News
Release
March 11, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Millie Horosko, Women’s Center, Housatonic Community College, mhorosko@yahoo.com. (203) 374-3868
Women Leap Hurdles
Janet Luongo to inspire with stories of successful
women,
and steps to take to express your own gifts
Author, coach and speaker on women’s wellness and creativity,
Janet Luongo, will address Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport,
Connecticut on March 31, 2011 at 5 PM. Students, faculty and
community are welcome to enjoy the talk and refreshments at the reception
at 6 pm. The event is free and open to the public.
Norwalk resident, Janet Luongo, will tell stories of women who faced
obstacles that ranged from physical to financial, and will show slides
celebrating women such as First Lady Michelle Obama, who have overcome
these obstacles to make great contributions to the world. Her
interactive talk on diverse women that include athletes, artists, and
authors of all ages from various backgrounds, was a success for Women
History Month last year.with employees of U.S. Mint in Philadelphia
- mostly men!
“I want men to see the development of women will greatly benefit children
and men too. Whether I’m speaking about creativity
or health issues that threaten women’s success and lives, I always focus
on one thing – that all individuals deserve to realize the unique gifts
they have. Women are often busy taking care of everyone else, which is
a good thing, unless they ignore their own dreams and talents. I urge women
first to take care of themselves so they can share themselves – in a
better and bigger way. Everyone wins.”
The selection of inspiring women, in addition to First Lady Michelle
Obama, include successful artist Mary Cassatt; Supreme Court Justice
Sonia Sotomayor;, Granny D., who walked across America at 90 years
old; Wilma Rudolph, Olympic athlete; and the Queen of Soul.
The Women’s Center at HCC invited Janet Luongo in honor of Women’s
History Month, for several reasons: her advocacy for women, her experience
teaching students of all ages in the U.S. and abroad, her book on creative
living now published on 3 continents, her practice coaching women,
and her many videos on healthy and creative lifestyles. But most importantly,
she was invited because her own story is inspiring - she reveals how
she herself overcame a rocky youth to build a happy and healthy life.
Janet said, “I love working with students at the Housatonic because
they are motivated to make their lives better. I too attended
a community college after I had to drop out of college because of health
issues. It gives you a second chance.”
Janet Luongo has been director of the student docent program at the
Housatonic Museum of Art since 2000. Middle and high school students
from Bridgeport learn to conduct tours using the marvelous art collection
at the college. Her book, 365 Daily Affirmations for Creativity,
has a foreword by Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the
Soul, and is now published on three continents in four languages.
Her book caught the eye of a professor at the teachers college in Xian,
China, and in 2009 Janet took a trip there to teach faculty and students
to think more creatively.
After living in Europe in the 1980s and having exhibits in Paris and
Geneva, she founded the Connecticut chapter of the Women’s Caucus
for Art so women artists could be more visible. Twenty years later
they have had over 45 exhibits and are still going strong. In
2008, Janet planned events for the WCA-CT exhibit at the Housatonic, Why
Not?, which drew large crowds and received many reviews. She was
an award winning director of art and science education at the Discovery
Museum, Bridgeport, taught art courses at the Housatonic and Sacred
Heart University and now is an artist/speaker in the directory of the
CT Commission on Culture and Tourism
Janet now speaks with and coaches women to make therapeutic lifestyle
changes that, step by step, will shape every area of their lives, from
bodies and relationships, to career and creativity. For more info visit
www.janetluongo.com <http://www.janetluongo.com> .
Janet’s passion is eating good food and creating videos. She
produced a public access TV show out of Bridgeport and CT, and now
she has a channel on You Tube, where you can see over 40 videos on
creative and healthy lifestyles.
Housatonic Community College provides an affordable and accessible
education through two-year degrees, transfer preparation, and certificate
programs, as well as a wide variety of continuing education and personal/professional
enrichment seminars and workshops. In addition, HCC offers employee
and occupational training for businesses, municipalities, government
agencies, and professional associations to help develop the educated
and skilled workforce required to meet regional business and industry
needs. HCC is nationally recognized as an “Achieving the
Dream” institution. To learn more, visit the college’s
website at: www.hcc.commnet.edu <http://www.hcc.commnet.edu> .
HCC is located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in downtown Bridgeport, less
than 150 yards off I-95 (Exit 27) and Rte. 8 (Exit 1), a block from
the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard. Free parking is available in
the Housatonic garage.
Anson C. Smith, Public Relations Coordinator
Housatonic Community College
900 Lafayette Blvd.
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Tel: 203-332-5229, Fax: 203-332-5247
E-mail: asmith@hcc.commnet.edu