YNS Live with Together Women Rise

Listen to a new episode of Your Next Stop recorded live on Fireside with host Juliet Hahn featuring Together Women Rise Co-founder Barb Collins, and Communications & Membership Director Wendy Frattolin.

 

“When ordinary people join together and multiply by thousands, what we can do in the world is just beyond imagination.” - Barb Collins

 

“If we empowered every single woman and girl around the world, if they were truly treated equally, we would change the world.” - Wendy Frattolin

 

Together Women Rise is a powerful community of women and allies dedicated to achieving global gender equality. We have hundreds of local chapters across the U.S. where members learn about and advocate for gender equality issues, give grants to organizations that empower women and girls in low-income countries, and build a community to forge meaningful connections that increase our strength and collective impact.

 

Barbara Fintel Collins is the co-founder of Together Women Rise, a TEDx Speaker, author of Love, Norm, which was written during her father's remarkable remission from stage 4 nonsmoker lung cancer and is a message of hope for those he was leaving behind. It's a story of one man's quest for an equitable world and how a father influenced his daughter to carry on his legacy. Along the way, Barb discovered that the healing power of giving is her most potent medicine. She reveals how altruism helps manage chronic pain in a 2020 TEDx Talk.

 

Originally from Canada, Wendy Frattolin has a degree in Journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto. She has more than 20 years of experience in the areas of communications, marketing, and development, having worked in both corporate and non-profit settings and as an independent consultant. Wendy joined the Together Women Rise staff in April 2014, where she oversees Together Women Rise’s Member Education and Engagement Program and has overall responsibility for the organization’s communications strategies and activities. She is a member of the Greenville-1 chapter and served as co-leader of this chapter for two years.

 

Join the cause at TogetherWomenRise.org. Follow Together Women Rise on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

 

Connect with Barb on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

 

Connect with Wendy on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

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Go to Episode 146: Heather Monahan | TEDx Speaker, Podcast Host, & Best-selling Author 

Go back to Episode 145: Anna Lozano | Founder, Investor, & Coach to Founders

 

 

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Episode Transcript

[00:00:00] Juliet Hahn: Hello, everyone. How are you? Welcome to YNS Live with Together Women Rise with Wendy and Barb. I am so excited about this. I cannot wait for you guys to hear this on international women's day of all days. Um, welcome ladies. 

[00:00:18] Wendy Frattolin: Thank you so much.

[00:00:19] Juliet Hahn: Oh, my gosh. I'm so excited. Okay. So there's a couple of different things.

[00:00:23] I want everyone in the audience. Welcome to everyone. That's there. Rita, Cynthia Marwan, Wendy Ross, and Charlotte. And I know people are listening to us in many different places. So I want you guys to go down to those two little lines, Wendy. This is also for you, so you can see this. Um, this is the first time these ladies are on the platform.

[00:00:42] So I'm going to take them through a little. You're going to go to those two little lines and you're going to say broadcast to the world. You'll see a pop-up just like you're sending a, um, you know, a picture to someone and you're going to look at, yeah,

[00:01:02] I love it. And I have to say, I am having my simulcast for some reason is not working the way it typically does, which is. Bit of a bummer, but I will be sharing this right afterwards. So if you guys are listening to the replay and you're like, I didn't see it, like I typically do something, um, happens behind the scenes, which happens when you're in a new app, it happens in life.

[00:01:24] Right. We all do. Yeah, can't help everything, but I broadcast it where you guys can click if you are, you know, no, you want to send it to your friends because this is going to be a great episode. And I can't wait to dive into this. Okay. So welcome again to YNS Live. I am Juliet Hahn and you are on Fireside.

[00:01:44] Wendy Frattolin: It is so exciting to be here on international women's day. This is a huge day for us and for women all over the world and 

[00:01:54] Barb Collins: Juliet. I'm so excited to, um, have you take our story out from, within us because I've been listening to your podcasts and you just have a way about you that, that you, you know how to weave it.

[00:02:11] Juliet Hahn: Thank you. I appreciate it. It is, it is my God-given talent. It really, really is. And, um, it's, it's a special one and I do, I do enjoy that. So I'm so happy that we were connected and, um, we've been Wendy and I had been talking for a long time, but the thing that's really amazing is that it all came together today on women's international day.

[00:02:30] So it was my plan 

[00:02:32] Wendy Frattolin: I planned that Juliet. 

[00:02:34] Juliet Hahn: I know you did. I know you did. 

[00:02:36] Barb Collins: You're good. We call that strategic serendipity. 

[00:02:41] Juliet Hahn: Which is, which is the best kind of way to be. Okay. So I want us to dive right in Barb. I would love for you. And if you guys see me kind of go blank I'm because I'm behind the scenes trying to get my simulcasts to work.

[00:02:51] So don't be like, is Juliet frozen. I am not frozen. I am here, but I would love Barb for you just to jump in and start talking to us about how you founded together, women rise. And then we get into a good conversation. 

[00:03:06] Barb Collins: You know, um, I'll try to keep it short. I'm afraid I could talk about that for a long time, but, uh, you know, my life has taken a lot of back roads and detours at times.

[00:03:20] And so getting there, I think was cumulative beginning back with my parents and my childhood. Um, my parents were there. Social advocates before it was really known my father, a very quiet one, and my mother, a total rebel. Um, so they made a lot of very bold parenting decisions and they exposed my brother, sister, and me to some really unusual things.

