Yesterday was International Women's Day, a day to raise awareness of gender inequality. But, just because the calendar says March 9th today, doesn't mean the feeling of the day should disapate.
I had such fun yesterday shouting out Des Moines' incredible female business owners, movers and shakers and ways in which we can help a fellow woman.
For one thing... when a woman escapes a dangerous home situation, many times, she only has the clothes on her back when she arrives at a domestic violence shelter. An organization called Helen's Pajama Party collects pajamas for women in domestic violence shelters. They will help you organize your own drive. Check out their website for more ways to help.
I love the ladies at Dress for Success in Des Moines! Dress for Success is a national organization that helps women get back into the work force. You can help by donating professional clothing and accessories. Women who have been victims of the poverty cycle who are trying to get back to self sufficiency can come to Dress for Success and learn interviewing skills and get clothing for interviews and their new jobs! Dress for Success will even help with transporation to interviews and new jobs. You can help by checking out their website for volunteer opportunities.
Shout out to my friend, Gina Cramer! In addition to running her successful event planning business, she spearheads, locally, Lasagna Love. It's a great organization that asks others to make lasagna for families who may be going through a challenging time. Lasagna is filling, nutritious and can feed an entire family either. You can sign up to make a lasagna and deliver it to a down on their luck family. You can offer to bake for as much as you can handle in a month, once a week, once a month, whatever works for you! Check out lasagnalove.org for ways to help (or receive a meal).