Our Guest Speaker Lavinia Crawford-Browne was an inspiration on Friday. She had recently attended the PeaceJam Annual Conference and we were privileged that she was able to share her professional life story, in particular, her broad experience in the office of Archbishop Tutu for twenty years and wide networks she had been exposed to which have been an asset in her work promoting the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation (DTHF). In addition, Lavinia had taken on a part-time position as Case Manager with the Red Tab Foundation, also on a part time basis.
Whilst we were all familiar with the good work of the Desmond Tutu Foundation, there were those of us who knew little about the Red Tab Foundation, Levi Strauss (RTF.LS). Their philosopy – they believe that supporting their employees goes beyond the workplace — it means strengthening foundations, fostering resilience and creating ripple effects that extend to families and communities. One key pillar in these efforts is the Red Tab Foundation (RTF), a global nonprofit dedicated to helping LS&Co. employees through unexpected financial emergencies, which has operated within South Africa since 2007. Employees also need to contribute to this foundation as a quid pro quo.
RTF has distributed over $1.6 U.S. million over the past 17 years in the country, with funds going to everything from offering financial support for waterproofing and flood prevention in employee homes, to administering School Books Grant to support the education of their employees’ children and alleviate significant expenses, as well as helping team members build resilience and grow personally and professionally. Their work has supported countless team members and impacted generations to come.
At the heart of the RTF in South Africa is Case Manager Lavinia Gordon-Browne, whose activism, compassion and resourcefulness has impacted LS&Co. employees and South African communities alike for decades.
In summary – Lavinia — whose involvement in the human rights space includes spending more than 20 years working with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and supporting its efforts to dismantle apartheid, has drawn from her impressive experience to become the support system and confidante she is today for the LS&Co community.
One can only imagine the impact that corporates in South Africa could make using the blue print provided by DTHF to assist their employees and communities, where the needs of people are prioritised as Corporate Foundations grow.
Lavinia you are legend! Your warmth, humour and authenticity brightened our day!
