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BETTIE BRAND MOTHERS' EMPOWERMENT FUND NEWSLETTER |
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This Is How History Moves
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
At Bettie Brand, we believe history is shaped when women are given the support to step forward to achieve achieve their dreams. During Women’s History Month, we honor legacy while investing in future leaders. This year’s Spirit Award recipients embody both. Their lives reflect courage, conviction, and the determination to create something better for their families and communities. And these women are building that future now. |
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Meet Our 2026 Spirit Award Recipients |
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Gabrielle Hodges Strength in Motion After a life-altering accident left her paralyzed from the C7 vertebrae downward, Gabrielle chose resilience over retreat. She refuses to let her injury define her future and is committed to using her experience to uplift other women navigating disability and transition. Her Spirit Award supports adaptive transportation — a critical step toward renewed independence, leadership, and opportunity. Read her full story: |
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Messiah Farmer Rising Into Leadership Messiah’s early teenage years were marked by instability and exploitation. Through mentorship, faith, and fierce determination, she transformed her path. Today, she is a freshman at Clark Atlanta University, double majoring with dreams of becoming Atlanta’s youngest councilwoman. Her journey reflects a powerful truth: generational cycles can be broken, and leadership can rise from adversity. Read her full story: |
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Dr. Dieynabou Diallo Purpose in Practice First honored with the 2024 June Kaspers Spirit Award, Dieynabou has now completed medical school while raising her young son. A first-generation graduate and future surgeon, she has consistently demonstrated that ambition and motherhood can coexist. Her continued leadership in medicine, mentorship, and global health reflects both excellence and vision. This second recognition affirms a journey marked by discipline, compassion, and forward momentum. Read her full story: |
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Quanese Burce Resilience Reimagined A survivor of domestic violence, Quanese once entered a shelter seeking safety for herself and her children. Today, she works at that same organization as a Child Advocate, walking alongside other women on their journeys to stability and healing. She has transformed hardship into purpose — building a future defined not by what she survived, but by what she now leads. Read her full story: |
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Bettie Brand in Motion
Empowerment does not end with an award, it grows.
Former Spirit Award recipient Tesiree Adams Hargett (2024) recently completed the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People workshop sponsored through Bettie Brand support. She shared her deep gratitude for the opportunity and the impact it is already having on her professional growth. This is how history continues — through leadership development, confidence, and women investing forward.
Learn more about Tesiree’s journey: |
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Join Us for
Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026
We invite you to an exclusive online culinary event hosted by the acclaimed Chef Daryl Shular, Certified Master Chef, for a fun, nostalgic, empowering celebration on how to create mouth-watering dishes inspired by Chef Daryl's mother.
Click HERE to purchase tickets to this exclusive virtual event for a discounted early bird rate of $40!
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Host a Circle of Friends Gathering
In our quest to help more women, we are inviting our friends to invite their friends to a Circle of Friends event. Hosting a Circle of Friends gathering can be an intimate coffee discussion at your home or restaurant or something larger. The Bettie Brand Fund board and staff are happy to assist with planning and attending.
Our first Circle of Friends event is on March 26th at Canoe Restaurant and hosted by Deborah Schwartz Griffin and George McKerrow. It will be a fun atmosphere of sharing over food and drink, with BBMEF Founder Candy Kaspers providing an overview of the organization and stories of our courageous Spirit Awardees.
If you want to learn more about Circle of Friends events or in hosting a gathering, click here. |
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Because of You
Since 2013, 36 women have received a Spirit Award — each committing to “pay it forward” in her own way.
Your generosity makes this possible.
This is how history moves. |
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Bettie Brand Mothers' Empowerment Fund Mission: The Bettie Brand Fund gives stipends to “provide women in need with a hand up, not a hand out, so they may live with dignity and independence.” Women chosen to receive stipends from the Bettie Brand Fund must agree to “pay it forward” in whatever way they can. |
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