SowHope’s 4th Annual International Photo Exhibit “Beauty & the Burden-Women of the Third World” will be held March 26, 2011

SowHope is an international, nonprofit, charitable organization, dedicated to inspiring women around the world through wellness, education, and economic opportunities.

The public is invited to attend the 4th annual world class, international photo exhibit “Beauty & the Burden-Women of the Third World” to raise awareness of the plight of women in the developing world.  This fundraising event is Saturday, March 26, 2011, 7:00 pm at the Goei Center, located at 818 Butterworth SW, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Tickets for the event are $25.

More than forty photographs showing both the beauty and the burden of women in the Third World will be on display as well as several interactive stations where attendees can have a hands-on look at the world these women face. The powerful, inspiring photos were taken by more than a dozen  international photographers. Opportunities to support projects focusing on women’s health care, literacy classes, and micro-loans, will be available at this event.

The gala evening will include delicious food (heavy hor d’oeuvers) prepared by

award-winning West Michigan Catering, a cash bar, and live piano music by professional Diane Cosby.  Alan Salmon, President and CEO of Superior Furniture, will host the evening and an inspiring presentation about SowHope will be given by the organization’s president, Mary Dailey Brown, at 8:00 pm.  Comments wlll be made by board member Al Longtin, President and CEO of ABresources.  After the program, attendees are invited to stay and enjoy the music and cash bar until 10 pm. Complimentary valet parking will be provided.

There are limited tickets for this event and pre-purchase is recommended.

Call 616-433-1575 or visit the website www.sowhope.org to purchase tickets.

SowHope Information

SowHope is one of the only international non-profit organizations with a mission to help meet the basic holistic needs of women.

The mission of SowHope: To inspire women around the world by promoting wellness, education, and economic opportunities.

The organization’s motto is a quote by Francis of Assisi; “Where there is despair, let me sow hope.”

SowHope targets women who make less than $2 a day. These women reside primarily in Third World countries and many are illiterate, at-risk for health issues and abuse, and struggling to survive in their extreme poverty. To address these issues, SowHope supports opportunities for clean water projects, AIDS care and prevention, maternal and women’s health care, literacy classes, and microloans.

SowHope accomplishes these goals by forming partnerships with local leaders using local solutions to solve local problems.

SowHope plans not only to raise funds for time-limited, outcome-based projects proposed by its partners, but also to be a source for training, encouragement, and accountability to its partners.

Since its inception in 2006, over 18.000 women, in nine countries, have been impacted through projects supported by SowHope.

The Founders of SowHope:

Douglas C. and Mary Dailey Brown

The Board of SowHope:

Chair – Dr. Diana Sharp

Associate Vice President, Harper College, Batavia, IL

Vice Chair – Ruth Posthumus

Principal of Kenowa Hills Middle School, Grand Rapids, MI

Secretary – Wes Miller

Business Research Manger, The Right Place Inc., Grand Rapids, MI

Treasurer- David Crawford

President, Crawford Bookkeeping and Tax Services, Lowell, MI

Dr. Robert Cunningham

Entrepreneur, Belmont, MI

David Kelson

International Business Professor, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI

Alfred Longtin

President/CEO, AB Resources, Inc., Frankfort, IL

Jill May

Development Director, UICA, Grand Rapids, MI

Melissa Miller

General Manger, Alpha Women’s Center, Grand Rapids, MI

SowHope.Org was incorporated in the State of MI on Feb 1, 2006. DBA SowHope.
SowHope.Org has tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code.
The principal office is located at 9177 Walnut Grove Dr, Rockford, MI 49341.

For more information please contact Betsy Verwys at 616-560-3774.

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Betsy Verwys
Betsy@sowhope.org