Learn more about WGN and its mission and vision in this conversation with WGN Founder Linda Lattimore.
www.wgn-global.com
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Hello,
My name is Linda Lattimore and I am the founder of the Women's Global Network, a women's business networking group that I launched in 2006. Throughout my career as both an attorney and the owner of different companies, I have observed and listened to the needs of women in the workforce both in the corporate world and as business owners competing neck to neck with other companies that had more connections or perhaps more funding. So many times, they were just looking for another woman to talk with who had already walked the path and who could just point them in the right direction. They were looking for a "personal" relationship, not just someone who would throw a business card at them and "sell" them. It became abundantly clear to me that women will opt to do business with friends they trust at every opportunity.
As interesting and dynamic women began to show up at the meetings genuinely thrilled to find each other and I watched business deals coming together over golf games, wine dinners, spa parties and branding panels, I could see relief in each of them. They had found their "kitchen cabinet", that intimate circle of women that were smart and had business savvy, who were unselfishly interested in helping each other grow their business. If there was a caterer or florist in the group they used her. The same held true for the insurance maven, the webmistress, the Doctor, lawyer or banker, restauranteur, accountant or bookkeeper, massage therapist or technology guru. They were there for each other and they called on each other.
Before we knew it, there were branches in other cities and other worthwhile programs were being created. Our Young Professionals Group was started for young women ages 21-30 who were navigating challenging new jobs, or in a number of cases, boldly starting their own businesses. Mentoring programs were created to match up young women with other women in the same industry or field who were just a little farther down the path than they were. This pilot program has been very successful thanks to the hard work of our members. Our hope is to launch it in all of our cities in the coming year and to work with local corporations creating programs that will ensure the success of our young women entering the workforce today. As a mother with two daughters in their twenties, I am especially grateful that WGN recognizes this need.
But I have to say that the program that has touched my heart and personally changed my life the most has been our Global Business Partners program. In 2008, we launched this program on International Women's Day. WGN branches and their members adopted and became partners to women in villages in the developing world, raising awareness and encouraging their own communities to share their resources in a way that supports empowerment. Through member donations, WGN members invest in microfinance programs that make small loans to women-owned businesses in underdeveloped countries. In our first year, we assisted women in 5 impoverished villages in Tanzania, Ghana, Honduras, Mexico and Zambia to start their businesses. We know that giving women the control and the responsibility of small loans raises their socio-economic status and that loans to women tend to more often benefit the whole family as they allow mothers to feed, clothe and educate their children.
The WGN vision is to continue this journey of establishing a network of sister cities, creating personal connections and effecting positive change. Our members understand that it's not just about a shift of money from those of us who have a little more to those that have less. It's about passing on education and experiences while we receive them and learn as well. The WGN Global Immersion Trips give our members the chance to travel to meet their Global Business Partners and to actively work with them as they grow their businesses.
The future is bright for the Women's Global Network as we meet each month to continue to support each other, help our young women on their own exciting journeys and know that we are creating true partnerships where we can celebrate the successes of women all around the world. I hope you will consider becoming active with WGN and joining us on this amazing adventure!
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Women's Global Network (WGN): Mentoringby WomensGlobalNetwork129 views
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