Women’s Initiative group a powerful champion for women and girls
From the start, the Mount Pleasant Women’s Initiative fund to support women and girls was a bit of a surprise to Mark Smith, co-owner and General Manager of Krapohl Ford & Lincoln.
His mother, Kay Krapohl Smith, co-founded the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation fund with Judy Smith in 2003. The two women weren’t related, and Mark wasn’t sure how well they knew each other.
“I’m not even sure how they came to be friends — although I’m glad they did,” Mark Smith said. “They had different circles of friends and different political views. It’s somewhat of a mystery to those who knew my mom.”
Judy Smith, who remains a philanthropist and voice for community issues, has fond memories of creating the fund with Kay 20 years ago.
“There was so much momentum for women when we started the endowment,” Judy said. “We were feeling more confident in the workplace, speaking up about our careers, and giving money to our favorite causes.”
She said it’s important to work with people who have different views, talents, personalities and interests, because then creativity, connections and impact are at their greatest.
The Women’s Initiative Fund launched with a goal of raising $30,000. Within four weeks, Kay, Judy and a small but passionate group of local women had secured $80,000.
In the 20 years since, only the interest has been used to issue more than $150,000 in grants to local organizations that provide vital services and support to women and girls. This protects the endowment, including new donations that continue to come in.
When Kay passed in 2008, her obituary listed more than 30 volunteer organizations she had served. Friends she made by working and volunteering in multiple communities attended her funeral.
“My mother made lots of friends,” Mark said. “She had a way of fitting in with a lot of different groups and in different scenarios.”
From Kay’s Day to Kay’s Way
The Women’s Initiative Committee at the Community Foundation honored Kay by creating Kay’s Day, an annual spring fundraiser and social event. That continued until 2020, when the pandemic halted most gatherings. The spirit of Kay’s Day lives on in the restructured Kay’s Way, a supply drive that started May 10 and will conclude May 24. Krapohl Ford & Lincoln and Weichert Realtors/Broadway Realty are drop-off sites for the supplies.
On May 18, every dollar — every penny — spent by customers on oil changes at the Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln will go to the Women’s Initiative for the Kay’s Way drive.
The supply drive will benefit three charitable causes. The Care Store and Clothing INC again are part of the drive, and new this year is The William Ellis Brockman Infant Pantry, which is part of Community Compassion Network. All three have space at The William and Janet Strickler Nonprofit Center on High Street.
Wish lists for the Kay’s Way supply drive:
The Care Store: Shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, razors/shaving cream, body lotion and wash, feminine hygiene products.
Clothing INC: Bras (larger sizes), women and girls’ underwear, socks, other clothing for women and girls.
Infant Pantry: Formula (any kind), bottles, bottle brushes, sippy cups with hard and or soft tops, teething biscuits. Also: Care items such as baby shampoo, wash, lotion, diaper creams, pacifiers, teethers. A longer wish list is on the Infant Pantry website.
Judy Smith says the Women’s Initiative plays an important role in the county, and she’s pleased it hasn’t strayed from its original mission to support women and girls.
“In thinking about the future, I would encourage those who lead the Women’s Initiative — or any community organization — to look around continually and find women who have energy and passion,” Judy said. “Engage them. Mentor them. Help them become the next generation of leaders who people in the community look up to.”
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