Every great movement starts with a spark—a moment of clarity, a need that can’t be ignored, a heart stirred to action. Across Smyrna, Vinings, and the greater Atlanta area, women are leading with compassion, courage, and conviction—meeting needs, breaking barriers, and building stronger communities. In this special spotlight, we’re proud to share the stories of three remarkable women-led organizations making a meaningful difference—right here at home.
Creating Ripples of Change: The Atlanta Women’s Foundation
Kari B. Love has always believed in the power of women. As CEO of The Atlanta Women’s Foundation (AWF), she leads with conviction: when women and girls are supported, entire communities thrive. With 11 years at AWF—8.5 of those as CEO—she’s been at the forefront of driving meaningful change.
It’s a belief rooted in the organization’s history. In 1986, a group of Atlanta’s trailblazing women business owners came together with a bold idea—to directly address the barriers holding women and girls back from economic security. What began as a fund within the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta became an independent foundation in 1998. Today, AWF remains the only public foundation in the state solely focused on the advancement of women and girls.
“We exist because women’s and girls’ needs are still underfunded and often overlooked,” Kari explains. “Our mission is to be a catalyst for change in the lives of women and girls.”
And change is exactly what they’re creating. AWF has invested nearly $30 million into organizations serving women and girls across five metro counties—Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett. These grants support programs focused on education, job readiness, childcare, healthcare, and more—helping women build safe, healthy, and economically self-sufficient lives.
But AWF is about more than funding; it’s also about connection. Last year, their Community Investment Celebration was held at Atlanta City Hall for the first time. With Mayor Andre Dickens in attendance, AWF announced over $1 million in grants—a moment Kari describes as “a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we work together.”
Another highlight is AWF’s signature Numbers Too Big To Ignore luncheon, now in its 29th year. The event draws more than 1,600 attendees and has become one of Atlanta’s most inspiring gatherings. “There’s nothing like being in that room,” Kari says. “It’s filled with energy, hope, and people ready to make a difference.” This year’s luncheon, featuring keynote speaker Hoda Kotb, will take place October 29 at the Georgia World Congress Center.
AWF also empowers women through Inspire Atlanta, a personal and professional development program that’s raised over $2.3 million since 2018. “The growth we see in participants—in their confidence, their voice, their leadership—it’s incredible,” Kari shares.
Looking ahead, AWF plans to launch a mental health grant initiative to address rising needs in underserved communities. “Mental health is key to economic self-sufficiency,” Kari says. “And women deserve access to care that truly supports them.”
Want to help? Donate, attend an event, or simply spread the word. “Every action makes a difference,” Kari says. “Together, we’re building a better future for women and girls.”
Learn more at atlantawomen.org.
Growing Community, One Garden at a Time: Food Well Alliance
When Kate Conner talks about soil, she’s talking about more than just dirt. "Healthy soil is the foundation for growing the most nutritious food we can put in our bodies—locally grown food." As the Executive Director of Food Well Alliance, Kate believes local food has the power to bring people together, strengthen neighborhoods, and nourish communities.
Food Well Alliance was founded in 2015 when Jim Kennedy, chair of Cox Enterprises, and Bill Bolling, founder of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, saw an opportunity to support Atlanta’s local food movement. Since then, the organization has helped over 300 community gardens, urban farms, and orchards across Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Clayton counties, providing more than $15 million in direct resources to growers.
But growing local food isn’t always easy. Many urban farmers, community gardeners, and orchard stewards struggle with limited resources, lack of representation in decision-making, and public awareness of their work. Food Well Alliance is helping to change that by providing grants, supplies, compost, and hands-on support. They also raise awareness through advocacy, storytelling, and community events like the Soil Festival and Fruit Tree Sale, which help people connect with where their food comes from.
Right now, the organization is working on its most exciting project yet: Leila Valley Community Farm. In partnership with Atlanta Housing, Food Well Alliance is transforming a vacant 7-acre site in southeast Atlanta into a thriving farm, garden, and orchard. “Leila Valley will define our future and shape urban agriculture in Atlanta for years to come,” Kate says. “It’s not just about growing food—it’s about growing community.”
Kate’s passion for this work started with a love of soil and greenspace. After college, she moved to Atlanta and turned that passion into a mission: helping communities thrive through trees, gardens, and local food. Today, she lives in Smyrna with her husband and two sons, where she tends to her own chickens and front-yard vegetable garden—a daily reminder that growing food isn’t just for large farms or rural areas. “You don’t need acres of land to be a part of the local food movement,” she says.
Looking ahead, Kate hopes to see Food Well Alliance continue to grow. “One of my favorite quotes is from Audrey Hepburn: ‘To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.’ That’s what our growers are doing every day—planting hope for our city.”
Want to get involved? It’s easy: volunteer, donate, or buy local—because small actions make a big difference in keeping Atlanta’s food system thriving. Learn more at foodwellalliance.org.
Creating a Place of Refuge and Renewal: The Table on Delk
Some call it a calling. Others might say it’s the quiet, persistent tug of the heart that simply won’t let go. For Tina Williford, that calling took root years ago during a short-term mission trip to Guatemala, where she first encountered the heartbreaking realities of exploitation. Upon returning home to Cobb County—where she’s lived for more than 35 years—Tina found herself drawn to serve even closer to home. Outreach work in Atlanta and time spent mentoring women in the Cobb County jail opened her eyes to the needs in her own backyard. When she realized there was no existing outreach in her area, Tina and her husband began praying about starting one.
The result was The Table on Delk, a place of refuge and connection for women seeking a way out of difficult circumstances. Since its founding in 2017, what began with one simple daytime outreach has grown into a full-fledged community effort. Today, The Table serves the community six days a week with warm meals, meaningful relationships, Bible studies, recovery support, and more. One initiative born out of the pandemic—Psalm 34:8 sack lunches—now provides weekday meals to local motels. In all they do, the focus remains the same: to show up with love, dignity, and unwavering belief in each person’s worth.
Tina is quick to shift the spotlight to the courageous women and families served through The Table. “We currently support 22 brave ladies who have made the decision to leave the street life behind,” she shares. “But what’s even more powerful is the ripple effect—26 children connected to those women are now on a new path, too. We’re watching generational cycles being rewritten.”
As the organization prepares to move into a larger space this May, the need for support is greater than ever. Whether it's preparing a meal, decorating a cheerful placemat, or volunteering on-site, there are countless ways for local residents to get involved. “You don’t have to do something big,” Tina encourages. “Just start small. God delights in the beginning.”
For Tina, faith is the steady foundation beneath everything she does. “Zechariah 4:10 reminds me not to despise small beginnings,” she says. “We’re simply called to begin—and trust that the work matters.”
To learn more or find ways to help, visit thetableondelk.org.