HERTFORD, NC (November 6, 2006) - Cynthia Brickey has a way of getting involved even when it's not her intention. Take for instance, the one-woman shows she writes and stars in during Black History Month. She didn't intend to become a playwright; but the need was there. The local library asked her to make a presentation on Rosa Parks and before it was over, Brickey had performed in several other libraries and area schools. In 2007, she will again portray an important African American woman.
When she became involved with the Northern Albemarle Community Foundation, again, it was neither by her design nor intention. "I was invited to a meeting and then asked to become more formally involved with the Foundation's works," Brickey remembers. "How can you say ‘no' to an invitation to help people?"
Representing the northeastern region of North Carolina, the Northern Albemarle Community Foundation and the Bertie-Hertford Community Foundation seek to serve one of the most rural and economically depressed regions of the state. Those foundations are organizing women's funds because they believe the most effective and immediate impact in their communities will be made through the women -- the mothers -- in the community.
Peggy Birkemeier says, "Primarily, it's women who take care of the family and that is central to the success of programs designed to increase our population of high school graduates, awareness of healthcare, and decrease of juvenile incarcerations. We believe it is women who have the passion to change the community."
Women's giving groups are considering offering a multi-tiered giving structure in an effort to allow women from all walks of life to participate. Members contribute at a $300 annual giving level or a $1,000 level. In fact, the foundations are considering even lower-level dues or setting up mini-group memberships.
People in these areas are no strangers to philanthropy. But the giving tradition in eastern North Carolina has sometimes centered around a green bean casserole rather than a check. "For me, this is way I can contribute my time and talent to the community in which I live," says Brickey. "I'm involved because I know we can do it."
The Northern Albemarle Community Foundation and the Bertie-Hertford Community Foundation participate in the exchange of information and education offered by the North Carolina Network of Women Givers, a powerful statewide demonstration of the social, human, intellectual and financial capital women bring to solve the seemingly intractable problems facing women and children in our state. Through networking and support common to women who join together to address issues, these female philanthropists are contributing time, talent and treasury to their communities.
Playwrights and Green Bean Casseroles
