Small Starts, Lasting Blooms
By Angie Matthiessen, Chief Executive Officer
Over the past year, I’ve watched women trickle into our Women United gatherings—some greeting friends with warm hugs, others arriving quietly, a bit unsure. I’m reminded of my own first experience walking into a new space, wondering, Will I belong here? Will I know anyone? Will this be worth my time? Time and again, what I’ve seen answers all three questions. Laughter fills the room, conversations unfold and new friendships begin forming in real time. It feels like a garden coming to life.
Women United of United Way Charlotte County has become a place where seeds are planted—ideas, friendships, confidence, and courage. Each monthly gathering is the soil. Shared stories are the sunlight. And the connections that grow between women are the roots that anchor something lasting.
Meaningful community, like a garden, grows one conversation at a time. One woman recently shared, “It opened up an opportunity for me that I never thought possible. I wish I would have joined 20 years ago when I moved to Punta Gorda.” Another called it “a great outlet for relaxation and networking.” Over the past year, Women United events generated more than 550 meaningful engagements, with each interaction planting another seed of connection and belonging.
Over and over, I hear the same refrain: I didn’t realize how much I needed this until I came. Women come as caregivers, mothers, daughters, professionals, retirees—some stepping out of isolation for the first time in a long while. Women United creates a welcoming space for women to connect, share, and feel supported.
We are mindful of the legacy that makes this work possible. Miriam P. Raines lived in Port Charlotte and invested deeply in women. Supporting and uplifting the women of Charlotte County was her heartfelt wish when she established her charitable fund with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Through the Miriam P. Raines Charitable Fund, her legacy continues to grow. It’s hard not to believe she would be moved by the way women are connecting, supporting one another, and stepping into new possibilities together.
The Miriam P. Raines grant helps new seeds grow. It opens doors for women who might hesitate to join, offering experiences that can change the course of someone’s life. In many ways, it mirrors what Miriam herself did—quietly, generously, and with deep faith in the power of women investing in women.
All of this leads us to our 10th Annual Women United lunch on February 12—a moment of collective bloom. It’s a time to celebrate what we’ve planted and nurtured over the past year, to reflect on the connections that have taken root, and to look ahead to a new season of growth.
If you’ve ever thought about joining us, consider this your gentle nudge. Come plant yourself here. You just might discover friendships, confidence, and opportunities you never imagined—and, like so many others, wish you had joined sooner. For more information, please visit: unitedwayccfl.org/Blooms
For more information about United Way Charlotte County’s mission: Mobilizing the power of our community so all can thrive, please contact Angie Matthiessen, Chief Executive Officer. She can be reached at director@unitedwayccfl.org.