Imagine the possibilities of a more safe, kind, and compassionate world where people could relate to one another with more understanding, empathy, and appreciation. 

Then imagine 20 years ago that someone took action to make it happen. 

Sophia’s foundress, Ginny Gilmore, did just that.

It takes a spark to start a fire.

On Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, Sophia Transformative Leadership Partners, along with over 150 committed servant-leaders from the Fond du Lac community and surrounding areas, gathered at the UW-Oshkosh Fond du Lac Campus for the 20th celebration and Caring Community Breakfast. 

This unforgettable morning featured three radiant individuals & servant-leaders:

Speakers:

Kristin Steede, VP of Training and Development at Verve, a Credit Union, shared her story of positive transformative change. 

• A story of resilience, vulnerability, and hope. 
• A story about her lived and learned experiences that demonstrate growth,
•  humility, and self-awareness. 
• A story that captured the power of the ripple effect – specifically, the potential of organizations to invest in the type of leadership and support that guides people to connect to their strengths and find their voice.

Christa Williams, Executive Director of Sophia for the past 12 years, reminisced about the history of Sophia over its 20 year history and shared examples of servant leadership through the following voices:

• Judy Brown, who read her poem “Fire”
• Gary Boelhower, who reminded us that wisdom is within each one of us
• Rebecca Braden, who read her poem “Spirit Carrier”

These individuals showcased how a person can make a difference in the lives of others through their acts of service and love for their community. They highlighted how one person can create a ripple that spans decades. And that one person is Ginny Gilmore.

About Ginny:

Ginny Gilmore, foundress of Sophia, was awarded the 2022 Virginia L. Gilmore Caring Community Award (previously the Caring Community Award), which was renamed in her honor. It is Sophia’s intent to continue to bestow this award in her name for future years to come.

It takes courage to throw that first stone into a still pond to create a ripple.

Ginny’s initiative to serve comes from a family legacy of caring and a dedication to the greater Fond du Lac communities. 

With a commitment to making a difference and a spirit of co-creation, she was inspirational in the founding of not only the Sophia Foundation in 2002 but also Marian University’s Center for Spirituality & Leadership, the Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund, a Virtual Servant Leadership Learning Community (VSLLC), which she continues to facilitate, and co-authoring a book based on her personal learning journey called Wisdom from the Woods.

In 2009, Marian University recognized her with a Doctor of Humane Letters in honor of her work in servant leadership. Ginny retired, in the true spirit of servant leadership from the Sophia board in 2016. Today, Ginny continues to learn about eldering. 

You can find her enjoying time with her husband Jim, children Rob & Ginger and their spouses, her grandchildren, Max, Will, Wes & Ruby Virginia, and cherished friends.

Transformative leaders inspire positive transformative change. 

We need more transformative leaders. 

You make that possible!

The Ripple Project:

At the conclusion of the Caring Community Breakfast, Sophia announced the launch of the Ripple Project. 

Need = This project aims to serve the majority of people who lead and work in nonprofit, government, and small business sectors of the Fond du Lac community who do not have access to personal or professional leadership development training or resources.

Here’s how you can help:

1. Create a Ripple – Be a Transformative Leader within your sphere of influence! 
2. Give $20 to the Ripple Project – Our 2023 goal is $20,000 to underwrite training, programs & services in the greater Fond du Lac area for personal and professional leadership needs.
3. Invite Others to Join – Pass the ripple on. Invite others to give. Create another ripple. REPEAT!

Stories connect us all.

Start your own ripple.

Go to our website, inspireripples.org, to capture and record your own ripple story!

As we celebrate 20 years of caring community and nurturing leadership development, we’re acknowledging the transformation of countless individuals, teams, groups, and organizations. 

With the collection of these stories, we’re also celebrating the ripple effect of generosity, leadership, your words and actions.

Your stories inspire us!

As a 501c3 charitable organization, Sophia has given back to the Fond du Lac area and beyond more than $2 million in grants, programs, and direct services that are creating positive transformative change. 

In partnership with you, we will continue to inspire ripples and create a more caring community!