Celebrating Women’s History Month

A Lifestyle of Healing & Hope:

Reflections from Pat Gempel & Dr. Cornelia Haener

As March comes to an end, we asked Pat Gempel and Dr. Cornelia Haener to share how this year’s theme applies to their personal experience and the work they have been able to do with HOPE worldwide. Read their responses on Facebook or Instagram.

Dust Off The Records. We're Still Celebrating!

Grab your dancing shoes and press play! We curated a Spotify playlist spanning four decades with uplifting music featuring female artists. Share this playlist with the women in your life for a good time and an inspirational boost.

Women's History Month Conversations:

HOPE worldwide Volunteer

We got to catch up with one of our long-time volunteers, HOPEww Denver Chapter Director Carmen Hamilton, as she shares words of wisdom about the ways God uses us for transformative change, and

the personal lessons she’s learned about the healing power of a listening ear.

Women's History Month Conversations:

HOPE worldwide Staff

We sat down with our newly appointed Chief Financial Officer, Jennifer Reyes, as she shared vulnerably with us about her journey, challenges she has faced, and a few words of wisdom in an engaging and inspiring conversation. We were privileged to hear from a trailblazer within our organization. 

Q: The Women’s History Month theme for 2022 is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” What about the work you get to do with HOPE worldwide speaks to that theme?

A: I have had the joy of working in several capacities at HOPE worldwide and, in each, I’ve seen the beauty of healing and hope in action. Helping children process the trauma of a hurricane, training youth to effectively channel their passion for fostering shalom in their communities and connecting generous donors with opportunities to meaningfully contribute to transformative work around the world, are just a few of the ways HOPE worldwide has allowed me to participate in God bringing healing and hope to earth.

Q: The Women’s History Month theme for 2022 is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” What about the work you get to do with HOPE worldwide speaks to that theme?

A: Women are often treated as second-class citizens. In some parts of the world, a head of cattle such as a cow is considered more valuable than a woman, and the birth of a girl is deemed a tragedy. At HOPE worldwide the liberation of women is achieved through education, job training, and micro-loans. When a woman is given an opportunity, she can bring her whole family out of poverty.

Q: The Women’s History Month theme for 2022 is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” What about the work you get to do with HOPE worldwide speaks to that theme?

A: Seeing the amazing diversity of gender and race at every level of HOPE worldwide has been incredibly healing and makes me hopeful that other organizations we partner with will be moved to imitate us. The combination of every person’s unique experience, talents, and skills is what makes up HOPE worldwide! My work is the background, administrative work that helps others to shine. I love that we are all good at something different and when we come together, that’s where the magic of community happens!

Q: The Women’s History Month theme for 2022 is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” What about the work you get to do with HOPE worldwide speaks to that theme?

A: I’ve felt very lonely in my discipleship for a very long time – I didn’t understand how I was reading the same gospels as my brothers and sisters in Christ and seeing a much different Jesus than was depicted from the pulpit. When I joined the HOPE worldwide community, I found camaraderie – others who want to live out the full gospel of Jesus. As a HOPE worldwide employee, I have felt seen, and my unique God-given talents and passions valued. God is allowing me to heal from insecurity and frustration and giving me a hopeful vision for the future of our community of believers.

Q: The Women’s History Month theme for 2022 is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” What about the work you get to do with HOPE worldwide speaks to that theme?

A: I love working for HOPE worldwide!  It is a joy to connect donors with our programs that are focused on helping others.  This work provides healing and hope to both the donors and those who are receiving the benefit of the donations. When people give to support a cause, it provides meaning and purpose to their lives. This can promote spiritual growth and healing as well as hope for a more meaningful life.  Those who receive the benefit of the donations - whether it be a family receiving relief after a disaster or children in Central America receiving much needed medical and dental care – also receive healing and hope from the care they receive.  What a joy and privilege it is to provide this kind of healing and hope to others.

Q: The Women’s History Month theme for 2022 is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” What about the work you get to do with HOPE worldwide speaks to that theme?

A: I have had the privilege to work on a new HOPE worldwide program that promotes economic empowerment. Hope is a commodity that can easily be taken for granted as there are many people who see no way out of their desperate situations. What I love about this new program is that it creates a community in which we all work together as God’s children, learn from each other, and connect each other with resources (1 Corinthians 3:9). Ultimately, this provides a renewed hope as opportunity and community develop a foundation for economic growth.

Q: The Women’s History Month theme for 2022 is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” What about the work you get to do with HOPE worldwide speaks to that theme?

A: Working with our Community Service Brigades, I am blessed and humbled to be on a front row seat of some of the most vulnerable in our world. I am able to sit, listen, extend a hand of comfort, and hopefully offer a small amount of encouragement to those that need it most, but I get so much more in return. Through the last 12 years of CSB’s, women’s empowerment has been on the forefront of our mission and our prayer is to continue to do so.