Working Toward Social Change - The Next Chapter
Greetings!,
After reading a recent article on Soul of a Citizen: Living With Conviction in a Cynical Time,authored by Paul Rogat Loeb, I was again encouraged and thankful for the hundreds of WFGM contributors for their time, talent and treasures. In Memphis, I believe with all of my soul that there is an army of genuine people waking up each day planning to give a helping hand to others. Loeb writes that the spirit to connect to society lies in the fact that people need to believe their individual involvement is worthwhile and that what they can do in the public will have positive results. We are grateful for your many gifts to the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis. Truly the "Soul of Good Citizenship" has allowed us to celebrate 15 years of philanthropy and leadership for women and children. The vigilant determination of our Board of Directors has well positioned us to turn the page and begin writing the next chapter of our work toward social change. We ask that if you have not done so, join us with your investment. Each day, we want to write a success story, and your gift is vital to making it happen.
Gratefully,
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Map of Downtown Memphis highlighting HOPE VI Grant |
$22 million HUD HOPE VI Revitalization Grant Announced
On June 2, 2010, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Assistant Secretary Raphael Bostic announced at Cleaborn Homes that the Memphis Housing Authority (MHA) will receive a $22 million HUD HOPE VI Revitalization Grant to transform the public housing development into a mixed-income community. Bostic has been quoted as saying, "The HOPE VI Program has done an outstanding job over the years to improve housing conditions for countless low-income communities and this year, we took it a step further." This will be the MHA's fifth HOPE VI revitalization grant. All current units at Cleaborn Homes will be demolished and replaced with new units for 400 families. Community Supportive Services (CSS) will also be provided to all impacted families. MHA has executed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Shelby County Government Head Start program to enroll current and future CSS-eligible families in both Head Start and Early Head Start. The Women's Foundation is pleased to continue its partnership of supporting the Urban Strategies Memphis HOPE Case Management Model.
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PHILANTHROPY Engineering an Opportunity for Young Women
Patrice Thomas, GEE Graduate and University of Memphis Student | Patrice Thomas attended the Girls Experiencing Engineering (GEE) program at the University of Memphis while she was in high school. GEE, a Women's Foundation grantee partner, opened her eyes to the possibility of a career in engineering. "When I attended GEE I heard so many inspiring women share their stories and I knew it was for me."
The guidance she received from the professors of GEE helped her gain confidence and feel empowered to study civil engineering in college. During her freshman year, Patrice felt better prepared than the other students due to the training she received and the relationships she made with her professors. "I was able to ask my professors at University of Memphis for help when I struggled with my studies. I knew these professors from GEE. They are like my extended family."
Hyde Family Foundations Challenge Grant Please help us create more stories of empowerment for women and children. Make your gift to the Women's Foundation today and have it matched before June 30.
Here's How Your Gift has Double the Impact:
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New Gifts: Gifts of $100 and greater will be matched dollar for dollar. -
Increased Gifts from the Last Fiscal Year: Gifts increased from 2008-2009 will be matched dollar for dollar of the increased amount. For example, a donor who gave $200 last year increased the gift to $225 in this fiscal year. Hyde Family Foundations will match the $25 increase for a total gift of $250. -
Lapsed Gifts: Donors who have given in the past, but not in the past 12 months, will be matched dollar for dollar for gifts over $100.
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Healing the Community - Impact of Women in Healthcare
The Memphis Public Libraries were awarded an American Library Association/National Library of Medicine exhibit entitled, "Changing the Face of Medicine: Celebrating America's Women Physicians." The exhibit is on display through July 10, 2010 at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library.
In partnership with this exhibit, the University of Memphis and the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis will host a panel discussion, Healing the Community - the Impact of Women in Healthcare, at the University of Memphis Ned R. McWherter Library, second floor study, on Wednesday, June 9 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. The discussion will highlight the accomplishments of women in medicine and empower women to work in leadership roles in the healthcare sector. This event is free and open to the public.
For more information, view the Healing the Community.
   WFGM Board Members Dr. Marcia Bowden and Dr. Linda Lazar will serve as panelists and Board Chair Anita Vaughn will facilitate the upcoming discussion on the impact of women in healthcare.
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WFGM Executive Director Ruby Bright and Director of Grants and Program Shante Avant join fellow WESC members to discuss women's issues at the White House. |
LEADERSHIP Women's Economic Security Campaign Met with White House Council on Women and Girls on May 18
This past month, members of the Women's Economic Security Campaign (WESC), which includes the WFGM Executive Director Ruby Bright and Director of Grants and Program Shante Avant, visited the White House. This group of outstanding women was invited to discuss their findings on ways to improve the lives of low-income women with the Tina Tchen, Executive Director of the White House Council for Women and Girls. Having just released the second in a series of policy reports, Aiming Higher: Removing Barriers to Education, Training and Jobs for Low-Income Women, WESC members took the opportunity to point out that approximately 3.5 million low-income mothers living in the United States need more public and private support to advance their education, improve their skills and obtain good family-supporting jobs. The White House Council on Women and Girls understands that the issues facing women today are not just women's issues. When women make less than men for the same work, it hurts families who find themselves with less income and a need to work harder just to get by. Through efforts like the work of WESC, the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis is committed to helping develop policies that will set low-income women, and our nation as a whole, on a more promising path. Explore the policy report, Aiming Higher: Removing Barriers to Education, Training and Jobs for Low-income Women.
View a two-part webcast that explores the barriers facing low-income women during the recession and the promising practices that are helping them achieve economic security. |
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Thank you Memphis for Celebrating Our 15 Year Anniversary at the Annual Tribute Luncheon
Gloria Roberts Boyland and Sheila Harrell, Leadership Roundtable Co-Chairs and FedEx Officers, with Annual Tribute Luncheon Keynote Speaker Jennifer Holliday. |
2010 Legends Award Honoree Dr. JoeAnn Ballard with Tish Townes and fellow 2010 Legends Award Honorees Gayle S. Rose, Rebecca Webb Wilson and Jocelyn Dan Wurzburg. |
2010 Legends Award Honoree Dr. JoeAnn Ballard poses with her family beside Kristi Duckworth's multimedia portrait, "I Belong Here," featuring Dr. Ballard and her husband. |
Participants of the Youth Leadership Forum |
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| Calendar of Events
Healing the Community - the Impact of Women in Healthcare
Wednesday, June 9, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Ned R. McWherter Library, Second Floor Study | University of Memphis
On Cable Tonight with the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis
Tuesday, June 22, 6:30 p.m.
Basic Cable Channel 17
Phon-a-thons
Tuesday, June 8, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 22, 5:00p.m - 8:00p.m.
Tuesday June 29, 5:00pm - 8:00 p.m.
All Phon-a-thons held at Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women | 6225 Humphreys Boulevard
Annual Meeting
Thursday, June 17, 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Holiday Inn, University of Memphis, Shelby Ballroom | 3700 Central Avenue |
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Recycle Your Cell Phones to Help End Poverty!
The Women's Funding Network recycles cell phones in support of programs, like WFGM, that help lift women and children out of poverty. To request shipping labels for your recycled phones, visit www.recellular.com/wfn. Select "Women's Funds" and then scroll down to choose "TN" and then "Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis" from the drop-down boxes. After you click "Submit," you will be redirected to a form to complete for your postage-paid labels. Labels and complete instructions for sending in your old cell phones and accessories will then be e-mailed to you.
Follow WFGM on Facebook. |
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