[00:03:50] For instance, my dad, when I was eight, we lived in the suburb called golden valley in, um, outside of Minneapolis. And he would commute every day to the city and he was witnessing a time in the mid-sixties when people were fleeing the, um, Anxiety within the city and the racial tensions that were burgeoning and they were fleeing to the suburbs and he was like, well, if we wanted to be part of the solution to that problem, then we need to go live where that problem lives.

[00:04:25] And when I was eight, he moved us to the inner city. And I remember my first day of school, third grade in, I came in from recess and found this note on my desk. I unfolded it. And in pencil, Diane had said, meet me on the playground after school. And all the girls in the class kept telling me that we were supposed to go and fight, oh God, I decided to show up.

[00:04:51] I never told my parents this and Diane didn't show up. And the next day we were very, we were like best friends. And so my dad was teaching me a lifelong lesson on how to build bridges and how to help solve problems. Um, my mom, a few years later, Uh, seventh grade and she decided that in Minneapolis girls should not be wearing dresses to school.

[00:05:16] And the dress code was that you had to wear a dress. So of course she sends me to school and pants. And of course, I was sent home by the principal and my mom was waiting for her. And sure enough, they changed that dress code. You know? So my mom and dad, um, put me down that path. Um, then I did normal things.

[00:05:37] As I went to college, uh, graduated view Minnesota. I got married. I had two daughters, but then wham. My life took a big detour and I had three failed back surgeries in seven months when I was 33. And so it left me saying, well, how do I find joy and happiness? And it took a long time, but when my neighbor, um, invited me to an unusual birthday party in 2003, and this is after I had taken a life-altering trip to Tanzania where I met incredibly strong.

[00:06:15] Um, but when she invited me to that and twenty-five women pooled what we would have spent going out to eat. And instead, we donated it to women and girls in a program of women for women international that we had seen on Oprah. And we decided that we needed to do it every year. And that chapter has been meeting every month.

[00:06:37] And I started doing the research on who we were going to spend our money to and started picking programs because I wanted to get money into the hands of women. And I knew that it was really hard because in Africa they didn't have mailboxes. So, um, that's kind of how I got to together, women. So I know Wendy has a totally different story.

[00:07:02] Juliet Hahn: No, but that is just, I mean, I love that you said you've been listening to the podcast because not only is it international women's day, so your, your organization, like, you know, this is something that I would have and want to promote anyways, but your story, um, is, and I know you said you just touched on it because it was, you know, I'm sure it was in-depth.

[00:07:21] So many different things, just, you know, made me think like, oh my gosh, like the fact that you and your parents, and this is what we talk about. On my shows, as you know, cause you listen and anyone else that you know is new here, we talk about how people follow a passion and turn it into a business or turn it into a charity or turn it into something that's meaningful.

[00:07:40] And a lot of times we don't think of those little things that happened to us when we were children or happen to us along the way because they're not significant or we don't remember. And I always tell people, and this is what I like to tell my podcast listeners. I think I just told you, ladies, I just got off another show, another recording of a podcast, and it's so awesome.

[00:08:00] And it just, it lights me on fire. When we think about those things and you can think about very significant times in your life. Right. Do you remember when you first moved and that, and Diane, and then you remember when you were in seventh grade and then you remembered. The back surgery. And so there's different things that we all need to think about in our lives.

[00:08:20] So like, this is what I want everyone to hear right now. And everyone to really think about when they sit and this is why daydreaming is so important to me. And I believe to the world and more people need to do it when you daydream and really think about, think back. And some of it's traumatic. Right?

[00:08:35] Some of it, it doesn't feel good. But you have to think about those significant times in your life, even if they're small and they could be the silliest thing. Right. The, you know, the, the fight that the girl said, maybe someone else would not remember that. Right. They might be like, oh, I don't remember that.

[00:08:48] Like, that was so inconsistent in, you know, insignificant, but to you. It wasn't and it was what's building in you, what you were meant to do the path that God or the universe, whatever you believe in was, was really putting you in that path. It was like, okay, I'm going to give you these little different things.

[00:09:04] Cause I created you or, you know, the universe created you and here is where we're going to do. So I love that you. Followed what you were thinking. So I do want to go back a little bit though. So what did you go to university and what did you study in university? 

[00:09:19] Barb Collins: Okay. So I went to the university of Minnesota and, uh, I always knew that I wanted to get into kind of service in helping people.

[00:09:31] So I looked at sociology, I looked at psychology. Um, I actually ended up in a family development major with an emphasis on gerontology or aging, and I fully wanted to run a retirement communities. And I did do that early in my career, but, uh, It wasn't my calling. And after my surgery, it just kind of sent me in a totally different direction.

[00:09:59] Um, so I've worked on a master's in gerontology, but got a really nice job after a year. I regretted not getting that master's but, um, so that's, it kind of led me into the non-profits. 

[00:10:15] Juliet Hahn: Right. And, and so I would also love before Wendy. I know you're just sitting there. Do you have anything to add right now?

[00:10:21] I know you've heard, heard the story and stuff. 

[00:10:24] Wendy Frattolin: Yeah. I've heard this story a few times, but I always love listening to Barb and it, it amazes me how, from that, that small beginning, how large together women rise has become and. All of the women that we have here in the U S who have their own story of why they're passionate about gender equality and women and girls.

