“Love is not a gated community.”—Frank Ostaseki
Yes, my friends, it’s finally here. The auspicious date when Taz’s 222 Foundation announces recipient numero uno of its annual $10,222 grant.
Sheroes Hangout is an incredibly inspiring café/coffee shop in Agra, India, not far from the Taj Mahal where I left part of Taz’s ashes.
I discovered this colorful, creative hangout in November when I was in India with TribesForGOOD. During seven-day social impact journeys, this innovative program pairs volunteers with small social enterprises, uplifting both volunteers and communities. That, of course, is how it should be. Win-win-win-win.
My radiant daughter Tasman, in her short 25 years on the planet, was relentless in standing up for those who are marginalized. Her continuous fight for the underdog is why I chose Sheroes Hangout. It’s run by victims of acid attacks, 10 women whose lives have been turned upside down by having acid thrown on them by people who allegedly loved them.
For example, Geeta and her two daughters were attacked by her husband while sleeping. He was mad that she hadn’t yet produced a male heir. The acid melted their skin, burned their eyebrows and disfigured their lips, faces and necks.
Today, rather than hide, rather than feel like outcasts, Geeta, her daughter and eight other women who suffered the same fate joyfully run Sheroes Hangout. They do the books, they cook, they manage the library and boutique where their creations are sold. Most importantly, Sheroes Hangout offers coffee and free food to anyone who stops by, no questions asked.
Rather than protest their unfortunate situations, these women are changing society by choosing to give, by choosing to love, by choosing to demonstrate that, despite being culturally shunned, they are still beautiful and worthy and bursting with important gifts to bestow on the world.
Not long after I was in Agra, the road near the café had to be widened so the grant from Taz Grout’s 222 Foundation will enable them to relocate to their new hangout.
Sheroes satisfies the mission of the 222 Foundation because it overcomes norms inflicted by society—norms like being defined and judged by our looks. Norms like believing it’s more important to look good on the outside than be good on the inside.
Because of their difficult circumstances, the women who run Sheroes Hangout have learned the importance and truth of inner beauty. They’ve learned how to give unconditionally. They inspire all of us to turn tragedy into something that helps others.
Eventually, Taz’s 222 Foundation will be an incubator for brand new creative projects and ideas. I will put out a call for proposals in August of 2019 and every year moving forward.
For this first award–because it has taken me a while to get my bearings back and because I didn’t have time to receive proposals, do the interviews and make decisions–I chose Sheroes Hangout because they so deeply inspired me.
Here is the video about Sheroes that I played at Taz’s Celebration of Life.
Thank you all for joining me on this journey of eternal connection, joy and love.
Pam Grout is the author of 19 books including E-Squared, E-Cubed, Thank & Grow Rich and her latest book, Art & Soul,Reloaded: A Year-Long Apprenticeship to Summon the Muses and Ignite Your Daring, Audacious, Creative Side.
57 Responses
What a perfect, wonderful, and fitting place for the first grant.
Love, joy, courage, compassion, and so much more.
For sure!! So worthy!! 🙏
You are a blessing Pam Grout! Thank you for being such an inspiration!!! 🙏❤💞
You do inspire this Pam with your wonderful work. 🙏 💕
Thank you for sharing this inspiring video. My second husband was emotionally abusive. I carried my scars inside until I was able to face them. I started to heal once I faced those scars. We all have scars, some on the outside for all to see and some on the inside. Let’s show our scars to our world and bring them into the light of love. When one of us can heal the trauma of abuse, we then can lead other to that place of healing with the light of love. Dr. Nancy L. Taylor
God bless you Pam and Taz 🙏👌🥰 222
God bless these amazing women 🙏💕much love to you all.
You Pam, and Taz, are my Sheroes. God bless you all and these inspiring women at the hangout. 💖
Wonderful news Pam. Thank you for being such a true, guiding spirit xxx
Peace love to you and Sweet Taz on our shared birthdays.
Thank you Taz and also you Pam. The love continues. Hugs to you Pam.
