Stitching Together Strength: The Power of Craft Club

In a world that often seems divided, there's a quiet revolution happening in living rooms, kitchens, coffee shops, and pumpkin patches across the globe. It's the revolution of women coming together, supporting each other, and creating a powerful force that can move mountains – or in this case, send a half-semi of supplies to hurricane victims.

Let me tell you a story about a group of women who exemplify this strength.

Almost a decade ago, I joined a Craft Club in Chicago. Little did I know that this simple act of seeking community would introduce me to a group of women who would become a cornerstone of my support system – my village.

At first glance, we might have seemed like any other women in Chicago. We met frequently, bonding over the creation of beautiful (and sometimes not-so-beautiful) crafts. But as time took its inevitable course, our paths diverged. Some of us moved to new states, others to the suburbs, and we slowly grew apart physically. Yet, our connection only deepened. Now, we reunite quarterly, sharing our lives and, yes, still crafting. What started as a simple hobby group has transformed into something far more profound: a network of support so strong and resilient that it has weathered life's most tumultuous storms.

Together, we've celebrated marriages and mourned losses. We've welcomed new life through births and adoptions. We've supported each other through career changes, cross-country moves, and battles with depression. In short, we've been there for each other through the highs and lows that define the human experience.

But it's not just about supporting each other within our circle. The true strength of women united lies in our ability to extend that support outward, to make a difference beyond our immediate sphere.

Recently, as Hurricane Helene devastated communities in North Carolina, I reached out to my Craft Club with a simple request – could we help? The response was swift and overwhelming. Within a day, these women – who are Creative Directors, Scientists, Military Commanders, and Founders (and that's just their day job) – had rallied together, offering donations and support. With a car overflowing with donations, I am proud of our little Craft Club and their unwavering empathy.

This is the power of women united. It's not just about the titles we hold or the individual accomplishments we achieve. It's about the network we create, the support we offer, and the change we can effect when we come together.

In a world that often tells women to compete with each other, our Craft Club stands as a testament to what can happen when women choose to uplift and support one another instead. We are stronger together, capable of sending aid across states, of being a shoulder to cry on, of celebrating each other's victories as if they were our own.

Take it from me, find your village. Whether it's a craft club, a book club, a running group, or just a regular coffee date with friends. These connections, which might seem small at first, can change lives – not just your own, but the lives of those around you and even those you've never met. Together, we become an unstoppable force. We move from "I can" to "We can." And in that transition lies the power to change the world, one act of kindness, one show of support at a time.

Remember, our collective strength is not just in what we can do for each other, but in what we can do for the world when we stand together. So let's stand together, support each other, and watch as our collective strength transforms lives, communities, and the world around us.