Welcome!
Welcome to our new blog at SowHope.org! We will be using this space as a way to help keep you informed about our work with impoverished women around the world. I am Mary Dailey Brown the president and CEO of SowHope. In January of 2006, my husband Doug and I, along with the help of […]
Welcome to the SowHope Blog
Welcome to the SowHope Blog. Please visit often for the latest news from SowHope. Source: Sow Hope
SowHope’s 3rd Birthday – SowHope Continues to Care for the Most Needy Women of the World
WESTERN MICHIGAN AND BEYOND – It hardly went noticed in the hustle and bustle of activities that surround the international nonprofit charitable organization SowHope, but the growing organization celebrated its third birthday last Saturday, January 30th.
“It has been amazing to realize our dream of helping women in the Third World ”, shares SowHope’s President and founder, Mary Dailey Brown. “During of first three years, we have had the privilege of impacting over 6000 women through AIDS care and prevention, literacy classes, and microloans.”
Dr. Diana Sharp, Associate Vice President, Harper College , Batavia , IL , says she became involved “because Mary asked her” and is now president of the SowHope Board. Having known Mary for 30-plus years, she said from the beginning SowHope’s mission was very compelling, and she believed in the cause of helping the most oppressed women of the world, facilitated locally by those working side- by-side with these women.
“However, I stayed involved with SowHope”, stated Dr. Sharp, “Because I continue to be impressed with the documented progress of the women in our programs and to be in awe when I hear about the progress continuing to be made and the care and concern that goes into decision making and goal setting for our organization.”
Ainur Nutai, Khazikstan GVSU International MPA student and SowHope Board Member agrees. Graduating this Spring, Ainur will be going back to her county, but will stay involved in SowHope.
“I have seen the needs of women first hand”, says Ainur, “And I want to continue to do my part to support this local thinking and global acting organization”.
The Honorable State Representative Tom Pearce is another SowHope Board member with strong convictions to the SowHope mission. “It has been exciting to see the impact that this new International Organization is already having around the world”, shared Pearce. “The purpose and mission of SowHope is desperately needed in so many places and I pray regularly for its growth and continued success.”
Brown explains that the wellness, educational, and economic programs of SowHope are basic to meeting the most pressing needs of women in the developing world. SowHope seeks to form alliances with like-minded providers to match funds and share responsibility for projects that provide promise for women all over the world.
“Together we can sow the seeds of hope … for when women – who are the primary caregivers – are cared for, everyone benefits.”
Rockford woman’s passion is to help women worldwide by Vicki Cassis, Rockford Squire
Rockford woman founder of female-oriented charity by Kathy Berlin, Rockford Independent
Mary Dailey Brown is the dedicated president and CEO of SowHope, a new international women’s charity dedicated to inspiring women through wellness, education and economic opportunities.
Brown became interested in the plight of women in the Middle East and Third World countries during her trips to those regions. In 1993 Brown founded Love Inc. of Lake County, a national affiliate of World Vision, which collaborateswith local social agencies and churches to help the working poor. In addition, she has led teams to Northern Mexico every summer since 1988 to build homes for needy families.
“The average income of these women is under a dollar a day,” said Brown. “We received our first application for $50,000 last week from Bangladesh. We would like to open two new areas in Bangladesh for micro-loans. And for $50,000, they can give 2400 loans to women over a three-year period.”
Brown emphasized that the loans will be very small, such as $15 to purchase a sewing machine, or money to buy a small roadside stand. Once the initial small loan is repaid, the amount may be increased for any subsequent loans.
She added, “These women have never had money, they have never held money.”
After graduating from Southern Illinois University in 1980, Brown worked as a White House photographer in Washington, D.C. One year later she married Doug Brown and they moved to Spain where they lived for nearly four years.
Son Alex was born in 1985 and the family moved to the Chicago area where Mary ran a successful photography business for ten years. The Browns adopted son John from Brazil after joining Bella Vista Church. Mary is a former director at the church, where she worked overseeing local and international mission projects.
According to a press release, “SowHope targets poor, oppressed, uneducated, and sick women primarily living in Third World countries with opportunities for microloans, health care, counseling, scholarships, and literacy classes. This is done through partnerships with local leaders using local solutions to solve local problems.”
“SowHope plans to raise funds for time-limited outcome-based projects proposed by their partners. It is also their goal to be a source for training, encouragement, and accountability to their partners. The motto of the organization is ‘Where there is despair, let me sow hope.’ Francis of Assisi.”
