Q: Who is Ratee at this moment?
A: I'm a newly retired professor from the U.C. College of Business. I taught international business for 17 years. I am the founder of the Cincinnati Sister City Association (Mysore, India) and also the founder and executive director of the Indian Film Festival. I'm also a co-founder and vice president of the consulting firm, Artesia Global Consulting, and an entrepreneur. I run a commodities business called Tellicherry Pepper.
Read MoreIt's always nice to feel like you belong. To feel like you are among your tribe of people. To feel like you have people you can relate to, and that what you say resonates with them. I have many of these tribes, and each fulfills a different need in me.
Among them all, the one I can say feeds my soul is the tribe of immigrant women. I’m excited to introduce a new column here at Women of Cincy called “Home Away from Home.” I’m thrilled to be involved with this fab publication and to share illuminating stories of Cincinnati's immigrant women.
Read MoreIt’s that month of the year, friends: February. You might have love on the brain. You might have Singles Awareness Day on the brain. But whether you’re involved with somebody or highly focused on your self-love, there’s one thing we all know we can experiment with, right? Sex!
Read MoreZia is humble, but don’t let that fool you: She has fierce ambition. The world she lives in now is quite different from the life she knew in her native Zimbabwe, and I’m looking forward to uncovering her story. She offers us fruit and water before we settle in to talk.
Read MoreAs a resident at Women of Cincy, I was tasked to interview a team member. I briefly encountered Sandra Okot-Kotber at meetings, and I decided to interview her because, well, she just seems to have her life together (although she’ll probably tell you differently). I'm always in awe whenever I encounter an effortlessly cool, clever, and poised woman like Sandra. And after finally sitting down with her, I learned that she truly wants to make the world a better place. Her path in life is one of volunteerism and nonprofit work out of genuine love for others.
Read MoreDo you remember last month when I said we could talk about something a little more fun? (I promise I’m off my wannabe-mom-worried-about-everyone’s-condom-use soapbox… but, honestly, how good are those “her pleasure” ones?)
Okay, okay – this month we’re talking about two of my favorite words: Security and Adventure. At first glance, these two do not seem to go together – in fact, they are opposites.
Read MoreNothing brings me warmth like an artist passionate about the world. For every person trying to find themselves, there is someone dedicated to the person they have already found. When stepping into the home and art studio of Rebecca Nava, I knew I was in the presence of a woman dedicated to all that she is and will be.
Read MoreSafe sex is enjoyable sex. It’s a great relief for all parties when every piece of information is on the table, and there isn’t a worry later about random bumps. The least fun guessing game is, “Razor burn, allergy, or S.T.D.?” Giving yourself the knowledge that you have done everything in your control to prevent the transfer of disease is invaluable.
Read MoreAs a Women of Cincy resident, I got to choose and interview a team member about their life and work. As I sifted through profiles on our Meet the Team page, Gina immediately stood out with a history major at Xavier. I, too, am a history major at Xavier and am constantly seeking inspiration for what to do once I graduate in May. Gina is the sales director for Women of Cincy as well as a developer and fundraiser for the Corporation for Findlay Market. We met on a sunny day in Washington Park, and Gina’s bubbly, cheery, and hilarious personality made for lots of fun and laughter as the day waned and music and people built into the lively atmosphere.
Read MoreOver the past few months, my perception of myself has shifted into that of a tree root, growing and thriving in the soil of Cincinnati. By nurturing one meaningful connection of friendship, I’ve come to realize the boundless other relationships that can then take root and blossom. By laying down roots and investing in relationships, the fertile soil that is Cincinnati allows me to grow and reach people like Rachel Trees.
Read MoreWe weren’t sure what to expect when applying for press passes for the Cincinnati Comic Expo, but what we found was much more than meets the eye. Comic Expo is an environment full of feminism, body positivity, creativity, and immediate acceptance of others. The Duke Energy Center was filled with talented artists, authors, and actors. We watched adults turn into little kids again, discovering their heroes, acting out their fantasies, and embracing fandoms. We quickly realized there was so much more to learn about comic books and pop culture, so in true Women of Cincy fashion, we started walking up to people and asking questions.
Read MorePeople from all over the world gathered in Cincinnati’s historic Over-the-Rhine August 29-31 for the second annual Cindependent Film Festival.
Read MorePreparing to interview Dani Clark was a little stressful for me – I’d been told she’s an exceptionally good interviewer. I wondered how the role-switching would feel for us, but I needn’t have been worried. Her relaxed demeanor and the care with which she responded to each question left me in awe. I was impressed by how thoughtful and purposeful she is. Curious to the core, she couldn’t stop herself from asking our photographer, Katie, and I what our responses would have been to my questions.
Read MoreEvery single person deserves a healthy sexual relationship.
Read that sentence again. And a thousand more times until it is under your skin. Last month, we talked about taking the nervousness out of sex and making it fun. In my opinion, you can’t have fun when you’re having anxiety-ridden-probably-low-key-acting-super-casual panic attacks.
Read MoreWith summer energy pulsing, Cincinnati is more than just a heatwave. The possibility of good moments seems to be swelling, just as my heart did when I heard about Michele Burroughs. A long word-of-mouth grapevine of coworkers, mothers with a hunger for caffeine, and my frequent eavesdropping paid off in the best way. After learning about Michele’s journey establishing a Pleasant Ridge caffeine gem a few months ago, I knew I wanted to make time to hear her story.
Read MoreDo I think sex is something to start shouting about from the rooftops? No. I do like keeping the mystery alive in a lot of aspects. However, I think breaking the negative parts of the sex stigma starts with you. Yes! You. You, me, and sex education.
Read MoreHouse gave an overview of Cincinnati’s homeless population and how people can get involved in providing assistance. She closed her presentation with a quote from one of her favorite Batman characters, Commissioner Gordon, “You’re going to make a difference. A lot of times it won’t be huge, it won’t be visible even. But it will matter just the same.”
Read MoreBazelon is a writer for The New York Times Magazine, where her reporting dives into the core reasons why youth are unhappy, stressed, anxious, and depressed. Her 2013 book Sticks and Stones looks at the changing trends in bullying among young people and what efforts have been most successful for stemming bullying around the world.
Read MoreThe second annual Professional Pretty Conference by Morgan A. Owens, entrepreneur and founder of Curvy Cardio, converged in Cincinnati, May 24-26, 2019. The conference, located at the Kennedy Art Center Annex, opened with a V.I.P. night full of local vendors, energizing music spun by Ms. Ebony J., and plenty of time for impactful mixing and mingling.
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