Pip Meagher

What brought you to ninety-nine girlfriends?

I was invited to join by my amazing mother-in-law, Gun Denhart. Gun has connected me with many wonderful, community based organizations over the last few decades so I always pay attention when she recommends anything new. Being involved in a volunteer capacity within the community is not new to me so I was immediately curious to learn more as I didn’t know much at all about the model of collective giving that ninety-nine girlfriends was focused on. I met with co-founder Eileen Brady shortly thereafter and before you knew it I was co-leading a grant review team with Maura Koehler-Hanlon. That was in 2016 and I have never looked back.

Why do you volunteer?

My childhood was spent trailing my dad as he did clothing donation pick ups and drop offs every Saturday for St. Vincent De Paul. When we weren’t doing that we were at one of mine or my siblings' schools helping out with what we call working bees in Australia. The understanding that you were expected to contribute to your community was ingrained in us from before we had conscious thought. I get so much personal joy from volunteering and with ninety-nine girlfriends I have experienced all of the things I hear from members about what they love about this organization; learning about incredible nonprofits, meeting amazing women I likely never would have met, educating myself about the privilege I have and how to do better and be better when it comes to understanding how that privilege has provided me with an abundance of advantages. The list goes on.

What else do you want Girlfriends to know?

Jump in! The water is fine and you will have a great swim (I love water!). There are so many small and big ways to engage with this remarkable community and if you have even the tiniest thought that you want to do something then there is a place for you. You won’t regret it and you will meet fabulous people and learn things that you will use every day in all facets of your life.