YWCA on what proved to be a long path towards integration. Black and White branches of the Asheville YWCA finally merged, moving into the formerly Black facility in 1970. With this merge, the YWCA of Asheville became the first integrated YWCA in the South. Thelma Caldwell, then acting Director, became the first Black YWCA Executive Director in the South, and the second in the nation.

In 1976, determined to carry on the work of Thelma Caldwell, twenty-two Black former YWCA board members including Julia formed the YWCA Booster Club to supplement the current Board’s efforts and in particular to be a support to the first Black board president, Ollie Reynolds. This group supported the work of the YW in myriad ways up until only a few years ago.

Julia Pauline Greenlee Ray was born in Marion, NC in 1914. She graduated from Barber-Scotia College in Concord and later attended the University of Pittsburgh. After graduation and before going to Pittsburgh she came back to Marion. While there she would visit her aunt in Asheville because Marion had “little social opportunity.” Because the South was still segregated at that time blacks “made their own social events”. They able to meet in restaurants or bars so they met at each other’s homes and churches.

Both of Julia’s parents were masters of their crafts. Julia’s father was a well-known ornamental plasterer and her mother was a seamstress and needle worker.  Julia learned her intricate sewing skills from her mother. Julia won numerous awards for her cross-stitch.

Julia met her husband Jesse Ray when his mother showed him a picture of a beautiful young woman in the Pittsburgh Courier, a nationally circulated newspaper for Blacks. Her picture was on the front page. Julia had been accepted to the University of Pittsburgh and was attending college there. He decided to write to her When Julia visited Asheville, she had the chance to meet Jesse at the home of a cousin. Julia decided not to return to Pittsburg, but married Jesse instead. They were married for 59 years until his passing in 1994.

After WWII, the Rays purchased the Asheville Colored Hospital at the corner of Biltmore Avenue and Charlotte Street, and began Jesse Ray Funeral Home. They ran this business successfully for many years. Early on, the lower level served as the funeral home and the upper floor as the family residence.

Julia was the first African-American on the Board of Trustees of Mission Hospital, and served for 8 years as a trustee of UNC Asheville, appointed by the Governor. She served on the first board of the NC Center for Creative Retirement at UNC Asheville. She also served on the Friends of the YMI and helped to establish the Goombay Festival.

YWCA Executive Director Beth Maczka speaking at the Living Treasures event.

In 2003, the YMI rededicated their auditorium to honor Julia and Jesse. In 2007, Julia received the annual Mission/MAHEC Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her pioneering service to the Asheville medical community. In 2012, Julia traveled to Las Vegas to receive than award from the National Funeral Directors Association proclaiming her a Living Legend of Funeral Service for her 74 years of service.

Julia Ray and Holly Jones at the Living Treasures event.

Julia will celebrate her 99th birthday this October. We are immeasurably grateful to her for years of service to the YWCA of Asheville.

Grandma Barbara Hears from Buckingham Palace

“I love working with the babies,” says Barbara Warren, better known at the YWCA as “Grandma Barbara.” Grandma Barbara is one of the YWCA’s thirteen Foster Grandmothers, volunteers in the Child Care Center who come to us through the Land of Sky Regional Council’s Foster Grandparent program. Children in the YWCA Child Care Center have been enjoying Grandma Barbara’s attention and affection for eleven years. She started volunteering at the YWCA after retiring from a 25-year career at Square D. Two of her eleven years were spent in the toddler room, but for the majority of her time here Grandma Barbara has been in the baby room, where she helps YWCA staff care for the 6 months to one year olds in the Center. This volunteer service is invaluable to our program.

Last year a student from England named Emma Knowles spent some time in the Child Care Center volunteering. She and Grandma Barbara developed a friendship. After returning to England, Emma decided to write a letter to the Queen of her country about her positive experience at the YWCA. After several months, she was surprised to receive a reply from Buckingham Palace, with best wishes from the Queen! Emma sent a copy of the letter and gifts with the Queen’s name and photo on them to Grandma Barbara, much to her delight and surprise.

In her letter to Grandma Barbara about the package Emma explained, “You inspired me in so many ways. I’m doing my dissertation in university on how children from disadvantaged families are included into day cares and schools. I feel like the YWCA really showed me what my interests in child care were – working with children from disadvantaged backgrounds. I can’t thank you enough for how wonderful, fabulous and inspiring you are to me; you are truly a fantastic lady.”  She also went on to say, “Everyone at the YWCA Child Care have impacted my life so much, you’re the most wonderful group of people I’ve ever had the privilege to meet.”

