A Boston-based Women’s Nonprofit Empowers Communities One Step at a Time

Boston, Massachusetts-based nonprofit Women Who Win, has launched a philanthropic initiative to help the needy and the underprivileged in the greater Boston community during the colder months. Named The Shoe Project, the initiative aims to help those who don’t own a good quality pair of shoes in their closets, unknowingly exposing themselves to foot conditions like frostbite and other dangerous infections.

Women Who Win was founded by three Boston residents, Dr. Manju Sheth, Dr. Deepa Jhaveri, and Shaleen Sheth, with a mission to empower communities one step at a time.

Dr Manju Sheth is a physician at Beth Israel Lahey health with a passion for media. She is president and co-founder of INE multimedia and Women Who Win. Dr. Deepa Jhaveri is a podiatrist and president-elect of the Indian Medical Association of New England. Shaleen Sheth is a co-founder of Women Who Win with a passion for technology and nonprofit leadership.

“This project is very close to my heart as it ties in my profession and my Indian roots to create an immense impact in the daily lives of hundreds of people by preventing limb-threatening foot infections,” noted Dr. Deepa Jhaver. “This project has also created a buzz in the podiatry community, particularly with Indian American podiatrists as well as major footwear companies who have offered tremendous support for this initiative.”

This holiday season, the Women Who Win team spearheaded shoe donations and also provided foot health educational materials to Boston populations in dire need, including Haitian refugees, women’s shelter residents, and adult day health centers, according to a press release. They partnered with a few companies and organizations including Hoka Apparel to ensure high-quality, podiatrist-approved shoes.

Noting that hundreds of Haitian refugees across Massachusetts are struggling to find essentials, the Women Who Win press release noted that the team joined the Gift of Gratitude project on Dec. 19, to provide vaccine clinics and other essentials like blankets, etc., to Haitians in need. The group also led a shoe donation drive at the event with the Indian Medical Association of New England (IMANE) and was able to donate over 150 shoes to these refugees.

“It was really wonderful to see communities coming together to support our immigrants,” the press release quoted Ruthzee Louijeane, the first Haitian-American City Councilor of Boston as saying. “We are in a difficult season right now that really asks us to look out for each other. Few things demonstrate that more than welcoming the stranger in our midst.”

The group also assisted women’s shelters that expressed a strong need for new shoes for their residents. Donations were organized in collaboration with the St. Patrick’s Shelter in Somerville Massachusetts, and at the Forever Young Adult Day Care in Hyde Park.

“Residents at the shelter often work two jobs a day to make ends meet, in worn-out shoes putting their feet at risk and discomfort,” the press release noted. “The women were elated to receive a new pair of shoes for the new year, and felt empowered and equipped in their new footwear,” it added. “The thrill of a new pair of shoes is one we can all relate to, and we were excited to provide this feeling to over 150 women across these shelters.”

The Shoe Project has worked with and been supported by IMANE, Boston Medical Center, the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association), Deckers X Lab, Hoka Apparel, Lion’s Club, and Rotary Club.