Meet Margaret Cowan | Founding Keeper

We had the good fortune of connecting with Margaret Cowan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Margaret, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I never actually intended to start my own business. I was content being an employee. I knew when I worked, how much I was being paid for said work, when I would be off, when I could be off, etc. When I moved to Memphis, however, that had to change. I saw so many single mothers trying their best every single day yet still struggling for the basics, the necessities. They were going to work and going to school after work in an effort to provide a better life for themselves and for their children. These moms weren’t “needy” enough to qualify for government assistance like food stamps, childcare assistance, etc so they continued to struggle just because their pay dictated that they were above the antiquated poverty line. I call us “too poor to be rich and too rich to be poor”. I say us because I have been a single mom since 2000. I was 19 when I had my first daughter. I have three now. I knew this story. I lived this story. I had to do something about this story. I had to, even in some small way, change the narrative of this tale. So I Am My Sister’s Keeper was born.
IAMSK was born because “single moms need love too”. Many of us in society assume that a woman becomes a single mother because of poor choices she made, And while that is true for some (me), it is not true for others. I have met and served women who’s husbands or partners died, women who fled domestic violence, women who chose to adopt, and various other narratives. Regardless of the circumstances, these women are now single mothers and it is our duty as a community to serve them-no matter what.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are still here! There were many naysayers when I started this organization in 2019 (technically, the last day of 2018). I was told that organizations like ours do not last, let alone thrive. They said we wouldn’t last three years. They. Were. Wrong! It’s four years later and we are still here. Starting a business (or a nonprofit) is NOT easy! It is not for the faint of heart or for the thin-skinned. Programming and planning are tough, even with the best team. But what’s really tough are the sleepless nights, the failures, being broke from paying others before you pay yourself or pouring your own funds into your dream, the loneliness, being misunderstood, and the list goes on and on. HOWEVER, this is the toughest and simultaneously most fulfilling thing (next to being a mom, of course) that I have ever been blessed to do.
You can only overcome leadership challenges by continuing to learn (about yourself and your business), continuing to grow (personally and professionally), by surrounding yourself with those who lift you up and pour into you regardless of the situation, and by holding yourself accountable. That last one…whew!
The lessons I have learned are listed above. LOL
I want the world to know that I Am My Sister’s Keeper means just that. We keep the sisters who are looked down upon or past. We keep the sisters who just need a little support (tangible and intangible) to make it through. We keep the sisters who never give up on themselves even when others seem to. We keep single mothers because we know that everyone is worthy of keeping regardless of their situation.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This one is tough because I have a time everywhere I go! We would definitely hit some of the cultural tourist spots-The Civil Rights Museum, Slave Haven, Stax Records, and Beale Street.
I love to eat so we’d go to Fenominal Foods, Itta Bena, and Mahogany. I would also cook for them because I am pretty good in the kitchen.
I also love live music so we’d have to see where the We Bjamin Band and Black Cream are playing. I would also take them to Memphis Hang Suite on a Tuesday since they’ll be here all week.
Shelby Farms is a must! They have walking trails, paddle boats, ziplining, horseback riding, and it’s just beautiful!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate this Shoutout to all single mothers-those I know and those I do not. To my mother, Brenda Cowan for being my voice of reason and sounding board. To my children, Cayden, Camryn, and Camaya for helping me become the mother and woman I am today. To our board for always keeping your girl grounded and feeling supported.

Website: www.iammysissyskeeper.org

Instagram: iammysissyskeeper

Linkedin: I Am My Sister’s Keeper

Facebook: I Am My Sister’s Keeper

Youtube: IAMSK Memphis

Image Credits
Camryn Carter