[00:10:48] And, um, it's, it's, you know, our honor, really to meet all of the women we made here in the us, and in particular, the work that's being done and the women that are working so tirelessly to simply, you know, live freely and make a good life for them. Yeah. Yeah. 

[00:11:08] Juliet Hahn: I love that. So, uh, you know, another thing that, um, Barb said that again, is, is something that people hear on this podcast all the time is that you went to school and it just didn't feel like, you know, this is not what I wanted to do.

[00:11:20] And so many people, men and women. Stay in what they are assuming they should be in my, my favorite saying is, um, and I shouldn't say my favorite, but one of my say my favorite sayings is we are not trees. We do not need to stay where we are. We need to listen to our intuition. We need to feel what we're feeling.

[00:11:40] We need to live and, and, and live out loud. And if it's something that it doesn't feel right, and you're not like, you know, you're, you're kind of just going through the motions. We all have one. And so why just stay in that one life, if you're not completely satisfied and that's where the daydreaming 

[00:11:55] Barb Collins: comes in.

[00:11:56] Oh, and when you're 63, there's an urgency in that life to do exactly what you just said. I mean, you've got, you've got to go through. 

[00:12:05] Juliet Hahn: Right. Right. So, um, I would love to, you know, when you, when you decided that you wanted to go into nonprofit sector, you know, you talked about the group that you were with, what were some of the, um, I would love for you to kind of just take us through, and I have so many questions.

[00:12:21] We could be on this, you know, for five hours. Um, but I know not everyone has that time, but, so what were some of the, you know, the initials, if you can tend to take us back, like you sat down, um, how did you create it? Like what, what did, what was the. Can you give us a little insight into that? With 

[00:12:37] Barb Collins: together women rise.

[00:12:39] So I'm a co-founder and my neighbor, Marshall Wallace give her tons and tons of credit because, um, she was the one who invited this group of 25 women to her house for this birthday party. And she had heard, um, read in a magazine. I think it was real simple about a group of social workers that did this, but they gave the money locally and Martin.

[00:13:05] Wanted to give it globally. And that spoke to me because I had been through Tanzania and, um, was trying to figure out how to help those women help more people. Because like I said, I knew the money didn't get into their hands. So that night, um, we formed a partnership. And we expected everyone just to flock to us.

[00:13:29] I mean, we have such a great idea. Let's all just, you know, everyone will want to join us, our family or friends, and that turned out not to be really true. And I remember it took us about three years. Before we got nonprofit status where we were like, brainstorming on how do we get the word out and why isn't my so-and-so, you know, coming to a chapter meeting.

[00:13:52] Um, but slowly people understood that this engaged form of philanthropy, because we meet, we learn about the solution that women have identified that they need help. And we give to the most marginalized corners in the world where there are no systems of support, uh, are very, very few. And so our funding really, really matters and we rebuild the world world one woman at a time.

[00:14:28] Um, So people started finding us in the media, discovered what a giving circle was called. And we were one and marsh and I never even knew we were a giving circle till we were in a published study on 60 giving circles. And why philanthropy was changing in this was again in the early, um, early part of the year.

[00:14:53] So after that, the internet, the media picked up on the story. And we became a darling of the media. We were in USA today, New York times. Um, Oprah, real simple. I mean, Wendy can tell you all of them, but in 2012, we ended up. On Brian Williams and the NBC news make a different segment. And literally people then flocked to us because our ideas spread like wildfire.

[00:15:23] It was a simple idea where one person is proven to change the world because of. You know, it's about ordinary people. When you join together and multiply by thousands, what you can do in the world is just beyond imagination and it feeds my soul every day. I probably said too much, but really excited. 

[00:15:49] Juliet Hahn: You did not say too much at all.

[00:15:51] You did not say too much at all. Um, 

[00:15:54] Wendy Frattolin: yeah. So good thing is that, um, you know, I really feel like, like people come to together, women rise because they support our mission, you know, to achieve global gender equality, to, to give grants to women and girls in low income countries, but they stay with us. Because of the community that they build.

[00:16:13] So we have, uh, you know, about 400 chapters all across the us. Each one of them is, has their own unique aspect to them. But every month, or they're doing this, a similar thing, they're learning about the same project, um, that, uh, where like Barb said, Women and girls in that country are saying what they need and they're helping create it.

[00:16:38] And we're all learning together. We're, you know, many of us are sharing meals together, which is a form of fellowship that resounds around the world. And we are knowing that we are making a difference and that community, that close-knit community that we create in our chapters, the friendships that we made.

[00:16:59] And the amazing women that we meet is, is what has kept our, our members and our chapters going. Um, for so many years, we have over 60 chapters that are 10 years or more. I mean, this is an idea are, are, are, you know, the people who get involved with together with MRIs are so passionate that they have seen us through this pandemic with.

[00:17:25] You know, maybe our model wasn't the best, best one to have in the, in the, you know, in terms of a global pandemic of people getting together, sharing a meal and learning together, but they transitioned to virtual and they said, no, these women and girls, they need us more than ever. And we are going to continue and we're going to continue because we love our community that we have and, and we support each other.

[00:17:49] And, you know, for women, this is such an amazing thing to be able to find your tribe. So to speak, find people who are just as passionate as you are about this, this cause, and, and that want to learn together. And it's, you know, it, it's an amazing thing. It's changed the lives, not only of women and girls around the world, but if the people who have gotten involved in this organization right here, 

[00:18:15] Barb Collins: yeah.

