By: Bob Morris is president of the Community Foundation of Greenville whose mission is to inspire giving by bridging philanthropy and purpose.

This is a contributor-submitted Voices piece. Want to join the conversation? We invite you to write for us. Learn how to share your voice here.

Behind every strong woman is a number of other strong women lifting her up. This is the foundation of International Women’s Day – a global movement celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women that will be recognized on March 8th. Locally, many people, including myself, are commemorating the occasion with a gift to the Greenville Women Giving Endowment Fund to honor our SHEroes – women who have guided us, encouraged us, shown us the way, empowered us, and made an unforgettable impact on our lives.

Greenville Women Giving (GWG) is a collective women’s giving organization that funds Greenville County non-profit organizations in the areas of arts, education, environment, health + human services. For the third consecutive year, GWG has held its SHEro campaign that allows individuals to recognize women who have inspired them by making a $50 donation to the Greenville Women Giving Endowment. The list of SHEroes and their honorees will be published in the Greenville Journal on Friday, March 6, just prior to International Women’s Day.

This year, my gifts to the Greenville Women Giving Endowment Fund were made in honor of my mother, a retired radiologist, and my daughter, a second-year resident in psychiatry at UNC Hospitals. In making these donations, I am holding up gender equality as a personal priority in hopes of promoting the belief that equality is not a women's issue, it’s a business issue. Gender equality is essential for economies and communities to thrive. A gender equal world will be healthier, wealthier and more harmonious.

My mother was one of three women who graduated in the Wake Forest School of Medicine Class of 1957, which had 55 members. Today, my daughter works for UNC Hospitals where equal numbers of men and women pursue their calling as physicians. I have witnessed the dramatic movement over three generations toward fairness in compensation and opportunity. I also recognize that data clearly demonstrates vast opportunities for improvement across professions.

In my work as president of the Community Foundation of Greenville, I have seen the power of women philanthropists as donors, board members, colleagues and, most certainly, in the success of Greenville Women Giving. Although the deadline to participate in this year’s SHEro campaign has passed, I encourage each of you to join me in celebrating International Women’s Day by contributing to the GWG Endowment in honor, recognition or memory of a woman you admire. She may be a mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, or daughter. It can be any woman who has encouraged and inspired you. The honoree will be notified of your thoughtful recognition, and your donation will help ensure a lasting legacy of philanthropic engagement in Greenville County.

To learn more about the GWG Endowment Fund and how it’s being used to grow a greater Greenville, please visit greenvillewomengiving.org.