With Thanksgiving behind us and the holidays fast approaching, we are thankful to all of you for helping to launch the Fund for Women & Girls.
It's been a momentous first year for the Fund and a busy 5th anniversary year for the Jefferson County Community Foundation (JCCF). You can read all about it in the new publication, "Generosity Never Loses Its Value." Before you recycle the Nov. 17th issue of PT Leader newspaper, be sure to save this special supplement. It's a comprehensive overview of JCCF's work in our community, and contains a handy directory of Jefferson County nonprofits. The Fund for Women and Girls is featured on page 4.
Now, on to the Fund's news!
Applications for Fund's first $2K grant due Dec. 6
The call is out for proposals for the Fund's first grant of $2,000! Based on input from participants at the Fund's kick-off event, the designated area of interest for 2011 is education. The Grantmaking Committee narrowed the focus to "enabling middle and/or high school girls in Jefferson County to achieve their greatest potential in math and/or science." All Jefferson County nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for the grant, with the submission deadline being Dec. 6. Email Kris Mayer to request the grant guidelines and application. We hope to announce the winner in February.
Judith Bird trunk show nets $1,900 for Fund
Port Townsend artist Judith Bird wrote a check for $1,900 to the Fund for Women and Girls following a very successful trunk show of her one-of-a-kind clothing art on Nov. 5. JCCF helped to promote the show, it was attended by more than 75 people who bought scarves, coats and sweaters, and Judith generously donated 20% of the proceeds. Judith currently displays her work in galleries in Chicago, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, and at our own Artisans on Taylor. A very special thank you to this talented artist and amazing Fund supporter!
Dec. 10 is Deadline for Wearable Art Show ideas
Mark your calendars for a new and exciting fundraiser for the Fund, coming up Feb. 4. Jefferson County's first "Wearable Art Show" at the Undertown will showcase live models wearing artistic-kinetic creations by local artists. The theme is "Swing Shift." A simple application describing your design idea and a $25 entry fee is due Dec. 10, but the wearable art piece need not be delivered until Feb 1. For inspiration and ideas used in other wearable art shows take a look at this website and video. The Wearable Art Show is co-chaired by Anna Nasset-Glenn, Sheila Murphy and Debbi Steele. Email Debbi with questions or call 360.379.2949.
Click here to learn more about the show (PDF)
Artists: Download Application Here! (PDF)
New "Birth to 5" family resource guide debuts
We're proud to support the publication of The Little Guide for Little Ones (and Their Families), a 75-page printed booklet that contains community resources, kid-friendly businesses, and age-appropriate activities for expecting parents and families with children aged birth to five. Shelly Randall, a Fund steering committee member and a parent involved in the Port Townsend Cooperative Playschool, donated 100 hours of her professional services as a writer and editor to this new (and much-needed) resource guide. Starting the first weekend in December, copies will be available at the check-out counters of Henery Hardware in PT and Quilcene and also Hadlock Building Supply for a suggested donation of $10. A great holiday gift for the parents or grandparents in your life!
A gift for the woman who has everything...
We would be remiss if we didn't remind you that a contribution to the Fund for Women & Girls is a thoughtful gift for the women in your lives. It's easy to make a gift in honor or in memory of someone special. Visit the Give Now page on our site to find out how.
For your information.....
We want to acknowledge AAUW for their work in promoting the role of women, both here in Jefferson County, as well as in communities across the country. Here are some interesting (and startling) facts from a recent AAUW landmark research report:
1. Behind the Pay Gap which includes education, job position, marital status and race among other variables, showed that one year out of college women already earn just 80%, on average, of what their male counterparts earn.
2. The US Census Bureau recently confirmed that pay gap with labor statistics showing that in 2009 women still earned only 77 cents for every dollar men earned.
3. Women-run tech startups are underfunded - although women make up 21% of entrepreneurs seeking venture capital funding, investors funded just 9.4% of women-run technology startups.
4. Despite the fact that women earn more doctoral degrees than men, women still face academic and employment barriers, regardless of education and credentials.
5. Although women make up half the population, the lack of political parity in the US is shocking: out of 540 seats in both houses of Congress, women only hold 90. When we elect more women to office, they bring a new perspective and a new style of governance that are sorely needed in Washington, DC and in statehouses nationwide. Without women in government, the country is not using its full brainpower. The closer we are to gender parity, the stronger and smarter our country will be.
THANKS TO YOU, WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE
IN JEFFERSON COUNTY!
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
