Friends of California Grief Center,

We owe much to the women who have shaped history through service, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to something greater than themselves. To 2nd Lt. Emily Perez, whose brilliance, determination, and leadership carried her through West Point and into the Army Medical Service Corps, where she fearlessly led from the front. She was the first African American female officer killed in combat, a leader whose conviction and selflessness continue to inspire. To Lori Ann Piestewa, a Hopi soldier who became the first Native American woman to die in combat while serving in the U.S. military. Her life, cut short in the Iraq War, stands as a testament to courage, resilience, and the often-overlooked contributions of Indigenous women in service to this country. And to Loretta Perfectus Walsh, who, in 1917, shattered barriers as the first woman to officially enlist in the U.S. military. Her enlistment paved the way for millions of women who followed, proving that patriotism and duty know no gender.

May their stories remind us that history is shaped not just by those who are remembered, but by those who dared to act, those who stepped forward when called, and those who proved—through sacrifice, service, and sheer determination—that the path to progress is forged by those willing to walk it first.

Practicing Our Power: Emotional Yoga for All – Free Virtual Gathering (March 15)

Join us online this coming Saturday—March 15th, from 10:00 to 11:30 AM (PST) / 1:00 to 2:30 PM (EST)—for a free virtual gathering where we will practice feeling rather than merely discussing our emotions.

Emotions are the foundation of our lives, yet too often, we intellectualize them instead of fully experiencing them. In this session, we will flex our emotional muscles in a safe, supportive, and structured way through mindfulness, group activities, and sociometry. Like the sense of relief and embodiment that comes at the end of a physical yoga session, this Emotional Yoga practice will leave you feeling more grounded, centered, and present in your psyche—having both expressed yourself and witnessed others do the same.

A note of caution: Please do not consume alcohol or any mind-altering substances before attending.

All are welcome.

🔗Register Here

5-Year HOPE Group Celebration with Trudy Goodman: Mindfulness, Deep Suffering & Finding Light in the Darkness (Free Virtual Event)

Join us on Saturday, March 29th, from 10:00 to 11:30 AM (PST) as we mark five years of the Mindfulness and Deep Suffering HOPE Group (Healing Ourselves through the Present Experience).

At a time when the world feels increasingly uncertain—when grief, change, and resilience are woven into our daily lives—we invite you to pause, to breathe, and to find refuge in community.

We are honored to welcome back Trudy Goodman—renowned mindfulness teacher, psychotherapist, and founding teacher of InsightLA—for her annual dharma talk. Trudy has been a guiding light in bringing mindfulness into modern mental health practices, blending Buddhist wisdom with the realities of our time. Now, more than ever, her presence and insight offer a path forward.

Our gathering will begin with a grounding meditation, followed by Trudy’s dharma talk on staying present amidst life’s upheavals and unknowns. We’ll then open space for reflection and connection, exploring what steadies us, what heals us, and what carries us forward.

Come as you are—hopeful, weary, searching, or simply curious. Together, let’s find the stillness within the storm.

🔗Register Here

Upcoming Opportunities for Connection

💛 Mindfulness-Based Grief Relief (MBGR) Practice Group

Healing Ourselves through the Present Moment (HOPE)

📅 Next Virtual Session: Saturday, April 26 | 10:00 AM (PT) | 1.5 hours (Zoom)

🔗Register Here

At the California Grief Center, we offer grief therapy and group experiences designed to support you through loss. Visit www.caligrief.com to learn more about our services and upcoming events.

With care and compassion,

Brian Stefan, LCSW

Founder, California Grief Center