News Release for Immediate Release
January 30, 2008

(Washington, DC)  The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) today announced that its “Sew ‘N Know Entrepreneurship Program” will be featured on the Voice of America (VOA), a multimedia international broadcasting service funded by the US government through the Broadcasting Board of Governors. Sew ‘N Know, held three days a week after school at the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center (SETLC), 701 Mississippi Avenue, is a sewing program for children.  

Of particular interest to VOA producers was the increased enrollment of African American boys in the program and the program’s positive influence on them. Last week Reporter/Producer June Soh was on hand to videotape the class and interview the boys and their parents. Ms. Soh could not give a specific airdate for the feature but expects it to air by the third week of February 2008. The VOA broadcasts more than 1,100 hours of news, information, educational, and cultural programming every week in 45 languages via radio, television and the Internet to an estimated worldwide audience of more than 115 million people.  

In December of last year, the article “The Sewing Machine as Power Tool” by noted Washington Post writer Courtland Milloy highlighed the fact that the Sew ‘N Know Program challenges lingering myths that sewing is still an overwhelming gender specific skill just for girls. Consistent increasing enrollment of boys in the program is helping to change that mindset.

Founded and created by DPR Recreation Specialist Janice Rankins, Sew ‘N Know is sponsored by DPR’s Recreation Wish List Committee. Ms. Rankins stated, “Sewing builds esteem, strengthens problem-solving skills, teaches patience, gives a sense of worth and is a life skill that these students pass on.” According to Cora Masters Barry, president and chief executive officer of the Recreation Wish List, “This program is transformational. It challenges the students’ minds, gives them goals and ignites their creativity…It really is a gem that hasn’t been fully discovered.”
DPR Director Clark E. Ray added, “We are always honored when the outstanding efforts our staff are highlighted. Ms. Rankins and the Sew ‘N Know Program reflect DPR’s commitment of bringing unique, quality programming to our children that expands their notions of what is possible.”