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.