Reflecting on the current political climate, I was reminded of a weekend I spent many years ago with friends. And it gave me an idea.
In the name of curbing hate, I will donate 10 percent of my creative fee for any project from a new client to one of the nonprofits below that promotes tolerance.
Back when I was taking care of two young children at home, finding time for adult conversation and fun times with girlfriends – without our kids in tow – was very difficult. So, a few of us got together and decided to plan a Girls Weekend. We headed to a wooded community of log homes that could be rented. There was a communal club house with a restaurant and bar to get meals. We certainly weren’t going to cook on our precious weekend away.
My recollection of that weekend is dim except for one event that left a deep impression on me. I imagine that none of my friends who were with me even remember the incident. One evening, drinking wine, one friend suggested that we play a game. The game was that those around the table would agree on one word, one single word, to describe each of us. Harmless? Maybe not.
What’s in a word?
Lots.
So, the word I got tagged with was “tolerant.”
Well, among my friends at the table, I was the one dabbling in working from home while the others were forging careers out in the workplace – in law, medicine and management. My self confidence was low, I didn’t feel like I was in control, and the word “tolerant” made me feel weak and defeated, without backbone, willing to accept anything and surrender.
My face registered my hurt and disappointment and my friends quickly chimed in, telling me that their intent was just the opposite. They felt that I was non-judgmental, a good listener, compassionate and yes, patient and accepting of others. They saw it as strength, not weakness.
I have long since forgiven them (although we never did do another Girls Weekend) and as my career progressed, working from home, once viewed by others as a hobby, became enviable. My work as a designer focused more and more on helping nonprofits that make the world a better place. They concern themselves with empathy, understanding “the other,” defending causes, combatting society’s ills and yes, promoting tolerance.
So, prompted by the current political climate that is frighteningly filled with hate, fear-mongering, prejudice and racism, I have decided to mount my own campaign to help those who work against these evils – nonprofits that fight racial, gender, religious and any other kind of bias. Nonprofits that work toward tolerance.
I design a host of materials for nonprofits and small businesses, including logos, brochures, websites, social media graphics, infographics, annual reports, invitations, and advertising.
Let’s talk about what you need designed.
You select which of these organizations will receive our donation:
Our gift will help win justice on behalf of those who have no other champion, expose and fight the hate that thrives in our country, and provide tolerance education materials free of charge to schools across our nation.
Our gift will help HIAS Pennsylvania provide legal, resettlement, citizenship, and supportive services to immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers from all backgrounds in order to ensure their fair treatment and full integration into American society. HIAS Pennsylvania advocates for just and inclusive practices.
Our gift will help to create a more just and equitable society by advancing the rights and status of all women. This organization engages in high-impact litigation, advocacy and education in the areas of reproductive justice, violence against women, family law and court reform, gender and sex discrimination, health care and economic justice.
Our gift will help to create opportunities for LGBTQ youth to develop into healthy, independent, civic-minded adults within a safe and supportive community, and promote the acceptance of LGBTQ youth in society. The Attic’s goal is to reduce the isolation felt by LGBTQ youth by providing a sense of community. All Attic programming is based on a youth development model and aims to reduce isolation, combat homophobia, promote knowledge and life skills, and develop future leaders.
Together, we’ll create something wonderful that will benefit you as well as those working toward making the world tolerant.
NOV
2016