She Helped Start a Game-Changing 'Giving Circle' Right Here in BHAM
When The Women's Network — a membership organization for professional women in Birmingham — dissolved in 2022, Ginger Jefferson saw an opportunity to continue its mission. Ginger, who retired in 2023 from the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, helped the group use its remaining assets to start an endowed fund with the Foundation: The Women's Network Giving Circle. Now, Ginger leads the group in supporting women and girls through giving, networking, and grants.
Get to know this inspiring FACE of Birmingham!
Pin
The Women's Network has an interesting history. Tell us about that.
The Women's Network was an organization for women that was started in 1978, because working women were not invited to be members of organizations like Rotary and Kiwanis. So, they started an organization where professional women could network with each other and find mentors.
Around 2017, membership began to decline as more women were invited to join other clubs that now welcomed women. And then COVID really hit us fairly hard.
Our tagline is 'Women Helping Women.' We wanted to keep what we loved about the organization, which was women being there for each other, supporting each other, and having a great networking place. I've met some of my closest friends through The Women's Network.
How did the Giving Circle come to be?
I was working at the Community Foundation at the time and was also the president of the organization, and I proposed the idea of a giving circle. I had seen it work really well. For example, the Birmingham Change Fund was one of the first African American giving circles ever in the country, and it's right here at the Community Foundation.
We voted on the idea, and everyone loved it. The endowed donor-advised fund allows women to enjoy the effect of collective giving. We can come together, work together as a group of women, and provide resources for organizations in Birmingham and Jefferson County that are focused on helping women and girls.
Pin
Why do you think it's important for giving circles like this one to exist?
I could give my $100, $200, or $300 to an organization. But with a giving circle, we're taking my and other members' money and piling it together. It's gaining interest because it's in a fund at the Community Foundation, so it's growing. Plus, it's endowed, so it's there in perpetuity.
When I'm gone, that fund will still be there at the Community Foundation. It allows us to pull all of that together and have a bigger effect. Plus, we still get to get together, see each other, and have fun. That's very important to us, and we want to open the invitation to women in Birmingham who are interested.
Pin
What types of organizations are you looking to support with the funds?
Our mission is to support nonprofit organizations that provide opportunities to overcome barriers for women and young girls in Jefferson County. Our first grant last year was to Woman of Worth, an amazing organization of these three wonderful women who mentor young girls in Ensley. Our second grant was to the Women Under Construction Network. They have a cool program that teaches single moms how to do projects in their homes.
Pin
What do you like to do for fun or to relax?
I love to travel, hike, and read. I have an embarrassing passion for mystery novels. I could read two books a day, but I don't let myself do that.
I just became a certified Enneagram teacher, and I'm what we call a social type nine on the Enneagram. That means I'm like, 'OK, we can do this and this!' I like being busy.
I love to entertain. I love having people over to my house and cooking for them. To me, being able to share a meal and break bread together is probably one of the best ways to get to know other people.
Pin
Where are some of your favorite places to hike?
In Birmingham, we are so fortunate. We love to go to Red Mountain Park and Ruffner. I used to ride bikes a lot at Oak Mountain, and then would hike.
We did a 10-day hiking trip back in 2017 to the Czech Republic, and then a couple of years ago, we went to Scotland.
What's the best advice you have to offer?
The best advice I can offer is to really take time to know yourself, understand yourself, and give yourself grace. Because when you can give yourself grace, it's easier to give other people grace.
Pin
LIGHTNING ROUND:
Three things you can't live without: Mascara, coffee, and being able to walk outside.
Last great trip:We went to Japan in October. My husband had a big birthday — he just turned 70 — and he was actually born in Japan. So, we went there for his birthday.
Travel bucket list destination: To hike the Sacred Valley and up to Machu Picchu in Peru.
Last great books you read: Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green and Kindred by Octavia Butler.
Last great meal at a local restaurant: I love to eat at Chez Fonfon. That's my special occasion place. I love their pâté plate, and anything that Chef Frank Stitt does with fish is amazing.
Favorite podcast: The Rest is History
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
**********
Southern women are doing remarkable things. Meet more of them in our FACES archives!
