So, a friend asked if I’d like to get together with like-minded women for dinner to benefit women and girls. Well, enough said, right? To be clear, when characterizing “like-minded,” it’s referencing people who are interested in improving the lives of women and girls in extreme poverty in developing countries–no other criteria or belief system needed.
The group was started by a woman, Marsha Wallace, in Greenville, South Carolina who read an article about a group of friends who had done a similar dinner to benefit needy families. Wallace used her own birthday in 2003 as the catalyst to start Dining for Women with her co-founder, Barb Collins. Right here in South Carolina! Currently, there are chapters all over the United States (look on their website for a chapter near you). Their founding values:
- All women deserve to be self-sufficient.
- Education transforms the giver and the receiver.
- Connections are the engine that power giving.
- Transparency and integrity will mark our work.
- To reach all, we must believe we can.
Diningforwomen.org
Most months, the Summerville chapter meets at someone’s home, but sometimes, they meet at a local establishment whose owners graciously offer their space. Tonight, they met at Coastal Coffee Roasters on East 3rd North Street in Summerville.
The premise is that the women come together for a self-made meal, donating (as they see fit) the money they would’ve spent to dine at a restaurant to, as their motto states, “Help a Woman, Save a Girl, Change the World.” Members bring a dish, usually celebrating the culinary tastes of the country being highlighted, which is shared by all.
I honestly didn’t know what to expect, and frankly, I was worried about enjoying food from Afghanistan🤫. We got there early for setup, which gave me time to meet some of the group. Everyone kindly welcomed me, introducing me to other people as they arrived. The demographic extended from a high school senior to senior people, me included:) We all mingled, ate dinner (which was delicious, my apologies for my reticence), and listened to an energetic, impassioned address about this month’s focus, the Razia Jan Institute, a school for midwives ( they also celebrated the Summerville chapter’s 10 year anniversary).
The gist of the night is helping others, but you can also meet some pretty cool people at the same time. Summerville’s chapter got a new member.
Quote of the Day:
“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song.”
Maya Angelou
Designs on Life 