ABOUT
Hello there! I am the Founder & CEO of Raising Girls, a nonprofit organization that provides personal hygiene products for girls in our community. I am committed to helping girls who have little or no access to necessary resources that they need. I have worked and volunteered for over 30 years in nonprofit organizations as a community advocate for students and parents, developing outreach and vocational programs and I have been an active participant in each community I have called home. I hold a Master’s degree in Communication Studies & Organizational Development.
I received the 2019 BECU Member Volunteer People Helping People Award recognizing my work with Raising Girls. I currently serve as a member of the Board of Directors with Hilltop Artists, a Palmer Scholars Mentor, member of the American Leadership Forum (ALF), a volunteer with Girls Scouts of Western Washington, a member of Tacoma Rotary 8 Club, a member of South Sound 100 Women, and a member of the Women’s Council of Realtors (WCR). I also served on the Greater Metro Park Foundation Board of Directors for 9 years.
In 2015 I was nominated and selected as Girls Scouts of Western Washington Woman of Distinction. I work full-time as a real estate broker with Windermere Professional Partners and I am also a trained Washington State Housing Finance Commission Homebuyer Education Instructor. I am a member of the Professional Women of Color Network in the Pacific Northwest, an organization rooted in community and service. I am also a member of the National Association of Professional Women.
I love the outdoors and enjoy working in my garden, teaching cooking classes, and tackling interior decorating projects. I am also an avid photographer and have a passion for travel, exploring parks, great cuisine, and the arts.
MISSION AND HISTORY
It started with my mother Mary, our small-town community organizer, letter reader, money changer, church minister, and caretaker of so many. She taught me how to care about people at a very young age. I remember her putting supplies in a basket and sending me off to a neighbors’ homes to deliver everything from washrags to body lotion. She also had a beautiful way of tying the kitchen towel in a decorative knot when she sent me with delicious meals.
Working in our community I hear stories about challenges and triumph, need and plenty, access and barriers, haves and have-nots. There are many girls in our community who do not have access to daily care products to refresh themselves as they go to school and being outside of their homes. Imagine the stigma attached to “not smelling good” and being told so to your face regularly.
Raising Girls aims to help ensure that all girls feel pride in who they are and understand the power they have to be unique individuals, who can make a difference. We provide necessary hygiene products to girls in the South Sound, while partnering with local organizations committed to serving our youth.
By donating items for Raising Girls to distribute, you make it possible to eliminate humiliation, promote pride and share love to thousands of girls in our community!
Sharon Chambers-Gordon
Meet Our Leadership Team
Lisa is a Mother of two and a Real Estate Broker in the city of Tacoma. Born and raised in the Midwest, Lisa moved to Washington in 2018 and decided to make it her home. She enjoys giving back and for many years has volunteered her time and helped to raise funds for local charities as well as patients undergoing chemo treatment. After learning about Raising Girls and our mission, she knew she wanted to be a part of our work. Coming from a low income home she instantly felt a connection to the organization and shares our passion for respecting every girl. Lisa said "I believe we have to come together and be the example for young girls to look up to.” Lisa serves on the Community Outreach Team for Raising Girls.
Lisa Barnes
Trish
Flett
Trish is a mother of 4 and a nurse with 20+ years of experience. Originally graduating from Washington State University, Trish went on to get both her Masters of Science in Nursing in Clinical Education (MSN – CE) and her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Administration from Western Governors University. She is enthusiastic about her community and ensuring that the youth in the community have not only the hygiene products they need, but the knowledge and inspiration they need to succeed. She routinely brings her daughter to volunteer with Raising Girls to teach her the importance of community and volunteering. When not at work she enjoys hiking, camping, playing disc golf, hanging out with her dogs and family, and sewing/quilting. Trish and her daughter also come to stock, pack bags, purchase product when needed, and deliver to schools in need. Trish serves on the Grant Writing Team for Raising Girls.
Karena Glodowski
Karena Glodowski, M.Ed, was born and raised in Tacoma and attended Tacoma Public Schools. She grew her love for the community as she volunteered with Safe Streets as a teenager with her mother. She graduated from Western Washington University with Bachelors degree in Business Administration where she participated on the rowing team. She worked several years in retail management before realizing that her true passion was to work for the community. She returned to school at Pacific Lutheran University to become a teacher and serve the Tacoma community. Karena is in her fifth year as an educator of English Language Arts. This is her fifth year as an educator for Tacoma Public Schools serving both Henry Foss High School and Lincoln High School during that time. Karena has 3 daughters ranging from 3 years to 8 years old. Connecting with Sharon felt like a great opportunity to further support her community and youth of Tacoma. Karena is happy to work with local girls in their efforts to stay equipped with the resources they need. She works primarily with 9th grade students and has witnessed their various level of needs. She hopes to empower young ladies by providing them with the support they need to be successful. She has also served as a mentor for the Washington Youth Academy. Karena serves as Education Ambassador for Raising Girls.
