Learn how The Coca-Cola Company is empowering 5 million women. #5by20 MommyMafia.com — Photo: The Coca-Cola Company

**“Even if it was just one.“**

People ask me all the time, “Why did you start your blog?” My answer is always the same. “I was so lost as a new mom, and especially as a new mom in Miami. So I made all these notes. And I thought that maybe if I put these notes online, maybe I’d be able to help some other new mom, even if was just one.” I never imagined that my little idea would turn into the community it has become, or that blogging would become my “job.” Through the power of the internet and social media, I have been lucky enough to be introduced to women who have told me how helpful MommyMafia.com has been to them, or how much they love what I post on the MommyMafia Facebook page. I am awed by the fact that I have emails from readers I have never met thanking me for the information they found through the Mommy Mafia website.

I love that the blog has opened my eyes and introduced me to so many people also on a mission to help out fellow women and mothers. Some, like me, started by thinking that maybe they could help “just one” but with support and the confidence that support gave them, they have gone on to visualize even bigger goals, and they no longer want to stop at “just one”- they want to help and support as many women as they can: tens of women, hundreds of women, thousands of women. Then there are those that go beyond just dreaming and aim higher: Did you know that The Coca-Cola Company is on a mission to help economically empower FIVE MILLION WOMEN by 2020? Wait, 5 Million? Yes. Five. Million. Women.

The Coca-Cola Company has made a global commitment to enable the economic empowerment of 5 million women entrepreneurs globally by the year 2020.

About #5by20

What is #5by20? According to The Coca-Cola Company, “Through 5by20, we address the most common barriers women face when trying to succeed in the marketplace. This initiative offers women access to business skills training courses, financial services and connections with peers or mentors — along with the confidence that comes with building a successful business.”

“Women around the world are already pillars of our business system. We are building on that foundation by implementing programs to help women entrepreneurs throughout the Coca-Cola value chain — from fruit farmers to artisans.” MommyMafia.com

Mommy Mafia travels to Atlanta to learn more about #5by20.

I am THRILLED to announce that I have been personally invited to learn more about Coca-Cola’s global promise and I will be attending The Art Of Entrepreneurship event at Coca-Cola’s Atlanta headquarters, next week. The agenda includes an unveiling of work created by #5by20 artisans from around the globe. I’m hardly taking this invitation lightly and can’t wait to share it with all of Mommy Mafia’s readers.

I sat down and watched every video from the The Coca-Cola Company’s #5by20 Success Stories page and I’m just moved and inspired by every story. I invite you to watch these videos for yourself, I know you will watch and want to give each woman the biggest virtual hug you can muster. I will be sharing these videos via the Mommy Mafia Facebook page over the next few weeks, but I wanted to share the stories of Zilda and Maleholhonolo with you here:

Zilda Barreto, Recyclables collector, mother, grandmother and wife

“Before I was a collector, I was in need, yes. I was living in the favela (the slum). And then my son said to me, ‘Mother, I’m hungry.’ And I didn’t have any food to give to him. At that time I found myself without a solution. I tried everything to help my family….How could I imagine that garbage would bring me a future?”

Malehlohonolo Moleko, Bakery owner, shop keeper and mother

“The most important thing in my life is my son. I would like to see him graduate from business school, get married. I pay all his tuition fees with the money, of course, from the business. After the Coca-Cola workshops, my life personally improved. I never thought that I could be this financially stable. We can do things that we never thought we could do.”

Want to be inspired today? Learn more about Coca-Cola‘s commitment to the #5by20 program and read about even more success stories by visiting The Coca-Cola Company’s #5by20 page. Want to be a part of their success? Click here to visit and shop the #5by20 collection. Every #5by20 item sold carries a profound gratitude from the artisans, as the income they receive helps support their families and strengthen their communities.

Please follow my #5by20 journey to Atlanta on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag: #5by20