[00:18:15] It kind of lets us all be our best. So. You know, and, and what we do really special in what magic is that our model belongs to all of us. We collaborate. Um, we take that very, very seriously. Listening is one of the most important things we do, um, here in the United States and around the whole world. But you also have to think of, uh, these, our chapters are meeting every month.

[00:18:46] They're giving. 12 times a year or more. And over our lifetime and Wendy, um, you'll have the current step, but I believe now we've given over $10 million. And raised it through small gifts that our chapter meetings where they average gift is only $35. So art, when we give a 35 to $50,000 brand, which is what we do at on a monthly basis, that's literally coming from thousands and thousands and thousands of women.

[00:19:19] And it gives you goosebumps. When you talk to the program, um, the grantee program staff, and they realize just what that support is coming. You know, it's just a sense of comradery that we all are craving right now. 

[00:19:34] Juliet Hahn: No, it's so true. And so can I, cause I know if anyone in the audience is like me, they're thinking, well, how do I get involved?

[00:19:40] Where, where can people find me? So are where the can they find you? So the fortune cookie right there, you guys can find, you know, together women rise.org is the website. And then together women rise is, uh, Instagram. And then also your Twitter is together. Women rise. Correct? 

[00:19:58] Barb Collins: The expert on this. 

[00:20:00] Wendy Frattolin: Yeah. On Twitter, it's together, women as in w M N M rise, just because of the limitations on the running of the Twitter, you get creative.

[00:20:11] But, um, I, you know, I'm so proud of how this organization has come through the pandemic and created even more opportunities for people to connect with our mission and with our community. We have learned how to gather. Virtually to, um, to learn about the projects we're supporting to talk about books that we're all reading, um, you know, and to have special events like the other day, we had a international women's day webinar about the impact of COVID on women and girls around the world.

[00:20:45] Um, there's just so many opportunities. We, you know, um, our members travel to visit the organizations that we support. And I was lucky enough, several years ago to visit Rwanda and see three of the projects that, uh, my dollars helped to support and to meet the women and girls. And one of the most impactful moments of my life was sitting in sort of this open air tent in Rwanda.

[00:21:12] With all of these women at an organization called gardens for health, and they get together on a regular basis, the women to talk about their challenges and their problems and their issues. And they allowed us into that experience with them. And we, um, We also shared a meal with them. We read, we have a dinner affirmation that talks to that idea of the fellowship of sharing food together and the connection that women have.

[00:21:42] And we read that together with, with these women from Rwanda, um, you know, the 14 of us that were visiting from the U S with together, women rise. Literally had us all in tears. It was just incredible that feeling of connecting and that we all, you know, all women around the world have many of the same problems of, of, you know, loving and caring and worrying about our children and making sure that we're providing for them and doing the best for them.

[00:22:10] And. Um, it was just an incredible experience and every one of our members that travel and experience these journeys come back changed. Yeah. 

[00:22:21] Juliet Hahn: Yeah. And I mean, and just, and the thing is, and I know everyone and we are actually, I figured out I got us on YouTube, so I'll be able to share that. So the thing that's really, um, just really makes me.

[00:22:32] So excited is to hear how excited you guys are. Like, you can feel your energy. And that's one of the things that I, I love. And that's one of the reasons why I love being able to have a platform to lift these sort of missions up to lift women up to lift. Uh, you know, I also have men, but today is international women's day.

[00:22:51] So we're going to we're we're talking about men too. Yeah. So that's what I, that's where I was going to turn it. So can you share that, that it's not just about women, it's also about men that support. 

[00:23:01] Barb Collins: It's it's always been about. It's one thing we do, our doors are open to everyone, you know, there's, I've spoken before, like my parents' retirement community and I go, and the whole audiences.

[00:23:15] And I'm like, you know, where are the men? Because the men are essential and we're never going to achieve gender equality without the men being a participant. Uh, we have chapters that are coed. We have husbands that come with their wives. My husband never came to our chapter, but he's living, living it because every day for 19 years, this is what I talk about.

[00:23:41] I mean, my poor son-in-laws are all like, oh, you know, we've got this mother-in-law that this is really important, but we have this opportunity to help bring them into the fold because we have to do it together with men and, and, you know, we, we blend. We, we just have different talents sometimes. And in order to change how the communities and the countries are working for women, the men just have to be integral in the decision-makings.

[00:24:14] And so do the women, we just have to be either. 

[00:24:18] Juliet Hahn: Well, it's, it's just really about, and this is what I think is so important. And I've talked about this before, and I actually talked about this on one of the podcast. Um, it is, it is not about it's about the person in the heart. It doesn't matter what their nationality is, their gender, any of that.

[00:24:33] And that's something that I really phone home, even when I teach my children. And sometimes it's hard in this world, cause it's always, you know, it's about this. Organization's trying to get better. And this organization saying that they, you know, this happened and let's just all. W let's all celebrate each other's strengths and see where we can support each other just to be a better unit as humid.

[00:24:58] Bot: Yeah. Yeah. Well, thanks. 

[00:25:02] Wendy Frattolin: I'm passionate about this, about this. Cause because I have a daughter, but I'm passionate about it because I have a son and I love that, you know, he has been in the background of, you know, all these. Zoom meetings I've had over the last two years and, you know, picking up, um, you know, what, what this is all about.

