The Guapa Project

2015 for Women's History Month. DESCRIPTION

The GUAPA Project™ is an exploration and celebration of the Latina experience and identity. It is intended to inspire, educate and facilitate women’s and girls’ ability to transcend personal, cultural and societal myths about feminine power thereby strengthening leadership, esteem, and success. Guapa is a reflection of the unlimited potential, relevance, and brilliance of the Latina diaspora. The term Guapa has been used to describe and define both physical and character traits of women. It is most commonly understood as physical attractiveness or emotional toughness. DeAlmas Women’s Institute is reclaiming the term to embody the fullness of the feminine spirit. Guapa is redefined as the authentic power and creative essence of women. It is our hope that this project will be a resource for a continued movement of personal and community transformation, esteem, progress, and love that will inform, unify, and galvanize the Guapa in each of us. ABOUT DEALMAS WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

DeAlmas is Spanish for “of the soul.” Founded in 1998 by psychologist, author and professor Gloria M. Rodriguez, DeAlmas Women’s Institute is dedicated to providing women and girls the opportunity to reclaim, honor, and express their divine feminine gifts, power and unique human potential. We offer workshops emphasizing spiritual and personal development within a holistic context, cultivating leadership and providing tools for self awareness and transformation. By reconnecting women and girls to their inherent feminine power, we impact broader communities and help create a more humane, just and compassionate world.

10% of all The GUAPA Project™ proceeds will be donated to an international women’s organization. What We Need & What You Get

The DeAlmas Women’s Institute seeks funding to launch GUAPA Project™. The project will be completed in two phases. First, we will produce a photographic exhibit and video entitled The Guapalogues featuring the stories of Latina leaders and innovators in the greater New York area. This portion of the project is expected to premiere during Women’s History Month in March 2015. In the second phase of the project, The Guapalogues video will be adapted into a theatrical production and a companion coffee table book will be published. The total estimated cost of the project is $31,000. We are seeking support to raise the initial $21,000. Funds raised for The GUAPA Project will be used to compensate artists, photographer, videographer, and cover the costs of a venue, production staff, marketing materials, and more. Several elements of the project are already in production. We have selected the first group of women to be featured. They are educators, artists, institution builders, politicians, social entrepreneurs, media trailblazers, and community activists. Each honoree represents a unique quality of Guapa and is helping us translate it into photographs and narratives. A poetry performance video capturing the essence of the project has already been produced to aid in marketing and fundraising efforts for the project. Your support will help us meet the milestones outlined below:

MILESTONES

Phase I (June 2014 – February 2015)
Launch fundraising and marketing campaign
Produce promotional video
Design and commission a photo exhibition
Develop personal development workshops titled, Guapa (Re)defined
Production and post-production of the Guapalogues video
Plan and produce The GUAPA Project™ premiere event in March 2015

Phase II (March 2015 – June 2015)
The GUAPA Project™ premiere in New York City (includes photo exhibition, Guapalogues video, honoree presentations, musical performance and surprise guests)
Public offering of the Guapa (Re)defined workshops to community groups and colleges
Selection of photographs for coffee table book
Continued work on Guapalogues video production

Each donation will bring us closer to our goal of celebrating the Latina experience and the Guapa essence. We lovingly thank all our contributors in advance. All Guapa donors will be acknowledged in printed materials. Risks & Challenges

A potential challenge is securing a cost-effective venue to host the photographic exhibit, screen The Guapalogues video and stage musical and spoken word performances. We are exploring several options (theaters, galleries and cultural centers) that may be viable. Other Ways You Can Help

Ideally, DeAlmas will secure a donated venue in which to display the photographic exhibit and theater performance. Space donations for workshops is also appreciated.