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		About Us   About SISTAS How We Began Board of Directors   About SISTAS Cheryl Gainey, Executive Director Bio and Viola Cooper, President Bio SISTERS Influencing Supporting Transforming Affirming SISTERS   SISTAS is a grassroots, non-profit organization for women. As a culturally and economically diverse group of women, we are dedicated to empowering, educating, affirming and mentoring women.   Our goal is to help women achieve their full potential through: Networking Referrals Roundtable Events on Various Topics Seminars and Conferences One-on-one Mentoring Local, National and International Projects Top of Page   How We Began SISTAS celebrates the lives of women everywhere. The original vision was sparked several years ago by founders, Cheryl Gainey and Viola Cooper.   "We met through our daughters, both in the sixth grade at that time. We knew we had much in common, but we are as different as night and day - different, yet the same. Together we embrace our differences and celebrate our uniqueness.   "We realized, through many hours of sharing our personal experiences with each other, that we were wounded a long time ago and have been wearing masks to disguise the pain.   "Even though we may be blessed to be physically without limitations, spiritually we can be bound by our own fears, insecurities, and pride, and unable to authentically be who we are because of it.   "We want to contribute to making a positive difference in a life, by pointing others in the direction of hope and healing. No matter what our circumstances are, we can be free, because our freedom comes from within and THAT is true freedom. Our message for you is to embrace you as part of our circle of friends - as SISTAS. We look forward to continuing this joyful journey together."   Cheryl and Viola's desire to encourage women has become a reality. After only months in operation, the response was so positive, it became necessary to move from having the vision, to coming alongside women in the community to help meet the needs of women.   Since it's incorporation in September of 2000, SISTAS has hosted ongoing educational roundtable events, annual fundraisers and annual conferences. SISTAS provides ongoing educational, basic life skills and transformational resources for women, aiming to nourish the body, mind and spirit.   All of the information shared is designed specifically to help women to be free of old patterns and live free from the disguises, with creativity and spontaneity, and with an open heart.   "The work is as deep and challenging as each person wants to take it, and we have an enormous amount of fun." Top of Page

Board of Directors Crackling Good Fun at a Board Meeting Valerie Brown, Training Director Bio Kyla Ehret, Special Projects Coordinator Bio Georgiana Maddocks, Executive Assistant Bio Janetta McReynolds, Treasurer Bio   Responsibilities of Board of Directors Ensure Mission of the Organization is carried out Meet fiduciary responsibilities (making sure that our organization remains financially sound) Contribute to the Organization's bottom line (the need to give willingly of their time for meetings — time translates into financial contributions, bring in expertise, providing free counsel on a variety of issues) Respect other board members — make sure that we argue positions and not personalities Maintain professional and ethical standards — need to conduct our activities within and outside this organization, maintaining high professional and ethical standards Maintain confidentiality of discussions and support the outcome of the majority Top of Page

Bio: Cheryl Gainey, Executive Director Cheryl A. Gainey, Founder and Executive Director of SISTAS, a grassroots nonprofit organization for women, providing ongoing educational, information exchange and empowerment, through transformational resources on issues surrounding women   Powerful, genuine and intense are three words often used to describe the teaching and speaking style of Cheryl Gainey; while words such as classy, born leader, loyal and real describe her personality.   Cheryl has spoken for events, seminars, conferences, board meetings, luncheons, retreats and mother/daughter events, with a powerful message that speaks to the heart of women. As she boldly states of herself, "I am a New Century Woman With Issues."   Speaking for leadership teams and women's groups, Cheryl encourages, exhorts and enlightens her audiences, challenging them to "Live beyond your limitations, know Whose you are and who you are - women of influence with powerful identities."   Cheryl is a teacher, has been an organizer for nearly 20 years, and has served in leadership positions in her home church. Having initially planted and grown ministry programs, she has learned first-hand the importance of establishing and maintaining unity with leadership, staff and volunteers.   To look at her one might think that she's had it all together all her life. But her story reveals otherwise. Teaching from personal experience and her faith, her messages have repeatedly disturbed the comfortable, soothed the wounded and revealed the hope to overcome any situations in life.   Cheryl is married to her best friend and cheerleader, with the bonus of four children, and the extra bonus of being grandmother of two rambunctious grandsons. She enjoys her private moments in her emptied nest in northern California. Top of Page

