Gov. Ned Lamont chose CRT’s Ruth Bader Ginsburg Women’s Empowerment Center to announce a new state website and hotline for women’s reproductive services. Gov. Lamont, and other key state and local leaders, discussed the importance of this reproductive-rights resource.
The new reproductive rights hotline and website offers information about:
• Understanding your rights
• Finding a provider
• Paying for an abortion
• Transportation and travel
• Resources for health care professionals and providers
• Community support
CRT’s Women’s Empowerment Center opened in May 2019. It offers access to meaningful mentorships and provides a safe and open space for women to develop the skills they need to reach their full potential.
Check out WTNH’s coverage of the Press Conference:
https://www.crtct.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/IMG_2161-scaled.jpg19202560Irene Mackeyhttps://www.crtct.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/community-renewal-team-logo.svgIrene Mackey2022-08-09 14:50:412022-08-09 17:00:14Gov. Lamont and Others Announce a New State Website and Hotline for Women’s Reproductive Services
As you will see in this year’s report, CRT worked closely with the community and our funders/donors to help our customers meet their needs throughout the pandemic.
With Federal CSBG Cares funding – we established an Emergency Client Assistance fund – which at the time of printing helped over 220 households address urgent needs to maintain housing. Today, the number of households assisted has grown to 622 households.
As the report centerfold reveals, we had an opportunity to celebrate our community. CRT unveiled a gorgeous mural at our multi-service center in Hartford honoring the work and legacy of the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, along with four other powerful women leaders. It is truly a magnificent piece!
We thank you for your partnership and support of our work and mission: Preparing our Community to Meet Life’s Challenges and look forward to future opportunities.
The Community Renewal Team (CRT) will honor the legacy of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (#RBG) and other remarkable women leaders with a massive public mural at the Women’s Empowerment Center in downtown Hartford.
Local, award-winning artist Micaela Levesque began painting the mural this week. She spoke with NBC Connecticut about why this new mural featuring iconic women leaders is so important, and what it means to her.
https://www.crtct.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Micaela_NBCCT_081821-crop.jpg653944Jason Blackhttps://www.crtct.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/community-renewal-team-logo.svgJason Black2021-08-18 22:48:002021-08-19 17:49:48Painting Massive Mural to Honor the Legacy of RBG Begins at CRT Hartford Office, on NBC CT
Local, award-winning artist Micaela Levesque selected to complete massive mural at 330 Market Street in Hartford
Hartford – The Community Renewal Team (CRT) is sponsoring the creation of a massive public mural that will be painted on the side of its multi-service center in Hartford (330 Market St.) to honor the life-long commitment to women’s rights and social justice of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, along with other remarkable women leaders. The artist chosen to complete the work for CRT is East Hartford resident Micaela Levesque, whose vibrant artistic vision and skilled portrait work will make this mural a landmark for downtown Hartford for years to come.
“After a long, and rigorous search process, CRT is thrilled to have chosen Ms. Levesque to complete this important mural on our behalf,” said CRT’s President and CEO, Lena Rodriguez. “We can think of no better way to honor RBG’s legacy than to ensure that her memory lives on through the work of CRT’s Women’s Empowerment Center. Justice Ginsburg’s accomplishments will be felt for decades to come. We know that all women in our community today – especially the next generation that is coming of age now – are better off because of her.”
In addition to prominently featuring Justice Ginsburg, the mural will also showcase the following female leaders:
Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris;
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor;
Former First Lady Michelle Obama; and
Ella Grasso, the first woman elected Governor in Connecticut and in the United States.
In addition to the five portraits that will be featured in the mural, the artist plans to add a variety of painted symbols that will add to the depth and complexity of the finished work of art.
Ms. Levesque previously won the “Best in Show” award at CRT’s 2020 National Arts Program show in Hartford for a painting of her self-portrait.
“The ideas of this mural align perfectly with my own artistic vision,” said artist Micaela Levesque. “When I learned that this RBG-inspired mural would be on the side of the building for CRT’s Women’s Empowerment Center, I knew I wanted to be involved. I am so excited to bring a visual representation of these iconic women to Hartford. You will see that I am going to put myself completely into this project and will be so proud to stand behind the finished work.”
The building where the mural will be painted houses CRT’s Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Women’s Empowerment Center in Hartford, which offers a safe and open space for women from Hartford and Middlesex Counties to develop the skills they need to reach their full potential.
The goal of CRT’s Women’s Empowerment Center is to encourage women to find stable careers, establish financial security, and commit themselves to life-long personal growth and success. The Center provides specialized and holistic case management, support groups, financial literacy and personal development classes, intensive one-on-one mentorship, entrepreneurship, and leadership training to help women thrive.
The Center also offers members networking opportunities to meet successful women from various backgrounds and careers. These opportunities are essential to bridge gaps derived from economic barriers and other social determinants. Relationships developed through these networks build pathways to better futures.
