Dragon Divas founder reflects on our first 20 years as we celebrate milestone anniversary
Dragon Divas at 2007 Lake Phalen festival
Dear Dragon Divas,
This is an incredible milestone season! I have been asked to share my thoughts on being a Dragon Diva over the past 20 years.
The Dragon Divas is a unique organization. We are a breast cancer survivor support group that paddles dragon boats! This identity, a blend of caring and competition, has been the foundation of our purpose since our start, and continues to be central to our presence in the community today.
In 2005, we began with a calling, and quickly transformed that calling into a dream for the Twin Cities breast cancer community. We had no formal organization and only a few members. We lacked a name, but we had a powerful mission. We were dedicated to relaying a beacon of hope from a breast cancer research study in Vancouver in 1996, and spreading its light across our breast cancer community at home. Our message conveyed the possibility of thriving after a diagnosis of breast cancer and living longer without recurrence through exercise.
In 2006, this message ignited action. We embraced the name Dragon Divas. We crafted our mission statement in which we clearly defined who we are, who we aspire to be for our community, and most importantly, who we want to be for each other. Our mission statement has remained a steadfast guide, helping us navigate challenges and make decisions, and serves as our foundation moving forward.
As we grew, the Dragon Divas established events that supported our mission and reflected our values:
We begin each paddling season with blessings. Blessings bring a sense that we are protected in whatever comes towards us. We gather at the water to bless our boats and the water that supports us. We bless our health, each other, and the time and space we share.
As we bless our season, we recognize our members who have died from breast cancer. While placing flowers on the water, we remember them and all those still battling this disease.
We welcome new members with intention, pairing each with a mentor to guide them on their journey of belonging, friendship, and teamwork, while empowering them in their battle with breast cancer. We listen, share our stories, and connect person to person, one member to another.
At each practice, we pause on the water in gratitude to share our fears, hopes, and joys. We celebrate the good things in our lives and support each other through whatever challenges we face.
We honor our friends and family and those who support us with a dedicated day of celebration.
These events have evolved into cherished traditions that we continue to embrace 20 seasons later.
Mary, Nancy and Carolyn at an early organizing meeting
We began as a grassroots organization, ordinary people uniting to effect extraordinary change. We leaned on the goodwill of many generous individuals who guided us, helped us, and provided us with the resources to get on the water and fill our boats with members. We are forever grateful for their kindness and the groundwork they laid for the success of our organization. Their unwavering support would not let our young team fail. To the Donners, Ron Soppeland, Robin and Bob Nicholson, and all the significant people in our lives who were present so we could thrive, thank you! We forever praise you loudly.
Now, our organization flourishes because of the collective efforts of all of our Dragon Divas, whether on our crews or behind the scenes. We come together with vision, will, talent, and creativity. Your time, energy, and commitment have fostered our healthy and resilient growth.
We are breast cancer survivors; we paddle and race dragon boats! We are kindred spirits who recognize that following a diagnosis of breast cancer, our bodies and spirits need the challenge and camaraderie that dragon boating provides. We are each unique, yet our life stories and experiences connect us by the shared ribbon of breast cancer. Our journeys intertwine to create a rich tapestry of trust, strength, resilience, camaraderie, compassion, caring, and hope. We are a sisterhood committed to supporting each other in our choice to live healthy lives and to empowering one another on our survivorship paths. We are, in fact, part of a global sisterhood of breast cancer survivors, all paddling dragon boats, celebrating life and the power of unity. We are stronger together!
Here we are after 20 seasons!
At our start, I could never have imagined how profoundly the sport of dragon boating would fill the hearts, bodies, and spirits of so many, bringing so much joy despite the challenges of breast cancer. Our mission has evolved into a powerful commitment to be there for each other no matter the need. This spirit between us on the boat and off the water was unpredictable but is now embedded in the fabric of who we are.
Dragon Divas at 2007 Lake Phalen festival
In 2007, at our first festival at Lake Phalen, the Dragon Divas received 2 plaques, the Spirit Award and “Most Likely to Improve.” We have been recognized for our spirit during many more events and festivals that followed. Our energy, fun, and resilience resonate strongly. We have surpassed the expectation of “Most Likely to Improve.” Now, in season 20, we are well-coached, incredibly strengthened, and confident. Each beat of the drum now brings us to races as formidable contenders and even considered most likely to win! I am proud of the evolution of the Dragon Divas and all that we have accomplished.
Most organizations do not start wishing for an ending. However, the Dragon Divas is that group! We are rooting that a cure for breast cancer is found and that our boats are empty due to the sweetness of old age! Until then, I hope that the Dragon Divas will continue to be present in our community shining light and a beacon of hope on the darkness that a diagnosis of breast cancer can bring.
I hope that we will continue to thrive as the independent grassroots organization we were meant to be, driven by the vision, work, and talents of amazing women.
I hope we will continue to dream. In making our decisions as we grow, it is my hope that all that makes us truly important and meaningful is safeguarded. May we continue to be guided by our mission, honor our traditions, and cherish our sisterhood of unconditional champions for each other. Our trust in each other and commitment to bringing who we are to our team are needed as the compass for our success in the years ahead.
Two crews of Dragon Divas competed at 2024 Lake Phalen festival
Thank you to all of our members, past and present, for taking that leap into the unknown of dragon boating and believing in this dream. Thank you for envisioning a life after breast cancer empowered with the energy and well-being earned by paddling a dragon boat. It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to be a part of the birth and growth of our organization. I am honored to have been alongside each of you from the beginning, and now, as we look to the future.
The Dragon Divas are a true testimony that anything is possible when passion and belief come together for a singular purpose. We stand alone in our community in what we offer breast cancer survivors. We are truly a unique organization!
With wholehearted love for our team, and utmost gratitude for all of you and what we have accomplished together in our 20 seasons, I raise my paddle!
— Mary