She Helped Start a Game-Changing “Giving Circle” Right Here in BHAM
Ginger Jefferson and the members of The Women's Network Giving Circle are harnessing the power of collective giving to uplift women and girls in Birmingham and beyond. Image: Melissa Newton
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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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.