Founder Of Argrow’s House In Davenport Travels To Tanzania

Founder of Argrow's House and 2019 Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for Outstanding Public Service Benefiting Local Communities travels to Tanzania to support women in business in the country.

According to Argrow's House Facebook post, Dr. Ford visited Sidai Designs in Arusha, Tanzania today. That is where 120 Masai women are employed and make “high end” jewelry with designs rooted from the fabric of Maasai culture.

Dr. Ford interviewed the country manager and discussed topics like the importance of trade shows, import taxes when bringing in high quality materials, product development, branding, marketing, and the holistic care health and empowerment programs they provide to the Maasai women that they serve.

Tomorrow, Dr. Ford will journey with the Empower Tanzania team where she will study their work with 99 women who are gender based violence survivors. Empower Tanzania provides holistic care for the women, while also intentionally working to build their fair trade branded social enterprise of batik fabrics.

Dr. Kit Ford of Davenport, is the founder and director of Argrow's House located in Davenport. Argrow's House offers free services daily  for women in the community healing from violence and abuse. Services range from domestic violence support groups, yoga, spiritual direction, massage therapy, art therapy, and more.

On June 18th, 2019 Dr. Ford was given the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for Outstanding Public Service Benefiting Local Communities. The award was given during the National Jefferson Awards Ceremony. The Jefferson Awards Foundation recognizes people in communities who are "multiplying good" and proving that one person can make a difference.

Dr. Ford was nominated by WQAD to receive the award. Every year, WQAD selects 8 nominees then pick 1 finalist to join other finalists from around the country at the National Jefferson Awards Ceremony. This is the first time one of our finalists has won the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award.