The YWCA also has deep appreciation for Grandma Barbara and all of our Grandmas, and our dedicated Child Care Center staff. We’re not surprised that the Queen would take the time to acknowledge how special they are!

Baby Clothing Swap to Benefit YWCA MotherLove

Mission Hospital’s Breastfeeding Center and Boutique, located at 2 Medical Park Drive Suite 201, is hosting a Baby Clothing Swap on Saturday March 9th. The Swap is a benefit for the YWCA MotherLove Program. Clothing drop off will be from 10:00 am – 11:30 am, and swapping will run from 12:00 pm until 3:00 pm.
Click here for more information.

The MotherLove program is featured in this month’s WNC Parent Magazine, with Mothers on the Move,  a program of the Mountain Area Child and Family Center. Here is a re-post of the MotherLove part of the story:

Giving Moms a Helping Hand
by Marla Hardee Milling

From left, Jasmine Flint, Teresa Allen, group leader Tangela Bowman, Ahmarie Gaines, Taiyanna Collington and Keyshaunna Ellington meet for the YWCA’s MotherLove Lunch Bunch at Asheville High School. / John Fletcher/Jfletcher@citizen-times.com

The workday doesn’t end at 5 p.m. for Tangela Bowman, director of the MotherLove Program at the Asheville YWCA. “My girls know they have access to me 24/7.”

She wouldn’t have it any other way. For Bowman, helping teens that are pregnant or new moms isn’t a job, it’s part of her life purpose.

“I’m always excited about what I do and making an impact in someone’s life,” she says. “They are also making an impact on my life.”

The MotherLove program includes 30 participants at seven schools in Buncombe County. When it started about 25 years ago it focused solely on Asheville High School. It has grown to include a total of seven schools including the Community High School, Reynolds, Erwin, Owen, Enka and Roberson.

Teresa Allen is a senior at Asheville High School and a participant in the MotherLove Program.

“I found out I was pregnant over the summer of 2011,” says Allen. “I don’t know how the school found out, but they introduced me to the MotherLove Program. At that time I was living with my grandmother and alcoholic granddad. It was rough for me.” She says Bowman would sometimes let her stay at her house when her home life was too difficult. Bowman also picked her up and took her to her doctor appointments to ensure good prenatal care.

“She’s basically my second mom,” says Allen. “I love everything about the program and I made a lot of friends with the other girls.”

The participants all meet once at month for dinner and a program at the YWCA. They also gain important information through special lunchtime gatherings.

“We do lunch bunches at every school,” says Bowman. “We come in and provide lunch for them and we provide a speaker.” In February the speaker was a staff member from Helpmate who provided education about domestic abuse. In March, Wells Fargo staff will present the young women with useful tips on such topics as balancing their checkbooks, creating a budget and applying for credit.

Through a voucher system, Allen is able to secure child care for her almost year-old son at Asheville City Preschool while she finishes requirements for her diploma at Asheville High School. She’s on track to graduate in June.

Bowman urges supporters of this program to become advocates to push legislators to maintain the voucher system.“Vouchers are being put on hold even for teen moms,” says Bowman. “This is such a serious issue because if these girls don’t get these vouchers they will have to drop out of high school because they won’t have anyone to take care of their child.”

Anyone interested in becoming a mentor to the girls or helping in other ways can contact Bowman at the YWCA or visit http://www.ywcaofasheville.org

An Asheville Marathon Story

YWCA Director of Health & Fitness Susan Macdonald participated in the Asheville Marathon last weekend. This is her story. We’re so proud of her!

My Marathon Story

Along time ago (about 5 years) Alphie Rodriguez said after your Marathon you will write your story. I said I am NOT going to do a Marathon.  Typically she was right and I was wrong.

Last September YWCA member Liz Atkinson said “Let’s do the inaugural Asheville Marathon.” Since I like to mark my birthdays with an event I agreed. For the first month I did not train with the group because I had a client that was committed to training on Saturday morning. For 3 Saturdays she did not show up. I joined the Team Tortuga at 15 miles. That first week I lay in bed after the run and my daughter Katherine brought me ice bags for my knees.

I stayed with the training really enjoying my time with my BRFF’s (Best Running Friends Forever) until we ran 23 miles. Each week was easier and easier even though the miles were longer. Liz our leader had a treat for us after our runs, her homemade recipe granola bars, chia seed recovery drink and our favorite  puffed brown rice crispy treats from her kitchen, rice, honey and peanut butter. Yum! Every week we received from Liz an email with RSVP for Saturday and when we showed up at the YWCA she had mapped our runs and presented us each with a map.

I traveled in February and did not get to run 26 with the group.

