We recently connected with Margaret Cowan and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Margaret, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
I became a mother when I was 19 years old. I had two more children by the time I was 24. I have always been a single mother. I never realized how hard it was until I observed others “single mothering”. Not that it wasn’t hard for me, but because it’s easier for me to see what other people are going through, you know? I also always had a village to help me, everyone doesn’t. I was attending Southwest and other single moms were bringing their children to class and leaving them outside with tablets so they wouldn’t miss sessions. Or the class was asked if we had any objections to a child being present for that class. I knew I had to help them. I had to help US.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
In 2019 (well, the last day of 2018 actually), I started a nonprofit organization for single moms called I Am My Sister’s Keeper. I did this because I am a single mom and have been since I was 19 years old. I am now 42. While I was always blessed with an amazing support system, I observed that everyone had not been so lucky. My heart went out to them. So much so that I had to do something about it. We began with monthly group sessions. However, when Covid hit, my moms (what I affectionately call them) told me that they needed more. That began our bi-weekly Wednesday night sessions and our weekly Friday night sessions all while keeping our monthly group sessions that we now call “outings”.
On Wednesdays, it is very casual. We talk about our day or our week. On Fridays, we have various experts or professionals share with us based on what my moms have expressed interest in. These topics range from credit repair to mental health. Our monthly outings range from paint and sips to brunches to game nights.
Once we secured our own space, we added a pantry that includes food, clothing, cleaning supplies, sanitary items, diapers, and wipes.
We also help moms secure the funds to move into safe and affordable housing, as well as, providing them with access to a savings match program.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn extending assistance on my terms.
Now that my children are grown, it’s easy for me to reflect on things I wish I did or knew, resources I wish I had, etc. But I had to be reminded that when I was in the thick of it my vision was not as clear as it is now. When you are in the middle of a struggle you don’t always see as clearly as you think you do. I had forgotten that. Sometimes still do. That’s when I am reminded (often by my bestie or my mama) to stay humble. Never allow yourself to think that you are so far removed from something that you don’t remember what it was like to be there.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Nonprofit work is full of pivots! When I started this work I had no idea what I was doing. Sometimes still don’t. It’s kind of like building a plane while you’re flying it. You start out with these grand dreams and plans but quickly realize that they aren’t the dreams and plans that align with where you or your org are right now. So you pivot. You make the necessary adjustments. Some of them work. Others don’t. So you pivot again. You add this or that. Sometimes you subtract. Then you pivot again. It is a work in progress. Like all of us.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iammysissyskeeper.org
- Instagram: iamskmemphis
- Facebook: I Am My Sister’s Keeper
- Youtube: iamskmemphis
Image Credits
Camryn D. Carter-our media coordinator and my middle kid