Opinion: Patty Stonesifer Gets ‘Boots Dirty’ at D.C. Charity

Patty Stonesifer’s transition from leading the world’s biggest philanthropy to running a small Washington, D.C., community organization is the subject of a New York Times column.

Columnist Maureen Dowd accompanies Ms. Stonesifer during a workday at Martha’s Table, a food bank that also supplies clothes, day care, and educational programs for needy Washingtonians. She took up her post with the $6-million charity in April, about five years after she stepped down as chief executive of the $39-billion Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

“When I sat and really thought about what I wanted to do, I realized that the only job I was interested in would be one that would put me very close to the front lines, to go beyond white papers and PowerPoint presentations and get my boots dirty,” Ms. Stonesifer said of the job choice.

Read a Chronicle of Philanthropy article about Patty Stonesifer’s move to Martha’s Table.