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“No one way works, it will take all of us shoving at the thing from all sides to bring it down.”  Diane Di Prima, American feminist poet 1934-2020  I tried to pick a piece that could illustrate the quote I sent you. So today I see the woman as the eye of the animal, she is the drawing, she is strong and alive and turning away from the others, mostly men, powerful, traditional and yet tethered to the flat surface of the painting…  Horses mixed media on canvas  Carole Zak Using

The “G” Words – Grumbling, Grace, Giving, and Gratitude The boxes were stacked in the hallway, the contractor bags were bulging with towels and hygiene supplies for the homeless and the satisfaction of getting to this point was great. I love the challenge of meeting a need but I was not so excited at finishing the task of hauling each one of those boxes and bags out of the church basement, into my car and to the destination they were intended. Mumble, mumble, grumble and mumb

A mentor once told me, give until it hurts, and that has guided my giving philosophy ever since. Whatever you wish to give, give a little more, and it will always come back in spades. I give until it hurts so that my giving is always top of mind. I give until it hurts to motivate me to work harder, be more creative, and find more ways to continue to give.  Housewife Molly B. Housewife Essentials is the overarching name for most of my artwork and wallpaper these days! The whol

Most of my charitable giving has been concentrated in three areas: gun violence prevention with Brady United starting with the 2000 Million Mom March in Washington D.C.; women’s reproductive health and access to abortion services; and, most recently, voting rights and the preservation of our democracy. Although I do support these causes monetarily, what I have given the most of is my time. (My elder daughter refers to my activism as “mom watering her grass roots “. ) My rewar

Philanthropic, giving should be from our entire being. Giving in this way extends our capacity and impact exponentially above our physical and financial means.

My philanthropic progression began with a deep examination of my charitable contributions by defining my biggest personal concerns: the...

I never thought I’d be sitting around talking about money with women I didn’t even know - but that’s what SWELL has done for me. It...

With children and their activities, I used to be incredibly generous with my time, which lasted for many years. Now, as I’ve shifted my focus to personal relationships, I’m more inclined to support causes that are close to my heart financially.

My motivation can be traced in part to this Girl Scout Wider Opportunity in 1987, when 75 US Senior Girl Scouts and 75 Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from around the world gathered at Edith Macy Conference Center for a celebration of friendship. I want other girls to have similar experiences of leadership, sharing, and building lifelong friendships!

Being a good philanthropist means spending some time finding your passion, studying which organizations serve that passion in a responsible way and determining where the money is needed most.  I love being able to give to my favorite organizations and feel like I’m a part of their important work. I also know giving my time and sharing my talent is also important.  I learn the responsibility of giving very early. My Daddy used to give me a fifty cent piece each Sunday to put i

My faith has been the greatest influence on my giving. From an early age I learned about putting others first. In Biblical times the farmers left the crops at the edges of the fields for the gleaners. The Fruits of the Spirit include generosity. And all gifts are from God and belong to Him. I want to honor my gifts and talents by making use of them. In my giving of my time, talent, and treasure I primarily support God’s people and God’s creation, whether it’s for feeding peop

Give to Live My parents Ben and Carol provided my guidebook of giving.  They were always generous with their talents, time, and money. We lived a modest life, but they supported others with their many “gifts.” It taught me to find causes and organizations that mean something personal to me.  It led me to my passion of giving, and that even modest contributions make a difference. So, today I listen to the stories of others and when they speak to my heart, a donation is made.

Giving uplifts both the giver and the receiver. True generosity comes from the heart, without expecting anything in return.  There is a deep joy in making a positive difference in someone’s life—or in the world. I believe giving is an essential part of being human and of living a happy life.  Share the JOY!

I believe that any act of generosity can operate as a mechanism to support and hold your community.  Supporting/Holding v.1, Clay covered bed sheets, dyed bed sheets,  knitted bra strapping and found objects.

To me generosity is a ever-widening circle. I give a little and watch unexpected ripples go in so many different directions.  I have many treasured memories of people who were generous to me - who paid for food when I needed it or gave me encouragement when I faltered.  I am trying to be as generous as I can because the need is so great. Garden by Kay, ardent gardener