The Power of One Woman

Even though it's totally out of character for me, I strongly believe that I can make a HUGE difference in the lives of women who are less fortunate than I. I have sponsored women through an organization called Women for Women International for 6 or 7 years now and, while it's one of the best and most rewarding things I've ever done, it has not ever felt near enough. Because I believe in that organization and their work so wholeheartedly I decided that I'd like to spread the word about them and raise funds for them. In the process, I want to show other women just how much power they really have and what they can do when they put their minds to something. So I started a nonprofit called The Power of One Woman. Each month I plan and carry out one fundraising/awareness "event". This month I wrote a letter to all of my friends and co-workers and sent them Women for Women brochures. I described the plight of the women the organization helps and asked those I wrote to to donate at least $10 when they paid their bills, and then, to give the brochures to women they knew and ask those women to do the same - and to try to keep it going. I even offered to match those who want to sponsor, but don't have enough money to with others to make sponsorship an option. I have already begun to see that my very small efforts are making a difference.

Next month I'm going to a craft fair and will take orders for the items sold in the Women for Women Bazaar and hand out Women for Women brochures. Then after that, who knows. I'll think of something. Each month I'll post my ideas on my website and hopefully inspire others to do the easy things I've done to make a difference.

I’m absolutely convinced that we, as women, need to begin to take action to change the world. We must help the women in war-torn countries so that they can begin to help themselves and raise daughters who can in turn help themselves. Each stronger woman is in a better position to give another woman the hand up that she needs. And each female who realizes that she is a valuable, capable human being will necessarily cause a shift in the consciousness of the society in which she lives. I believe we CAN change the world—one woman at a time.