Season's Greetings  In this season of celebration, hope and love, we reflect on the generous spirit of our donors. Together, we have impacted the lives of over 12,000 women and their families through the services of our grantee partners.
As we look forward to 2011, we are excited about new partnerships and programs that will provide access to green jobs training and career opportunities for the low-income women in our community. Your renewed support will allow us to continue our work of providing pathways out of poverty and creating a brighter future for those we serve.
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PHILANTHROPY
Women's Perspective on Philanthropy
The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University released the report Women Give 2010 in October. This research about women and giving indicates that women have not only increased their gifts to charities over the last 30 years but also demonstrates that female-headed households are more likely to give to non-profit organizations than male-headed households. The findings reveal that better educational opportunities, improved workplace equality and increased opportunity for advancement in the workplace are factors impacting the rise in giving by women. The report also confirms that women at all income levels have the desire and ability to contribute to non-profit organizations.
Women's Foundation Board members connect this philanthropic desire with their ability to give, demonstrating tremendous leadership and generosity. WFGM Board members share their perspectives on philanthropy.
Thank you for your continued support of the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM). Still considering a gift? Think about the impact your gift can make. WFGM holiday cards are distinctive gifts that allow you to pay tribute to friends and family while improving the lives of women and children! |
SPECIAL INITIATIVES AND PARTNERSHIPS
Memphis Goes Green
 The emergence of the green economy offers exciting opportunities for women to learn new skills and secure jobs with family-sustaining wages and benefits. However, the expanded green economy does not automatically benefit women and low-income individuals. To take full advantage of this flourishing jobs sector, it is crucial that low-income women with children receive the training they need to not only qualify for entry-level jobs, but also to move up the career ladder to middle-skill positions that pay family-sustaining wages and offer employer-funded benefits. The Women's Foundation is leading the charge to ensure that the most marginalized citizens in our community have access to this opportunity through our Memphis Goes Green (MGG) program.
Read more ...
Partnering to Provide Green Jobs Training
Driven by a strong desire to educate and equip the underemployed and unemployed, Tony Okhiria and Lab Four Learning Place emerged as a lead partner with the Memphis Goes Green program. The organization's Green Jobs Training Center offers training opportunities available in energy efficiency, weatherization and solar energy systems, presenting a viable alternative for high school/GED prepared individuals and a source of re-training for displaced workers. Tony's goal is to create a local pipeline of highly skilled workers with the knowledge, skills, credentials and abilities to secure stable employment at a living wage, leading to self-sufficiency, a higher standard of living for themselves and their families, and career growth in a high-demand industry. Read Tony's thoughts on Green Jobs ...
Learn more about Memphis Goes Green training opportunities.
The Southern Energy Training Consortium (SETC) was established by Memphis Bioworks Foundation to prepare workers for careers in the energy efficiency and renewable energy fields. The program is open to both men and women, particularly unemployed individuals and dislocated workers. Employed workers who need upgrade training may also enroll. For more information, contact the SETC office at (901) 866-1651 or setc@memphisbioworks.org. Pauline Vernon, director of SETC, shares her thoughts on green jobs ...
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WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
Women's Foundation Holiday Reception and Legends Award Art Exhibition
Positive energy filled the air as friends and supporters gathered at the Orpheum Theatre Broadway Club for a holiday reception. The Women's Foundation celebrated the leadership of the 2010 Legends Award Honorees and spotlighted the Legends Award Art Exhibition, currently on display at the Orpheum Theatre. The exciting evening included the reception festivities, a tour of the exhibition and viewing of Dreamgirls.
Nominations for our 2011 Legends Award are being accepted now. We invite you to nominate a woman whose accomplishments and dedication have made an impact on the Memphis community.
Congratulations Congratulations to U.S. District Judge Bernice B. Donald on recently being nominated by
President Obama to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati. With nearly 30 years on the bench as a state and federal judge, Judge Donald has demonstrated exemplary leadership, excellence and devoted service. Kudos to the following Women's Foundation supporters who were recognized on the list of Memphis Area Super Lawyers 2010: Mary L. Aronov, Angie C. Davis, Jennifer Hagerman, Lisa A. Krupicka, Dorothy J. Pounders, Jackie G. Prester, Jill M. Steinberg, Ellen B. Vergos, Virginia B. Wilson. Deputy District Attorney Amy Weirich will succeed Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons after his appointment to head Tennessee's Department of Safety and Homeland Security. This promotion also positions Weirich to become Shelby County's first female district attorney. Congratulations on a job well done. |
ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Senate Passes One-Year Extension of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
The regular Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which provides various forms of assistance, like cash assistance and child care vouchers, to low-income families with children, was due to expire on September 30, 2010. The Senate acted to continue program through December 3, 2011 with very modest changes.
Some advocates were disappointed that the Senate did not reinstate the TANF Emergency Fund, which, over the past two years, has created 250,000 jobs and provided additional funding for states trying to assist the surging numbers of impoverished families. The Fund may have contributed to a modest decrease in the Shelby County poverty rate last year.
Why is the TANF extension relevant? With a 20.9% poverty rate in Shelby County, our families need all the assistance they can receive. The Women's Foundation sponsors research and advocates for increased focus on policy initiatives that provide assistance to families through TANF. Through our partnership with the Center for Research on Women (CROW), WFGM commissioned the TANF report, which recommends policy revisions and additional research for Tennessee's TANF program, Families First. Read more about how TANF can better serve single mothers. |
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Upcoming Events
Call for Volunteers!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011,
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
or 901.578.9346 to volunteer.
The phon-a-thon will be held at
Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women,
6225 Humphreys Blvd., 38120.
On Cable Tonight Show with the
Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis - Cable TV 17
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
6:30 p.m.
"Leadership Development"
This show will inform and highlight
one of WFGM's grantee partners,
the Memphis Urban Debate League
Advisory Board. Chairman Jim Sdoia
will be our special guest. |
Have a Passion for Our Work?
Are you looking for an opportunity to grow yourself while growing possibilities for women and children?
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. No matter what your talent,
the Foundation can put it to good use.
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 impacing the community, transforming women's lives and the face of poverty and supporting the work of the Women's Foundation, we want to hear from you! Please make suggestions or submit information regarding potential e-news stories to jackieoselen@wfgm.org or
call 901.578.9346 x212. |
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