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Celeste Barbier

Celeste Barbier

Meet Celeste Barbier
Celeste Barbier is a professional vocalist with a lifelong passion for music, renowned for her soulful and unique contralto voice. With classical voice training from Chapman University, where she received a full scholarship, Celeste has performed extensively, including tours throughout Italy.

For over a decade, she has captivated audiences across Southern California and beyond, delivering stunning performances across genres like jazz, blues, and easy listening. Her extensive repertoire spans over 500 song covers from the past century. Celeste has also made her mark as a recording artist, releasing two albums, with her first original song breaking into the Top 10 on independent radio in the Independent & Adult Contemporary categories.

Beyond music, Celeste says, “My life purpose is empowering & supporting women, as well as bringing them together.” She is a dedicated advocate for women’s rights, equality, and empowerment, actively supporting women-owned businesses.

In addition to her music career, Celeste is an expert certified sound healer, working alongside her wife of nearly 20 years, René, who is a Reiki Master. Together, they run Resté Sound Healing, offering transformative sound healing sessions and exclusive healing vacations for women through their Resté Getaway for Women. Celeste’s multifaceted talents and unwavering commitment to advocacy make her a dynamic and inspiring figure in both the music and wellness communities.

Hear Celeste at our upcoming Empowered WE Rise event on Sunday, September 22.

Celeste Barbier logo
Reste Sound Healing logo
Reste Getaway for Women logo
Thrive Causemetics Beauty/ Self-care Kit Packing Party

Thrive Causemetics Beauty/ Self-care Kit Packing Party

Thrive Causemetics + Women’s Empowerment International 

Thanks to a very generous donation from our friends at Thrive Causemetics and the efforts of 18 WE volunteers, we packed 300 beauty/self-care kits full of skincare and beauty products, along with notes of encouragement for women enrolled in our grant partner programs. We delivered the kits to three of our local partners for distribution to program participants in San Diego and Tijuana: International Rescue Committee in San Diego, Urban Corps of San Diego County, and Via International. Our mission in this project was to make sure all these women felt empowered, beautiful, seen, and appreciated. The kits will be distributed at holiday and other program events.

Below are photos of the volunteer packing party and our partner deliveries.

Via International

Urban Corps, San Diego County

IRC – San Diego Chapter

Julian Giving Circle, Soup Luncheon Fundraiser | Event Recap

Julian Giving Circle, Soup Luncheon Fundraiser | Event Recap

The Julian Soup Luncheon on Saturday, May 14 was a huge success thanks to the superb organization of Dyan Winship, Paula Hackman and Nancy Kramer of the Julian giving circle! Over 65 people attended the event on a sunny afternoon at the Santa Ysabel Nature Center.

Attendees enjoyed delicious soups, salads, and desserts while being entertained by the music of Ken Wright and Lenny Boles. Diana Lindsay, Founder and President of Sunbelt Publications, gave an enlightening presentation on the book Coast to Cactus: The Canyoneer Trail Guide to San Diego Outdoors. It was an afternoon of music, good food, catching up with old friends, and mission-driven inspiration! Together, they raised over $4,500 to fund microloans, workforce readiness training, and poverty alleviation interventions for women in need.

We extend sincere thank-yous to the Julian Circle volunteers for their tireless work to put this event together and to all the friends who attended!

To the generous donors of silent auction basket items: 

Paddy Jacobsen Massage
Mary Morgan
Nancy Kramer
Julian Jewel Box
One Heart Massage
Susan Kaiser
Lynn Jarman & Lesley Mccelland
Volcan Mountain Winery
Heidi Schotfeldt
Women’s Empowerment Partner Entrepreneurs And Board
Rebecca Morales
Darrian & Collins Lum
Toni Marquette

To the superb soup and delectable dessert makers:

Angie Brenner
Carol Schloo-Wright
Carol Pike
Mary Jo Strom
Lynn Jarman
Nancy Kramer
Kristi Holt
Lesley McClelland
Sally Snipes
Annie Dover

To Kathy Louv for the really lovely dining table centerpieces and Sally Snipes and Anita Nichols for the sweet peas and garden flowers in vases that decorated food and auction tables.

Last but not least, to Anita Nichols (Mom’s Pie Company) and Pat Straube (Orchard Hill Country Inn) for the use of their commercial kitchens without which this soup event could not have taken place in the County facility.

Thank you, all!