Writing can be a feminist act. 

I believe this idea so deeply I did a TED Talk on it.

I believe that by sharing her story a woman can fight for equality and grow to love herself enough to believe she deserves it — no matter what society says.

This is why I teach. This is why I started See Jane Write. This is why I write. But sometimes writing is not enough. Sometimes I feel I have to do more.

That’s why I got involved with The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham.

In my city, in my state, and in my region women are the face of poverty and I’m determined to change that. Did you know that 38% of female-headed households with children in the Greater Birmingham area live below the poverty line? For a mom and two kids, that means living on less than $20,000 a year. That’s unacceptable!

Yes, I can and will write stories that bring awareness to these issues, but I must do more!

So each year I raise money for The Women’s Fund. This year my goal is to raise $850. You can help me reach my goal by making a donation here.

The Women’s Fund is a grantmaking organization that awards funds to local organizations that help move women and their children beyond poverty and toward financial security. This includes funding work training programs at community colleges like Jefferson State, daycare programs at Head Start, and much more. The Women’s Fund is also involved in advocacy, working to change policies that affect women most such as those related to child care safety and health care. Additionally, The Women’s Fund works with local and regional companies to encourage those companies to develop family-friendly workplace policies.

Smart Party is The Women’s Fund’s big annual fundraiser that allows them to do all this amazing work. At Smart Party, The Women’s Fund also honors 10 women in Birmingham who are doing noteworthy work. I was fortunate enough to be honored in 2012 and I’ve been a supporter of The Women’s Fund ever since.

This year’s party is Thursday, Oct. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at Iron City in Birmingham. I’m on the planning committee this year, so if you’re free and in the Birmingham area I’d love for you to come if you can, but even if you can’t a donation of any amount (even $10) would help me reach my fundraising goal and help fight the conditions holding women back.

Any See Jane Write reader who makes a contribution of $25 or more by Sunday, October 7 will be entered into a giveaway to win a free ticket to this year’s Smart Party! The winner will be announced Monday, October 8 in the See Jane Write Network Facebook group. 

You can purchase a ticket or make your donation here: https://womensfund.smartparty.org/fundraisers/javacia.bowser