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

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:
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• Valaida Fullwood: Author, “Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists", Creator, The Soul of Philanthropy, and Co-Architect, Black Philanthropy Month

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• Sara Lomelin: Executive Director, Philanthropy Together, and Founder of the Latino Giving Circle Network™, the Largest Network of its Kind in the County.