It is so exciting to welcome in 2019 after such a fabulous 2018.

We ended the year with about 450 chapters (and growing as we close out the year) with a goal to exceed 500 chapters in 2019! These new chapters and funds are allowing us to enhance our Sustained Grants program, provide extended education to our members, design an inspiring 2019 International Women’s Day event with national partners, and so much more.

Sustained Grantees will take on new prominence this year. Sustained Grantees are really the jewels of Dining for Women – they have been selected for additional funding because they demonstrated significant change and fulfilled all expectations as Featured Grantees. For the first time, DFW will have 12 sustained grantees in each of the next three years. In the past, we have not had Sustained Grantees in June, July, and August. In addition, Sustained Grantee videos and other educational materials will be provided every month.

On International Women’s Day, March 8, we will host our annual “Biggest Chapter Meeting of the Year” with the theme “Women as Agents of Change”. This will be a very exciting virtual event with grantee speakers, a new chapter engagement opportunity, and more! You won’t want to miss this.

The DFW Travel Program is bursting at the seams! We had originally planned three trips in 2019, but added another due to the high level of member interest. This year, look for DFW travel reports from Kenya, Bhutan (two trips!), and Peru! 2018 was our first year partnering with Elevate Destinations, and we could not be happier with their customer service and codes of conduct. Member reviews of our trips have been outstanding!

As you know, we have worked for several years to put in place the kind of systems needed for us grow, and 2018, our 15^th anniversary, was the year that it bore fruit. We thank all of our national volunteers, including members of the Regional Leader, Advocacy, Grant Selection, and Diversity and Inclusion Committees who have been wonderful, thoughtful, engaged, and generous in their contributions to DFW. We thank our Chapter Leaders who inspire one meeting after another so our members can learn and take action for women and girls. We thank our members who are dedicated to learning and global citizenship. We thank our DFW staff and board who give so much every day so that gender equality is more attainable. And to our DFW Grantees and Partners who teach, inspire, and love women and girls all over the world for their strength and inherent value.

My heart is full. Happy New Year All!

Photo caption: Dining for Women President Beth Ellen Holimon (center) at the Global Giving Holiday Soiree at the historic Wimbish House in Atlanta with the GA, Atlanta-1 Chapter Leaders  Jocelyn Robinson and Gabrielle D’Auria.