Women's what?
WHAT IS VEGAS WOMEN'S FEST?
Vegas Women’s Fest is a volunteer-led, free community celebration for all women facilitating community among the LGBTQ+ family (and our allies) in Southern Nevada.
We Are Vegas Women's Fest
WHAT
We provide opportunity and space in Southern Nevada for women, trans and non-binary humans to find community and access to programs & resources.
We provide opportunity and space in Southern Nevada for women, trans and non-binary humans to find community and access to programs & resources.
HOW
In partnership with the Gay and Lesbian Center of Southern Nevada, we offer social, philanthropic & professional development programming and events.
In partnership with the Gay and Lesbian Center of Southern Nevada, we offer social, philanthropic & professional development programming and events.
FOR WHO
We welcome and support ALL women including transgender women, gender-queer and intersex individuals. LGBTQ women and allies in Southern Nevada and select non-profit organizations benefit from our volunteerism, cross-promotion and fundraising efforts.
We welcome and support ALL women including transgender women, gender-queer and intersex individuals. LGBTQ women and allies in Southern Nevada and select non-profit organizations benefit from our volunteerism, cross-promotion and fundraising efforts.
Meet the Team
Cindi HallWomen’s Fest Founder, Cyntha (Cindi) Hall is a cornerstone of the Las Vegas lesbian community. Originally hailing from Southern California, Cindi has a long history of activism and community involvement. Early- on she enlisted in the US Army (to meet other lesbians!) later joining her first college women’s group at San Jose State University and volunteering at the Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center. And, as the sound tech for the all-lesbian rock band, Bandana Rose and later, Heartthrob, Cindi was fortunate enough to participate in many Gay Pride celebrations and rallies throughout California during the early 80’s. Moving back to Las Vegas in the mid 80’s (to be closer to her family), she continued to pursue a degree in Commercial Photography and Graphic Design at CSN. Cindi quickly reconnected with her community and before long found herself facilitating the Lesbian Rap Group at The Center and has done so on and off for 15 years.
In 2002, Cindi started The L Group Online Newsletter which ran for ten years reaching an audience of nearly 4,000 women in Nevada, So. Cal, Utah and Arizona. She served on the board of Betty’s Outrageous Adventures eventually assuming the role of president. During her eight year tenure, the organization grew from 350 members to well over 3,000. Dedicated to spreading the word about lesbian events, Cindi wrote a monthly column, She Beat, in Night Beat Magazine for over 5 years. In 2013, Cindi re-focused her energy on The Center, organizing a Women’s Community Roundtable, focusing on lesbian needs in the Las Vegas community, a seminar on abuse within the lesbian community and facilitated several dances. Cindi has been honored by Q Vegas Magazine twice as one of their “33 People with Pride”, by Southern Nevada Association of Pride as a “Pride Superstar”, given “Sainthood” by The Sin Sity Sisters and awarded “Woman of The Year” at The Center’s yearly Honorarium ceremony. |
Joslyn HatfieldJoslyn Hatfield manages the marketing strategy for Vegas Women’s Fest. With more than fifteen years of brand marketing and communications experience, Joslyn works with our talented creative team to develop and execute our marketing plan. Prior to relocating to Las Vegas in 2017, Joslyn spent two years helping build and manage SheFest, the signature Women’s event for San Diego Pride. She wasted no time in immersing herself in the Las Vegas LGBTQIA+ community and is an active supporter of The Center and Human Rights Campaign. She is a columnist and contributing writer for Las Vegas Spectrum Magazine and contributor to Las Vegas Pride Magazine.
