Charity Shaw is originally from Durham NC. She is a Gates Millenium Scholar and May 2018 graduate of Clemson University. Charity is a radically determined woman actively working towards her dreams of being a performer, philanthropist and entrepreneur. She started her photography business, Love Char Photography in 2014 and is absolutely a creative at heart. She released her first single in September of 2017 and is continuously perfecting her craft of being a singer/songwriter. Ms. Shaw is an impatient optimist who dreams far beyond what she can even imagine. Charity simply wants people to know she was here.
“I stand
on the sacrifices
of a million women before me
thinking
what can i do
to make this mountain taller
so the women after me
can see farther."
- Legacy
What are you passionate about and at what point/incident in your life did you recognize this passion is the key to your true path?
"I am passionate about music, women’s health and economic development. I was studying as a chemistry major at Clemson and I was enrolled in a course entitled women in global perspective. It was at that moment that I realized the inequities That existed amongst women around the world and I became determined to do something about it. Not only did this spark my passion for doing women’s work in addition my personal identity informed this passion as well. I am so intellectually curious about the struggles of women and how we can create sustainable solutions to change their lives that almost all of of my research has been about women of color specifically because of my own personal identity. Music plays a role in this because although my songs are not always about empowerment my concepts are entirely related to my experience as a woman and largely inspired by other black and female artists. Singing is my gift from God and it is a form of communication and story telling for me. For me these two passions meet at an intersection because one side of it is not the most beautiful but music helps me balance and therapeutically process the work that I do."
How do you use your passion to illuminate change in the world?
"My passion for music and empowering women is apart of everything that I do. I take brave and courageous steps to leave a mark. An example of this is that I’ll be leaving in August to spend a year in the country of Zimbabwe to work alongside a mentor of mine in collaboration with the United Nations doing maternal health work and research and empowering women. Empowering the poorest, especially women and girls helps to transform their lives. BY GIVING PEOPLE THE TOOLS TO LEAD HEALTHY, PRODUCTIVE LIVES, WE CAN HELP THEM LIFT THEMSELVES OUT OF POVERTY.
Every year, millions of people find ways to transition out of poverty—by adopting new farming technologies, investing in new business opportunities, or finding new jobs. We know women and girls have a unique power to reshape societies. When you invest in a woman’s health and empowerment, it has a ripple effect, helping families, communities, and countries achieve long-lasting benefits."
If you could leave one lasting impression on others what would it be and why?
"Legacy is my intention. I want people and especially women and girls to know that I left them something of value and that I inspire To live unashamed and to leave it all on the table. Whether it was a song that change their direction or path; or inspired them to take a leap or leave a bad situation, I want them to feel empowered by things I sing, say, or do and to live the greatest version of themselves."
