Written by: Andrea Carneiro • October 9, 2017• The Philanthropist

Sharonda Butler Stewart: Sporty Mommas

After years as a public school teacher in Miami, Sharonda Stewart put her career on hold to focus on her family and support her husband, whose own career as a professional athlete kept them on the road. Realizing that moms she met needed their own outlet and support system, Stewart launched Sporty Mommas in 2009, with the desire to empower women through style, health, connection and, of course, community outreach.

About Sporty Mommas

Though she launched with apparel and a cookbook, Sporty Mommas quickly expanded into much more, including a blog and community events. And when it came to philanthropy, Stewart drew on her own experience in a familiar organization for inspiration. “Growing up as a Girl Scout in Miami I remember being taught the importance of giving back and helping people in need,” says Stewart. “Service projects like feeding the homeless, cleaning up the neighborhood or making holiday blankets for the elderly showed me that there are little things that we can all do to make a difference in the world. I think that is where my passion for helping others began. When I started the first Sporty Mommas Charity event, it was done out of pure love for giving back to other women in need.”

The Power of Moms

Today, the Sporty Mommas Charitable Fund (run via The Miami Foundation) raises money for various charities that impact the lives of women and children including Susan G. Komen, the Jackson Health Breast Cancer Initiative and Honey Shine, Inc. The fund hosts two annual fundraisers, a bowling bash in the fall and a holiday toy drive in December, as well as taking part in smaller projects throughout the year. “The charitable fund gives me a chance to fulfill my philanthropic goals and make a difference in the community that I was born and raised in,” says Stewart. “Throughout the year I am able to disburse grants via the Miami Foundation to assist women and children in need.”

The Future

Though Irma pushed back Stewart’s fall bash, she already has plans in the works for a December 6th holiday charity event to help local women displaced by the recent hurricanes. In addition Stewart continues to work her magic throughout the community via both Sporty Mommas and FemCity Miami (a networking group of which she’s president) and the mom of three says she’s always on the hunt for new ways to spread her message of empowerment. Says Stewart, “Sporty Mommas is able to reach so many women via social media. I hope to use this platform to spread inspiration, love and encouragement to moms of all ages.”

For more information, visit sportymommas.com

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