Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Rock Creek Women’s Resource Center hosts self care retreat

Photos and story by Meryl Lipman

On Friday, April 8, Portland Community College’s Rock Creek Women’s Resource Center will host a women’s self care retreat for students, faculty, staff, and the general public, as well as for local high school students who are invited to attend the morning sessions and lunch.

The retreat, which runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., features several keynote speakers including Former State Senator Avel Gordly and notorious comedienne Gail Hand. A luncheon will honor the incoming and outgoing presidents of the Beaverton chapter of American Association of University Women (AAUW), Trish Reading and Claudia Gray, respectively.

In the afternoon participants can choose three breakout sessions from more than 20, on such topics as healthy relationships, women and money, and men and feminism. For the more physically inclined, there will be belly dancing, yoga and women’s self defense classes. The day ends with a “networking lounge party,” complete with “mocktails,” and a business card exchange.

Rock Creek Women’s Resource Center Coordinator Kristen Martin says the event blossomed out of a year’s worth of information gathering.

“The themes and trends we’ve been seeing in the WRC this year helped us shape what we’ll be offering at the retreat,” she said. “We (also have to) look at self care from an educational, social, historical, survivor perspective – all aspects of the wellness wheel.”

Attendance will be capped at 200. Tickets cost $5 for students with ID, $10 for school faculty or staff members, and $15 for the general public (including corporate attendees) and includes lunch, snacks and all sessions. Checks may be sent to the Rock Creek Women’s Resource Center, attn: Kristen Martin, PCC Rock Creek Campus, Building 2, Room 103, 17705 N.W. Springville Road, Portland, OR 97229.

Make sure to include the attendee’s name, phone number, address and organization. Cash or check may be dropped off to the Rock Creek WRC with registration filled out on site. All proceeds from the event go toward PCC Foundation scholarships for women returning to college.

Martin cannot stress enough what self care means to women – at work, in school, and at home. She cautions that the term should not be confused with self indulgence.

“It’s about self preservation,” she said. “If we don’t do it, we burn out.”

For more information, call (971) 722-7448