ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Three women. Three different stories. One beautiful picture of what can happen when we invest in the life of a woman.
What happens when you invest in the life of one woman?
The impact rarely stops with her.
When a woman grows in her faith, confidence, leadership, and sense of purpose, she carries that growth with her—into her home, her workplace, her relationships, and her community. And often, she turns around and invests in someone else.
That's The Ripple Effect.
In this special Giving Week episode of the Moving Forward Podcast, Melissa Harrison sits down with three women whose stories offer a glimpse into the multiplying impact of 4word: Laura Martinez, Charmaine Solomon, and Kristin Thompson.
Laura shares how the 4word Mentor Program met her during a season when she needed both encouragement and practical wisdom—and how that investment changed the way she showed up as a leader, coworker, wife, and mom. She also reflects on carrying that impact into her workplace and the kind of faith-filled community she now hopes her daughter will have earlier in her own journey.
Charmaine offers the perspective of a longtime 4word mentor and supporter. Through mentoring women across generations and around the world, she has seen firsthand what happens when one woman comes alongside another—and how that influence continues into families, workplaces, and communities far beyond the original relationship.
And Kristin shares why community has been so transformational in her own life—from finding a place where she could be fully known as an executive leader to becoming a Community Group leader, Board member, and active part of 4word's Executive Women's community.
Together, their stories reveal a simple but powerful truth:
When you invest in one woman, you may never fully know how far that investment will travel.
In this episode, we get into:
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How mentorship can change the way a woman shows up at work, at home, and in leadership
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Why the workplace can become a mission field
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The power of having another woman who understands the realities of faith, family, and career
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How one woman's growth can influence coworkers, children, and the next generation
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Why mentoring is about more than advice—it's about walking alongside another woman
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The importance of faith-filled community for women at every level of leadership
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How 4word creates space for women to be supported through both the highs and the hard seasons
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Why the impact of investing in women extends into communities around the world
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How God can multiply what begins with one relationship, one conversation, or one "yes"
A few moments we love:
Laura Martinez: "Knowing there was someone on the other end who understood exactly the place I was in—as a wife, as a mom, as an employee, as a leader—really changed everything."
Charmaine Solomon: "We can strengthen women in the workplace so they become bolder—at home, at work, and in their communities."
Kristin Thompson: "We bring something that looks small to us, and He multiplies it."
This Giving Week, you can help start the next ripple.
Thanks to a generous $50,000 Matching Gift, every dollar given to 4word through September 18 will be doubled—helping provide mentorship, community, and Christ-centered encouragement to more women around the world.
One woman. Multiplying impact.
About Laura Martinez
Laura Martinez is a member of the 4word community who has participated in the 4word Mentor Program and faith-based community within her workplace at Toyota. Through mentorship and community, Laura has grown in how she integrates her faith, leadership, work, and family—and has helped create space for other women to do the same.
About Charmaine Solomon
Charmaine Solomon is a longtime member, mentor, donor, and supporter of the 4word community. She has mentored women across generations and around the world and is also part of 4word's Executive Women's community.
About Kristin Thompson
Kristin Thompson is a member of the 4word Board of Directors, a longtime Community Group leader in Philadelphia, and an active member of 4word's Executive Women's community. She is passionate about creating spaces where Christian women can grow deeper in their faith while navigating the realities of leadership, work, family, and life.
About Melissa Harrison
Melissa Harrison is a journalist, nonprofit leader, and President & CEO of 4word. She is passionate about helping women integrate faith, leadership, and purpose in the workplace. As host of the Moving Forward Podcast, Melissa brings a storyteller's perspective to honest conversations about work, calling, growth, and the courage to keep moving forward.
Learn more about Melissa: melissaharrison.net
Follow Melissa on LinkedIn and Instagram
About 4word
4word is a global community for Christian women in the workplace, helping women grow in their faith, thrive in their work, and become the women and leaders God created them to be.
Find out more about 4word: https://4wordwomen.org/
