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WGC eNewsletter - February 2021

2/27/2021

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February 2021

WGC Members, Partners, and Friends,


So far this year we continue to engage members of our community to pool our dollars so that we can make grants to support women and girls and have a greater impact together than we might otherwise have alone. This is the value of collective giving, and we appreciate those of you who have supported the WGC the last 19 years, and welcome our many new members!

READ THE FULL eNEWSLETTER HERE


I hope you are planning to join us at our upcoming 2021 Virtual Annual Celebration - "Celebrating (S)heroes Among Us" on Monday, March 8, 2021 - International Women's Day. Our Host, Candace Dodson-Reed will discuss “Democratizing and Diversifying Philanthropy Through the Power of Collective Giving” with our Keynote Speakers, national philanthropic leaders Valaida Fullwood and Sara Lomelin, on how the landscape of philanthropy is shifting, and how collective giving is continuing to play a transformational role in bringing in many more — and more representative —  women donors to the table to create more equitable communities, and make a difference through the power of giving, together. 

Tickets are available for purchase and we have numerous sponsorships available, starting at $100. Many thanks to the 104 sponsors who have already chosen to invest in our 2021 Annual Celebration! ​It takes a special individual or business to understand the value of investing in women and girls - thank you. And, we have partnered with some of Howard County’s best to provide guests with numerous food and drink options for purchase, pick-up and to consume during our March 8, 2021 Virtual Annual Celebration. We appreciate the opportunity to support local female business owners, and/or highlight female vintners, and hope you like the diversity of options from around the county for non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, appetizers, desserts, and/or entrees from our partners at Sobar, Cured | 18th & 21st, Ranazul, and the Wine Bin!

This year, we are proud to feature five (S)heroes Among Us who have led critical efforts on behalf of organizations that we have funded this year through our Emergency Response Network, who are focusing on widespread community needs affecting women, their families, and the broader community:

Jen Broderick - Bridges to Housing Stability
Erika Strauss Chavarria - Columbia Community Care
Bita Dayhoff - Community Action Council
Dr. Mariana Izraelson - Grassroots Crisis Intervention
Vanita Leatherwood - HopeWorks of Howard County

And, we are highlighting “(S)heroes Among Us” before, during, and after our Annual Celebration - all of YOU. All women are (S)heroes in their own ways - women admired for their courage and outstanding achievements. This year we will be honored to acknowledge the many ways women are supporting our community through our beautiful Virtual (S)hero Mosaic. Over 450 women in our community have been highlighted by friends and family so far, and we have room for everyone! Please take a moment to highlight YOUR Howard County (S)heroes today.

I look forward to "seeing" you at our March 8, 2021 Virtual Annual Celebration - join us!

Barb Van Winkle
WGC Advisory Board Chair

www.womensgivingcircle.org

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Bita Dayhoff, Executive Director of the Community Action Council, Recognized as a WGC Featured (S)hero

2/19/2021

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By Adora Brown, WGC Student Intern

The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is highlighting Howard County “(S)heroes Among Us” this year as part of our March 8, 2021 Virtual Annual Celebration. We believe that all women are (S)heroes in their own ways - women admired for their courage and outstanding achievements. 

This year, we are proud to feature five (S)heroes Among Us who have led critical efforts on behalf of organizations that we have funded this year through our Emergency Response Network, who are focusing on widespread community needs affecting women, their families, and the broader community:

  • Jen Broderick - Bridges to Housing Stability
  • Erika Strauss Chavarria - Columbia Community Care
  • Bita Dayhoff - Community Action Council
  • Dr. Mariana Izraelson - Grassroots Crisis Intervention
  • Vanita Leatherwood - HopeWorks of Howard County

One of our featured (S)heroes is Bita Dayhoff, the President of Community Action Council (CAC). Bita has a passion for giving back, and this passion permeates through her work with CAC.

“I cannot tolerate being witness to human suffering without taking action. What drives me to take action is my deep belief in justice and equality, and my sheer inability to bear watching people be in pain. When I see people hurting, I will do all that I can to address it,” said Bita.

The Community Action Council works to end poverty and promote self-efficiency for low-income citizens in Howard County. Their work during the pandemic has supported many families in need. Bita states that the adjustments CAC made due to COVID-19 were unprecedented and uniquely challenging.  

“It came down to creating synergy between people, process and technology. We quickly learned that by using technology and by creating extensive community collaborations, we can go to the people and expedite service delivery tremendously,” said Bita. “It’s a transformation that had to happen quickly because of the pandemic crisis, however the benefits of it will be sustaining as it relates to our long-term business model.”

Bita’s ultimate long-term goal, however, is for CAC to work its way out of existence. This would mean that all people in Howard County would be self-sufficient. Until then, they hope to expand their network to help those who are not struggling on the surface but have trouble making ends meet, such as young adults and college students.

