Father. That name holds great power and emotion, especially regarding the man who is our biological father. The definition deepens as we expand it to include father figures—men who nurture, protect, and guide us in the manner of a father. Other rich meanings include our ancestors or forefathers, originators or inventors such as the father…
Anything I Can Do, We Can Do Better Remember Annie Get Your Gun? Sharpshooter Annie Oakley has a confusing relationship with her love interest and rival, Frank Butler. She loved him but refused to play second fiddle to him when it came to hitting the bullseye. She was a woman in a man’s venue, and…
Ann Takasaki, executive board member of Big Ocean Women, shared her passion and vision for our work in an interview on Spanish Fork City Television last month. Among the life-changing efforts of our organization are virtual and face-to-face cottage meetings of like-minded women, seeking generative solutions to poverty and abuse, educating women and girls on…
I love the 80’s movie, Short Circuit, wherein military robot Number 5 literally takes on a life of his own when lightning strikes him. He voraciously seeks “input,” hungering for knowledge and wisdom to explore and understand the full meaning of life. When he accidentally crushes a grasshopper, he vows to never again be a…
Big Ocean Women promote a life culture. We have an opportunity and duty to not only embrace life, but to do all in our power to preserve it. I’ve discovered a satisfying way to do just that. In recent years, I’ve been drawn to know more about my ancestors—not just facts and dates and records,…
Shukria Mahmsoria came from Afghanistan about a year ago with her husband and children – Kabir, 13; Ramziea, 9; and Reza, 7. They are expecting another child in April. They chose to come to Utah because they felt it was “a good place with good people.” They remembered a woman who helped them when they…
Oasis Housing began with two women from the Utah State Hospital moving into Sharon Evan’s newly remodeled basement in February of 2017. Sharon shared her vision then of providing not just housing for those with mental illness, but helping them grow and blossom. Four years later, that growth is steady and gratifying. Like any gardening…
Many have been searching for or examining their faith as the pandemic continues to rage across the world. I have followed that pattern. Multiple evidences witness to me that we are not alone in this world nor governed by the winds of circumstance and man’s fallibility. I have felt God’s love, heard His voice in…
We begin the new year with this powerful tenet: “We believe in God and are women of faith.” This is a common theme about which we speak and write. But it is more than words and ideas. It is most powerful when modeled by the examples of women who live it. We invited such women…
Linda’s mom taught her about abundance–to be grateful rather than looking at what others had and wishing it were hers. When she was about 13, her girlfriends got a treasure trove of clothes and wonderful gifts and she complained a bit to her mom. “I wish I had …” BRAKES ON! Before she finished the…