About the Author Javacia Harris Bowser
Javacia Harris Bowser is a Birmingham-based freelance writer and the founder of See Jane Write, an online community and coaching service for women who write. With over 20 years of journalism experience, Javacia has received awards from the National Federation of Press Women, Alabama Media Professionals, Alabama Press Association, and the Alabama State Council on the Arts. When she's not writing, she's usually practicing Pilates, getting her 10K steps a day, or watching crime shows. Follow Javacia on Instagram @seejavaciawrite.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
24-07-2025
- CBC
New report says N.L.'s community housing stock is far below national average
As the cost of living continues to increase while incomes stay the same, housing advocates in Newfoundland and Labrador are calling for more affordable housing units. A report published this month by the Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (CFNL) and Annex Consulting says only 0.3 per cent of the province's total occupied housing stock represents non-profit units. "Nationwide, community housing accounts for approximately four per cent of the overall housing stock, meaning this province is far below average," said the report, titled Breaking the Bottleneck. According to executive director Nicole Dawe, CFNL stewards funding for communities in need and commissions reports like this one to shed light on where that money should go. Now, the charity is pointing people's pocketbooks to community housing. The report says housing provided by non-profit organizations and co-operatives could be the solution to what it calls a provincewide crisis. "It's gotten considerably worse over the last couple of years," said Dawe. She added that "infinitely accelerating" housing costs and the pressures of the free market are not factors in community housing, making it a worthwhile investment. The only added cost is maintenance. Annex Consulting president and housing advocate Hope Jamieson says community housing needs more help from funding bodies because the non-profit organizations are already stretched thin. "When you think about how the cost of operating anything has increased, you can see how those dollars are certainly not going as far as they used to," they said in an interview. "People are struggling to just maintain the services that they already provide, the housing that they already have. And then when you add the enormous administrative burden of pursuing a housing project, it's a very, very challenging hill to climb," said Jamieson. It's very difficult to access public funding for new projects because of the various different streams and the endless applications, according to Jamieson. They added that there's also no funding available to acquire land or existing buildings. "That on its own is a real challenge, especially for organizations that are new, starting out with no equity. So it comes down to, you know, land, time, capacity, finances," said Jamieson. "I really don't think people know how hard it is." The recommendations laid out in the report aim to jump over those hurdles. Some of the points include offering financial support to early-stage projects, and to bring funders together to streamline applications and funding requirements. Dawe says progress starts at the beginning, at that fabled bottleneck. "We need to figure out how we meet [organizations] where they are with the support and also the funding to make it happen," said Dawe.
Style Blueprint
19-07-2025
- Style Blueprint
She Helped Start a Game-Changing 'Giving Circle' Right Here in BHAM
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit When The Women's Network — a membership organization for professional women in Birmingham — dissolved in 2022, Ginger Jefferson saw an opportunity to continue its mission. Ginger, who retired in 2023 from the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, helped the group use its remaining assets to start an endowed fund with the Foundation: The Women's Network Giving Circle. Now, Ginger leads the group in supporting women and girls through giving, networking, and grants. Get to know this inspiring FACE of Birmingham! Pin The Women's Network has an interesting history. Tell us about that. The Women's Network was an organization for women that was started in 1978, because working women were not invited to be members of organizations like Rotary and Kiwanis. So, they started an organization where professional women could network with each other and find mentors. Around 2017, membership began to decline as more women were invited to join other clubs that now welcomed women. And then COVID really hit us fairly hard. Our tagline is 'Women Helping Women.' We wanted to keep what we loved about the organization, which was women being there for each other, supporting each other, and having a great networking place. I've met some of my closest friends through The Women's Network. How did the Giving Circle come to be? I was working at the Community Foundation at the time and was also the president of the organization, and I proposed the idea of a giving circle. I had seen it work really well. For example, the Birmingham Change Fund was one of the first African American giving circles ever in the country, and it's right here at the Community Foundation. We voted on the idea, and everyone loved it. The endowed donor-advised fund allows women to enjoy the effect of collective giving. We can come together, work together as a group of women, and provide resources for organizations in Birmingham and Jefferson County that are focused on helping women and girls. Pin Why do you think it's important for giving circles like this one to exist? I could give my $100, $200, or $300 to an organization. But with a giving circle, we're taking my and other members' money and piling it together. It's gaining interest because it's in a fund at the Community Foundation, so it's growing. Plus, it's endowed, so it's there in perpetuity. When I'm gone, that fund will still be there at the Community Foundation. It allows us to pull all of that together and have a bigger effect. Plus, we still get to get together, see each other, and have fun. That's very important to us, and we want to open the invitation to women in Birmingham who are interested. Pin What types of organizations are you looking to support with the funds? Our mission is to support nonprofit organizations that provide opportunities to overcome barriers for women and young girls in Jefferson County. Our first grant last year was to Woman of Worth, an amazing organization of these three wonderful women who mentor young girls in Ensley. Our second grant was to the Women Under Construction Network. They have a cool program that teaches single moms how to do projects in their homes. Pin What do you like to do for fun or to relax? I love to travel, hike, and read. I have an embarrassing passion for mystery novels. I could read two books a day, but I don't let myself do that. I just became a certified Enneagram teacher, and I'm what we call a social type nine on the Enneagram. That means I'm like, 'OK, we can do this and this!' I like being busy. I love to entertain. I love having people over to my house and cooking for them. To me, being able to share a meal and break bread together is probably one of the best ways to get to know other people. Pin Where are some of your favorite places to hike? In Birmingham, we are so fortunate. We love to go to Red Mountain Park and Ruffner. I used to ride bikes a lot at Oak Mountain, and then would hike. We did a 10-day hiking trip back in 2017 to the Czech Republic, and then a couple of years ago, we went to Scotland. What's the best advice you have to offer? The best advice I can offer is to really take time to know yourself, understand yourself, and give yourself grace. Because when you can give yourself grace, it's easier to give other people grace. Pin LIGHTNING ROUND: Three things you can't live without: Mascara, coffee, and being able to walk outside. Last great trip:We went to Japan in October. My husband had a big birthday — he just turned 70 — and he was actually born in Japan. So, we went there for his birthday. Travel bucket list destination: To hike the Sacred Valley and up to Machu Picchu in Peru. Last great books you read: Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green and Kindred by Octavia Butler. Last great meal at a local restaurant: I love to eat at Chez Fonfon. That's my special occasion place. I love their pâté plate, and anything that Chef Frank Stitt does with fish is amazing. Favorite podcast: The Rest is History As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. ********** Southern women are doing remarkable things. Meet more of them in our FACES archives! About the Author Javacia Harris Bowser Javacia Harris Bowser is a Birmingham-based freelance writer and the founder of See Jane Write, an online community and coaching service for women who write. With over 20 years of journalism experience, Javacia has received awards from the National Federation of Press Women, Alabama Media Professionals, Alabama Press Association, and the Alabama State Council on the Arts. When she's not writing, she's usually practicing Pilates, getting her 10K steps a day, or watching crime shows. Follow Javacia on Instagram @seejavaciawrite.
