Take a Look. Be Inspired.

On The Road Blog

By Monica Grover on October 19th, 2010
Category: Blog, North America

Washington, DC – Last week, I attended the 2010 Annual Leadership Luncheon of the Washington Area Women’s Foundation (WAWF) with a few of my colleagues from GFC. WAWF supports grantee partners that serve impoverished girls and women in Washington, DC, and the purpose of the luncheon was to honor these grantee partners. Maya Ajmera, the founder and president of GFC, served on the board of WAWF from 2001 to 2010, and GFC and WAWF share common grantee partners and a similar approach to grantmaking.

My colleagues and I took notice as a few representatives of WAWF’s grantee organizations discussed the effects of WAWF’s support. One woman in particular stood out. Lorraine Fells, a former heroin addict, endured the loss of her two daughters, faced jail time, and struggled with a 40-year drug addiction. Her story silenced the room.

Fells explained the transformation she experienced when she joined the team of Goodwill of Greater Washington, a WAWF grantee partner. With the help of Goodwill, Fells lifted herself out of poverty and addiction and found support and encouragement at her workplace. Fells succeeded in healing and restoring her life, and now she serves as production manager at Goodwill of Greater Washington.

Stories like Lorraine Fells’s remind us of the potential of our work to seriously impact lives. Recently, WAWF launched a compelling video that shares the organization’s message about the power of strengthening and empowering girls and women. The video is called “Be That Women.” Take a look. Be inspired.