Mission Statement:

Women of all ages possess and project feminine values and traits that when combined with purpose and passion can accomplish tremendous good. At Utah Valley University there is a myriad of students who need help and countless opportunities to make an impact. Through service, education, philanthropy, and leadership, Start Something Beautiful exists to provide inspired women an outlet for their inherent desire to reach out, touch, and truly make a difference for students while enhancing and promoting the powerful feminine values they possess. Women can share time, talent, or treasures with students at Utah Valley University and Start Something Beautiful.

Story

Start Something Beautiful is really a way for women of success to share. This program engages women of all ages throughout our community and provides an avenue to give time, talent, and treasures—whatever they might be – to Utah Valley University students. Women inherently possess and project feminine ideals of goodness in our families and in our community. Start Something Beautiful provides an opportunity for women to come together, share, and enhance UVU and the community.

When Ali Johnson accepted her new position as Development Officer at UVU, she noticed that women’s contributions were low. She recognized that many women have much to give and enjoy being engaged and involved, but perhaps do not know specifically what to share, when to offer, or where to participate. There was a need to provide an avenue for inspired and successful women to enhance and promote students and programs at UVU. The idea of Start Something Beautiful began.

In this organization, women contribute to UVU by initiating what they think is something beautiful. For example, one woman chose to start something beautiful in the dance department. She used her business expertise to teach dance students how to make the transition from being a student to owning a dance company. Another woman wanted to start something beautiful in the family study room at the library. She used her time and resources to buy hundreds of children’s books for this room. Yet another woman saw the need to contribute to a specific scholarship fund. "There are so many women who have so much to share. We can allow our lives to provide inspiration and hope to others," says Johnson.

Start Something Beautiful will hold two events yearly inviting women to gather, get inspired, share ideas, and learn how to really start something beautiful. The first will feature Natalie Gochnour, Chief Operating Officer of the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce, Thursday September 25 11:30 AM at the UVU Library Lakeview Room. SSB is also planning a large fundraising event for UVU. Johnson hopes that this organization, in partnership with UVU, will lead other universities to provide specific involvement opportunities for women as well. "It might be the first of its kind. We are anxious to find out."

Ali Johnson was iny her late husband Greg, who encouraged her to ‘find her own wings and fly.’ He fully supported her in efforts to try new things, be unique, and be her best. She wants to share this message with other women and give them the opportunity to share their ‘wings’ of experience and success with UVU students and help them on their flight. She is looking for you to join her in a collective aim to build a better community.

Contact:

Ali Johnson, UVU Development Officer of Institutional Development

Telephone: 801.863.7575

Email: ali.johnson@uvu.edu

Website:

www.uvu.edu/giving/startsomethingbeautiful