We want you to be in the first to know.......about our first grant award!
The FWG grant committee was busy this fall with developing grant guidelines and an RFP for the first Fund for Women & Girls grant. The emphasis for the 2011 grant was narrowed to a project that will assist young women in Jefferson County to achieve their greatest potential in math and science. We understand that comprehensive solutions are hard to develop, implement and sustain, yet they may also create the best chance for making a profound change. A strong emphasis in math and science can open the doors to technology related jobs where there is demand and higher salary. It is a challenge, but we want to raise the bar for the young women in our community.
After thorough review, a grant recipient has been chosen! The Port Townsend Marine Science Center will receive the Fund's first $2,000 awarded by the Fund for Women & Girls for their project 'The GIRLS Project (Girls in Real-Life Science)'.
The purpose of this winning proposal addresses three factors that researchers say contribute to girls losing interest in science: 1) lack of role models, 2) failure to connect science with real world problems, and 3) too few authentic hands-on learning experiences.
The GIRLS Project will engage 6-8 Jefferson County middle and high school girls in a research project involving micro- plastics in sea gull boluses (regurgitated items eaten but not digested). In meetings after school or on weekends the girls will do original research (collecting, dissecting and analyzing seagull boluses), learn about the larger Plastics Project of which the bolus study is a part, shadow women "Citizen Scientist" volunteers, and help prepare results for publication. The project will run from February through April, with participating girls documenting their experiences through writing, video, and/or visual presentation. The girls will share their results at the May 4, 2011, Fund for Women & Girls' annual soiree.
Since it has been proven that barriers for girls pursuing science have more to do with belief than abilities, the GIRLS Project will offer activities that focus on informal fun, interactive time, with the intent of offering role models, real-world applications of science, and authentic opportunities for discovery. In Teaching With the Brain in Mind, Eric Jenson writes that "we remember that which is most emotionally laden," and relationship driven learning (like peer collaboration and apprentice relationships) purposely engage emotions." This approach is designed to encourage girls to take positive risks, ask questions, find their voices, and expand their sense of what is possible, all in the context of doing real and relevant scientific research.
Many thanks to Jan Whyte, Anne Burns, Kris Mayer, Jean Baldwin, Quen Zorah, and Jenny Manza for their work on the grant committee! It is exciting to see our vision for improving the lives of women and girls in Jefferson County begin to take shape.
Read the winning grant proposal here.
Read our grant award press release here.
Mark your calendar for two upcoming events!
The Magnificent Seven Jewelry Trunk ShowFriday, February 4th1:00 - 7:00 pmThe Undertown Café in Port TownsendEveryone had so much fun at the fall trunk show, we decided to do it again!
Seven regional jewelers will be selling their jewelry and donating a portion of their sales to the Fund for Women & Girls of Jefferson County. This is a chance to see and buy beautiful jewelry, pick out Valentine gifts and raise money for the newly created Fund.
In addition, participating jeweler Micki Lippe is inviting attendees to bring their old, tired and mismatched jewelry to the event. She takes the jewelry and, cleans and reworks it into beautiful pieces that she donates to women's shelters from Tacoma to Port Townsend. Micki does this through her non-profit organization, Women's Shelter Jewelry Project. There will be tax-deductible receipts available when you bring in your jewelry to donate.
Participating artists:
Jennifer Lawrence Bennet
Mary Edwards
Victor Judd
Mikki Lippe
Mary Lynn Maloney
Marlene Newman
Sharon Saindon
So bring your friends, family and old jewelry on February 4 to meet "The Magnificent Seven" and participate in this fun and worthwhile event.
2nd Annual Meeting (a.k.a. "Soiree") of the Fund for Women & Girls
Wednesday, May 4th5:30 - 7:00 pmNorthwest Maritime Center, Upstairs
Please mark your calendar and join us for this fun and inspiring event, and think of at least one friend you want to invite to join you! We are delighted that Barbara Stanny will be joining us once again as our speaker.
It has been a busy and productive year....thanks to you! Come learn more in the company of 100 (or more!) of our county's most influential women.
Last, but certainly not least, is an opportunity For Mother's Day, honor your mother....or someone who has been like a mother to you!
The Fund for Women & Girls will be placing a beautiful display ad in the May 4th (Mother's Day) edition of The Port Townsend Leader newspaper to honor those important and influential people in our lives...our mothers. For a minimum contribution of $50 (we will gladly accept larger amounts!), you may honor your mother, by listing her name, along with yours.
Your "mother" may be a close relative or friend who has influenced your life in a positive and dramatic way, and this is an opportunity to say thank you. All proceeds go to the Fund for Women & Girls, and your contribution is tax deductible.
Click here for more information and to donate online to this Mother's Day fundraiser.
And this is our opportunity to thank you.... for your interest and support of Jefferson County Community Foundation's Fund for Women & Girls. In its first year, we have witnessed first-hand the enormous spirit of creativity and generosity that women in our community have put forth to ensure that others have the opportunity to thrive. These are your ideas and dollars at work....and we think you will be pleased!
