Wife, mother, friend, daughter. . .chef, chauffer, bread-winner, maid. . .counselor, nurse, teacher, leader. A woman can wear all these hats and more just in one day. But underneath all the roles, she can still find herself wondering, “Who am I? What do I believe in?”
In these busy days, when numerous life-options are at their fingertips, women need a safe space for respite and exploration. They need a Womanspace. We sat down with Liz Hiemstra, marketing coordinator at Womanspace Rockford, to hear all about what they offer.
Back in 1975, two Franciscan nuns in Rockford named Elaine and Dorothy experienced the advent of what scholars call the “second wave of feminism.” The increase of liberties and choices for women opened up a huge need for women to have a safe space to explore their individuality, spirituality and femininity. Womanspace began as a movement towards hope – towards empowerment and connectivity. Elaine and Dorothy saw that Rockford needed a community of women who were heart-centered, achievement-based, and leadership-empowered.
These needs continue today, and Womanspace continues to adapt and provide services that help women grow. Women need connectivity with themselves and others. They need a creative outlet. They need space where they can exchange beliefs and knowledge.
These needs are not unique to women. Many men are also searching for more connectedness or outlets for their creativity. Though it began with women in mind, Womanspace has evolved into being a place for men, too.
Womanspace is an oasis, nestled within our busy city on seven acres in the midst of a quiet neighborhood. The land originally belonged to a convent; the main building used to be the priest’s home. It’s fitting that the land today still houses contemplative activities. On those seven acres you will find four gardens: Lilly Fernandez Memorial Meditation Garden, Peace Garden, Restful Garden and Celebration Garden. There is also a restored prairie, and within it is the largest labyrinth in Northern Illinois. All of this outdoor space is open to the public from dawn to dusk, every day of the year.
The buildings are home to several spaces for creativity, connection and growth. The main building has rooms for galleries, yoga classes and their supper & film series. New Dimensions Art Studio is where to go for painting, drawing and pottery. The Anjali Pavilion is used for outdoor events, and is also available for rental.
The beauty of a space for women is the ability to glean knowledge from those who are in a different stage of life. The involvement of women from a large age-range makes Womanspace an ideal place for intergenerational sharing and relating. They also model it in their leadership team. They have a circularmodel rather than a top-down approach. The women who work at Womanspace thrive on this connectedness and on the dynamic creativity that it encourages.
As they look to the future, Womanspace is pleased with their new website, which automates scheduling and frees up more time for creative thinking and planning. They are also learning to adapt to a faster-paced culture. Young women today don’t have much discretionary time, so they are offering shorter programs at more accessible times.
Winter is the perfect time for reflection, and Womanspace is the place to go for respite, creativity and growth. There is a little something for everyone here, at any season of life. Call to schedule a tour of their facilities and programs (815.877.0118). Hours are Monday – Thursday, 9-5. Check out their website at www.womanspace-rockford.org for events and current programs.
Written by Rebecca Aupperle
Rebecca Aupperle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Millikin University. She is a piano teacher at the Studio and an active participant in Rockford’s local music scene. She can be found reading, gardening or hanging out at the Edgebrook Farmer’s Market.