Communities Do Not Exist Alone

The Women’s Bakery does not exists on its own. What makes us strong is the communities that believe in our work and support our efforts around the world.

One group that has been particular enthusiastic is Westover School, the high school Markey and Meg attended.

This spring the Westover Squash and Swimming teams raised over $2,500 in T-shirt and baked goods sales for the organization. Thanks to the help of the Global Studies office the students educated and publicized the work of TWB.

Additionally, merchandise sale and alumnae donations came in during Westover’s Alumnae Weekend in the middle of May totaling close to $6,000!

Jovial, a senior and First Head of School at Westover, poses selling TWB goods in the Westover gym.

Also this spring the Mighty Oaks, a kindergarten class in Stratham, New Hampshire, raised $310.17 for TWB! The class of 19 students did fundraising as part of a unit on having the power to impact the world through actions big and small (the unit is called You Have the Power). Their teacher, Nancy Gitschier, remarked, “kindness is a big theme throughout the year in class, as we have a monthly kindness act for homework, we work on filling a kindness jar throughout the weeks, and teachers verbally honor kindness when we see it.”

The Might Oaks kindergarten class holds up their kindness jar.

It is the enthusiasm and support of the communities we are part of that make The Women’s Bakery possible.

We are so grateful for the support of Westover and the Might Oaks and all the endless donors and advocates of The Women’s Bakery. Together our teamwork supports a network of females (and males) that are creating opportunities for themselves and their families.

Thank you!

TWB A&M & "Rise"

On April 10-11, 2017, The Women’s Bakery Texas A&M hosted our first event on campus, “Rise.”

The Women’s Bakery Texas A&M is the first campus chapter for The Women’s Bakery. Dedicated to educating students about women’s empowerment, The Women’s Bakery Texas A&M is made up of 50 students with a passion for social enterprise and change.

Over the past semester, our organization has been working tirelessly to host a program that would have wide impact on our university. I am happy to report that we accomplished and exceeded our expectations.

On the first night of “Rise,” we screened the movie “Girl Rising,” a documentary which details the lives of nine girls in developing countries and their quest for an education. 

The next evening, we facilitated open dialogue with the same attendees. The conversation was very interesting because everyone had been touched in some way by the stories of the girls in the film. Then, we heard from speakers over a wide range of topics.

The Women’s Bakery’s very own Heather Newell spoke about TWB and ways that we could get involved. Janet Marcantonio, TWBAM’s faculty advisor, spoke on her time with the Peace Corps. Finally, Dr. Henry Musoma, of the Mays Business School at Texas A&M, spoke about the influential women in his life and the way that women positively impact society today.

At one point in his presentation, Dr. Musoma asked his daughter to come up to the front. We were excited to listen to what she had to say, as she had attended the film screening the evening before. When asked about how the film impacted her life, Dr. Musoma’s 11-year-old daughter told our audience that it “changed her life.” She went on to speak about the privilege that we have as university students, and how we need to appreciate what we have been given.

As a campus engagement officer of TWBAM, I can confidently say that we accomplished our mission. We were able to touch the lives of several community members, including an eleven-year-old girl, and inspire them to make a difference in the world around us. I’ve seen the impact that The Women’s Bakery has had in the last two semesters at Texas A&M. Our membership continues to grow as people hear the message and mission of this organization.

At Texas A&M University, we value service in every aspect of what we do. It is not a surprise that TWBAM has been well received given the nature of the organization. What has been a surprise however, is seeing the life change that has taken place in people who have heard our message. I have had the opportunity to personally witness student’s eyes light up when they hear about the wonderful things that The Women’s Bakery is able to do in Rwanda and Tanzania.

I am proud to be involved with an organization that is truly changing the world. With one major event in the books, I cannot wait to see where TWBAM goes in the future.

About the Author: Ashlie James is a junior, agriculture communications and journalism major from The Woodlands, TX. She is also a Campus Engagement Officer for The Women’s Bakery Texas A&M.

Inspiration.

This blog was written by one of TWB's first and most committed supporters, Kathryn Melton. Kathryn, of Charlotte, North Carolina, is a P.A. (Physician's Assistant) at one of largest physician's group in the Charlotte, NC region. She has been friends for numerous years with TWB Founder & Co-Director, Markey Culver, especially while at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. Inspired by TWB, Kathryn hosted an Inspired Meal late this summer and continues to advocate for our work regularly. #sharetheloaf #bakebreadtogether

I first learned about The Women’s Bakery right around the time it started.

My friend, Markey, had been working in Rwanda with the U.S. Peace Corps and was trying to figure out a way to improve the nutrition of the community she was working with. She also recognized the financial struggles of those around her.

Before Markey moved to Rwanda in the first place, we were both living in St. Louis, Missouri and I remember a coffee date that involved talking deeply about Markey’s hopes and fears for her time abroad in East Africa.

How was she going to help? What was she going to bring to her community?

I don’t think she could have even imagined her life and the fulfillment of anything like TWB before she got there. Life moves us in funny ways.

The Women’s Bakery inspires me.

I truly believe that communities thrive when women are involved and successful. Women work to bring people together and are able to catalyze the communities they live in. In addition to the nutritional support the bakeries provide, there is nothing that can be compared to the empowerment of financial independence. What an amazing need TWB is helping to fulfill!

TWB women are learning skills they can take with them the rest of their lives. They are supporting their families and showing their children that they can succeed, as well. 

That’s real, sustainable change.

I am proud to be even the tiniest piece of this wonderful organization and I will continue to advocate for the lasting empowerment of women in Rwanda - and beyond.

#breadpower

Road-tripping with TWB

Stuffing my car with TWB photographs, brochures, and Rwandan-artisan crafts, I meandered across Eastern Colorado into the panhandle of Oklahoma to share our work at a training last week for church leaders across the Cimarron District of the state. I brought our recipes too, knowing that I would be baking and sharing the story behind our bread.

My grandfather has lived in this part of the state for over 20 years, and in that time, has become a prominent leader in their community - particularly when it comes to training and speaking events for the United Methodist Church. He invited me to come and take part, most specifically as an ambassador and educator for the work of The Women's Bakery. 

I prepared a lesson on Rwanda's reconciliation process in addition to the material already put together to share about The Women's Bakery. I was ready to take part; I have always loved teaching (and my grandfather would add that I have always loved talking) and doing so about The Women's Bakery is quite natural. What I wasn't prepared for, however, was the enthusiasm and engagement of the participants. 

Participants at this leadership conference came with intriguing questions and profound insights, ranging from inquiries like, "how is the increase of income for women perceived by men in the communities you work?" and "how can you measure the impact of the feeling of a woman being able to provide for her family?" 

The provision for families, the access to education, and of course, the nutritional bread were the pillars of our work that captured this particular audience the most. With many of the participants coming from small, rural communities in the United States, they could understand the importance of having a skill that provides a job - most of the audience had at some point in their life, been involved with farming and working the land! 

Our work resonated deeply with this small community and it reminded me of the importance of sharing our work with anyone. Opportunity is a big deal - no matter where you are from - and it's for this reason that I am proud to share, promote, and work for The Women's Bakery. 

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