CRT’s Women’s Empowerment Center meets a critical regional need. Of the female-headed households living in Hartford, 46.6% do not have a spouse or partner present (source). Additionally, 29% of females living in Hartford are living below the poverty line (source). CRT has a history of offering female-centric initiatives (e.g., helping women gain employment skills, leave abusive circumstances, decrease substance use and recidivism, and enabling grandparents, particularly grandmothers, to raise their grandchildren). CRT’s Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Women’s Empowerment Center represents the culmination of these efforts.
Work on this massive mural – it is expected that it will be visible to passing cars on I-91 – began on August 17, 2021, and Ms. Levesque anticipates completing the project in approximately five weeks.
While it will be possible for the public to see the work being done to complete the mural over the next five weeks, a public unveiling and celebration of this tribute to RBG and other women leaders is being planned for mid-September (exact date to be announced).
This mural was made possible by a Neighborhood Beautification grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
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Editor’s Note: Artist Micaela Levesque is available for media interviews, upon request. It is anticipated that Ms. Levesque will be on-site painting six days a week, from 10 am – 7 pm each day, with a one-hour break per day.
Additionally, high resolution files of conceptual sketches by the artist depicting what the mural may look like upon completion are available for publication.
https://www.crtct.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/RBGMuralConceptArt_MicaelaLevesque-Crop.jpg563564Jason Blackhttps://www.crtct.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/community-renewal-team-logo.svgJason Black2021-08-18 13:57:402021-08-20 19:52:53CRT Will Honor Legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Other Women Leaders with Powerful Mural for Women’s Empowerment Center in Downtown Hartford
CRT is seeking proposals from artists to create a massive public mural as a visual tribute to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and other strong women who have made significant contributions to the advancement of women and social justice. The mural will be painted at 330 Market Street, Hartford – home of CRT’s Women’s Empowerment Center.
https://www.crtct.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/RBGMural_News8_101920.jpg6761197Jason Blackhttps://www.crtct.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/community-renewal-team-logo.svgJason Black2020-10-19 14:18:442020-10-19 14:18:44CRT Creating Mural in Hartford to Honor RBG and Other Notable Women Leaders
Mural will be featured at 330 Market Street, Hartford – home of CRT’s Women’s Empowerment Center
Hartford – Following the Community Renewal Team’s (CRT) recent announcement that it is officially renaming its Women’s Empowerment Center in Hartford to honor the legacy of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the agency announced today that it is now soliciting proposals for the creation of a massive public mural on the side of the building where the Center is located (330 Market Street, Hartford).
Local artists are being encouraged to submit proposals for this project to “honor the legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and other women who have made significant contributions to the advancement of women.”
As noted in the Request for Proposal (RFP) document, which can be found on CRT’s website: “The mural will be a symbol of Women’s Empowerment anchored by a portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It will serve as a visual tribute to Justice Ginsburg and other women who have made significant contributions to the advancement of women. It will help to create a strong and positive image for the community.”
The deadline to submit proposals for this new mural in Hartford is November 20, 2020 by 1:00 p.m.
Additional details about the project are below, and in the attached RFP document.
Goal of the project: The goal of the Women’s Empowerment Center Mural Project is to honor the legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and other women who have made significant contributions to the advancement of women.
Design and Theme: The mural will be a symbol of Women’s Empowerment anchored by a portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It will serve as a visual tribute to Justice Ginsburg and other women who have made significant contributions to the advancement of women. It will help to create a strong and positive image for the community.
Mural Site Location & Specifications: The North facing site wall of 330 Market Street, Hartford CT is approximately 105 feet long and is a brick structure. The artist’s canvas will be the space between the first floor and second floor windows. The artist will have the whole side of the building as their canvas. If the vision of the artist includes wrapping, the mural around the building this will considered considering the design.
Artists will:
Develop a distinct painted mural artwork that communicates and promotes women (of all ages and cultures) within the character and spirit of women’s empowerment – through the use of design, color and a variety of subject matter for public viewing of all ages and cultures.
The mural will feature a prominent portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, with dissent collar, Judge Sonia Sotomayor and former first lady Michelle Obama.
Generate a work that is artistically engaging and sufficiently stimulating to ignite conversation and evoke appreciation by the general public.
Design a work that fits well within the context of the site (i.e. scale and theme).
Use materials of the highest quality, designed and fabricated for all weather durability for at least 20 years, as well as for low maintenance – and including the application of an anti-graffiti protective coating/sealant.
Complete project within the specified period of time and within budget.
Selection Process: CRT will review all submittals in conformance with the RFP. After a selection has been made, CRT will enter into a contract with the artist or team of artists.
Deadline:Complete proposals are due November 20, 2020 by 1:00 pm and should be emailed to: [email protected]
https://www.crtct.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ruth-bader-ginsburg.jpg599900Jason Blackhttps://www.crtct.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/community-renewal-team-logo.svgJason Black2020-10-16 17:48:272020-10-16 17:48:27CRT seeks proposals to create massive public mural in honor of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
An enormous mural featuring the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and former First Lady Michelle Obama will soon be appearing in Hartford at CRT’s Women’s Empowerment Center at 330 Market St. in Hartford.
