For Good. For Ever.
Hello, Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle member! Here is the next in our selection of significant philanthropic women for your reading and learning pleasure! What a wonderful legacy of Giving as women we share! Wishing you a wonderful week!
Cora Reynolds Anderson (1882 -1950) was the first woman elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, serving one term from 1925 to 1926. She is also believed to be the only Native American woman elected to the Michigan House or Senate.
While in the House of Representatives, Anderson concentrated on public welfare issues and chaired the Industrial Home for Girls Committee. She was particularly interested in public health issues, especially the fight against alcoholism and tuberculosis. Prior to her term, she had organized the first public health service in Baraga County and was instrumental in securing the county’s first public health nurse. She also became actively involved in the Michigan Grange and served as the Upper Peninsula officer.
Anderson was educated as a teacher at the Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas, which is known today as the Haskell Indian Nations University. She taught school in the Upper Peninsula for several years. At a time when minorities, including Native Americans, were subjected to considerable economic and social discrimination, Anderson’s determination to attend college and return the benefits of her education to her community was notable. Her role as educator, legislator, public health reform leader aided the Native American community as well as the whole of society.
I find her amazing as not only as the first women elected to the legislator in 1925, but also a minority. I appreciate her bravery and voice for the people of Michigan on education and public health issues. She was an educator and organized the first public health service in the UP.
Clara Bryant Ford was chosen for her early and significant philanthropic efforts to improve the lives of women and children and for contributing land and financial aid to Vista Maria home for women and girls.
Through her philanthropic endeavors and own self-determination, Clara Bryant Ford (1866-1950) made it her life’s mission to improve the life and welfare of women and those in poverty-stricken areas across the country. Clara Ford and her husband, Henry, created and funded numerous programs that focused on women’s rights and self-sufficiency, education, healthcare, and environmentalism. Vista Maria, originally a home for orphaned girls, the School of Nursing and Hygiene at Henry Ford Hospital, Planned Parenthood (1945-her death). They also supported several small liberal arts colleges such as Berry College, Vassar, and Radcliff.
Born into a farming family, Mrs. Ford was an avid gardener and promoted the idea of urban gardens during the Great Depression amongst the Ford Motor Company employees. She donated food grown on her family’s farms to more than a dozen institutions on a weekly basis. From 1924-1932, Mrs. Ford served as president of the Women’s National Farm & Gardens Association during which time she created a “Roadside Market” campaign that encouraged rural women to sell their home-grown produce at roadside stands, enabling them to earn their own income.
Clara Ford was also active in the suffrage movement. By 1918 she was an outspoken advocate and organizer for women’s suffrage campaign, serving as Vice Chair of the Dearborn branch of the Equal Suffrage League of Wayne County with meetings being held frequently at her Fair Lane home. In 1921, she served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan League of Women Voters.
Hello Ladies of Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle!
March is Women's History Month, and we will be highlighting 4 philanthropic women we believe embody the ideals, strengths, and purposes of our Circle! We Hope you will enjoy our choices and learn more about these amazing Women who are foundations of the legacy of Giving we follow! Best Wishes and enjoy this Month for Women!
Week #1 Clara Bryant Ford
Week #2 Cora Reynolds Andersen
Week #3 Matilda Dodge Wilson
Week #4 Betty Bloomer Ford
Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle efforts are focused on helping in the local community, reaching and assisting women, children, and their families in need.
Since 2006, the members and patrons have made it possible to grant more than $100,000 to local organizations that serve women and families in need.
Grants will only be awarded to qualifying 501(c)3 organizations serving women and children in Western Wayne County.
If you have questions with application process please contact Beth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 734-495-1200.
If you have questions about Grants in general, please contact Jane Kersjes This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Giving Hope will be hosting a fun and educational March event.
Join us for a zoom PJ party on March 9th at 7pm
The charity chosen for this event will be Michigan Foster Care Closet.
The speaker will be from Michigan Foster Care Closet .
Please look for our invitation to this fun and educational event.
INVEST FOR IMPACT TO IGNITE YOUR WORKFORCE
Today’s workforce has dramatically changed, leaving employers to rapidly adjust to “creative” processes for attracting the right people to their business.
In order to compete, businesses must consider innovative programs that help them construct a talent pipeline of high-quality employees.
The Canton Chamber and the Local Impact Alliance have teamed up to launch FUTURE FIT.
This cutting-edge program prepares students (grades 10-12) to enter the workforce by directly connecting them to employers.
4 STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL ENGAGEMENT
To engage in the Future Fit program, contact the Canton Chamber at 734-453-4040 or email Brooke Franklin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Giving Hope's Advisory Board Chairwoman Linda Demmer's message to it's members.
In her message Linda Demmer wishes all the members a very happy new year as they enter their 16th year.
She also informs the member about changes in advisory board.
Giving Hope is also planning an event in March which will benefit the Michigan Foster Care Closet.
Please read letter to get more details.
We are pleased to announce the new Westland Advisory Commiittee. Currently committee comprise of 2 members, Jim Godbout and Sharon Scott.
Jim Godbout will serve as Chair of the committee. The main goal of this committee would be to grow the Westland Community Endowment Fund. The committee members are community leaders and bring valuable perspective to how to best serve Westland Community.
The charitable purpose of the Fund are mental health, youth enrichment and education, military veterans and jobs for veterans, women-focused criminal justice and legal services, baseball for youth, individuals and families, as well as supporting Detroit Zoo.
Plymouth Canton Literacy Council is a volunteer, non-profit organization aiming to improve adult literacy in Plymouth-Canton and surrounding areas of Western Wayne County. Their mission is to provide adults in Western Wayne County who have limited English language abilities in developing vital reading, writing, and communication skills to help them participate in the community and reach their potential in life.