Mary J. Blige Launches Charity For Underprivileged Women

Los Angeles, CA (CNS) - "Queen of Hip Hop Soul" Mary J. Blige proves she does not only have a soul, she also has a heart. She has launched a new charity for underprivileged women.

Blige, 37, has announced the birth of FFAWN, the Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now, an organization that aims to "inspire women from all walks of life to reach their individual potential."

The charity's website, ourworld.ffawn.org, reads a statement from the R&B singer that says, "Most of my life was centered around living for the moment. I had very few resources and very little real life education to make good decisions. What I did have was a voice and that ultimately became my vehicle of growth."

"It is my great hope that FFAWN will be a vehicle to help other women reach greater heights despite their environment, despite low self-esteem, despite their immediate circumstances."

Blige, together with Steve Stout, founded FFAWN. Will Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith serves as the co-director.