“People, Passion, Purpose—that’s what makes this thriving community,” emphasizes Marlene B. Young of the Delaplaine Foundation.
Anyone who is involved in the Frederick community can attest to Marlene’s words. Almost everywhere you look, you’ll see growth and change through the work of individuals and organizations alike. The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce's Women in Business Committee exemplifies this. Their mission is to empower and develop women through education, networking, mentoring and partnerships and to promote opportunities for all women throughout Frederick County.
Notably, S.H.E Week was created by this committee as an extension of this mission and centers around the concept of Strength, Heart and Equality (S.H.E.).
S.H.E. Week, which occurs around Woman’s Equality Day in August, has grown exponentially in the past three years and has become an important resource for females in Frederick County—and beyond. Because of its success in winning a “Best in Show Award” from the Association of Chamber of Commerce executives, others across the country have been impacted. In fact, the City of Fayetteville, North Carolina has plans to replicate the movement for their own community.
This past August, Frederick participants were given the opportunity to witness the heart of a group of ladies who well-represented Frederick.
Jennifer Gerlock of the Frederick Chamber shares, “This particular panel was key because it spoke to the importance of giving back not just as a volunteer or financial donor, but also creating change regarding social issues and causes you are passionate about as an individual. It was inspiring to hear from women who are changing the fabric of our community through their work and commitment.”
The panel consisted of the following women: Tonya Hatosy-Stier, formerly of Woman to Woman Mentoring; Shana Knight of SOUL Street & Boys & Girls Club of Frederick County; Ashleigh Kiggans of MacRo Commercial Real Estate; and Marlene B. Young of the Delaplaine Foundation, Inc.
Ashley Waters, City of Frederick, served as a moderator for the panel and started the discussion by sharing a touching personal story. Upon learning that a college friend, a mother to a three-year-old, was in kidney failure, Ashley took action. She donated her own kidney without hesitation. In her words, “Giving each day makes us a better person, a better friend, a better mom.”
Importantly, giving isn’t necessarily a financial service. Ashleigh Kiggans reminds us that sometimes, the best thing we can give is time. Of course, time isn’t always easy to come by—but balancing time can be done by prioritizing.
Marlene B. Young adds to this concept, “Paying it forward doesn’t start with a checkbook, it starts with a mindset. When we’re paying it forward, we’re planting seeds in our own lives and in the lives of others. And we may not always see the full harvest of that seed planting and we may not always come to know the full return on investment of planting those seeds. What we’ve done is to set an example...and that’s how we develop that culture of giving back as a community.”
Marlene has always been passionate about literacy, music and education. Before she and her husband could give financially, she pursued those passions by reading at daycares and singing at nursing homes. She states, “When you’re paying it forward, you’re infusing joy into your life and you’re also adding extra purpose to your community.”
For Shana Knight, adding purpose means putting her time and energy toward Frederick’s very first black-owned farmers market, SOUL Street. Although she has no business background, and is “not business-minded,” as she puts it, she believes that learning how to run a farmers market as a business is valuable.
“In the non-profit field, you will wear many hats,” Shana shares. “You are going to do much more than what you signed on to do.”
Tonya knows the importance of providing access to mentoring and resources to people who wouldn’t otherwise have access to it. “You have lived through something in your life that can benefit another human. Share it freely.”
Hearing the voices of these women who dedicate themselves to the betterment of our own community was nothing short of inspiring. There is something, for all of us, that draws us. A passion. A stirring. And there is a reason for it, one which we should not—cannot-—ignore.
As Marlene so adamantly states, “Together we can become not only community champions, but community changers."
Paying it forward doesn’t start with a checkbook, it starts with a mindset.
Together we can become not only community champions, but community changers.
TIPS for getting more involved:
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Follow the “song that makes your heart sing.”
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Ask questions, be curious. You’ll find your way to a cause.
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Create a vision board to help you visualize what you want to manifest into your life.
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Remember that you can start small.
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Get involved with your local UnitedWay.
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Get connected to others who share your passions.
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Remember that powerful differences begin a step at a time.
