Women Who Care Change Lives

Christine Shaffer-Brown

By: Christine Shaffer-Brown

We can all reflect on individuals in our lives that have influenced us and had a meaningful impact on who we are. Oftentimes what we have learned from these influencers becomes subconsciously engrained into the fabric of our total being.  How you celebrate those who have played such a role in your life is individual to you, perhaps it’s spending time with them, sending them gifts, or perhaps it’s with a tribute.

The Faribault Foundation Women Who Care Endowment is designating May a month of tribute to women.

Women’s tribute month is an opportunity to pause, appreciate and celebrate the incredible women in your life who have shaped who you are. Whether a mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt, friend, co-worker, or neighbor, it’s an opportunity to lift them up and show your appreciation.  The tribute allows one to reflect on the accomplishments, sacrifices, and the resilience of extraordinary women in our lives.

To provide some background, the Women Who Care Endowment was established in 2023.  It was the vision of a handful of women, initiated by Kymn Anderson, that grew to 30 founding members.  Through the endowment the founders seek to empower, support and recognize women to improve the quality of life for women and girls in the Faribault community.

To date, $53,000 has been raised.  The goal is to build the endowment to $200,000 and then begin making grants to benefits women and girls.  Women’s Tribute Month is an opportunity to honor women along with aiding in building the endowment through a donation for the tribute.  The tribute itself will be displayed on the Foundation website and you’ll be offered a printable tribute to present to the honoree.

Taking you back to 2021, that’s the year the Faribault Foundation initiated the 100 Women Who Care event each fall to assist the Foundation and provide a substantial donation of $5,000 to a local nonprofit selected by the women at the event.  It was here a group of women were inspired to go bigger and establish the endowment. The 100 Women Who Care continues as an annual event.  The date this year is October 5th at the 310 Event Center.  Mark your calendars.

I encourage you to take a moment this May to reflect and honor a special woman and let her know how much she means to you, while also supporting a fund dedicated to women and girls in the Faribault community.

Visit www.faribaultfoundation.org/womens-tribute for more details.

Christine Shaffer-Brown is a member of the Faribault Foundation Board of Directors, and a founding member of the Women Who Care Endowment