Today we’d like to introduce you to Gloria Kennedy.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Gloria. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I learned to sew as a child, with Barbie clothes as my motivation to learn. When it came time to pick a major, I chose Costume Design but, for a number of reasons, I ended up changing majors. My career path turned to Technical Writing instead, then management. After transferring to the Dallas area, I managed various groups as release, program and delivery manager.
I transferred from Toronto–I am Canadian born but married a Texan a few years after my arrival and after 20 years here I consider myself Texadian.
In 2014, I met some volunteers who were sewing, knitting and crocheting for Love Thy Baby and thought “I could do that”. The first thing I made was a quilt top and when I was finished I was struck by how much I had missed sewing. Then, I learned to make other items and even picked up knitting again.
Now, I am the Program Manager for the group, sitting on the board of the parent organization Love Thy Neighbor. I now do a lot of different things to keep the group organized and growing, but I still sew as much as I can!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Don’t believe anyone who tells you that you can’t do something because you are a woman. More doors are open to women than in the past, but after working in politically correct Toronto, I was shocked to see the old boy attitudes in place in Texas.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Love Thy Baby – what should we know?
Love Thy Baby provides clothing and blankets to newborns born into the two county hospitals, Parkland and John Peter Smith. Other groups do too, but we are the only ones providing a large volume of receiving blankets. We make 1000 each month.
We are also very proud of the beautiful baby quilts, knit or crocheted afghans, and fleece blankets made by our volunteers and satellite groups. We average 300 blankets each month.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well-positioned for?
There are more opportunities for women in general, but especially in charity organizations. Women have the compassion, network of friends and organization skills needed to provide for others that need help.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.ltnlovethyneighbor.org/
- Email: lovethybaby@ltnlovethyneighbor.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovethybaby/?ref=bookmarks
Image Credit:
All images taken by Love Thy Baby volunteers
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