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Like many organizations of its kind, CAC relies on community volunteers and generous citizens in Howard County. 
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The current demand for food and other forms of assistance has outgrown CAC’s capacity. When asked how members of the community can give back, Bita left us with some words of wisdom.

​She said, “My best advice is to think about your life, examine your heart and decide what drives you and how you want to use that energy to bring light and hope to other lives. It is important that one’s values, passion and heart are in sync, for these will sustain you in whatever endeavor you wish to contribute.”


Please join us in thanking Bita Dayhoff and all WGC’s (S)heroes for their efforts. And, we hope you will join us in highlighting every day (S)heroes Among Us, by uploading a photo of YOUR Howard County (S)heroes on our WGC (S)heroes Among Us Virtual Mosaic Wall. 
 
With your help, we are highlighting women across the county before, during and after our upcoming  Virtual Annual Celebration - "Celebrating (S)heroes Among Us" on Monday, March 8, 2021 - International Women's Day, with host, WGC Advisory Board Member Candace Dodson-Reed , and  Keynote Speakers:
​
  • Valaida Fullwood: Author, “Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists", Creator, The Soul of Philanthropy, and Co-Architect, Black Philanthropy Month
​
  • Sara Lomelin: Executive Director, Philanthropy Together, and Founder of the Latino Giving Circle Network™, the Largest Network of its Kind in the County.
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WGC Emergency Response Network Request to Support Columbia Community Care - $2,500

2/17/2021

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The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County (WGC) is working to raise $2,500 through our Emergency Response Network (ERN) to support our nonprofit partner Columbia Community Care (CCC) with their ongoing efforts to provide food and other necessities to members of our community.

To honor Columbia Community Care volunteers as well as the founders of the Women's Giving Circle, an anonymous donor has given $2,500 to match dollar for dollar in order to support this WGC Emergency Response Network request, so we can collectively raise at least $5,000 to support CCC.

Columbia Community Care began in March 2020 in response to the growing and dire needs of community members who continue to struggle in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

“The possibility and opportunity for real social change can only be realized with the power that comes from authentic partnerships and collaboration among organizations like WGC and CCC" said Erika Strauss Chavarria, founder of Columbia Community Care. "This power for change is even stronger with women leading the charge and leveraging our collective dollars for greater impact.”


We are proud that in the last eleven months ​we have provided over $16,000 worth of ​funding and supplies to support our friends and neighbors through CCC.

On behalf of our partners at Community Community Care we are asking for $​2,500 to support their ongoing efforts.
Can you help?

All donations will continue to go directly to this effort.​ ​
Any amount is valued and appreciated, thank you!

​Barb Van Winkle, Chair
Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Executive Director
www.womensgivingcircle.org
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We Stand on Their Shoulders

2/12/2021

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"Our Giving, Our Stories" in Celebration of Black History Month
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February 2021

By Malynda Madzel, Chair, WGC’s “Our Giving, Our Stories” Committee

In 2021, as we celebrate Black History Month, we continue to honor the leaders who unselfishly gave of themselves to fight to ensure equitable access to basic necessities like food, housing, health care, education and civil rights.   In the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County our programming pays tribute to that legacy.

Leveraging the WGC's "Our Giving, Our Stories" daily profile series of 31 Howard County philanthropists, published in August 2020, we continue the celebration of the contributions and sacrifices of our citizenry.  We were honored to highlight these inspirational stories of women who discussed what moves them to give their time, talent and financial resources to enrich the community. 

In presenting these stories, we were moved to look back at Howard County’s history and found many African American women philanthropists who worked tirelessly to “give back” to their community.  These women were instrumental in establishing a culture of giving, despite some having limited resources.   

Bessie Bordenave, President of the Harriet Tubman Foundation, gave us names of the many women who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Howard Countians during the time of segregation and Jim Crow. She said, “These women are my ‘Sheroes.’  They gave so much of themselves in order that we would have opportunities that many of them did not have.  
When I think of each of them, I reflect on the many sacrifices they made for others—their time, guidance, support, love and much more for our community.  I can only say ‘Thank you, Thanks a Million!’  Your legacy will continue to live through us as we continue to tell your stories to this generation and the generations to come.  You are indeed, the ‘Wind Beneath Our Wings.’ Peace and Love.” 
 
Some of the names are recognizable, and some are not, however, these are just a few of the women who left us with a legacy of giving that uplifts our entire community:

Mrs. Ruth James was
  • the first Black woman appointed to the Howard County School Board and the first woman appointed to the Trustee Board of Howard County Community College.
 
Mrs. Mildred Woodson was
  • the first Black woman involved with the Girl Scouts in Howard County, helping young women to reinforce the values of excellence and service.
 
Dr. Wylene Burch was
  • the Co-Founder and Director of Howard County African American Cultural Center. The Center still exists at Oakland Manor.
 
Rev. Mrs. Aileen Moore was
  • the first Black woman minister in Howard County.  She served as pastor for the Asbury United Methodist Church for more than 30 years.  
 