Viola Cooper President

Bio: Viola Cooper, President Viola Cooper, Co-Founder and President of SISTAS   Quiet strength, creative and curious are three words often used to describe Viola; while words such as caring, compassionate and accepting describe her personality.   Her approach may be different from that of her traditional Japanese culture, but her roots are firmly planted.   "But life has not always seemed fair for me. I have heard people say to me that I am too young to have experienced life. Losing my father, mother and a very close cousin, who I grew up with, all within months of each other, was a devastating experience for me. But, through these heart-breaking experiences, I received a priceless gift: a fresh glimpse of how healing began through faith, grace reached into the deepest part of my heart and brought healing and joy."   Viola is actively involved with the Asian American community. She is very knowledgeable about current issues, creativity, expression, and strategies for fulfillment of abilities. She also has a wide range of informed perspectives on women's history, and actively engages in diversity-related topics concerning women.   Viola has vast experience in coordinating events, seminars, conferences, and board meetings. She has held various leadership positions chairing and facilitating meetings.   She enjoys her career in public relations, and many years of experience as a management analyst. She has received many awards, honors and enjoys her career of 15 years.   When Viola is not traveling, she enjoys spending time relaxing in her back yard at her home in Northern California. Top of Page

Valerie Brown Training Director

Bio: Valerie Brown, Training Director Valerie Brown is our new Training Director. She recently retired from Napa State Hospital, after many years of service. Valerie spent her last 18 years as the hospital's Training Officer, and served as representative to several statewide committees.   Her responsibilities included planning, coordination and budgeting for their mandatory training program. At retirement, she was co-chair of the hospital's Multicultural Committee, as well as member of the statewide committee on Cultural Competence.   She is excited about the opportunity to work with her "Sistas". With their help, she is hoping to use some of the knowledge gained in her work enviroment to assist and support "Sistas" in the community.   She is the proud mother of two children, 6 grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Her hobbies include yoga, basketball, baseball and football (when the Giants and 49er's are winning), reading and shopping. Top of Page

Kyla Ehret Special Projects Coordinator

Bio: Kyla Ehret, Special Projects Coordinator Kyla Ehret is a Senior Management Information Services Analyst for Old Republic Home Protection in San Ramon. She is a single mom, and her heart is her three children: Joseph (11), Trinity (7), and Adriana (1).   She has an Associate's Degree in Business Administration, and would love to ultimately pursue her passion of real estate and become a real estate investor.   She also enjoys volunteering for organizations that support women and children.   About SISTAS she says, "I truly believe in the vision of SISTAS. Life is about choices. We are responsible for what happens in our lives, and we can change our situations when we change ourselves on the inside. When women understand that, it's powerful. Whether through financial education, their informative roundtable meetings on various topics to heal body, mind and spirit, their monetary donations toward assisting teen mothers, or just through some timely words of encouragement, SISTAS is helping women be the best that they can be...and I want to help!" Top of Page

Georgiana Maddocks Executive Assistant

Bio: Georgiana Maddocks, Executive Assistant Georgiana Maddocks was drawn to SISTAS because of their vision of encouraging women to be all they can be and their diversity. In 2003 she joined SISTAS in the position of Executive Assistant.   She has always had a love of women and a desire to encourage and mentor them. She started as an advisor to junior and senior high girls in 1970, and has worked with women and teenage girls in some capacity ever since.   She brings to SISTAS 15 years of experience in the secretarial field, and 11 years of working side by side with her husband in their own business.   Georgiana is a very organized and detailed person and likes to see things run smoothly. She enjoys being in the background in a supporting role to help SISTAS promote their goals and vision to the community.   Georgiana's first love is her family. She has two children and four grandchildren. She has done child care for all her grandchildren since she moved to Northern California in 1994 — "if anything will keep you young, four active kids will do it!"   She loves to walk, and starts each day walking 3 miles. Her hobbies include reading mystery novels, working in her yard and watching NASCAR with her husband. Top of Page

Janetta McReynolds Treasurer

Bio: Janetta McReynolds, Treasurer In every situation, Janetta asks herself, what can be learned from the situation, and how the situation can help someone else.   Janetta chooses to grow and learn over living a life of defeat. Confronted with issues of marriage, divorce, abuse, single parenting, child incarceration, abortion and teen pregnancy, Janetta continues to strive forward.   Janetta has been a single parent for more than 10 years. She enjoys the challenge of her career as a manager of her program support staff for the state of California.   She is actively involved in her church, volunteers her time with a non-profit organization for state employees and has been an active supporter of SISTAS.   Janetta states that she has truly been blessed beyond measure, and being involved with SISTAS is a way she can let her light shine for women that are placed in her life. Top of Page