Thursday's Truths - Microloans Make a Difference!

My apology to my faithful viewers. I have not had an opportunity to post since last week! There are a lot of exciting things happening with the WWRG network, including last evening's event put on by our local chapter of 85 Broads which featured the Grameen Foundation and their work to provide microloans to women in disadvantaged nations so that they can lift themselves and their children out of poverty.

I was honored to be a Power Host at the event, and led a group of women ( and a few enlightened men!) through a exercise on how the process of loan making works.

The impact of these loans is impressive. Here are a few statistics courtesy the Grameen Foundation:

• 9.4 Million...
  ...of the world's poor have been helped by our MFI partners, allowing them to begin their journey out of poverty.
• More than 1 Million...
  ...microloans have been generated through our Growth Guarantee program. (Estimate based on average loan size.)
  
• $160 Million...
  ...in local currency has been leveraged to support microfinance programs in 13 countries.
• 25,000...
  ...Village Phone operators are working in 6 countries around the world.
• 300,000...
  ...daily transactions are supported through Mifos at microfinance institutions around the world.
• More Than $2.3 Million...
  ...in in-kind services have been contributed by 140 Bankers without Borders volunteers in 9 countries.

Many of you know that I am committed to getting the word out about Global Women's Issues including the fact that greater than 70% of the world's poor are women and children.

I encourage you to support organizations such as the Grameen Foundation and others like it. Also, please familiarize yourself with the UN Millennium Goals, which seek to eliminate world poverty by 2015.

Lifestyle Lifter -Jennifer McCann, Lifestyle Photographer

Last Sunday evening I participated in the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG) awards ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria In NYC.

As I walked down the Red Carpet, I was greeted by the usual barrage of "flash units" from the global press and media outlets that were on hand to cover this annual event which preceded the UN MDG Summit began on Monday of last week.

I paused to allow a picture against the backdrop.

I asked one of the photographers how I might obtain a copy of any photos she had taken. She politely offered that I should contact East of Ellie, the event planner for the evening. I made a mental note of this and proceeded into the reception area to meet up with my other invited guests.

Later that evening, this same photographer approached our group and asked for a photo. How she found me in a room filled with hundreds of people is nothing short of a miracle.

I asked her again how we could obtain a copy of the group photo, and this time she offered her business card and said she would gladly broker the transfer.

Once again, fate deals me an opportunity to introduce to you an extraordinary artist, and a new friend.

Her name is Jenn McCann. Based out of Fairfield County, she is a married, and mother of two beautiful little girls.

Jenn is a "Self-Taught Photographer" and sole proprietor of "Jennifer McCann Photography"

I asked her to give me a little background on her passion:

"I have enjoyed and dabbled in photography for years, but started professionally part time 3 years ago, just went full time this past year, and even in the slow economy, I'm finding my business growing quickly.

I'm a "lifestyle" photographer, I work with natural light, on location- I mainly do family and children's portraits, and weddings- but other areas have included misc. events, product, and even fitness.

I was published in the June 2010 issue of "Shape" Magazine.

I am also contracted by "Family and Children's Aid" in Danbury, CT (A non-profit agency) as the agency photographer to photograph events and clients throughout the year.

I was featured as business of the month at Newtown Savings Bank in July 2010 - in my home town of Bethel.

My style is natural and candid, catching special moments between loved ones. My main goal is to please my clients and try to provide a comfortable, relaxed, and fun atmosphere to ensure great pictures!"

I encourage all of you to visit her website to get a better look at her work. I know many of you are located outside the NY Metro Area, but for the right event, and the right arrangement, I'm sure Jenn will make herself available!

Monday's Motivational Makeover - The Total Package

A few months ago, my colleague and fellow 85 Broads member, Evie wrote a guest blog featuring another 85 Broads member and friend, Dr. Shirley Madhere.

Shirley, Evie, and I attended the UN Millennium Development Goals Awards event in NYC last evening. Among the presenters were former super model Christie Brinkley and Actor, Country Music singer, John Schneider.

The Grand Ballroom was packed with dignitaries, celebrities, and CEO's, many of them women. Gloria Gaynor sang her signature disco anthem " I will survive". During this, there were literally women dancing in the isles.

What struck me the most was the energy in the room. Also striking were the men and women who attended.

Ageless is not just a concept anymore - it is reality!

Both Christie and John did not look their biological ages. I credit this to a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and good nutrition.

I discussed this with Shirley, a noted Plastic Surgeon. She agrees, and in fact her practice is centered around a "holistic" approach to anti-aging.

Another thing that struck me. Men are beginning to take an interest in re-vitalizing their youth. Shirley said that she has a number of high-profile male clients who want to look younger to " compete with younger men (and women)" who are increasingly rising to the top of companies and organizations.

I encourage you to take time today to think through what a makeover - physical or attitudinal - would do for you.

Keep in mind, though, that working on one, without paying attention to the other, will limit your outcome and your appearance.

Shirley is working on a book on this very subject and as soon as it is available, you will all be the first to know!

In the meantime, I hope to get her to do an occasional guest blog so we can begin our Total package Makeover ASAP!

TGIF - Odds and Ends that are in!

I'd like to wrap up the week with a few things that I want to share with you. Nothing heavy, just a couple of ways to solve some of the world's problems, that's all.

It's called The Girl Effect and if you do nothing else today but take 3 minutes to view their video, I think it will be well worth your while.

The other idea whose time has come are the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as set forth by the United Nations. One of their goals is to end world poverty by the year 2015.

I had the honor of being invited to attend a Press Conference and Luncheon recently for the MDG Awards Ceremony to be held later this fall.

The number three goal of the MDG is Gender Equality (why is this not #1?). For a (fairly) recent report on how this effort is shaping up click here. The notion of Gender Equality as supported by the UN has been around quite a while. Here is a link to one of their early proclamations concerning this topic.

Now that you have been exposed to these thought-provoking tid-bits, get out there and be a part of the solution as set forth by both The Girl Effect and the UN.

Then kick-back, relax, and enjoy more Lifestyle Lifters featuring Evie in tomorrow's post.

Have a great weekend! SDG, JBHIV