[00:25:21] And of course I've talked to them all the time about how, you know, we are all equal men, women, you know, no matter what the differences are. And, and, and I, I hope that that's been ingrained in him. Um, and, and in my daughter as well, because it's something I believe firmly if we empower. Every single woman and girl around the world, if they were truly treated equally, we would change the world.

[00:25:48] It's it's, well-known, it's documented that women and girls make a peaceful more, you know, um, Healthier safer, more economically just world. I mean, I really think that, um, you know, you look at what's happening in, you know, around the world today and the conflicts that are occurring and the challenges like climate change and women are at the center of these, not only because they're being impacted disproportionately look at all the women and girls crossing the border of Ukraine right now, but because they can be the ones that are bringing the solution.

[00:26:26] And yes, not just women, men as well, but we need to make sure that women and girls have the opportunities to be able to contribute to the solutions. Yeah. And if you 

[00:26:36] Barb Collins: look at it, you know, there's an old, uh, African philosopher who in the twenties said, if you educate a man, you simply educate an individual.

[00:26:46] And if you educate a woman, you educate a whole nation. And we also know that women spend 90% of their earned income on their families. And when men have it, it's 30 to 40%. So, you know, women are leading, women are leading the way. 

[00:27:07] Juliet Hahn: I love that. And I love that you guys are bringing, you know, bringing this out, but I also, I love the initial story, but then I also want to get into like how Wendy got involved and, and, and you know, a little bit of Wendy's story as well.

[00:27:20] Barb Collins: It's a great one. 

[00:27:23] Wendy Frattolin: Well, um, I think that, uh, together women rise, uh, was sort of my next stop in my, in my journey. I have always been. Sort of had a, uh, a social justice conscience. In fact, I met up with, uh, old high school classmates. Um, hadn't seen her in 30 years and when I told her what I was doing with together, women rise, she said, yeah, you were always into social justice.

[00:27:50] And I don't even recall that in high school being part of it, but I guess I was, but, um, I'm originally from Canada, lived there, born and raised there always had, uh, you know, A great awareness and interest in the world in general, but there was, there was a greater world out there and we moved to, uh, Greenville, South Carolina, about 15 years ago.

[00:28:11] And once I had my kids settled into school and I was able to, uh, you know, have a little bit more time, I started volunteering with an organization called 10,000 villages. There are a fair trade store locations, um, across the us that sell products that have been, um, purchased through fair trade practices, ensuring that there's no child labor that they're paid fairly.

[00:28:37] And, um, they sell these products. They're all, uh, a vast majority of their artisans are women. So I started to learn a little bit about what was going on with women in low-income countries around the world. And. It really did open my eyes. And eventually this always sort of happens to me. I went from, you know, a volun volunteer in the store and ended up joining their board of directors for the local store and, um, Marcia Wallace, one of our Marcia Wallace, um, Barb's co-founder was on the board as well.

[00:29:14] And someone whispered to me, oh, she's the one that started while we were called dining for women at the time. And. Yeah, what's that, you know? Well, as soon as I heard about it, I had to get involved because it hit on every one of my passions, um, that, you know, the importance of, of supporting women and girls and, um, and the international side of it.

[00:29:35] I, I very much believe that there wasn't enough support going around the world to international organizations and wanting to be part of that. And then of course, Getting a chance to meet people and share a meal together. It all sounded, sounded perfect. Well, I volunteered for and participated as a member for a few years.

[00:29:54] And, um, uh, it was about the time of my life when I was ready to go back to work and, um, thought that this might be a great place to, to work because it was following my passion. I ended up starting in a, in a fairly small role, working 12 hours a week, being able to still pick up my kids from school and whatnot.

[00:30:15] And, and now today I've been with the organization for eight years. And, um, I mean, I can't remember a time when I wasn't involved and, um, and just, you know, have, have been able to follow my passion through, through this work and. 

[00:30:31] Barb Collins: So, yeah, something she's not telling you is that believe so wholeheartedly in our mission that she came into our organization and we only had room for someone to help us answer the phones.

[00:30:47] That's how passionate, because Wendy's resume is like super vast. Hmm. When I was there, I was looking at her background in communications and public relations and I'm like, oh my word. And so Wendy was quickly promoted and she was our very first director of members. Or what was 

[00:31:09] Wendy Frattolin: that title? Member services or something like that?

[00:31:13] How many 

[00:31:14] Barb Collins: years has it been now, Wendy? That you've. 

[00:31:17] Wendy Frattolin: It's eight years. I still can't quite believe that. 

[00:31:20] Juliet Hahn: Um, I, you know, and it's, but what's so cool is that you can hear and just see the passion. But, so I want people, you know, now that I know people are also listening on YouTube, How can they get involved so they can go to your website and they can sign up.

[00:31:34] So how does that work? Like, I'm sure people can give donations, but how do they get involved even deeper? Cause I know everyone here, even if you're listening to this and you're thinking, oh, that's cool because what we do, I know as humans, we listened to something and we're like that. But we don't take action.

[00:31:49] Um, and especially in this busy world, we don't take action enough. And there are so many, uh, obviously so many things, so many things pulling at us that we're all, you know, people will say, well, how do you, do you have one passion though? I have a million passions. Right? But again, it all leads us back to that universe and God where he wants our path.