Dale
Golder
Dale Golder has worked as a Mortgage Banking Professional for 40+ years. Her expertise in mortgage banking and her personable customer service continues to earn the trust of her customer. She loves having the opportunity to help people realize the American Dream of Home Ownership. Dale is very involved in her community as Board Chair of Pierce County Coalition for Developmental Disabilities (PC2). As a Leadership Team Member for Raising Girls, Dale has the opportunity to show young girls they are valued, respected and can face the world with confidence! In her spare time, Dale enjoys spending time with family and friends, glamping, dancing, singing on her church worship team and plans to do more sewing & traveling. Dale serves on the Community Outreach Team for Raising Girls.
Amara Gordon
Amara Gordon is a recent graduate of Dartmouth College and she is currently a Program Manager at Microsoft. Amara was raised in the Puget Sound and has always had a passion for giving back; Raising Girls is the perfect avenue for her to do that. The mission of Raising Girls resonates with her because she knows that there are so many in need, and she was once a Tacoma Public Schools student facing the challenges of being a teenager. Amara is excited that Raising Girls gets to play a role in making the world a better place. Empowering girls is extremely important, and hygiene products are necessary for a girl to feel confident and ready to take on the world! This is an opportunity to have a positive impact, and Amara is grateful to be a part of such an exciting organization that is doing just that. Amara loves to volunteer at food banks and her hobbies include dancing, playing the violin and reading. Amara serves as Social Media Coordinator and Web Content Manager for Raising Girls.
Jasmyn Jefferson
I currently work as the Principle Managing Broker of Windermere Professional Partners Tacoma and has been a full time REALTOR since 2003. Born and raised in Tacoma, I attended Tacoma public schools and began a love for volunteering in my community by tagging along with and eventually helping along side my father. I now share this passion with my daughter and friends as often as possible. Growing up with a single father, I was fortunate enough to not experience period poverty. I did however, have friends that experienced bouts of homelessness and home life disruption and my dad and other family members would help out by providing care packages and sharing my personal hygiene items. Connecting with Sharon and Raising Girls has been a natural fit. Jasmyn serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator for Raising Girls.
Lori Ricigliano
Lori grew up in New Jersey and moved to the Pacific Northwest to attend graduate school at the University of Washington. She has lived in Tacoma for more than 40 years. She recently retired from the University of Puget Sound as the Associate Director for User Services at Collins Library where service to students and faculty were integral to her work. She founded the Race and Pedagogy Journal in 2014 and continues to serve as its managing editor. She is also the digital archivist for a professional theatre organization and a member of a community garden where she delivers produce to a local food bank. Lori was invited to join the Board of Raising Girls in 2019 and assists with researching and writing grants to support the important ongoing work to those in need in our local community. By providing personal hygiene products, Raising Girls empowers girls to feel confident in school so that they can achieve their full potential and thrive in life. Lori serves as secretary and as a member of the grant writing team for Raising Girls.
Rachel Trignano
Rachel is a communications consultant who specializes in strategic messaging, brand development, and public relations for small businesses and non-profits. Through both work and volunteering, Rachel has developed an extensive background in fundraising, event production, and community engagement. She's been on marketing leadership committees for the Colorado Symphony and Off the Hook Arts, and is thrilled to serve on the Raising Girls leadership team. Volunteering and community engagement have been a fundamental part of Rachel's life since she was in grade school. Rachel's volunteering has included counseling and clinic work with Planned Parenthood, providing hospice care, organizing food drives, and acting as nurse's aid in a monastery. Originally from New Jersey, she's lived in Georgia and Colorado and has traveled extensively throughout the US. Now happily settled in Tacoma, Rachel enjoys gardening, writing, and traveling along the Washington and Oregon coasts. Rachel serves as the Marketing Coordinator for Raising Girls.
Cheri Warner
I am a military spouse, a mother of four, an entrepreneur, business woman and true girlfriend. Slaying all challenges and opportunities with a “can do attitude”. I believe my life’s purpose is to help others see their full potential and support them in achieving their goals, personally and financially, in business, and in life. I am a business owner of a property management company and real estate school, a real estate investor and managing broker, Realtor, mentor and trainer to new Realtors entering the field of real estate. I support small businesses, volunteer with my church and the USO. Currently a Board member of Habitat for Humanity. "Raising Girls' mission is in line with my vision to serve where needed. Our young people are the future and they need to know that, and KNOW they are cherished. Raising Girls is doing that. I’m proud to be a part of this organization." Cheri serves as Marketing Coordinator for Raising Girls.
Sharon Winesberry
My name is Sharon Winesberry. I am a U.S. Army Veteran, married to Cornelius Winesberry, Jr. for 45 years and he is very supportive of my various volunteer work in the community. When founder, Sharon Chambers-Gordon shared her vision of supplying personal hygiene products to school aged girls, I immediately wanted to be a part of Raising Girls. It would have been great for an organization like Raising Girls to have been available for me when my period started, while sitting in class at school. Then, I would have had the proper supplies when available, just as I needed them, because I would have headed to the nurse’s office to pick up a care bag. I am happy to serve and have a positive impact on girls who need us to be there for them. My hobbies include decorating, gardening and re-purposing items. Sharon serves as Special Assistant for Raising Girls.