The 10th anniversary of the 100 Arab American Women Who Care event was held this past Saturday at Land Rover Novi, showcasing the generous contributions of female members of the Arab American Community. Attended by 110 individuals, U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib – and several vendors run by Arab American women – the event removed $10,000 and selected Penrickton Center for Blind Children to receive the funds. Over the years preceding this special anniversary edition, more than $94,000 has been donated to various organizations through this beautiful initiative.
The Arab American community has again demonstrated its strong commitment to giving back with a generous donation from its female members. Pictured here is the momentous occasion, captured by photographer Mohamad Jaafar, of these women proudly presenting their checks.
Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of 100 Arab American Women Who Care
We are proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 100 Arab American Women Who Care event, held at Land Rover Novi on Saturday, May 13th. This event, hosted by the Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP), a national institution of ACCESS, a national Arab American community foundation, was attended by 110 women who came together to recognize and honor their philanthropic efforts. At the event, attendees could donate $125 or more and nominate an organization to receive a $10,000 donation, which would be selected from three randomly chosen organizations whose advocates gave brief speeches advocating for that organization and its cause.
After much deliberation, the Penrickton Center for Blind Children received this generous donation. U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) attended the event along with many other esteemed Arab American women, and several Arab American women-owned business vendors were featured. Over $94,000 has been donated to various organizations, such as the Belinda Sue Fund for Ovarian Cancer Awareness & Research, Kids Against Hunger, Arbor Hospice, and the Muslim Foster Care Association. This year’s event was another successful celebration of philanthropy among Arab American women.
Rasha Demashkieh, Advisory Board Chair of the CAAP, has been pivotal in fostering philanthropy among Arab American women for the past decade. In 2013, she initiated the first 100 Arab American Women Who Care event, where this year’s generous donation was awarded to the Penrickton Center for Blind Children. Along with U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) and many other esteemed ladies, the event featured Arab American women-owned business vendors. Over $94,000 has been donated to various organizations, such as the Belinda Sue Fund for Ovarian Cancer Awareness & Research, Kids Against Hunger, Arbor Hospice, and the Muslim Foster Care Association. The event’s success demonstrates the power of collaboration and generosity in the Arab American community.
The event aims to demonstrate the benefits of collective giving and create a space for Arab Americans to perceive themselves as philanthropists. CAAP works to alter perceptions of Arab Americans, showcase their generosity, and make philanthropy easily accessible to them.
Through their giving circle, the 100 Arab Americans Who Care have proven that even small donations can have a significant impact.
The Power of Collective Giving
El-Khoury proudly highlighted the power of collective giving, emphasizing how working together can make an exponentially more significant impact than each person donating alone. She shared that this event empowers donors and gives them the tools and knowledge to engage in philanthropic work, allowing them to become active players in making a difference. El-Khoury also believes that philanthropy should be enjoyable, and the CAAP aims to keep it that way, asserting that collective action is the best way to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Furthermore, she shed light on the impressive generosity of the Arab American community, which is often overlooked.
The work of 100 Arab American Women Who Care and the hundreds of donors that contribute to it showcase and introduce the Arab American community as philanthropists, making a positive impact and inspiring more to join in on their meaningful contributions.
The 10th anniversary of the 100 Arab American Women Who Care event was a powerful display of generosity and giving, with 110 women coming together to donate and recognize their philanthropic efforts. After engaging in speeches advocating for different organizations, the Penrickton Center for Blind Children was chosen as the donation recipient. Organizations such as Kids Against Hunger, the Belinda Sue Fund for Ovarian Cancer Awareness & Research, Arbor Hospice, and the Muslim Foster Care Association, among many others, have all benefited from this event over many years. It shows that even on small scales, dedication and unity can reap immense rewards and brighten the futures of those in need for many years.
