Support Empowered Women International for Marga's 37th Birthday!

Dear Friends and Family,

For my birthday on June 24th, I am asking all friends and family for a special gift; help me raise a personal goal of $740 (37 my age x 20 friends) for Empowered Women International (EWI).

When I was 10 years old my birthday wish was to become a hero. I loved organizing kids in my neighborhood and pretending to solve problems by racing, sword fighting and acting. My favorite movie character was Zorro, the swashbuckling hero of the silver screen, and my only hope was that one day, I too could fight for justice and opportunity, just like Zorro.

I’ve been very fortunate not to forget my childhood wish and find ways throughout my life to make my voice count, and give voice to those seeking to speak up.

Today, I am following my passion for justice, global cultural understanding, and economic opportunity by empowering thousands of immigrant, refugee and low-income women artists, artisans and creative entrepreneurs to become global leaders, educators and cultural ambassadors.

There are five reasons why I think Empowered Women International is unique:

1. Empowers women to become stronger citizens, leaders and entrepreneurs

2. Sees opportunities where others see challenges

3. Practices the philosophy “each one, teach one,” which means every woman in EWI’s program gives back service hours to mentor or teach a woman or serve in a community program

4. Uses the arts to solve problems, create jobs and businesses, strengthen communities, and build multicultural understanding and dialogue between people

5. Acts as a talent incubator for women entrepreneurs and leaders seeking EWI’s services or willing to give back by volunteering with EWI.

What have we accomplished since 2002?

• 2,500 immigrant, refugee and low-income women benefited from EWI’s business mentoring, coaching and entrepreneur building program
• 22,000 community members participated in EWI’s multicultural arts programs
• 90 women launched businesses after graduating from EWI’s Entrepreneur Training for Success and received mentoring, marketing and support services to open markets for their art, services and handmade goods
• 75 women earned money by selling handmade goods through EWI’s marketplace and partner organizations
• 60 multicultural visual and performing arts programs and 120 artist marketplace events have been presented across the Greater Washington DC Metro Area
• 80% of the women who attended our programs increased their income, changed jobs for better positions and/or enrolled in college and other educational programs
• 70% taught art in schools, volunteered in educational and community organizations, or partnered with EWI to mentor and teach women and youth.

What does your donation do?

• $35 - Provides support and self-sufficiency services to an immigrant, refugee or low-income woman in your community
• $50 - Pays partial business start-up scholarship to a low-income, immigrant, or refugee woman in your community
• $100 - Provides 3 hours of one-on-one marketing, product development and business coaching for a start-up entrepreneur
• $250 – Gives a full package of career and business assessment and 3 months of entrepreneurship training, marketing coaching and mentoring to a start-up entrepreneur
• $650 – Pays the monthly bill to keep our doors open to serve talented women in need
• $1,000 – Provides a full-year of business mentoring, coaching, and income-generating services for an immigrant, refugee or low-income woman.

As you can see, supporting Empowered Women International means so much more than changing women’s lives and futures. It means strengthening our community, creating jobs and supporting our local economy, and building local and global cultural understanding.

To make a tax-deductible donation, donate through Razoo or send a check to EWI at 1801 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22302, for Marga’s Birthday.

Thank you for your generosity and for considering celebrating my birthday by supporting this amazing organization.

Warmest Wishes,

Marga C. Fripp

PS. Learn more about EWI, our recent programs and success stories by visiting these links.

http://ewint.org/news-events/blog/

http://ewint.org/membership/success-stories/