 The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County is proud to continue our support for Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) which is observed every August. The primary aims of BPM are informing, involving, inspiring and investing in Black philanthropic leadership to strengthen African-American and African-descent giving in all its forms, for the benefit of our planet, our communities, our organizations and our lives.
One way we are doing this is through WGC's "Our Giving, Our Stories!" Profile Series each August. On August 1 and each day in August thereafter, the WGC is sharing daily profiles on our website and social media in celebration of Black Philanthropy Month. The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County is currently seeking nominees to share their stories in celebration of Black Philanthropy Month. Since we started "Our Giving, Our Stories" in 2020, over 60 women have shared the stories of their philanthropic journeys with the WGC, and our community, and we invite you to help us elevate the voices of women who continue to give their time, talent and treasure for the benefit of our community. To nominate a woman who enriches the quality of life in our community through her giving, please see the process below. All information submitted will be reviewed by the “Our Giving, Our Stories (OGOS)” Committee and nominees will be contacted directly for more information and to assure they wish to move forward with the nomination. All information supplied by the nominator and the nominee will be strictly confidential. Nomination process:
We hope you enjoy the inspirational stories of these Howard County philanthropists in celebration of Black Philanthropy Month 2021 and 2020. Double click on each image to read the full profile! “Philanthropy is Deeper than Your Pocket.” - Valaida Fullwood, Architect, Black Philanthropy Month
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On Friday, April 22 we had a terrific conversation on WGC's new State of Women and Girls in Howard County. We heard from WGC 20th Anniversary Co-Chairs Jennifer Bodensiek and Candace Dodson-Reed, principal Researchers Sabina Taj and Shaista Keating, and original WGC founders and funders of The State of Women and Girls in Howard County Barbara Lawson and Jean Moon, who discussed the focus of this new baseline compilation of data, the research methodology, implications for WGC's grantmaking, and our goals for use by the broader community. You can find a link to the full conversation here.  WGC's Year-Long Feminine Hygiene Product Drive Aims to Ease "Period Poverty" in Howard County4/19/2022  By Lucia Denmeade, WGC Student Intern It is estimated that 500 million people who menstruate worldwide experience what is known as “period poverty.” This is a lack of access to menstrual products and education and it is a growing problem globally and in the United States. According to a survey of low-income women in large cities, almost two-thirds of women in the U.S. have had to choose between buying food or menstrual products at some point in their life. Period-products are not covered by government assistance programs like SNAP, and are also taxed heavily, in some states at the highest tax rate. Maryland has made many efforts to reduce period poverty, including the exemption of feminine hygiene products from sales tax requirements. At the Maryland General Assembly, a bill to provide free menstrual products in public schools was passed last spring (see HB0205). There is still a real need in Maryland, despite the efforts that have been made, to ease period poverty in the state. Menstrual health is more than just physical; it includes mental and social well-being. Women who have to find alternatives to safe menstrual products, and young girls who don’t have access to these products while in school do not have the positive environment to support their menstrual health, as defined by the Global Menstrual Collective. The issue of a lack of period products weighs most heavily on school-age girls and working women, who may struggle at school and work during their period. A lack of feminine hygiene products available to women and girls in these situations means that time is taken away from their education and career and put towards running around trying to find adequate products. It creates shame and impacts both their physical and mental health. Through our year-long feminine hygiene product drive, the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County aims to ease the effects of period poverty in Howard County to help women and girls succeed without being set back by their period. Learn more and donate here
WGC Coffee Chat on The State of Women and Girls in Howard County - Friday, April 22 at 8:30 am4/4/2022  Join us for a conversation on the WGC's new State of Women and Girls in Howard County. Learn about the focus of this new baseline compilation of data, the research methodology, implications for WGC's grantmaking, and our goals for use by the broader community.
Hear from WGC 20th Anniversary Co-Chairs Jennifer Bodensiek and Candace Dodson-Reed and Principal Researchers Sabina Taj and Shaista Keating. Joining the conversation also will be original WGC founders and funders of The State of Women and Girls in Howard County Barbara Lawson and Jean Moon. REGISTER HERE |
"Women’s philanthropy shapes the future for women and girls through the power of collective giving." - Jennifer Bodensiek, Chair
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