As a long-time volunteer for both San Diego and Palm Springs Pride, Joslyn is dedicated to service through advocacy and volunteerism while remaining grounded in her belief that meaningful connection is the key to a thriving and vibrant community. When she isn’t working on the Fest, you can find her on the softball field where she competes in the Women’s C Division of the Las Vegas Gay Softball League. She enjoys roaming the hills with her pack of pups and napping with her lazy cats. Her hobbies include renovating her 1970s townhome, taking the karaoke world by surprise with her remarkable rendition of Shoop by Salt N Pepa and supporting other women in their pursuits to smash the patriarchy. Joslyn holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations from the Walter Cronkite School of Telecommunications and Journalism at Arizona State University. |
AJ Holly HuthAJ Holly Huth is originally from Tampa, Florida. She graduated August 2000 from The University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts. AJ has lived in Las Vegas for several years with her wife, daughter, and their two dogs. During her time in Las Vegas, she has immersed herself in activism and advocacy for the LGBTQIA2 communities. In 2009, she began working as an in-home mental health provider. AJ decided to go back to school and in August 2014 received a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The University of Phoenix. During her time in school, AJ worked for Elements of Motivation, Gender Justice Nevada, while completing internships at Community Counseling Center of Southern Nevada’s satellite location at Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services and Mobile Mental Health. AJ is currently the Youth Services Manager and PREP Coordinator at The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada. She facilitates QVolution and special projects like Youth Thanksgiving and Youth Prom as well as co-facilitating Pivot. In addition to those duties, she also teaches Comprehensive Sex Education at The Center and at other partnering facilities.
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Tatiana LewisNo stranger to the LGBTQIA+ community in Las Vegas, Tatiana Lewis has been hosting lesbian events in the Vegas valley since 2012. What started as a humble Monday Night Social has grown to two large-scale women's parties at the Phoenix Bar and Lounge on the last Saturday of every month.
When she isn't working on the Fest, Tatiana serves on the steering committee for Human Rights Campaign- Las Vegas and is the secretary for the Stonewall Democratic Club of Southern Nevada. When Tatiana isn’t volunteering, she works for the American Wheelchair Mission, a global nonprofit that delivers free wheelchairs around the world. Tatiana is married to her beautiful wife Rhiannon, and they have two dogs. Her hobbies include cooking, baking, watching movies, betting against her wife’s football teams, and always looking for the best gluten free and vegan food Las Vegas has to offer! |
Cindy PataneBorn and raised in San Francisco, CA, Cindy relocated to Las Vegas. Newly out at 55 years young and looking to meet new friends, she ventured to The Center in search of community. It was there that she met Vegas Women’s Fest Founder and Chair, Cindi Hall. She soon joined L Group (the weekly women’s group meeting Friday at The Center). Before long Cindy began to facilitate the Friday night meetings and did so for three years. She served on the Board of Directors as the Secretary for the women’s social group The Betty’s for four years and continues to give back by serving as the Workshop Chair for Vegas Women’s Fest.
Chrissy LeeChrissy Lee has been in Las Vegas for over 20 years and wouldn’t have it any other way. The dedicated mother of twins holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Psychology, is passionate about youth, the elderly and world peace (yes, really!). Ever active in the LGBTQ community, Chrissy strives to be a positive influence to those around her, often lending an ear or sharing advice with other community members. She believes life gets better one step and one day at time. This law enforcement veteran loves Forensic Files and almost anything on the ID Channel. You can catch Chrissy at the Gay and Lesbian Center of Southern Nevada ever 2nd and 4th Monday of the month facilitating the Black LGBTQ Group. She’s there rain or shine (no matter how many attendees show-up). If you are reading this and are interested, you should check it out!
Christina BrownAn (almost) native of Las Vegas, Christina Brown has lived in the valley for almost 32 years and manages volunteer operations for Vegas Women’s Fest. A long-time supporter of The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada (her first trip was in 1995), Christina truly enjoys her time working with local volunteers on the Fest. The Center has been a place of solace for her since she started coming after the end of a long term relationship and she is active member of the L Group (facilitated by Women’s Fest Founder Cindi Hall). Christina holds a Master’s of Science in Psychology and is pursuing a second Master’s degree in Criminal Justice. In her spare time she loves to read and grow her circle of friends.
