In honor of hashtag#WomensHistoryMonth, I’m highlighting Joan's extraordinary philanthropic legacy. She was the remarkable widow of McDonald's’s founder, Ray Kroc.

Her pinnacle moment came in 2003 when she donated over $1 billion to the The Salvation Army Army, supporting projects like the transformative "Kroc Centers." These community centers provide arts, education, recreation, and worship facilities in underserved and underprivileged areas in cities.

Their purpose is to serve as BEACONS OF HOPE and PLACES OF REFUGE for FELLOWSHIP, SPIRITUALITY, CREATIVITY, AND WELLNESS.

There are only 26 of these in the US.  My hometown of Augusta, GA has one of these gorgeous facilities. For years my family and I were members.  I learned to PLAY PICKLEBALL there, took lots of SPIN CLASSES, had a PERSONAL TRAINER, and even tried ZUMBA CLASSES.

My children enjoyed BIRTHDAY PARTIES there and SUMMER CAMPS.   The amazing SWIMMING facility is where we as a family had lots of fun. There is a massive slide that curves outside and then inside the building. Sorry I can’t find a photo of that to show my boys going down that!

So, where Joan Kroc and I connect is through the $100 million dollar The Salvation Army Kroc Center of Augusta in my hometown. What a wonderful gift and what a trailblazing woman of philanthropy.