Your Mark On The World

The Women’s Bean Project doesn’t just make chili, it makes a difference. It also makes a variety of other products, many that feature beans. The nonprofit doesn’t exist to make its products, it works to change the lives of the women who make them. Tamra Ryan, CEO, and Miranda Zamora, a production supervisor, joined me to talk about the program’s products and its impact. Miranda is a prime example of the life-changing impact of the work at the Women’s Bean Project. Miranda came to work there a bit over two years ago with the encouragement of a case manager. She has four kids, the youngest of whom is now two years old. She was completely lacking in self-confidence and hadn’t finished high school. She flourished in the program, overcoming challenges with transportation and daycare to become a dependable employee. When she was ready to graduate from the program, a permanent position came open as a supervisor and she was offered the position. Now six months into her tenure as a boss, she’s helping other women—