The mission of Winged-Women Inc. is to support and fund programs for women and children in need by building a fun and accepting community through the craft of beading.
Winged-Women Inc. (formerly Women with Wings) is an organization sponsored by the University of Kentucky College of Social Work. Women in and around the Lexington area gather each month to create tiny beaded ‘winged-women’ in order to raise funds for charitable organizations serving women and children.
The idea came to Fran Morris Mandel in the spring of 2005. Fran is a beadwork artist and social worker who started the organization while she was still in graduate school, earning her Master’s degree in Social Work. Fran wanted to find a way to combine her love of beadwork with her passion for social justice. When she saw a design for tiny fairies in one of her favorite beading magazines, she was inspired to take action, and soon after that, Women with Wings was born.
A generous donation from the Dandelion Bead Connection, in Lexington, KY, enabled Winged-Women Inc. (W’dW) to take flight in May 2005. Since then, other supplies have been donated to the project, which enable its continuity. As well, countless hours of volunteer time have made this project an incredible success.
Once a student organization at the University of Kentucky, Winged-Women Inc. is now sponsored by the College of Social Work at UK, and Fran devotes part of her professional time to expanding the program. Currently, the board of directors is planning for the organization’s future, likely applying for 501(c)(3) non-profit status.
Funds, which are raised through the sale of winged-women, are earmarked for organizations serving women and children, such as domestic violence shelters, and rape crisis centers.
Some of the conferences where W’dW has been invited to sell winged-women are:
Ending Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Conference ( Lexington, Ky) (12/05, 12/06)
Lexington , KY’s ‘Take Back the Night’ event at the University of Kentucky (4/06)
Community Reconciliation Breakfast ( Lexington, Ky) (3/06, 3/07)
NASW KY conference ( Lexington, Ky) (9/06)
As well as selling many winged-women at these events, Women with Wings has gained notoriety as a charitable organization committed to helping women, especially survivors of violence.
For more information on how to buy winged-women, and/or make a contribution, please send an email message to WomenwithWings@Bigfoot.com.
You can also check out the Winged-Women Inc. blog at www.wingedwomeninc.blogspot.com
Pictures of Winged-Women Inc. in action
College of Social Work main phone number (859) 257-6650
Site Created and maintained by Gary Trumble
Last updated 5-15-07
