2012 Fellows Program Recruitment

Business and Professional Women Japan (BPWJ) is now accepting applications for the 2012 JWLI Fellows Program.

Applications are due March 31, with all supporting documentation due April 10.  Applications will take place on April 10 in Tokyo.  Please contact BPWJ with any questions at: jwli2012@bpw-japan.jp.

The Program will run from September 5- October 5, 2012 in Boston.

2011 JWLI Closing Reception

On Friday, September 30, CGO bid goodbye to the 2011 JWLI Fellows.  In a reception attended by Simmons College faculty and administration, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, the Fish Family Foundation, the Consul General of Japan to Boston and Boston nonprofit leaders, the Fellows were commended for their progress.  The Fellows have returned to imoplement their Action Plans for social change.

First week

Our Fellows arrived over Labor Day weekend and hit the ground running!  They had a busy week at Web of Benefit.  In additon to firsthand observation of the organization's operation, learning about founding a grassroots NPO, and drafting their Dream Proposals, the Fellows also visited other organizations in Boston such as the Mayor's Commission for Women, the Family Justice Center, and Boston Legal Services.

(Photo credit: Yuka Miyazawa)



JWLI Founder featured in Boston Globe

JWLI founder Atsuko Fish is featured in this Boston Globe article about her work with the Japanese Disaster Relief Fund (JDRF).  CGO Director Patricia Deyton is also quoted.

Image source (Aram Boghosian)

2011 Fellows Program

At CGO we are very actively planning for the arrival of our 2011 Fellows: Yuki, Yuri, Michiko, and Yuka!  The Boston nonprofits Web of Benefit, Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, and Ellis Memorial will each host the Fellows for a week again, and visits to other organizations are planned as well.

We also have a new website for the Japanese Women's Leadership Initiative- check it out here!

A Simmons Welcome

Yesterday, CGO hosted two representatives from Business and Professional Women Japan (BPWJ), Masako Hiramatsu and Toshimi Matsubara, Esquire.  Ms. Hiramatsu was a 2007 Fellow, and it was a pleasure to welcome her back to Simmons campus.

We discussed our preparations for the 2011 Forum Program.  The Forum Program is just six weeks away!  BPWJ has been crucial in involving participation from the Yokohama City government, including Mayor Fumiko Hayashi, ranked the 39th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes.  Ms. Hiramatsu and Ms. Matsubara also updated us about the activities of past Fellows. 

Following lunch, our Japanese guests visited the Museum of Fine Arts, where current exhibits include An Unspoken Dialogue with Japanese Tea and Flowers and Festivals: Four Seasons in Japanese Prints.

Image source

Goodbye, Fellows

On Friday afternoon, CGO bade farewell to the 2010 JWLI Fellows. The Closing Luncheon at Petit Robert was attended by the Fellows, CGO staff, the Executive Director of the Fish Family Foundation, and the chief executives of the host organizations: Web of Benefit, Ellis Memorial, and ATASK. Following the Closing Luncheon, the Fellows honored the CGO staff by performing a Japanese tea ceremony at Simmons College.



CGO wishes the Fellows the best of luck as they return to Japan, strengthened by their experiences and education in Boston. With Action Plans for Japan ranging from counseling women with mental health problems to promoting career education and workforce development for female university students to starting a social business to empower women in developing countries to rehabilitating people with criminal backgrounds, the Fellows have indeed begun the development of their own visions and inner strength needed to take the initiatives and risks to make their visions come true.

Last week of the Fellows Program

This week marks the fourth and last week for the 2010 Fellows Program.  The Fellows have been hosted by the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, New England's only nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing domestic violence in Asian families and providing hope to survivors.  At ATASK, the Fellows learned from President Linda Chin and other staff members about legal advocacy, domestic violence shelters, and planning an annual advancement event.

Another highlight of this week was the Closing Reception held at Simmons School of Management on Tuesday, September 28.  Simmons College President Helen Drinan and Provost Charlena Seymour, as well as Consul General of Japan to Boston Toyohisa Kozuki were among the honored guests.

Check out pictures from the Closing Reception here (and friend CGO on Facebook if you haven't already)!

The Fellows Program continues

Last week, the Fellows were hosted by Ellis Memorial, Boston's first settlement house.  During the course of the week, they visited adult and youth programs, learned about fundraising, grant-writing, volunteer management, and more.  They also visited the Family Justice Center and the Consulate General of Japan.  Additionally, the Fellows attended a Red Sox game at Fenway Park!

This week, the Fellows attended Strategic Leadership for Women, an executive education program based at Simmons School of Management that helps women gain the knowledge and skills needed to become an influential leader.  Over the weekend, they will see more of New England as they visit Vermont.

Finally, the post "Inspiration from the East" about Japanese women in business on the PriceWaterhouseCoopers blog is very interesting and pertinent to the Fellows Program. 

Welcome, Fellows!

On September 6, 2010, the Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiative (JWLI) Fellows Program began its fourth year at Simmons School of Management. This week, the Fellows are hosted by Web of Benefit, a not-for-profit organization for women affected by domestic violence. 

Yesterday, the Fellows visited The Boston Foundation, one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the nation.  They discussed international issues as the role of the government and social services, public health, and education with TBF's President and CEO, Paul Grogan.  Mr. Grogan also presented at the 2010 JWLI Forum held in two Japanese cities this summer.

In addition to time spent on site at Web of Benefit, other highlights for this week include visiting the Elizabeth Stone House, the Boston Women's Commission, and attending a course at the Harvard Extension School.

Pictured from left to right:

Keiko, Kazue, Eriko, and Chisato