When I set out to write "Miss Dorothy's Garden: 9 BEE Attitudes to Grow By," It was always my intention to create programs to help chidlren and families manage their mental health. It was an idea.
I know how ideas work. There are a LOOOOOTTTT of details to fill in from concept to completion.
Fast forward to the BEE Buddy Workshop I just held in Johannesburg, South Africa...SOUTH...AFRICA...to share the IDEA to a group of gogos (grandmothers in Zulu), City of Joburg government representatives, and ECD educators.
Nothing could have prepared me for what Bontle Gama had to say. She started her remarks by stating that she was there in her official capacity, but as a mother...
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https://missdorothysgarden.com/100champions
Gwen Witherspoon
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Brand Strategist. Better Life Coach. Poet. Designer. Miniac. Wife. Mom. Entrepreneur. Minister. Joy collector.
08/24/2025
and Gogos Give Smiles are teaming up to launch the Miss Dorothy's Garden Program as part of their Gogos Read Initiative in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg, South, Africa. Gogos will share the award-winning children's picture book, Miss Dorothy's Garden: 9 BEE Attitudes to Grow By.
I am 1 of the 100 Champions raising money to expand her legacy from San Francisco to Johannesburg. Will you join me?
Learn more: missdorothysgarden.com/100champions
š Make a tax-deductible donation: givebutter.com/100champions/gwenwitherspoon to .
health
08/24/2025
Dorothy Witherspoon's century of service to San Francisco, the State of California, and our nation is celebrated in the award-winning children's picture book, Miss Dorothy's Garden: 9 BEE Attitudes to Grow By. š»š
The 100 Champions campaign ā raising $100,000 in 100 Days ā is carrying her legacy into classrooms, living rooms, and communities around the world.
I've said "YES" to being 1 of the 100.
Will you? šš
āØ Learn more: missdorothysgarden.com/100champions
š Make a tax-deductible donation: givebutter.com/100champions/gwenwitherspoon to .
Dorothy Witherspoon worked nearly 40 years as a night-shift psych ER nurse in SF. š©ŗš Now, her century of service lives on in Miss Dorothyās Garden, an award-winning childrenās book. š»š
Iām 1 of 100 Champions bringing her legacy from San Francisco to Johannesburg. Will you join me?
š Donate https://givebutter.com/100champions/gwenwitherspoon
08/21/2025
Dorothy Witherspoon spent nearly 40 years as a emergency room nurse at San Francisco General Hospital on the night shift.
Her century of service is celebrated in the award-winning children's picture book, "Miss Dorothy's Garden: 9 BEE Attitudes to Grow By."
And I am 1 of the 100 Champions raising money to expand her legacy from San Francisco to Johannesburg. Will you join me?
Learn more: https://missdorothysgarden.com/100champions
ļ潚 Make a tax-deductible donation: https://givebutter.com/100champions/gwenwitherspoon to .
08/19/2025
Yesterday, I told you that James Holmes encouraged me to bring books to the Drake BSO Reunion. After an unforgettable time at The Winery at Sovereign Estate, I found myself in the Hospitality Suite at the hotel with no table, no plan, andāhonestlyāno appetite to push.
But something inside said: unpack the books. All of them. Poetry, devotionals, Make Your Life Vivid, and, of course, Miss Dorothyās Garden.
The room was full, and so was my heart when I saw what happened next. Support was immediate, enthusiastic, overwhelming. They bought multiples. They insisted on autographs. And Miss Dorothyās Garden was the hands-down favorite.
Hereās what struck me most: these werenāt strangers. These were my Drake familyāthe people who knew me at 18, who remembered things about me Iād long forgotten. They spoke life, filled gaps and holes in my soul, and reminded me why this work matters.
And thenāthey stepped in. Some became Ambassadors. Some pledged as Champions on the spot. Others invited me to bring Miss Dorothyās Garden into their classrooms.
Iām in awe. And grateful.
This is what the 100 Champions Campaign is all about: carrying Dorothy Witherspoonās legacy of kindness from San Francisco to Johannesburg, and from one generation to the next. And my Drake family confirmed that I don't have to attempt it alone.
Will you become 1 of the 100?
š missdorothysgarden.com/100champions
I just spent the most glorious 4 days at the Drake University BSO Reunion 2025 in Meet Minneapolis. I had no intention of selling booksāuntil our fearless Chair, James Holmes, Jr., called me right before I left and said, āBring your books.ā No plan. We'll figure it out.
Late Friday night, we finally carved out a corner in the Hospitality Suite for alumni authorsā¦ and then something wild happened.
I was SWARMED. Signing books. Telling the story. Taking photos. Laughing with classmates I hadnāt seen in decades. One of them was Angela Moreheadāmy Gospel Choir sister from over 40 years ago.
While I was caught in the whirlwind, Angie was quietly watchingā¦and then, like only she can, she took the mic without a mic...and finished by "dropping" it!
She filmed a FULL-on infomercial. HSN meets Holy Spirit. Vanna White with a mission. š¤š
I had no clue until someone told me the next day. When I watched it? I laughed ātil I couldnāt breathe. Then I cried. Then I saidā¦THIS is Day 1. š
Today marks the official launch of the 100 Champions in 100 Days Campaign for the Miss Dorothyās Garden Legacy Projectāa movement to honor my 100-year-old mother-in-lawās legacy of kindness to enlist children around the world as BEE Buddies with Miss Dorothy and her BEE helpers.
And thanks to Angie, instead of disturbing my rest and reminiscing, hers will be the perfect video to kick off our first annual fundraising campaign.
Just press play.
ā¢ Then, visit https://missdorothysgarden.com/100champions to learn more
ā¢ Ready to give? Go directly to https://givebutter.com/100champions
ā¢ Will you become 1 of the 100 by donating or raising $1001?
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04/14/2025
āØ62āØ
And just. Getting. Started.
Today, Iām celebrating more than another trip around the sun. Iām celebrating the woman Iāve becomeāand the one Iām still becoming.
This photoshoot marks a moment: a radiant, joy-filled reflection of the journey Iāve been on. A journey thatās taught me how to rebuild, rediscover, and reigniteāwith grace, grit, and a whole lot of glowup.
I love that this woman is 62.
Still dreaming.
Still building.
Still blooming.
And still saying yes to whatās next.
To everyone whoās been part of this storyāthank you! And if you're reading this wondering if itās too lateā¦ itās not.
Your new chapter is waiting. Make it vivid. š«
Photography Skyy Wonders
Makeup Taraya Johnson
Hair Michelle Stampley
Styling & Hype Woman Sonny Hill
Lace Pants Cleah Couture
11/27/2024
Itās a good sign when you read your own book and break out the highlighter!
11/03/2024
Me and got a thang goinā on!
You have to make a lot of decisions in life and business. How do you choose to spend your time? What do you say, "Yes," to, and more importantly, what do you say, "No," to? Remember, progress requires workāwhether the project is you or your company.
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