Spark’s members care about a diversity of issues and bond over similar interests. Members can participate in whatever suits them best: members-only events, delegation trips, volunteer opportunities, or grant making. Those who join become part of a network of more than two thousand young professionals. Members reach out to Spark because they care and perhaps because they know they’re going to have fun participating, too.
Spark grew out of the idea that change is something we can all do. “If you get young professionals excited about global issues, you can spark change in the world,” says Shannon. That means more than just simply mailing off a check to an organization and hoping it’s used wisely. It’s about being an active participant in the community.
And no matter what issues members care about, Spark believes that when you empower women in particular, you empower entire communities. This is because when it comes to providing for themselves and others economically, women—whether they live in the developing or Western world—have a vision of family that is quite big, according to Shannon. In most areas of the world, women who feed their families are also more likely to feed their neighbors’ families.
When members help women across the world, it’s a mutually beneficial experience, too. Kathleen Kelly, who led a delegation trip to Rwanda, writes about the nature of connecting to other women around the world and what it means for her. “Meeting the women of Abuhujumatima—with whom I felt we had made such a spiritual connection through our Spark event to celebrate their plight—was a truly humbling and inspiring experience. I know that they too were humbled by hearing about what we had done for them, raising $5000, which was a complete surprise until I arrived there. My connection with them made me realize the power of building bridges in the global community, a mutually empowering and inspiring experience for all those involved.”
Spark continues to be involved with projects that inspire everyone involved. While in Jordan, Spark provided a small grant to support a group that provides training for women to run for office. The results were extremely positive. Men in the local community were excited to see women running for office. According to Shannon, there was a realization (by the men) that not only should women get more involved, but when elected, women actually do what they say they’ll do, unlike their male counterparts. “The men were very impressed. It just clicked!” In a country like Jordan, which remains a monarchy and has been scrutinized for its human rights record, yet encourages women to be educated, it’s these types of programs which elevate women’s status and empower them.
