According to Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation Communications Coordinator Selwa Moharram,
“Muslim women for all women.” Though not a common phrase in mainstream media, this idea was without question in the minds of the founders of the Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation (TMWF). In 2005, a group of North Texas Muslim women came together to determine how to best counter the extremism and negative portrayals of Islam in a post-9/11 world. They wanted to show that Muslim women speak for themselves and that they can and do contribute positively to the communities in which they reside.
In assessing the needs of the community, they found that domestic violence was an ongoing epidemic in the Texas community at-large, but had specific factors lacking within the Muslim community. These factors were culturally-sensitive services which recognized the differing cultures of Muslim women (including language, religious understanding, and other cultural nuances) as well as trauma-informed training in relation to their needs. With that TMWF was born, and nearing its 15-year mark, TMWF continues to serve not only Muslim survivors of abuse, but survivors from all backgrounds within the North Texas community.
Which brings us back to the phrase “Muslim women for all women, and all people!” TMWF loves North Texas Giving Day and the Communities Foundation of Texas because it shares the same vision of bringing people from all walks of life to serve their communities and neighbors of all backgrounds.
We have participated in North Texas Giving Day yearly since its inception, and through this wonderful day we have:
- Created awareness in the larger North Texas as well as the smaller North Texas Muslim community about our work, programs and the needs of our clients
- Created connections with new donors, volunteers, and supporters
- Connected with other agencies, paving way for future collaborations, cross-referrals, and greater community awareness
- Participated in events such as the Heritage Farmstead Goat Yoga, where we won $500 in prize money last year!
- Increased our amount of donations and number of donors (last year we reached our goal of securing 100 North Texas Giving Day donors!)
North Texas Giving Day is a great platform for any nonprofit to gain funds, supporters and volunteers. It serves as an opportunity for individuals and larger donors to discover and contribute to multiple local organizations simultaneously. Altogether, North Texas Giving Day serves as a medium for do-gooders of all forms to share their visions, resources, and wealth to better the community as whole, a sentiment which we at TMWF strongly support!
With the coming of North Texas Giving Day 2019, we hope you will join us in aiding families and championing peace here in North Texas!
In addition to our extensive and comprehensive social services program, TMWF also provides educational and outreach programs including the Islamic Art Revival Series, interfaith outreach programs, youth leadership, and a refugee empowerment program.
You can learn more about us by visiting www.tmwf.org
* Graphic/photo provided by Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation
In ten years, Communities Foundation of Texas’ North Texas Giving Day has pumped more than $240 million into the North Texas community. In 2018, more than $48 million was raised through more than 157,000 gifts benefiting over 2,700 area nonprofits.
On Thursday, September 19, support Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation by linking here and spreading the word. #NTxGivingDay
