Hello Friends,

THANK YOU for reading my story!

If you know me quite well, you may know that I get extremely uncomfortable asking people for things. I once went a week without power in the cold of Midwest winter because I didn't want to put anyone out by asking for a place to stay. Asking for money can be even more daunting. However, this program is worth any discomfort I may feel a thousand times over!! This is because Inspire Atlanta and the AWF have changed and continue to change the trajectory of the lives of thousands of women in Georgia. 

As a participant, I am excited to join the fundraising efforts of my cohort to make a difference in the lives of women and girls in our community. As a mama, I want our children to believe in their hearts that making a difference in others' lives is the norm and not the exception. And as a women, I want to inspire other women to not just believe that they can achieve their dreams but also to enable them with the opportunities to do so. I have been lucky to have a family who supported me emotionally,  via monetary resources, and in many other ways. Even with so much support, I have personally struggled with issues like depression and anxiety. I honestly cannot even imagine what it is like for those who don’t have any resources at all, but I know that for thousands of women in Atlanta getting access to mental health and other resources is a luxury not a necessity.

There are hundreds of thousands of women and girls living in Atlanta, and nearly a quarter of them live below the poverty line. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis continue to disproportionately impact women. As the only public foundation in the state of Georgia solely dedicated to women and girls, The Atlanta Womens Foundation is uniquely positioned to address the barriers that women in poverty face - barriers like access to childcare, higher education opportunities, mental health services, and access to COVID-19 resources. I am fundraising on behalf of the AWF to fulfill its mission to be a catalyst for change in the lives of women and girls because women can't wait. Will you join me?