Such courage and inspiration!! Tazs’ soul much be glowing watching her Momma move forward so bravely and continue to make a lovely difference in our world. A hug to you Pam.
Beautiful! What a gift to the world Taz is. What a gift to the world you are! Thank you!!! ❤️
I don’t have words deep enough, full enough, eloquent enough…. the layers of quiet magnificence in what you and your beautiful daughter are creating… from thin air it seems or from love.
I’m in awe.
Bless these ventures… the Sheroes and the 222 Foundation.
Bless this profound love.
Thank you… I’m privelaged to be close enough for my Truth to be called out.
Thank you and bless.
Wh
Absolutely beautiful……. You, Taz and the Sheroes continue to create love and light in this world.
Thank you……💕
PAM! Please offer (if you’re not already!) the blue tree 222 logo as a BUTTON for people to buy and wear… raise money for the 222 Foundation and spread the word. I want to buy some!
Beautiful tribute to your beautiful daughter. 💗🙏🏻
Is there a way you can set it up where we can make small monthly donations to Sheroes or other groups you vet?
I am able to help out, in a small way, children’s hospitals, Operation Smile and Wounded Warriors while on a fixed income. It lifts me up beyond words. Later gator.
Here’s the link for the 222 Foundation: https://www.dccfoundation.org/product/taz-grout-222-fund/
Bravo. And, hugs. Great, big, ginormous hugs to you and Taz’s memory.
Oh so strong and beautiful.. yes & thank you .. d.l
Sent from Samsung tablet.
The perfect tribute to your beautiful daughter. 🙏🏻💕
Hi Pam, I have read your books and receive your emails however until recently had no idea your beautiful daughter had passed and my sincere condolences and love to you. My son battled cancer for two years and although I can’t fully know the extent of what you have been thru I do have some idea based on what I’ve been thru watching their journey and what that does to a parent of a child and my heart and love is with you. Your strength and courage as you move forward inspires me to do the same. In watching your video about the sheroes hangout I’m deeply touched and reminded about how blessed we are here in Canada and North America to live a free life. Is there a way to donate to your foundation as I would love to make a small contribution.
Love and light to you ??.
Val ________________________________
Just the most beautiful tribute for an incredibly worthy cause. Taz I’m sure is applauding! Much love and light for all the good you do I aspire to find ways everyday to be more like the two 2 too of you! ❤️
From what I have learned of physical life and all other life, I am certain that Taz is thoroughly enjoying what is being done here in her memory. I am stunned by what some humans go through in this life and then what they, and those they inspire, do to completely negate the destructive intent of those who hurt them and create a staggering example of transcendence and love. Wow… I am speechless…
02/22 — and you have already made a difference in Taz’s name — congratulations to both of you for being a light—and shining a light—for the good. Thank you.
Wow Pam what a story of Shero’s. Unbelievable! I can’t think of a more important place to give this award to at the moment. It takes so much courage and faith for those woman to do that! I once saw a show on TV of a woman with a disfigured face, her husband threw acid on her. The story stills hurts my heart and I never forgot about it. You and Taz are a non stoppable duo for spreading love and goodwill! Congratulation on the first award of the 222 foundation! Love and Gratitude for you and Taz.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Congratulations to the first Sheroes,
your courage is an inspiration to all.
Happy 222 to you, Pam! I have been thinking of you all day, and I am thrilled to see your post, and read about Sheroes. I am waiting for the video to load. I really love what you are doing with Taz’s legacy. I hope you are having a splendid day, and also hope you will make and sell stickers of your 222 Foundation logo. I want some for my car, and my coffee mug, and my calendar/address book, etc… It’s a beautiful logo, and it can help raise money for the foundation. Much love to you, and Taz, and the lovely ladies of Sheroes.
xox
That’s a great idea Pamela Joy! Stickers of the logo to raise money for the 222 Foundation. Love it! 👍🏻💖
Thank you thank you thank you for the beautiful work you are doing with the Taz Grout 222 Foundation! I’ve always loved you and your inspirational books and messages but this brings such warmth to my heart to see love in action! I recently lost my darling cat who was with me for almost 20 years and is now guiding me in many ways. Her name is Taz and reading this post by you today was like a sign from her that I also will be doing great work with her guidance. Much love to you Pam!
