We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Catherine Curry-Williams a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Catherine, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

In a world where equity and inclusion are vital topics of discussion, I came upon a startling statistic one day while searching for speaking topics that left me incredulous. The statistics claimed that women and girls in the nonprofit sector received less support than animals, accounting for under 2% of all charitable giving in the United States. Struggling to come to terms with this shocking revelation, I went on a deep dive into the issue, only to discover that the numbers were, in fact, accurate. My initial reaction was one of anger, prompting me to share this disheartening information with a few close friends who, like me, found it difficult to fathom.

However, I soon realized that being angry would not be enough to address this pressing issue. Instead, I decided to take action and make a difference. This marked the genesis of “She Angels Foundation,” where I envisioned a group of like-minded women pooling their resources to tackle this inequality head-on. With 27 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, having founded Shane’s Inspiration—a global nonprofit dedicated to creating social inclusion for children with disabilities—I was well-versed in the process of obtaining a 501(c)(3) status. Nevertheless, I was determined to set She Angels Foundation apart from traditional organizations.

I wanted to focus on membership and collective giving, knowing there could be a significant impact if we embraced this model. What transpired next was nothing short of extraordinary. A friend, Catherine Gray, and I gathered a diverse group of women and shared the disheartening statistics and the urgency to address the inequity. Their immediate response was overwhelmingly positive, as they all committed to becoming members of She Angels Foundation. This was just the beginning of our journey.

In our first year, we collectively raised enough through membership contributions to fund six Grants. And 12 the following year. To date, we have given 37- $5,000 grants to Grassroots nonprofits that provide mentorship and resources for women and girls.
On January 11, 2024, we are launching a new program called, She Angels Philanthropy Circles.  This program would enable us to travel across the country, educating young women and girls about philanthropy, the power of collective giving, and how they could make a meaningful impact on their communities. Today, our team comprises 18 dedicated executive volunteers, two employees, and 250 members, all of whom are united by a common goal: to address the critical unmet need for women and girls to have fair and equal opportunities.

From the outset, our aim was clear: To fuel our mission. She Angels Foundation would operate without the burden of overhead costs or the need for traditional fundraisers. Instead, we rely on membership contributions, which are 100% tax deductible. Each day, we work tirelessly towards achieving our vision of a world where women and girls have the same opportunities as their male counterparts. In doing so, we hope to inspire countless others to become “She Angels” and join us in this transformative journey towards a more equitable and inclusive future for all.

Catherine, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

In memory of my son Shane, I am proud to serve as the co-founder of Shane’s Inspiration, a globally renowned non-profit organization established back in 1997. Our primary mission revolves around the creation of inclusive playgrounds and the development of educational programs that champion the cause of inclusivity for children with disabilities.

In 2020, I embarked on another remarkable journey by co-founding the She Angels Foundation. This foundation is dedicated to recognizing and supporting female-founded and operated non-profits that extend invaluable assistance to girls and women through funding, mentorship, and resource allocation.

My unwavering commitment lies in empowering women and bolstering their efforts to make a meaningful impact on society. With boundless passion, dedicated advocacy, and years of experience, I am resolute in my dedication to effecting positive change in communities worldwide. I achieve this through both teaching and speaking on the profound potential of philanthropy and the impact that collective giving can make.

Over the years, I have been humbled by receiving numerous awards and accolades. I am one of L’Oreal Paris’ “Women of Worth” which remains a distinct honor that I cherish. Also I am deeply grateful for the recognition bestowed upon me by esteemed institutions such as The March of Dimes, Good Housekeeping magazine, KCET-TV, Lifestyle magazine, the City of Los Angeles, and the State of California. Another highlight of my journey, I was honored in 2018 as one of the “Women of the Year” by the State of California, an acknowledgment that further fuels my commitment to making a difference.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

On March 28, 1997, my heart was full with hope and anticipation. I was pregnant with my first child and my husband and I were eagerly awaiting the arrival of our son, who we would name Shane. However, at 39 weeks when Shane arrived into this world, as was beautiful and healthy as he looked, he embodied perfection in every way, except for one: he was paralyzed and couldn’t take that first, breath. Within a minute of my delivery, the hospital staff rushed him to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, leaving my husband and me in a state of shock.

10 day later our world crumbled when we received the devastating diagnosis of his genetic disorder known as spinal muscular atrophy. Shane only lived for two short weeks. Throughout my pregnancy, there had been no hint of the overwhelming prognosis we would face. It was beyond comprehension.

In the months following our loss, I did not leave the house, I was enveloped in an endless sea of sorrow. But 9 months later, when my sister-in-law Micky sent me a newspaper article of a woman who had lost her nine month old son to the same devastating genetic disorder, and she had done something good in his memory, a spark within me ignited that I too could transform this excruciating pain into something meaningful that would pay tribute to Shane and provide assistance to others.

And so, with unwavering determination, my husband Scott, and our close friend  Tiffany, Shane’s Inspiration was founded.
With the goal of enhancing the emotional, physical, and social development of children with disabilities while providing an environment where compassion and acceptance can flourish for all children.
We rallied friends, family, and the community to raise over a million dollars to build, on 2 acres in Griffith Park California, the first Universally Accessible Playground in the western United States.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My current driving force is my unwavering commitment to advancing women’s equality. I am resolute in my mission to ignite a global swell of philanthropy dedicated to supporting women and girls worldwide. I firmly hold the belief that philanthropy is not a privilege reserved solely for the wealthy; rather I am convinced that each and every one of us possesses the power to contribute and create positive change.

Contact Info:

• Website: Sheangelsfoundation.org
• Instagram: @thesheangelsfoundation.org
• Facebook: She Angels Foundation