Globe and Mail
18-07-2025
- Globe and Mail
Turbologo Empowers First-Time Designers: From Idea to Icon – A User's Journey of Logo Creation Successes and Lessons
So… Why a Logo, Anyway? The store was ready. I had products, a cart, even the shipping set up. But it still felt… unfinished? Like I forgot to sign my name on it. That blank space where the logo should've been — it stared at me every time I opened the homepage. Not gonna lie, I wasn't thinking about branding at all in the beginning. I just wanted to sell my handmade skincare stuff and see what happened. But when I showed the site to a friend, she said, 'It looks fine… but what's your brand?' That hit harder than I expected. I didn't have a clue how to make a logo. No design background, no Adobe skills, no budget. Just a need to put a face on the business — something people might remember after clicking away. First Things First: What Did This Logo Need to Say? I started scrolling Pinterest. Spent way too long on Instagram. And then stood in the drugstore staring at packaging like a weirdo. I guess I was hoping for some kind of lightning bolt moment — but what I gotcha was this: the best logos didn't try too hard. They just felt like they belonged. Mine needed to feel clean. Soft. A little earthy, maybe. Something that made you think: yeah, this looks like it belongs on a natural skincare jar. Weirdly enough, that part helped. It gave me something to say 'no' to. Like — bold reds? Nope. Neon gradients? Pretty, but not here. How I Ended Up Using an AI Logo Generator I played with a few apps. Some made me feel like I needed a design degree just to understand the menus. Others gave me three generic options and called it a day. Then I found an AI logo generator that didn't make me want to slam my laptop shut. You answer a few questions, pick some vibes, and boom — actual options that didn't look like clipart from 2007. That felt like a win. One that stood out was Turbologo. I mean… it didn't talk down to me. It let me try stuff, test colors, compare fonts — all side by side. That's how I figured out what didn't work, which ended up being way more useful than I expected. Mistakes I Made (And Fixed… Eventually) I picked lavender at first. Just because I liked it. Turns out, it clashed hard with my product photos. Switched to muted greens and warm beige tones. Way better. It felt calmer, more 'natural,' less 'pastel cupcake.' Same thing with fonts. Went with a swirly handwritten style — until I saw it on a tiny label mockup. Total disaster. Couldn't read a thing. Ended up choosing something way simpler. Not exciting, but it actually worked everywhere. Testing helped. Like — printing it out, seeing it on a tiny screen, on mock packaging. That's when I knew if something felt off. Feedback Sucks (Until It Doesn't) Asking for feedback? Ugh. I avoided it at first. Thought I had it nailed. But then someone pointed out that one letter was almost touching the icon. Another friend said the font made it look like a baby product — not a skincare brand. And once I saw it through their eyes… yeah. They were right. Even just showing it to five people made a huge difference. One of them was a friend's dad. Retired engineer. Said it looked 'unstable.' Not the word I wanted to hear. But hey — fixed the balance, and suddenly it looked solid. What Actually Helped (In Case You're Where I Was) Start with the feeling Don't chase trends. Figure out what emotion your brand gives off, and work backwards. Keep it boring (at first) The flashiest option isn't always the right one. You'll learn more from what doesn't work. Try an AI logo generator No shame in it. If you're not a designer, these tools help you make sense of the chaos. Turbologo saved me from staring at a blank screen. Mock it up. Everywhere Tiny icons, labels, packaging, websites. What looks cool at 1000×1000 might fall apart at 64×64. Ask someone who doesn't care Not your mom. Someone who'll tell you it's bad, and why. That's gold. A Logo Won't Save Your Business — But It Helps It didn't magically bring in sales. But once I had a logo that felt 'right,' I was weirdly more confident. I updated my site, ordered better labels, posted more often. It gave me a little nudge, you know? I still see things I'd change. But it's mine. And people recognize it. One customer even asked what designer I used. That was a nice moment. If you're just starting out and feeling stuck — try something. Mess it up. Fix it. Try again. Your logo doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be yours. Media Contact Company Name: Turbologo Contact Person: Mikhail Khomutetckii Email: Send Email Country: United States Website:
