How are we on week 3 already? I can honestly say that the last month has been a blur. I woke up at 4 am one Saturday in September with a wild idea. I brainstormed all day, ran it by a few friends, got mixed feedback, drank a glass or two of wine, and went for it.
I didn't anticipate any of what would happen next. Within 24 hours, the group had 1,000 members. Within a week, 3,000. After two weeks of going live, we selected our first Woman of the Week (or WoW as we so lovingly call it).
In just two weeks, we've raised nearly $4,000 in total all through voluntary gifts of $1 or more for our "WoWs."
I often reflect on that Saturday in September, the hours I poured into selecting a name and inevitably the wordy one that stuck: For the girls, by the girls of Iowa. Every part of it laced with hidden sentimental meanings:
- a twist on a historical statement.
- for the girls: not only the women of Iowa, but my daughters. So they would know that kindness isn't weakness and you don't have to have the loudest voice in the room to make a difference. And that when you have a strong enough support system in your life, nothing feels impossible.
- by the girls: I had an idea but no clue how to make it happen. If it weren't for the women in this group, I'd still be struggling to figure out the best way to make our randomized weekly selections. I'd still be fumbling through the settings on my phone and computer. I've learned so much from them and I can't thank them enough.
This truly has been the most exciting time of my life. I've said it before and I'll say it again..this group has healed something within me. I don't know where it will go from here, but for the first time the unknown doesn't feel so scary.
-D