February 2020 Newsletter
SOS Women Ignite Change at Catalist PowerUp!
The power of 350 women philanthropists gathered together to ignite change in 78 communities across the United States, Australia, and the UK and returning that message back to 17,500 other participants in their communities equals Catalist PowerUp! Seattle 2020, February 23-25 in Seattle, Wash.Nine members of SOS STL attended the Seattle Conference. Two of our members put SOS on a national stage. Gwen Wesley , a new member of the Catalist board, leads a Catalist team in strategic planning. Vicki Sheehan continues her work with Catalist as board secretary.
Spirit of St. Louis Women’s Fund had two speakers at the conference. Gwen Wesley addressed issues around “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Honest Dialogue and Guided Discussion.”
JoAnn Sanditz brought her experience and wisdom as a panelist for “The Varied Facets of Catalist Grant-Making.” We are very proud of their important contributions.
All who participated feel powered up to further the impact of grant-making by elevating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in our communities. Together we explored how inclusive organizations foster cultures that minimize bias and make decisions better able to address systemic inequities. With this in mind, we are inspired as we create a new SOS Strategic Plan to carry us forward.
Melinda Gates’ Book Inspires at SOS Discussion
We had a great turnout for the SOS book discussion on The Moment of Lift — How Empowering Women Changes
the World by Melinda Gates, including many new members and several guests.
While the Gates Foundation is on a much more massive scale, members found parallels to the work we are doing in SOS.
As Melinda Gates summed it up: “The goal is not for everyone to be equal. The goal is for everyone to be connected. The goal is for everyone to belong. The goals is for everyone to be loved. Love is what lifts us up.”
We hope you’ll join us for the next book discussion on The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton and Lara Love Hardin. As with all SOS events, we welcome members and guests alike. We are all connected.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Date: March 16, 2020
Time: 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Where: St. Louis University, DuBourg Hall, Fourth Floor
Info: This event will explore the hidden system of mass incarceration, and Its effect on children and families. The reform efforts in play will also be discussed, and one of the speakers is a formerly incarcerated individual. This event is presented by The Clark-Fox Family Foundation.
Cost: $15
April Book Discussion
Date: April 1, 2020Time: 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Where: Home of Leslie Corey, 639 Pine Drive, Chesterfield, Mo. 63017
Info: Join us to discuss the book The Sun Does Shine – How I Found Life, Freedom and Justice by Anthony Ray Hinton, a poor, black man who was convicted of two murders he hadn’t committed. For the next three decades he was trapped in solitary confinement in a tiny cell on death row. Appetizers and wine to be served.
Registration and invitation to come.
SOS Ballot Fair – SOS Members Only
Date: April 15, 2020
Time: 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Where: St. Louis Community Foundation, 2 Oak Knoll Park, Clayton, Mo. 63105
Info: SOS members are invited to attend the Ballot Fair to learn about the nonprofits recommended for the final ballot.
Registration and invitation to come.
SOS SPIRIT AWARDS
Date: May 20, 2020
Check out all SOS events on our website here:
GRANT NEWS & UPDATES
Since 2007, SOS members have invested $2.5 million in the St. Louis community by supporting 85 nonprofits. In 2020, we will continue this legacy.
In February and March, SOS site teams are busy reviewing project plans, studying financials and conducting site visits to 40 local nonprofits.
SOS members are invited to attend the Ballot Fair to learn about the nonprofit organizations recommended for the final ballot.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS TO SOS!
Welcome new members to the Spirit of St. Louis Women’s Fund!
A big SOS welcome to you all!
New Members
Jeanne Cody
NOTEWORTHY & NEWS
Gretchen Curry recently accepted the Rise Collaborative Women of Influence – Small Business Owner award as the Founder/ CEO of StaffLink.She is one of five women being honored for their leadership in their sector as well as in our community.
She was joined by her daughter, sister and other family and friends.
SOS AROUND TOWN
SOS Women’s Fund had a booth at the St Louis Business Journal’s Women’s conferenceWe had 47 women visit our booth who were not yet familiar with our organization.
It was a great opportunity to meet like-minded women and educate them about our mission.
SOCIAL MEDIA CORNER
Please submit your selfies from SOS events to us via email to g4sterg@gmail.com.
Type SOS SELFIES in the subject line and include the names of those in the photo in the body of the email.
We will post them on social media and choose one for each newsletter.
If you have other questions about SOS Social Media, please contact Communications/Marketing Co-Chairs, Anne Volland at anne.volland@nursesfornewborns.org or Gretta Forester-Gaffney at g4sterg@gmail.com
