Sandy Schmidt

Sandy Schmidt, the Founder and Executive Director of Women of Worth, has a passion for helping abused women and children that was borne out of her own experiences both in her childhood at later at the hands of an abusive and controlling husband. Every time Sandy adds a new service to WOW, the underlying question is always, “What would have helped to escape and start a new, safe life?” and she makes decisions accordingly.

Not one to have a set and limited “program,” the help that Sandy and WOW offers are as unique as the people who seek it. One day you might find Sandy mentoring a woman. On another, you may see her physically decorating a “new home” for a client. Yet another day, you may see her delivering teddy bears for children of incarcerated parents, new back packs and school supplies to children in need or food and Christmas gifts to needy and deserving families.

When a client (Sandy doesn't like the word "victim" because it is too defining) is referred to WOW, she is greeted with love, compassion, and warmth. Sandy prefers to let the clients choose what they need to start a new household, rather than limiting them to a prescribed list. In this simple act, lives are changed. Blessed with an innate nurturing ability, Sandy has a flair for making a home (or business) beautiful with what is on hand. In the same way, she enables abused women to see their value and beauty in God's eyes. Thus they are empowered to break the chain of abuse for their own children, and society as a whole is greatly benefited.

Sandy and her husband, a business developer, may well have invented the term “blended family!” Between them they have six wonderful and independent children, ages 4 - 27, and two granddaughters.

A dedicated server, Sandy must sometimes be reminded that taking care of herself is her number one "job." Yet, it is the passion for her God and for her ministry that has her perpetually set on “fast forward” and those traits are why Women of Worth exists and thrives today.

Her interests include reading and writing, family gatherings, traveling, spending time outdoors, dancing, decorating, NBA Sacramento Kings, clothes that don't need ironing, extreme chocolate consumption, and of course, WOW.

Sandy lives in the beautiful foothills of Northern California.