SowHope was formed in January 2006 to help meet the needs of these disadvantaged women.
A Celebration of Hope is scheduled for Thursday, April 20 at 7 p.m. in the Wave Room at Celebration Cinema North in Grand Rapids. For more information on the organization visit their website at www.sowhope.org.
Introducing SowHope, a New International Women’s Charity
SowHope is a new international women’s charitable organization, dedicated to inspiring women around the world through wellness, education, and economic opportunities.
The public is invited to an introductory celebration event Thursday, April 20 @ 7:00 pm in the Wave Room at Celebration Cinema North, located on the corner of the E. Beltline and Knapp in Grand Rapids, Michigan Following a dessert reception, there will be a presentation describing SowHope. Guests will also enjoy a performance by the Grand Valley State University Women’s Ensemble, under the direction of Dr Janice Dudley. After the program, attendees will be invited to stay and enjoy music provided by a DJ, dancing, and cash bar until 11pm. As there is limited seating for this event, free tickets for the “Celebration of Hope” may be reserved by Wednesday, April 19th at tickets@sowhope.org.
SowHope targets poor, oppressed, uneducated, and ill women living primarily in Third World countries by providing (or facilitating) opportunities for micro-loans, health care, counseling, scholarships, and literacy classes. This is accomplished through partnerships with local leaders using local solutions to solve local problems. SowHope plans not only to raise funds for time-limited, outcome-based projects proposed by its partners, but also to be a source for training, encouragement, and accountability to its partners. The organization’s motto, a quote by Francis of Assisi, is, “Where there is despair, let me sow hope.”
Bio of the Founder:
Mary Dailey Brown, the president and CEO of SowHope, received her B.A. with majors in Photography and Psychology from Southern Illinois University in 1980 and went immediately to Washington DC to work as a White House photographer. A year later she married Doug Brown and moved to Spain for nearly four years. Their son Alex was born in 1985, and the Browns moved back to the north suburbs of Chicago, where Mary ran a successful photography business for 10 years. In 1988 she began volunteering to lead teams annually to northern Mexico to build homes for impoverished families, a service she has repeated every summer since. In 1993 Mary was the founding
executive director (part-time) of Love INC of Lake County, IL, a national affiliate of World Vision, which collaborates with local social agencies and churches to effectively help the working poor. The Browns relocated to Rockford, MI in 1998 and Mary became the Director of Missions at Bella Vista Church, overseeing local and international projects. During this time, they also adopted their son John, from Brazil, It was during her travels to the Middle East and Third World countries that Mary became keenly aware of and concerned about the plight of women in these countries. In January of 2006, SowHope was formed to help meet the basic needs of these women.
The Board of SowHope:
President – Dr. Diana Sharp, Associate Vice President, Harper College, Batavia, IL
Vice President – Doreen Mangrum, Director of Special Education, Comstock Park Public School. Grand Rapids, MI
Secretary – Bonnie Conley, Homemaker. Former Assistant Vice President Old Kent Bank & Trust Co. Belmont, MI
Treasurer- David Crawford – President, Crawford Bookkeeping and Tax Services, Lowell, MI
Timothy Beals- President, Credo Communications, Grand Rapids, MI
Chandra Colley- Consultant for and former Vice President of Employment Traditions, Grand Rapids, MI
Jean Graham- Associate Manager Subsidiary and International Rights, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI
Dr. Pamela Ogor – Doctor of Osteopath, Milwaukee, WI
Honorable Thomas Pearce – MI House of Representatives, Rockford, MI
Brief History of SowHope:
The initial board of directors was convened on January 30, 2006.
Mary Dailey Brown was approved for employment as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation effective February 1, 2006.
SowHope incorporated in the State of Michigan under the name SowHope.Org on February 1, 2006.
SowHope.Org filed form 1023 with the Internal Revenue Service under section 501(c)(3) for tax-exempt status on February 7, 2006.
SowHope.Org filed a “Certificate of Assumed Name” form (DBA) with the State of Michigan under the name SowHope on February 20, 2006.
The principal office of SowHope is located at 9177 Walnut Grove Dr, Rockford, MI 49341.
Don’t forget to reserve your free tickets for “Celebration of Hope” Thursday, April 20 7-11pm at tickets@sowhope.org.
For more information contact Mary Dailey Brown.