CRT recently announced plans to rename its Women’s Empowerment Center after Ginsburg, and now we have put out a call for artists to submit a design for this mural project. The brick wall is about 105 feet wide, and from the ground the height available is 29 feet, so the total mural size could be massive.
Lena Rodriguez, president and CEO of CRT, spearheaded the drive to rename the building and to create the mural.
“The work she has done and the barriers she has gone through paved the way for women in law, women in social justice, all women and all people in general,” Rodriguez said. “Learning about her passing was really hard. I thought, what could we do as a state to honor her?”
Get more details about this important project in this article by Susan Dunne in the Hartford Courant.
https://www.crtct.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ruth-bader-ginsburg.jpg599900Jason Blackhttps://www.crtct.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/community-renewal-team-logo.svgJason Black2020-10-16 17:37:352020-10-16 17:37:35Massive Mural on CRT’s Multi-Service Center in Hartford will feature Ginsburg, Sotomayor, Michelle Obama
Following the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Community Renewal Team (CRT) announced that to memorialize Ginsburg’s lifetime of service to our nation, and her fierce commitment to protecting the rights of women throughout her legal and judicial career, it is officially renaming its Women’s Empowerment Center in Hartford in her honor.
The Center, which serves the needs of women throughout Central Connecticut, will be renamed the “Ruth Bader Ginsburg Women’s Empowerment Center.” Get more details in this report from Ann Nyberg at WTNH News 8.
Hartford – This week, as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at the Supreme Court and then at the United States Capitol, the Community Renewal Team (CRT) announced today that to memorialize Ginsburg’s lifetime of service to our nation, and her fierce commitment to protecting the rights of women throughout her legal and judicial career, it is officially renaming its Women’s Empowerment Center in Hartford in her honor.
The Center, which serves the needs of women throughout Central Connecticut, will be renamed the “Ruth Bader Ginsburg Women’s Empowerment Center.”
“The passing of Justice Ginsburg came as a shock to all of us this past weekend. We know that her lifetime of work has created lasting and critical changes to the law that benefit women nationwide, and we can think of no better way to honor her legacy than to ensure that her memory lives on in the work of CRT’s Women’s Empowerment Center in Hartford,” said CRT’s President and CEO Lena Rodriguez.
“We are grateful that Ginsburg’s work and her legal opinions in support of women will be felt for decades to come, and we know that all women in our community today – especially the next generation that is coming of age now – are better off because of her work on behalf of all of us.”
Known as an advocate for women, Justice Ginsburg’s dedication to the disempowered extended still further. She wrote, “Whatever community organization, whether it’s a women’s organization or fighting for racial justice…you will get satisfaction out of doing something to give back to the community that you never get in any other way.” As the oldest community action agency in the state, we could not have said it better.
A formal renaming ceremony at CRT’s Women’s Empowerment Center in Hartford to celebrate the legacy of Justice Ginsburg and her lifetime of work will be held in the coming weeks – exact date to be announced soon.
About CRT’s Women’s Empowerment Center:
The Community Renewal Team (CRT) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit community action agency and Connecticut’s largest human service agency. Since 1964, CRT has been fulfilling its mission of “Preparing Our Community to Meet Life’s Challenges” by providing more than 60 programs and services designed to positively impact the lives of individuals and families from the City of Hartford and the 40 surrounding towns. As it has for decades, CRT continues to help tens of thousands of people each year; and the data demonstrates that the organization continues to reach Connecticut’s most vulnerable, low-income population.
Historically, more than half of the clients CRT serves have been female. For many of them, the services they received are a true lifeline. In keeping with Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s lifelong goal of uplifting all U.S. residents regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, economics and sexual preference, CRT inaugurated its Women’s Empowerment Center (WEC) in 2019. It is the Center’s objective to give women, including the most vulnerable in the Greater Hartford area, access to the opportunities through which they can benefit themselves and their families. In addition to counseling and case management, the WEC offers introductions to different occupational fields and educational programs, workshops on job exploration, even access to mentorships with some of the region’s most successful women. It provides a vision for women who may not have seen their varied (albeit hard-won) options before entering the Center’s doors.
The WEC meets a critical regional need. Over 60% of households in the capital city are headed by a single parent, most of whom are single mothers or grandmothers. Nearly one-third (31.6%) of women In the City of Hartford live in poverty. CRT has a history of offering female-centric initiatives (e.g., helping women gain employment skills, leave abusive circumstances, decrease substance use and recidivism, and enabling grandparents, particularly grandmothers, to raise their grandchildren). Our Ruth Bader Ginsburg Women’s Empowerment Center is the culmination of these effort.
The Center at 330 Market Street, Hartford, is easily accessible via public transportation, and includes space for workshops, private rooms for case management and one-on-one counseling, socialization space and a children’s play area.
For more information about this advisory, please contact: Jason Black, Communications Director @ 860-230-4535.
https://www.crtct.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ruth-bader-ginsburg.jpg599900Jason Blackhttps://www.crtct.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/community-renewal-team-logo.svgJason Black2020-09-24 18:43:182020-10-08 18:50:32To Honor Her Legacy and Lifetime Commitment to Women, CRT to Rename Women’s Empowerment Center for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