[00:32:06] So it might be something that you're like, oh, this is cool. I'm going to give a donation, but I don't need to be involved all the time. But how do you know that your sister or your aunt or your husband or your brother-in-law, or your neighbor that this. Meant to be their path. So what I want you to do right now, this is not an infomercial.

[00:32:23] Cause I feel like, like I'm on the charity line. Okay. What I want you to do is after you listen to this, I want you to go to the website. I want you to look around and see, and even if you're busy, I want you to put it in your fricking notes and put it in your calendar, because I want you to go back to this because this is such an important mission.

[00:32:41] This is such an important thing. Let's help these guys grow even more than they already are. Because as I said, they, they were getting a lot of recognition, but you know what? The pandemic, all the different things and think about. How the world is right now and how even more needed this organization is.

[00:32:56] So again, go to together, women rise.org and start searching around. But can you guys, is there there's newsletters give, give us a little bit about that. Cause yeah. 

[00:33:06] Wendy Frattolin: So when you go to together, women rise.org, there's a tab called join us and you'd click on that and there's a bunch of sub tabs and you're gonna be able to sign up for our newsletter.

[00:33:15] You're going to find information about how you can find a local chapter in your area. Just put it in. The code, but we'd love to have you start a new chapter. Now. Chapter sounds kind of formal, like, oh my God. Like, you know, or they're all much, uh, 

[00:33:30] Juliet Hahn: She went and got you when you got a call. So there, where you left 

[00:33:33] Wendy Frattolin: off.

[00:33:34] Sorry about that. And my S my son, my son calling. Um, so the former chapter is so simple. Get a couple of friends together, get together, and, you know, um, and, and, you know, we have all the materials that you can learn about and get involved with. You can join our book club events. You can travel with us. You can get involved with advocacy.

[00:33:58] There are so many ways to get involved. And I just want to say, you know, today you turn on the news and there are so many big problems in the world there truly are. And sometimes it's hard to figure out what you, you can actually do. And yes, donations are incredible and we need your donations for sure.

[00:34:16] Any. Any amount, but here is a way that you can make a difference, but also gets so much back yourself. You know, I think of the people that you're going to meet in the community, that you're going to share, the things that you're going to learn that I certainly had no idea about. Um, and I, you know, personally, I think this is one of the easiest ways to help change the way.

[00:34:42] Barb Collins: I love it. Yeah. And I also want to say that we have traditional chapters at guests there's over 400 spread across the United States, but, um, I'm one that can't always go to a chapter meeting because of my, uh, health. And so now that one thing that came from COVID is that we were able to expand digitally and have a virtual presence.

[00:35:07] So all of a sudden I can go on demand. And listen to the national chapter meetings that we've started online. And so if you're a busy person and we know a lot of moms right now, and women are extremely busy and very stressed, but it's easy to go on the website and to learn and to engage with that. Um, donations are always accepted, but the other big thing we are.

[00:35:34] We're a volunteer run organization. We have a very good staff and a new CEO coming in, but we have what almost a thousand volunteers. I mean, that is our bread and butter in it 

[00:35:50] Bot: is 

[00:35:50] Barb Collins: step up. And, you know, so we are, I often think that we are leading leaders. And our women are truly amazing. Our members, they all have a story that should be on this show.

[00:36:06] Juliet. No. 

[00:36:07] Juliet Hahn: Well, and I, 

[00:36:11] Bot: well, 

[00:36:12] Juliet Hahn: um, which is not typical. It's, I'm hoping it's not the school. Can you guys. Am I back. Am I back? Okay, so, well, that's the thing I think, which is really, which is really fascinating. And that's what I love because I see that I see where we can have, or we can have some of your members on because that this is what this is all about.

[00:36:31] You know, not just my live shows, but my year next stop, which is my prerecorded, because that's what lights my fire. So I w as you guys were talking because, you know, And we've been as you know, Wendy and I we've been talking and talking and talking. Um, but I knew that this episode was gonna kind of give me a lot of foundation also, and just think about all the ways that I'm going to be able to help give back to, to this organization, because it is, you know, all the time that I know when, you know, I would love to, to, you know, whatever we'll, we'll, we'll talk behind the scenes, but there's so much that you guys are doing that are so important and really close to my heart.

[00:37:06] Well, 

[00:37:06] Barb Collins: and one thing that we're going through is, you know, we've been here 19 years and some of us have, I mean, many chapters or 10, 15 year chapters, and we're we're aging, so you're much younger, but a lot of us are aging and we need the next generation. To carry on and carry it further than we ever dreamed of.

[00:37:32] And we're counting on people like you to do it, to, to help move that. 

[00:37:38] Juliet Hahn: Yeah. Well, I mean, I, as I'm like, even thinking, like I was thinking like so many college age women that are, you know, like finishing school and stuff, there's such an avenue there and that's what also guys in the audience who, wherever you're listening, I really want you to think about that.

[00:37:53] Like this could be a really cool thing that you, um, You know, you, you donate or get one of your, your friends or siblings or nieces or nephews, or someone involved in this by just saying, Hey, I listened to this podcast and this is what podcasts are, right. This is why it's such a powerful medium. That's why fireside.

[00:38:10] And I thank them all the time that they created this platform that we're able to get these stories out and, and stories like yours. Right? There's there's so many stories we all can learn from each other's stories. We just have to listen. We have to take the time. We have to pause our bodies now. One of the fastest moving, always on the goat people.

