Help Us Build Change

WS Cares harnesses the financial and media resources of WomanScape for social good. Whether it’s through programs aimed at eradicating poverty, promoting education and prosperity for women and girls, or protecting and sustaining of our natural world, WS Cases empowers changemakers with new opportunities for building equality, justice and happiness for all.

Since launching WS Cares, WomanScape has pledged 20% of sales from our magazine subscription fees from each quarter. Every dollar counts for organizations like Ching Tien’s, Educating Girls in Rural China (EGRC). Please visit our website to learn more about WS Cares or to submit the name of an organization we should meet.

In the past, WS Cares has provided support for Angel Ava’s research fund for Rett Syndrome (see our BLISS 2020 issue), BlueRing’s efforts to fight plastic pollution, and support for military veterans and their families dealing with the challenges of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in 2019.

In November of 2019, I had the honor of meeting and speaking with a number of the girls helped by the EGRC program. I had planned to meet the founder of EGRC, Ms. Tien, who has been recognized by Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Sadly, she was sidelined by an injury, but I met the girls in the program and had a few opportunities to present at and participate in events that showed me just how powerful programs like EGRC can be.

My trip was a reminder to never underestimate the powerful change that can happen when we believe in ourselves and others. The challenge is to evoke a sense of community that helps to make our nation and our world a better place.

Xiaxia Zhang

Xiaxia Zhang graduated from China Agricultural University in Beijing, with support from an EGRC. After leaving her rural community in Western China, she won a national scholarship and is now pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Animal Husbandry Engineering.

She says, “I am a young woman who is ready to take on whatever challenges come my way. I have learned new skills that helped me stronger and tougher so that I could also give support and encouragement to the people around me.” 

Meifen Gong

Meifen Gong is from a small town called Yuzhong in Gansu Province. When she ventured into the larger with the help of EGRC, her scholarship allowed her to study at the Hubei University of Economics and to land a job with Qatar Airways in Doha.

Several years later, she returned to her hometown to help manage EGRC’s sponsorship program, alumni network and government relationships. As a member of the EGRC staff, she is committed to ensuring other girls in similar situations find their path.

Huiming Ma, President of the EGRC Alumnae Association

In the summer of 2008, Huiming Ma faced the toughest decision of her life. She was admitted into Tianjin Normal University but couldn’t afford to pay for her education because she had to support her family. Her two older sisters were already in college and two younger sisters were in high school. Huiming had no choice but to stay home until EGRC learned about her predicament.

Huiming completed her undergraduate studies and earned a master’s degree in Education six years later. She actively volunteers at EGRC fundraising events and shares her compelling story with others. No challenge is too much for Huiming, who founded EGRC’s Alumnae Association to build a stronger support network for other EGRC girls. Huiming continues to live in Beijing and works in education.

Zhimei Wang, studying for her Master degree at China Pharmaceutical University

Zhimei was born in a small village in Gansu, arguably one of the most impoverished regions in Western China. She suffered from a speech impediment that affected her self-esteem to the point where she barely spoke. When EGRC helped her to attend university, Zhimei would get up early every day, shouting to the cliffs and picking up pebbles that she washed and put into her mouth to help her practice speaking.

After a year of hard work, she overcame her impediment and joined an English public speaking club in Nanjing city. Today, she is the vice president of that club and encourages other students to overcome their obstacles. Working with students who suffer from depression , Zhimel uses her master’s degree to help others, earning the EGRC nickname, “A little Sunshine.”