For The Other Half Of The Sky

Over the last few years, you may have seen some of the more visible changes at BBF such as a reader friendly newsletter, updated website and greater social media presence, a defined programmatic structure under the H.I.D.E. umbrella of Healthcare, Infrastructure, Disaster Response, and Education, and our local efforts focusing on vision and diabetes screening mobile community clinics. Going hand-in-hand with these changes, our ongoing focus is on implementing BBF’s Strategic Plan and working to expand our impact to make a positive difference in people’s lives around the world and here at home.

As I happened to read about an organization that specifically focuses on improving the lives of girls around the world, there was mention of for the other half of the sky. My only reference to the line to date had been John Lennon’s whisper at the beginning of his near ubiquitously popular song, Woman. Intrigued - having assumed that these words too had been about his love for his wife Yoko Ono as was the rest of the song, I read on to learn that Lennon was paraphrasing a Chinese proverb. His intent was to highlight the importance of, in his own words, what women do for us and everything I take for granted [sic. In that regard). An epiphany of sorts from my perspective but of what significance to BBF one might ask?

The question leads me back to the opening paragraph of this article. With no intent to patronize or exaggerate, there is not one employee at BBF whose work is not invaluable in achieving our goals and objectives. Through your invaluable support, we work through partners to contain costs and increase the impact of your donations with a relatively small staff - nearly half of whom are women. Their contribution to the organization’s success cannot be overstated and it lies in the critical areas of program implementation, marketing and development, accounting, and organizational strategy.

BBF’s Program Coordinator, Abigael Siecinski works with our partners to make offers of medical and humanitarian supplies and respond to disasters, VP of Global Partnerships and Development, Laura Kelly along with her team comprising Wendy Nawoichyk, Kim Hosan, and Michelle Little, are responsible for the changes and improvements you see in our newsletters and website, handling your donations, working with volunteers, and talking about the impact your support and BBF’s work is making worldwide, Book Keeper and Accounting Assistant, Antonella Ferraro’s numerical prowess ensures that our books are kept meticulously, and Director of Strategic Initiatives, Julia van den Berg’s robust analyses form the basis of our local efforts and are critical in providing a roadmap for how BBF will grow to serve even more people around the world.

So, while acknowledging all contributions towards helping others, for the other half of the sky – be they our staff, colleagues, friends, or family, thank you for all you do.