By: Pam Rumer, Vice President of Business Development

Women empowering women is on the rise not only in our country but right here in North County San Diego. With over 11.6 million women-owned businesses in the United States, it is no
surprise we have groups of women business owners, in Oceanside, helping each other grow.
Since launching their businesses in the Oceanside community, this group of 6 female
entrepreneurs credits at least a portion of their success to the support and inspiration provided
by fellow female business owners.
 
These 6 women, Rita Lavasanipour, owner, Yummie Fountains; Kim DeGiulio, owner, Team
Souther - NRL Mortgage; Anastasia Kabitskaya, owner, Slight Edge Salon; Amanda Gerard,
owner, Kylie's Closet; Jyoie (pronounced Joey) Houston, owner, MedRev; and Marcy Browe,
owner, Marcy Browe Photography each own a different type of business with one thing in
common; they have inspired one another to take their businesses to the next level. 

by Kierstin Hill

In 1974, several local women, including Janet Bledsoe and Colleen O’Harra, opened a rape crisis center, known as the Women’s Resource Center.  The Women’s Resource Center was designed to serve the North County population because at that time, the closest center was in Hillcrest in downtown San Diego.  Soon after opening the crisis center, the Oceanside Police Department came to WRC and asked them to help with child abuse as well.  WRC accepted the request and started another organization, Casa de Amparo.  A short while later, law enforcement came to WRC with another request: help with domestic violence.   The Women’s Resource Center was growing too large so the Board of Directors decided to split into two organizations.  Casa de Amparo would focus on child abuse and the Women’s Resource Center would focus on sexual assault and domestic violence.