Mrs. Eva Anderson was
  • the Founder of the Baltimore Dance Theatre and an arts pioneer who taught choreography as well as establishing a world-renowned dance company.  She was the granddaughter of a slave.
 
Mrs. Maggie Brown was
  • a Columbia “Pioneer” and Community Activist.  She led the Columbia Birthday Celebration for many years, was active in Howard County government and became President of the Columbia Association. She was a founder of the Women’s Giving Circle.  
 
Mrs. Leola Dorsey-African American, Political Activist was
  • a long-time leader in Howard County politics. With her husband, she led the Howard County Republican Party for many years.  A new community center in Jessup is named for her. 
 
“I personally knew and respected all of these ladies" said Joan Hash, Native Howard Countian, Philanthropist and WGC Black Philanthropy Month Honoree about these historic women. "In their own way, they were all soldiers in the fight to uplift the Black community by leading the way in the areas noted ... they had vision and determination in their quest to make a difference for future generations and we have all benefited by their efforts. As we reflect on Black (S)heroes during this Black History Month, I cannot thank the Women’s Giving Circle enough for recognizing them because by raising up their names, you raise up all of us who remember and try to live up to the examples they set ... they stand as 'Giants' in the history of Black women in Howard County and their contributions should never be forgotten."

"The Women’s Giving Circle is humbled by the contributions these courageous women have made to our community. We truly “stand on their shoulders” having learned from them the values of leadership and cooperative giving to better the lives of women and girls” said Barb Van Winkle, WGC Advisory Board Chair.

The WGC is proud to recognize the women who came before us and we look to their example to improve our own philanthropic endeavors—focusing our collaborative giving on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
 
“We are inspired by these amazing women who led to way by doing the important work of elevating the Black community during very difficult times" said Hina Naseem and Judy Smith, Co-Chairs of WGC's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. "They are truly our role models as we commit ourselves to advancing the diverse voices in our community.”

As we acknowledge and celebrate Black History Month, we invite you to highlight YOUR (S)heroes on the WGC's Virtual (S)hero Mosaic Wall that is part of our upcoming Virtual Annual Celebration on March 8, 2021, where we are celebrating (S)heroes Among Us, and discussing "Democratizing and Diversifying Philanthropy Through the Power of Collective Giving" - please join us!

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WGC Emergency Response Network Request - $1,000

2/4/2021

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Our partners at the Howard Community College Educational Foundation are requesting $1,000 to help a student cover an outstanding childcare invoice.

The childcare facility is working with her, but her two children won’t be allowed back if she does not make some payment to them, which will affect her ability to stay in school and keep her job.

The student is in need because of an unknown rental judgement from several years ago that has followed her. She recently became employed as a nursing assistant at Johns Hopkins Hospital in September 2020. This unknown judgment against her showed up in the form of a 25% garnishment on her wages in her first month on the job. She started working with an attorney (part of the JHH legal benefit for employees), but her day in court to protest this garnishment has not yet arrived. She now has two little girls to support, and her trying to do so on a 75% salary has resulted in ongoing financial struggles.

Her reduced income is $625-$800 per pay period with about $200 per month for a side job she also has. This ERN request will not get her to a break-even point, but she will be able to pay one of her largest outstanding bills and keep her children in daycare so she can continue to work and go to school.

On behalf of our partners at the Howard Community College Educational Foundation we are asking for $1,000 to help this woman.  Can you help? Thank you!
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  • Home
  • About
    • WGC Mission, Vision, Values, Goals
    • WGC Advisory Board
    • WGC Committees
    • WGC 2023-2026 Strategic Plan
    • WGC Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • WGC is a Fund of the Community Foundation of Howard County
    • WGC - 20 Years at a Glance
    • WGC Herstory
    • WGC - Get Involved
  • Give
    • WGC's 4 Distinct Ways to Give >
      • WGC Community Member >
        • WGC In Her Honor >
          • In Honor and Memory of WGC Supporter Jackie Melonas
        • WGC Core Support
        • WGC Impact 2024
      • WGC Sponsor Member >
        • Thank You 2025 Sponsors!
        • Thank You 2024 Sponsors!
        • Thank You 2023 Sponsors!
        • Thank You 2022 Sponsors!
      • WGC Legacy Member
      • WGC Big Give Member >
        • WGC Big Give $1,200 Individual Donation
        • WGC Big Give $1,200 Team Donation
        • WGC Big Give Process and Grantmaking Guidelines
    • WGC's Emergency Response Network
    • WGC's "Break the Cycle" Period Product Drive
    • WGC's Barb Van Winkle Leadership Fund
  • Grants
  • Events
  • News
    • WGC's State of Women and Girls in Howard County
    • WGC's Our Giving, Our Stories Series >
      • Monthly OGOS Profiles
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      • OGOS Nominations
    • WGC's 20 Years, 20 Stories
    • WGC's (S)hero Mosaic
  • Blog
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