The Saturday before the race we took a picture at the YWCA and headed out for a run. Following the run she gave us our next week’s plan. I was excited to see that on Saturday I would be resting eating carbohydrates and keeping my legs up. I was thrilled to have permission to sit on the couch, watch movies and drink water. I thought to myself, “The marathon has got to be worth this day.”

Marathon Day

I got up at 3:15 am, boiled my egg, showered, feed the cat and dog. They wondered if I was out of my mind since usually we go back to bed when I get up at 3 am.  Met the carpool at 5 am, we arrived at the venue at 5:45. Gene Webb texted at 6:03 SAYING “IS THERE SOMETHING WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DO?” My reply was “YES 26.2.” He said “Hahaha.”

We visited the restrooms  with flushing toilets twice before we went to the race start. It was 23 degrees with sustained winds of 22 mph gusting to 35 mph. At the start we gathered around kerosene heaters waiting for the start. The start was delayed 15 minutes waiting on the last shuttle bus. At  7:15 am we started. Liz, Susan, Susan, Susan, Gene, Bradley, Trina, Mindy and Tim.

Mindy, Tim, Bradley and Susan Herzod and Trina moved ahead, Gene, Susan Haldane, Liz and I stayed together until we were in front of the Biltmore House, Gene had an injury and had to leave the race. Susan, Liz and I moved on. We were at a loop and saw the leader of the race meet us on the trail. At 9:45 am we approached 10 miles and acknowledged that the first finishers would be crossing the line.

We went to the west side beating the bridge by 12 minutes. We ran trails and vineyards; we saw friends at water stations and were encouraged by cheerleaders, bridge trolls and spectators. We ran and ran and ran.  Twice we ran the designated Damn Hill.

At 23 my team pulled away from me, I was slowing, I was cold and tired. Rochelle slapped my butt as I passed her Girls on the Run station and I was energized once more. At 24 I began to weep. I recognized that I was going to make it. I had overwhelming emotion as I could see the finish line. I ran and ran and ran. I saw the finish arch and my YWCA team started cheering; screaming my name. I could see the camera in Bradley’s hand. I posed for a picture with a big smile and a longer stride.
A volunteer placed a medal around my neck and wrapped me in a blanket. As I rounded the finish chute Bradley brought me an envelope from Liz. It was a thank you card for training with her (can you believe that!?!?), a 26.2 sticker, and a stretching recovery plan. On the way back to the car I said to her I love you and I really do mean that.

Mother2Mother Empowerment Series

Last month the YWCA New Choices program had a graduation ceremony for a group of women who had completed the Mother2Mother 14 week empowerment series.  The series addressed educational decisions, parenting obstacles, economic struggles, career choices, and offered peer-to-peer support. At the ceremony, guest speaker Elaine Robinson gave an inspiring talk to the graduates about finding balance. Certificates were presented by Director of New Choices Katherine Hensley, who shared a few words about each of the women in Mother2Mother. The program culminated with a potluck.

The next Mother2Mother empowerment series will begin on Friday, February 1, from 10 am until noon. The series will run for 14 weeks and child care is provided. Topics that will be covered include: Discovering Yourself, Feminine Beauty ~ Building Self Esteem, Healthy Living and Moving More, The Value of Technology in your Life, Positive Language and Parenting Skills, Understanding your Money Story, Family Budgeting Tools, Transferable Career Skills, Self-Directed Self Discovery and Ready to Launch ~ Where are you Going.

To register for Mother2Mother, call 254-7206 x 113.

Click here if you would like to make a donation to support New Choices.

Pictured below – Director of New Choices Katherine Hensley and YWCA Executive Director Beth Mackza with the Mother2Mother graduates:

After School Enrichment

Yesterday children in the YWCA After School gave presentations on the enrichment activities they have been participating in. The presentations included cooking, Spanish, Girls on the Run, drama, Girl Scouts, Boys Club, and yoga (pictured). Yoga is taught by Jamie of Asheville Happy Body. These fun and educational activities are in addition to the focus on academics and homework that the program is known for. 

MotherLove WCU Campus Visit and Giving Tree

Participants in the YWCA MotherLove program for pregnant and parenting teens recently took a trip to the Western Carolina University campus in Cullowhee. They learned about what WCU has to offer, including a visit to the campus child care center. Currently all 22 girls in the MotherLove program have met their attendance and academic goals for the school year so far. We are confident that this spring, as in previous years, we will once again have 100% of seniors in the MotherLove graduating from high school. This is compared to nationwide statistics that show that only about 50% of teen mothers receive a high school diploma by 22 years of age (CDC). Many MotherLove participants go on to pursue higher education, and campus visits are one way that we encourage teens to consider this possibility. 

