February 2007

Four amazing women have joined Women Making a Difference's executive committee with two-year terms. The 2007 executive committee is comprised of:

Ida Becker: marketing and pr chair
Darci Grady: grant recipient co-liaison NEW!
Marcie Jacobs: events co-chair NEW!
Kristen Lane: grants committee chair
LuAnn McCants: grant recipient liaison
Catherine McCullough: events chair NEW!
Kenton Morrison: member communication chair
Elizabeth Sinkler: membership chair NEW!

Darci Daggett Grady is a 32-year-old stay-at-home mother who spends her days with two-year-old daughter Grace. Darci grew up in Boone, N.C., and she attended UNCW on a swim scholarship. She graduated with a degree in criminal justice and went on to earn her law degree from Wake Forest. Prior to relocating to the Lowcountry with her husband Jeff, she worked as a real estate attorney in Raleigh, N.C. Darci first learned about WMD through member LuAnn McCants.

"The WMD giving circle diagram enables women to contribute in a situation where their gift, pooled with other gifts, is able to make a significant impact on the women and children in our community," says Darci. "Not only does our giving effect our grant recipients, it also empowers and inspires our members in their daily lives. With my gift I believe a  “pay it forward”  effect occurs. I believe the grants encourage the recipients to have a more positive or giving mentality which causes a ripple effect that touches more then just our grant recipients.  Therefore, our giving cannot be quantified by the dollar amount given, but the effect it has overall on the mentality of our community.  This subjective component is just another benefit to our giving."

Marcie Jacobs knows the importance of getting involved with a worthy organization. Her whole life, her parents taught her and her siblings that it's more important to give than to receive. "I have always given a good amount of my time to charitable work as it fulfills me," she says. "In the business world, there isn't a lot of instant gratification. The non-profit world offers those experiences every moment. When you work to help another, it's almost always gratifying."
 
Women Making a Difference interested Marcie the moment she heard of it.  "Having only recently relocated to Charleston," she says, "the premise of the organization was simple yet very powerful.  My contribution is nice, but when it's combined with contributions of 150 other women then you can really a make a difference in the lives of others. Their name said everything and I knew this was a group of ladies that I wanted to befriend."
 
Marcie's previous non profit service includes projects for United Way, Habitat, The Junior League, Cameron Art Museum.  Previously, she served on the board of trustees for The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra and Thalian Hall in Wilmington, NC.  A marketing/advertising executive with her own company, The Media Dept., Marcie has always gotten her clients to do the same giving back whether it be an event sponsorship or the development of an entire community or civic project. "Giving back to the community that gives so much to me touches every aspect of my life."

Elizabeth Sinkler has been a member of WMD since the start, and she jumped at the opportunity to serve in the role formerly spearheaded by her friend Weesie.

"We all know about the three t's of giving: time, talent, and treasure, but the reality is that sometimes just time and talent don't seem like enough," says Elizabeth. "With WMD, I feel that the amount of money I am able to give each year becomes part of the greater whole, and it goes right where it's needed. I also love that WMD has joined together with the Coastal Community Foundation. I've always wanted my own fund at the Community Foundation, and now I feel like I have one! There is nothing better than watching the endowment grow knowing that the money is going to continue to directly help women and children in need.  As a part of WMD, we are creating a legacy. It's a great partnership."

Elizabeth is a Charleston native who returned to the Lowcountry with her husband Dana to raise their two girls, Legare and Alida. Elizabeth has served on the boards of MUSC Children's Hospital Fun and the Children's Museum. She currently serves on the Ashley Hall Alumnae Board and is an active member of the Ashley Hall Parent's Association.

For additional information, please email Ida Becker.