[00:38:29] But when I sit and listen and when I sit and do what I'm doing right now is, is when I'm in my. Right. And, you know, I have my other pieces, my family as well, but when I'm doing this and I, and my brain starts going, and I know there's people in the audience right now, like specifically Bridget and Gina that are like, like right now laughing because they have both been on the podcast.

[00:38:48] And I know that their brains are spinning right now going, oh wait, okay. I know why Juliet just pinged me in here because this is something that I also can get involved with. And I know we've had conversations where, you know, um, Anyone that hasn't listened to Bridget's episode it, she has, uh, uh, uh, it's called beyond beauty project.

[00:39:07] And Bridget, I know right now you're like, oh my God, she's just shouting me out. It is so aligned with what you guys are doing. And I can see just so many different things. Um, Her mission is just amazing. And Gina has been CEO of charity before she has her own her own company. And you know, I'm not shouting everyone else out in here.

[00:39:26] I'm just looking around to see if I see them in their names. Jen is a part of fireside. Um, and so Jen, thank you for being here. This is, you know, such an important. Message. But it's also not just the message. It shows the powerfulness of storytelling because your story right now, people can see, you know, see other women rise and they're like, okay, whatever, who cares, but they hear your story and they hear your passion and they hear what you're doing and they hear your message.

[00:39:50] And that's, what's important and that's what the world needs so much today. And we all need it. Not like there's people that are like, nah, I don't need it. Yeah, you do. If they sat and listened to this episode, it's going to stir something inside of them. And this is your business, your organization, what you're doing in the businesses behind it.

[00:40:07] And, and the, the people that you can connect. That's what. Is is needed right now. So thank you guys so much for, you know, jumping up here. And again, I said to you, we're going to be connected in many, many different things. You guys, you're not done with me. 

[00:40:21] Wendy Frattolin: We look forward 

[00:40:22] Bot: to. 

[00:40:24] Wendy Frattolin: And, you know, they're, they're a nice, especially since we've gotten, you know, we've been doing so much virtually, there are nights when, you know, sometimes I'll go, oh, I got to get on another zoom.

[00:40:33] And, and we haven't talked a lot about the grantees that we support with our donations and the grants that we give out. But every time I hear one of our, one of the representatives of our grantees, Tell their story, their own story. And then the stories of the women and girls that they're working with. I, you know, I might start off getting on that zoom a little tired by the end of it.

[00:40:59] I am fired up and energized and so inspired. It is amazing. The women that the young women that we've met that have started these non-profits, that are working around the world. I mean, You know, blink now is a perfect example of a founder who went to Nepal on a, you know, just, uh, a trip and learned the, you know, the difficulties that, um, that were happening in that country and has done such incredible work for women in Nepal.

[00:41:31] We could go on and on and on giving you stories about these amazing people who, um, I mean, we just love our grantees and what they're doing and they inspire us 

[00:41:44] Barb Collins: and what they are impact through those grantees. Dovetailing on what Wendy's saying is some of them have blossomed. 

[00:41:54] Juliet Hahn: Barbara just got a call.

[00:41:57] We're all getting called. 

[00:41:59] Barb Collins: They've blossomed into these incredible organizations where their reach is massive. Like for instance, one acre fund, um, in 2009, we donate like less than 20,000. We were probably 50 chapters or less at that time. And we wanted to train 300 women farmers in Kenya. To the, gave them one acre of land and taught them to be bountiful in how to feed their families.

[00:42:29] So we were training 300 new farmers and we took a risk and invested in their expansion into Rwanda. So we were, I was connecting on LinkedIn with the program director who said, oh yeah, thanks for your catalytic grant. I'm like catalytic grant. Tell me about that. And he said, since then they have now trained 1 million farmers and they 

[00:42:54] Wendy Frattolin: expanded into seven different countries.

[00:42:57] Oh my 

[00:42:58] Bot: God. We have like 

[00:43:02] Barb Collins: 200 grant grantees. Don't we. 

[00:43:05] Wendy Frattolin: Yeah, we funded well over 200 projects over the years, 250 

[00:43:09] Juliet Hahn: projects. Okay. So I feel like the, I think you guys need to come back on. I feel like they need to do this a little bit. No, I'm not kidding. I'm like a little bit more, I know you guys are like, oh wait time.

[00:43:19] Like, you know, we're doing this, but, and share those grantees stories like that is like another really exciting thing that we can do. And that's what I love about what I do. I love that the people that I am put in touch with that I have this platform that I can do that and, and get the stories out because.

[00:43:35] Those kinds of stories. Like when you just said that I was not expecting you to say 1 million blown away, that's insane, but that's, what's, that's what's beautiful. Do you want to share a couple others? We have about five more minutes and then I got to go run and get the kids, but. 

[00:43:51] Wendy Frattolin: Well, I w I wanted to say that the great thing about, um, funding projects internationally is it doesn't take much money to make a huge impact.

[00:44:00] And so, you know, we might look at here in the U S okay. A $50,000 grant. That's not very much, but it's unbelievable what can happen, um, using that money internationally. And it is so, so needed. Projects, like I loved global fund for widows that was, you know, supporting widows because when, uh, when their husband dies, they often don't have the inheritance laws.