In other MotherLove news, the annual YWCA MotherLove Giving Tree is now up in our lobby. Community members are invited to stop by and pick a star that lists the holiday wishes of a teen mother and her family. You can support these families by providing the gifts requested.

For more information about MotherLove, call Tangela Ballard Bowman at 254-2706 x 116 or email tangie.bowman@ywcaofasheville.org.

Click here to make a donation to the MotherLove program.

Faces of Diabetes

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and today is World Diabetes Day. To help raise awareness, we want to share the stories of people in our Diabetes Wellness program who have been impacted by this disease, and to celebrate how they manage (or prevent) it with exercise and nutrition.

Punkin Hoyt – Type 2 Diabetes

Wanting to lose weight and get her diabetes under control and with the recommendation from the Buncombe County Health Department, Punkin joined the YW Diabetes Wellness program. She has really appreciated learning lots of different ways to lose weight, and even better; keeping her weight down.  She really enjoys all the people she has met at the YW. “Everyone is so nice and considerate of others. There is always someone to help you along the way if you stumble or fall down – I had a few stumbles along the way but with the support of everyone, I got back on track.”

Cindy Anderson – Type 2 Diabetes

Cindy is 1 of 9 mentors to the YWCA Diabetes Wellness and Prevention program. Her successes are many: the loss of weight – 63#s, her A1C count at the start was over 13 and is now 6.2. But even better, she no longer is on insulin medication. Cindy credits the program “I totally believe in this program. It has made such a positive change in my life; mainly by integrating exercise into my daily routine. I started out struggling to even walk from the car to the front door of the YW and now I am an instructor here teaching various classes on land and in the water!” A true believer in weighing proper portions, she also credits healthy eating of lean protein, whole grains and lots of fruits and vegetables.

Robert Jones – Type 2 Diabetes

Depression and weight gain were the two main factors as to why Robert sought out the YWCA for help with his diabetes. He has lost both in weight and inches. Robert said that in the past he would just let life happen but now he has become more proactive and has developed a take charge attitude!  Way to go Robert!

Famia Carson – Pre-diabetes

Famia credits the skills she has learned through the Diabetes Prevention Program with helping her take better control of her life. “I was in a bad place and probably would not have left my house for fear of what other people would say about me.” Famia is a changed woman. She loves to cook so learning better ways preparing food and remembering to measure proper food portions are two key areas she emphasizes. Finding ways to stay motivated has made all the difference and Famia thanks her trainer Charley for that.

Jeff “JJ” McMikens – Type 2 Diabetes

“Don’t Quit!” and “build on your small successes.” These are just two affirmations JJ likes to quote when talking about his life and living with diabetes.  JJ will tell you that he struggled in the beginning. He began with walking on the treadmill eventually adding weight resistance work to his routine. He credits his involvement with Mission Hospital’s diabetes self-care course and the time spent with the pharmacist as extremely helpful.  JJ likes to point out that he has gone from taking 13 pills daily to 2. He feels the cooking classes and support group taught him the skills to become better at meal planning and with portion control. “I am an active participant in my own life.”  By participating in this program, his confidence level has grown. He has participated in walk-a-thons and on average, walks 2-3 miles a day. In fact, his success has motivated his daughter to take action and she has reported a drop of 6 sizes in her clothes! Congrats to you both!

For more information about the YWCA Diabetes Wellness and Prevention program, contact Director of Preventive Health Susan Kettren at 254-7206 x 212 or susan.kettren@ywcaofasheville.org.

YWCA New Choices Provides a Bridge to Success

We received this wonderful note about our New Choices Drop-In Child Care:

“I just wanted to tell you how grateful I am for all of your help. I finally received my certificate for being on the Dean’s List last semester at AB Tech. I cannot tell you how good this made me feel. I know that there is no way that I would have been able to achieve this without the YWCA’s drop in child care.  I am so appreciative of your support as I work my way through college.  This program is really helping a lot of people in our community.  I very much hope that it can continue to be there for people like me, who would not be able to afford to go to school if you were not there.  Thanks again!”

The YWCA New Choices program provides free Drop-In Child Care for parents who are in transition, continuing their education, or looking for employment.

Want to help? You can make a donation to support this important service.

New Choices Supports Families

Access to job training while nurturing the family is the goal of New Choices.

The single mother of this sweet child is studying with AB Tech to complete the CNA program. She is pursuing a trade skill that will stabilize her family while her new born daughter is nurtured and supported. The YWCA New Choices Drop-In Child Care strives to offer single parents an option for continuing their education, perusing a career, or access to social services.
Pictured with baby: Katherine Hensley, Director of New Choices