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Reaching a Tipping Point: Why Poverty Should Be Everyone's Concern
 Dear Foundation Friends,
The environment of poverty doesn't merely affect individuals living in poverty but directly influences societal dynamics such as the viability of the local economy and the graduation rate of children in our school system. Quite often, individuals who have not existed in an impoverished environment are completely unaware that poverty exists and has an economic impact to them and their future families. The Women's Foundation values the complexity of the many barriers preventing women from reaching economic self-sufficiency and helps bring awareness and resources to address poverty in Memphis. We gain tremendous strength from our supporters whose gifts fuel our passion and strengthen our position as the agent for change committed to a community of well-being and prosperity, where women live in sufficiency, strength, safety, sharing their leadership and empowering their children. More...
Thank you for being our partners.
Ruby
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PHILANTHROPY
2010 Annual Grants Showcase and Volunteer Recognition
 | Grantee check presentation -
WFGM Board Member Linda Lazar, MD and the
Booker T. Washington High School Girls Basketball Team |
Our 2010 Annual Grants Showcase and Volunteer Recognition held on October 14 at Hilton Memphis was an overwhelming success. This was the largest showcase to date with a record number of 400 guests in attendance and an unprecedented number of grantee partners recognized. We announced over $600,000 in grant awards to 33 non-profit organizations.
We also applauded our fantastic team of volunteers for their tireless efforts throughout the year and saluted Suzanne Allen as the Women's Foundation Volunteer of the Year.
Suzanne remarked,"Working with our grantees through the Grants Committee has given me the opportunity to witness the labor, delivery and birth of so many worthwhile programs that make such a difference in the lives of countless individuals in Memphis. Imagining the ripple effect of these programs across lives and years gives me chills! Being even such a small part of this effort is having an enormous effect in my own life."
Another highlight of the evening was a special recognition to Sylvia Goldsmith Marks, founding member and 15 year supporter of the Women's Foundation, whose commitment to the community has championed the advancement of women and children. Melvena C. Leake, Karat Place, Inc. Executive Director, was recognized in honor of Ms. Marks for her programs and services to low-income women that lead them on a path to self-sufficiency. Learn more at www.karatplace.org. The event, generously sponsored by Morgan Keegan, impacted everyone from the volunteers, grantee partners and their clients to donors, board members and friends in a profound way. |
ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Child Care Really Matters - The Importance of Early Care and Education
The Women's Foundation, as a member of the Women's Economic Security Campaign (WESC), seeks to bring public and legislative attention to the necessity of quality, affordable child care for all Memphis children. We will host an educational forum, Child Care Really Matters: The Importance of Early Care and Education, in collaboration with the Early Success Coalition, Shelby County Office of Early Childhood and Youth and The Urban Child Institute on Thursday, November 16, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The event will be held at The Urban Child Institute, 600 Jefferson Ave., and will open with a reception beginning at 5:30 p.m.
We will present the national policy brief, Child Care Matters. It is our hope that the important information in this report will help educate our legislators on the necessity of child care and explore ways to make early care more accessible and affordable for mothers in our community. In addition, a panel discussion will provide a framework around key issues relevant to early care and education. Panelists include community partners Julie Coffey, Shelby County Office of Early Childhood and Youth; Sandy Guntharp, Ready, Set Grow!; Barbara Sax Jacobs, Plough Foundation; and Elizabeth O. Wilson, Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA); and Katy Spurlock, The Urban Child Institute, from the Early Success Coalition. We will provide key recommendations from the policy brief and an advocacy-to-action strategy for our entire community.
This free event is open to the community. Pre-registration is required. Register today! For more information, visit www.wfgm.org or call 901.578.9346.
Executive Director Ruby Bright is featured in a recent edition of Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity, The Source for News, Ideas and Action as a co-author of the article, Helping Low-Income Women Access Quality Child Care is Vital to Fixing our Economy.
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WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
The Women's Foundation values the leadership and contributions of women in our community.
2010 Tennessee Economic Summit for Women
Leslie Shaw, Memphis HOPE resident, received a $1,000 scholarship. The award is given to three non-traditional students to pursue higher education as a strategy for increasing their earnings potential.
Kathy Buckman Gibson, Chairman of the Board, Bulab Holdings, Inc. and former Women's Foundation Board Member, received an Individual "E" Award and Laurie Tucker, Senior Vice President of FedEx Corporate Marketing won a Corporate "E" Award. The "E" Award recognizes the leadership and talents of extraordinary Tennessee women who have distinguished themselves in a specific field or life commitment contributing to improving the lives of girls and women in Tennessee.
CBS Sunday Morning Show
Sheila T. Harrell, Vice President, Customer Service Operations and WFGM Board Member, and the FCIS Customer Service Operations team were featured on the CBS Sunday Morning segment, "Customer Service Done Right" on the November 7 edition of the CBS Morning Show. |
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Upcoming Events
 On Cable Tonight Show with the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis - Cable TV 17
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 6:30 p.m.
"Green Jobs Careers and Educational Opportunities"
This show will inform the community about careers available in the Green Jobs industry and training opportunities available for residents in Memphis and Shelby County.
Call for Volunteers!
Monday, December 6, 2010, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
We need your help at our WFGM Phon-a-thon.
Please contact Brenna Ragghianti at brennaragghianti@wfgm.org to volunteer.
The Phon-a-thon will be at Baptist Hospital for Women, 6225 Humphreys Blvd., 38120 |
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presents Fashion, Food and Fun.
Thursday, November 11, 6:00 p.m. at
418 South Grove Park Rd. Featuring
Hilton Hollis Spring 2011 Apparel Collection.
A portion of the Hilton Hollis sales will be
donated to the Women's Foundation
for a Greater Memphis.
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Holiday Tribute Cards  |
The 2010 Legends Award Art Exhibition
is currently on display at The Urban Child Institute through November 23.
The exhibit will open at The Orpheum Theatre with the production of Dream Girls on Thursday, December 2 at 7:30pm. |
Have a Passion for Our Work?
Do you feel passionate about the future of women and children in our community and beyond? Please consider adding your strength to ours and volunteering with the Women's Foundation. For more information, contact Jacqueline E. Oselen at (901) 578-9346 x212 or jackieoselen@wfgm.org, or complete the Volunteer Interest Form. Share a Story!
If you have a story about a phenomenal woman who is making a difference in the Memphis and Shelby County area, we want to hear from you! Please make suggestions or submit information
regarding potential eNews stories to jackieoselen@wfgm.org or
call 901-578-9346 x212. |
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