[00:44:23] Don't allow them to have any, any income or to inherit anything. I love that story. I love the story of the founder. She's amazing. Kenya's dream is incredible. You know, I, a young woman in Africa that said, you know, no, I, you know, I, I want to go to school. Um, you know, I'm not going to follow the traditional path that yeah, there's, there's so many incredible stories and, and, um, you know, absolutely it will.

[00:44:52] Um, I mean it inspires you to do more 

[00:44:54] Barb Collins: every, every day. Yeah. I'm always, I think the bad, I've been thinking a lot about lionesses lately. And how they reside in each of us and it's up to each of us to bring them out, um, and it's time. So 

[00:45:09] Juliet Hahn: I love that. I love that now. So on your website, can people see the grantees and hear a little bit of the story?

[00:45:14] Do you have like parts where you have the stories written down? Yes. 

[00:45:18] Wendy Frattolin: So, um, go to the learn tab and you'll be able to say so every single month we feature a different grantee and a different project that we're funding. And we give all of our chapters a fact sheet. So a written fact sheet that includes, you know, quotes from the women being supported and all the information they need.

[00:45:39] And we get, um, uh, give them a short video so they can actually see the project. And, and where, where are the money's going? So, um, there, yeah, you can find all of that on our website. And I say, I learned about challenges, um, you know, um, the, the number of, of young girls that become child brides, um, the, the amount of female genital genital mutilation that is occurring.

[00:46:05] But, you know, these are challenges that we don't know anything about here and in the U S that we're so fortunate to not have to experience. Um, not that these issues are not here and not that there are not women. Don't have many, many challenges here as well, but, um, certainly the need is very great. And there is not the financial support for women and girls globally, as there is here in the us.

[00:46:33] So, um, you know, a very small, small percentage of donated dollars goes towards this cause, and it's, it's something that's needed more than ever. COVID has just wrecked havoc on any progress that we've made towards gender equality over in recent years. And it is going to take a while for us to get back.

[00:46:55] Juliet Hahn: But you will because you have the hearts and you have the souls and you have the people behind you and getting your stories out. Like this are just going to rebuild it. Right. Cause we 

[00:47:03] Barb Collins: rebuild it. Wouldn't it be lovely to never have to talk about gender equality someday. Because,

[00:47:14] Juliet Hahn: yes. And I love the clapping and the woo-hoo 

[00:47:16] Bot: right. 

[00:47:19] Juliet Hahn: It's so fun. Right. It's such a great platform. We love fireside. We do well. I am just, you know, so I'm so thankful that we, uh, you know, Wendy and I reconnected and I remember it was from an email. It was an email that my executive producer, who I absolutely adore, um, finds me.

[00:47:36] You know, different projects that I love and, um, or that she thinks that I would love and she sends out emails and that's how we got connected, but it was probably like seven months ago. Right. Or am I, it was okay. It was a while. Yeah. Um, and so, but I love the divine timing. Right. Divine timing is everything.

[00:47:52] So I just have to thank you, Wendy and Barb and, you know, Barbara know we just recently met, but Wendy, you know, has talked about you a million times. Like we're going to get far of on the shot. We're going to get Barb on the show. 

[00:48:03] Barb Collins: It's a pleasure 

[00:48:03] Juliet Hahn: to be. Yes. And just, you know, thank you for also supporting your next stop and YNS live, you know, I appreciate you listening to my stories and, um, you know, the people that I have on here, because that's what it's all about.

[00:48:14] It's all about us uplifting each other and, um, and just all being better. So, um, thank you guys for joining YNS live. And, um, you know, with together women rise and guys, I am not kidding. I want every single one of you down there, even if you just go and, um, Jen, I love how you can still talk over the applause and stuff.

[00:48:35] I have a feeling that, um, I want what I want you guys to do. Now I want you to go and I want you to go look, if you haven't already, because I'm sure there's a million, you know, um, multitaskers there that have gone to the website and looked around, but even just sign up for the newsletter. So it reminds you to go back right.

[00:48:53] Sign up for the newsletter. So then all of a sudden you're like, oh wait, I wanted to get more involved, but I had to go run, pick up my kids. And then I lost my brain for, you know, for four days, um, which, which happens to all of us. Definitely go do that, go over and sign up for the newsletter and then get involved.

[00:49:08] And, um, Wendy and Barb, I'm going to be like FaceTime you guys very soon because I have a million. William's 

[00:49:14] Wendy Frattolin: great. I have no doubt. You are one of these vibrant women that, um, fits so well in her community. And can you just imagine thousands of, of people across the country? I mean, we can do, we can do anything when women come together.

[00:49:32] Barb Collins: Yes. Great. 

[00:49:35] Juliet Hahn: Yes, we can. 

[00:49:36] Wendy Frattolin: Well, thank you 

[00:49:36] Juliet Hahn: everyone for joining and I'm going to call everyone out. Anthony, Jen, Natalie Charlotte region. Gabriel Bridgette, Cynthia, Susan Jane. Um, and there's Wendy and Barb Marwan and Ross. Thank you guys for sticking around. If you're catching this on YouTube. Thank you for being there.

[00:49:53] And I will share the YouTube video and tag you guys in LinkedIn and on Facebook. And, um, again, thank you so much for joining. Why. Live here on fireside. We will see you guys next week. Bye everyone. 

[00:50:09] Wendy Frattolin: Thank 

[00:50:09] Juliet Hahn: you. Thank you guys. It's fun.