Vanessa GottiVanessa was born & raised in Los Angeles, California where she spent her teenage years giving back at the Chino Hills Parks & Recreations Program. She later attended International Polytechnic High (a highly regarded arts school) in Pomona, CA. Her summers were spent volunteering at the Cal Poly Pomona campus in Ornamental Horticulture department. When she began transitioning in her teens, resources for Trans Women were extremely scarce in the Los Angeles area (and nationwide). So, Vanessa relocated to San Francisco in search of knowledge and resources. During this time of self-discovery, she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. After a brief hiatus from community involvement to focus on her health, she quickly immersed herself in the Las Vegas LGBTQ community after relocating from California. She met Holly Reese while seeking resources for the Trans community who ultimately inspired her to become a volunteer for the Switch Program (Transgender Clothing Exchange). She soon became the program manager and after five years of volunteering her time, she was hired as a full time employee at The Center. She is now a state certified Advocate, Mandated Reported & C.A.N. Specialist and continues to manage the Switch Program on a volunteer basis. When she isn’t volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her adorable kitties.
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Holly ReeseWith a long history of community involvement, Holly has volunteered for countless fundraising events. She’s lead volunteer teams for Habitat For Humanity, Ronald McDonald House Charities and Special Olympics. In 2007, Holly moved to Las Vegas from Florida and quickly became involved with Betty’s Outrageous Adventures, a lesbian social group with more than 3,000 members. After serving on their board for three years, Holly joined Gender Justice Nevada in 2012 as a Queer Anti-Violence Advocacy Services Coordinator where she recruited, trained and managed Victim Advocate Volunteers. She became an advocate for transgender rights after attending both UNLV’s Take Back the Night and Transgender Day of Remembrance and continues to fight for equal rights for all. Holly is of Choctaw descent and has taught workshops on Native American art and culture for more than 20 years. In her spare time, she enjoys creating Native American art, camping, Medicine Card readings and storytelling. Holly holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Florida.
Samela DingusCreatively engaged most of her life, M. Samela Dingus has been an actor, dancer, choreographer, producer and director. She has also been an executive, tutor, teacher, and transition coach. At 51, she earned her Master of Fine Arts Degree in Arts Administration. At 58, she was certified as a Profiting from your Passions Coach and at 61, became a graduate of Visionary Business School. Currently, she is a speaker, writer, and transition coach whose goal is to inspire, educate and motivate multicultural women 55 years of age and older, to make a difference in their home, in their community or in the world. In 2014, she joined the surging Boomer Generation and created an organization called ‘Your Next Option’ for individuals 55 years and older seeking alternatives to retirement. She worked in the Marketing and Communications department at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. She produced the New Shoes, Old Souls (NSOS) Dance Company in San Francisco for a decade and she produced and performed in the ReDun Dancers Project in Las Vegas. Past projects include production assistant for the UNLV Dance Department, stage managing annual Black History Celebrations and various other productions and performances in California, New York, and Nevada.
Diana BradleyA native of Jacksonville, FL this Las Vegas transplant has been in the valley for almost 19 years. Diana returns for her second year on the Vegas Women’s Fest planning team, she is a member of the Center’s L Group, The Betty’s, Lez in Motion, HRC and the Stonewall Democratic Club. She holds multiple degrees in accounting and when she isn’t working on the Fest she is the Warehouse Manager at InProduction specializing in Entertainment Production for large and small scale events. Diana enjoys hand-build and wheel thrown pottery, reading, painting, politics, history and crocheting. She is a rescue mom for a cat and dog and she volunteers because she believes that humans have a responsibility to each other (something her father instilled in her from a young age). Volunteering for Diana is as natural as breathing. Diana I loves that Vegas Women’s Fest supports and promotes all women regardless of gender assignment or sexual preferences. She is passionate about helping women find equality and acceptance in this world and thinks that is perfectly aligned with the mission and vision of Vegas Women’s Fest.
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Strategic Pillars
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ADVOCACY
SOCIAL CONNECTIVITY
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SERVICE
WELLNESS
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