God Bless, Pam!! BRAVO, TAZ…..Sheroes, indeed. These beautiful women will be in my every prayer, and the gratitude I am sending your way, in Taz’s HONOR….
222….in joy tears, I say, AMEN!!!!
There is so much to say and yet I can’t find the words. Thankyou Pam for inspiring us to turn tragedy into love, possibility, hope, creation, joy and celebration. Your example is a bright blessing for us all, and your choice of Sheroes Hangout to be the very first recipient of the grant from Taz’s 222 Foundation is perfect. What wonderful women they are. Like Taz. Like you. Thankyou. Biggest hugs and blessings and loads of love on this wonderful occasion and Thankyou for sharing it with us.
🙏💛🌺⭐️🦋😘
Love you, Pam. Next pay, I’ll add my my donation. So, so loved you are….
A reader of yours..
What a beautiful organization to choose! Thank you for sharing this video and the information about this inspirational group. Taz is smiling!
I can see why these beautiful women inspired you, Pam, and this video will stay with me for a long time. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, for sharing Taz’s determination to support the underdog, and for shining a spotlight on this organization. Blessings to you!
Well done, dear heart. Well done.
This video brought tears to my eyes. First, for the unspeakable injustice of what these women have endured, and then for the beauty and power radiating from their souls. You have honored Taz with this foundation and in the perfect choice of the first recipients.
A Million Blessings!
The tears wont stop streaming down my face, such outrage! What an incredibly awesome place to begin. The courage and grace of these women is inspiring, I would love to help support them, perhaps you can forward information?
Thank you, Pam! You are truly Poetry In Motion! You inspire the writer in me to write…and that is a priceless gift ! Love you with all my Art And Soul 🙂✍️📚
❤️Virginia
What an inspiring story, and wonderful choice for an inaugural recipient!!
THANK-YOU PAM
I LIVE IN TORONTO ONTARIO CANADA
I CAN START HELPING THE NEW GENERATION OF CHILDREN BY TEACHING
ALL CHILDREN THAT THEY ARE KINDNESS. HURTING ANOTHER BEING
IS OF ANOTHER ERA. WE ARE THE NEW ERA. WE ARE CREATING KIND
BEINGS, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE BEINGS THAT HAVE TRANSCENDED
TO THE PLACE WHERE WE ALL MEET AGAIN.
THANK-YOU PAM
FOR SHARING YOUR STRENGTH WITH US.
MARIANNE
This is a beautiful tribute and deserving recipient for 222 Foundation. Your love and strength inspires me!!!
Inspiring and heartwarming. Taz is, no doubt, very proud. Thank you for showing that so much good can come out of our shadows and sorrows.
Thank you for your tribute Pam and for believing in love and spirit forever x
What a beautiful beginning for the 222 Foundation. Such love and courage! In your joy and sorrow, you are an inspiration and a light.
Congratulations. What an awesome project. Love Sue
You are a hero, too, Pam. Your daughter’s death will not have been in vain.
What an amazing and inspiring first recipient to Taz’s first grant. She must be dancing all around from joy. And these women will carry her love and memory with them . Love to you, Pam, keep spreading her spirit, and yours ❤.
I felt so badly for those women. I could feel their inner beauty in their voices and words.
What a sad thing that people would treat those they love so poorly and devastate their lives. Good Choice, Pam!
Scott
This issue puts life in perspective. How inspiring these women are. How strong they’ve become and how brave they’ve had to be. It shows the endless potential of the human spirit. Thank you for being a conduit of awareness.
Super AMAZING! Congrats to Sheroes as the first recipients of TAZ’s 222 Foundation. And, much gratitude to you and the foundation for this wonderful way of recognizing GOOD in the world!
Reblogged this on Anniegoose's Blog.
How incredibly inspiring. Thank you for sharing this amazing video and stories. Such inspiring women 🙏