Kim Harris, founder, The Virtuous Woman Project. (Photo by Kamryn Gabrielle Harris)
BY AAGD STAFF
Women of high moral standards who are destined to achieve greatness is what The Virtuous Woman Project (VWP) prides itself on. Established as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, founded by Mrs. Kim Harris, The VWP’s mission is to help young women drive the distance through education and awards scholarships to female high school seniors. This academic assistance is aiding to bridge the money gap for many students while fulfilling the organization’s mission of propelling women to succeed.
“Our scholarship candidates are chosen based on the core values of The VWP: excellence, recognition, integrity, and diversity,” says Mrs. Harris. As the Founder of The VWP, which was officially opened in 2016, she feels that education is the key element to the future of young adults and the organization’s Facebook page is filled with information on just how she is accomplishing that. Kim resides on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in Easton Maryland, but her generosity spreads widely.
(Photo by Kamryn Gabrielle Harris)
Since 2014, her 501(c)3 non-profit has provided scholarships for nine high school seniors to attend various schools such as Morgan University, Hampton University, University Maryland Eastern Shore and North Carolina A&T, just to name a few. The scholarship recipients areas of study range from Fashion Design to Neuroscience. “Currently, the scholarships we provide assist those students living in Anne Arundel and Northern Anne Arundel Counties,” says the 54-year old. “Our goal is to be able to provide those same resources to the students in Talbot and the surrounding counties.”
To help build their scholarship fund every year The VWP is hosting its 2nd annual Royal Classic Golf Tournament at Queenstown Harbor Golf Course in Queenstown Maryland. The charity tournament (4 person scramble) is held in honor of Mrs. Harris father, the late Royal Adams Sr. “He was an avid golfer and introduced me to the sport—he had always been an inspiration to me,” said the former cosmetologist who most recently resigned from a position in accounting, after 10-years of employment. It was this strong father-daughter bond that keeps Kim’s passion alive today for giving back to young women in her community.
A strong group of VWP Board Members are the arms and legs of the organization and those who help to keep things running are Pamela Adams, Tracy Matthews, Wanda Burton, Kim Proctor Johnson.
Kim is looking forward to their Royal Classic Golf Tournament and truly enjoys the sport herself. “Golf is more of a challenge than it appears but my biggest challenge, as a new golfer, is my swing and keeping my eye on the ball.”
Working on her swing keeps her pretty occupied while she is out on the course. “I enjoy the quality time that I’m able to spend with my husband of 25-years while meeting and playing with other experienced golfers. I love the focus and the concentration that’s required when playing the game. I also enjoy the competitiveness of the sport,” she says. Her goal: “I envision myself playing competitively with hundreds of people watching. I also envision beating my husband. That’s my ultimate goal.”
(Photo by Kamryn Gabrielle Harris)
When Kim is not playing golf or busy working on The VWP business she enjoys spending time with her kids and grandkids. In addition, she is earning her B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies with a minor in Business, hoping one day to work in ministry full time.
For more information on The Virtuous Woman Project visit https://www.thevwp.org
