Sharon Hanshaw's blog

When I started Coastal Women for Change, it wasn't my vision to run a nonprofit. If it had been, I would have done my research and learned how to manage one. I was thrown into this work after a devastation. I was a cosmetologist before Hurricane Katrina. [...Read more]

When the plane set down in Rio de Janeiro, I thought, "Wow, this is like the movies."  I had never been to Brazil before. But what I was really excited about was reconnecting with my sisters from developing nations across the globe. [...Read more]

People say it’s not that bad. They aren’t homeless and outdoors like they were after Katrina. But if you don’t talk to the individual you don’t know what their pain is. Right now, a lot of people don't have any food. Red Cross and Salvation Army are requesting donations for food. Nobody has the strength to go through the FEMA process. 

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During a recent trip to Washington, D.C, members of Coastal Women for Change (CWC) voiced our concerns regarding the RESTORE Act. [...Read more]

The RESTORE Act passed in the Senate on Thursday.  I will never forget the vote: 76-22.  We collectively were a part of this victory, with one voice. [...Read more]

I recently shared a bit of my life story with the website H.E.A.L. a Sister (tagline: dedicated to the well-being of all women). Please take a look:

Sharon Hanshaw Shares Her Story [...Read more]

We here on the Gulf Coast have fishermen and oystermen that are not licensed and bonded. They are subsistence fishermen who catch food for themselves and their families, and to sell informally to the community.  That means, in short, they're not qualified to apply for BP funds through the claims process.  By not reporting their income, they cannot apply for compensation and other resources. [...Read more]

Earlier this month the “Sisters Helping Sisters Live Healthy, Wealthy and Wise” tour came to Biloxi, Mississippi, and Coastal Women for Change was a proud co-host. [...Read more]

When Coastal Women for Change first thought about doing a community garden, I was very skeptical. For one thing I have never grown anything before. For another, I have never grown anything before (lol).  But once I thought about it in depth,  I was on board with both feet in.  [...Read more]