Greetings!
Happy Thanksgiving! This holiday season is always a timely opportunity to reflect on people and things with gratitude. The Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis would like to express sincere appreciation to each of you.
This issue of Reaching Out acknowledges achievements of grantee partners and organizations that provide opportunities for women and children to reach economic security. We also celebrate individuals who are working tirelessly to support the vision of a community of
well-being and prosperity where women and children live in sufficiency, strength and safety.
We hope that this newsletter will also remind you to give thanks daily for those who have made a positive impact on your life, and for those who make your life's work special. Happy Thanksgiving!
Ruby Bright, Executive Director and CAO
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 Order your holiday tribute card today
The deadline for orders in Friday, Dec. 12, 2014.
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PHILANTHROPY
Did You Know?
 In 2015, the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis will celebrate 20 years of positive impact on the Memphis and Mid-South community! We recognize that our work and successes could not be possible without your continued support. As the year comes to an end, we ask that you consider adding WFGM to your gift-giving list this holiday season. Generous (tax-deductible) contributions help us to support programs that empower women and their children to realize their full potential. WFGM invests in the lives of 17, 000 women and children annually because:
- Four out of 10 people are living in poverty in inner city Memphis
- From 2012-2013, the child-poverty rate rose by three percent
- Forty-two percent of Memphis' poor live in female-headed households
Thank you for considering a gift today to our annual fund.
2014 Power of the Purse Auction  The 2014 Power of the Purse™ Auction was a resounding success!
Over 250 attendees enjoyed an amazing and fun-filled evening of fun, food, and fashion. Because of your support, we raised over $45,000 to support our programs in education, job training, financial literacy and youth development.
We extend a heartfelt thanks to the leadership of Co-chairs Karen Johnston and
Barrie Wexner-Wurzburg, the Power of the Purse committee and our sponsors for making this event a success. We are looking forward to doing it all over again in 2015!
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LEADERSHIP AND RECOGNITION
Nominations for the 2015 Legends Award
The Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis announces the call for nominations for the 2015 Legends Award. Nominations are encouraged for women who demonstrate achievement, community commitment and exemplary leadership. Ideal candidates will personify the mission of the Women's Foundation and inspire others to strive for a better community for all.
The purpose of the Legends Award is to applaud Honorees, whose visionary and innovative work is paramount in their specialized areas of outreach. Legends Award Artists and Writers create works of art and prose that personify the Legends Award Honorees' accomplishments and contributions to this community. The celebration and unveiling will occur in April 2015.
The submission deadline is Wednesday, December 31, 2014. Don't delay - please nominate a Legend today!
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GRANTEE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Booker T. Washington High School Girls Basketball/Track Teams Educational/Cultural Experience
Over 50 girls are participating in the program that motivates students using athletics as a tool for achieving their goals. The main objectives include: increasing the number of student-athletes who successfully graduate from high school; improving ACT scores four to six points; and increasing the number of students who attend post-secondary institutions.
We are proud of the success of our program participants and excited for their future:
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Tierney Keaton accepted an academic and athletic scholarship to Lemoyne-Owen College where she currently plays volleyball.
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Deneisha Lane is currently attending University of Tennessee at Martin on an academic and Hope Lottery Scholarship.
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Rekeisha Curry currently attends Southwest Tennessee Community College on a Hope Lottery Scholarship.
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Kynetta Smith received the Hope Lottery Scholarship and grant aide to attend Tennessee State University.
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 | First Lady Michelle Obama, Briana Brown
and Katie Smythe |
New Ballet Ensemble & School
The New Ballet Ensemble & School was one of 12 recipients honored on November 10 in Washington D.C. for the President's Award for Creative Youth Development. This prestigious award recognizes the country's best creative youth development programs for using engagement in the arts and the humanities to increase academic achievement, graduation rates, and college enrollment.
New Ballet Ensemble & School has been chosen as a recipient based on their effectiveness in developing learning and life skills in young people by engaging them in the creative youth programs.
University of Memphis Research Foundation-Herff College of Engineering 
The Women's Foundation supports the continued expansion of the Girls Experiencing Engineering (GEE) program which provides opportunities for girls to participate in STEM programs. Recently, WFGM wrote a letter of support for the University of Memphis to be designated as the Southeast Regional Surface Transportation Workforce Center. We are excited that the Intermodal Freight Transportation Institute (IFIT) at the University of Memphis has been awarded the grant from the Federal Highway Administration to host the center.
Dr. Stephanie Ivey, coordinator of GEE, states the center will provide more opportunities for women and girls in an expanding industry. . Read more ...
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ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Tennessee Women's Fund Alliance
In addition, the first landmark case under the new anti-sex trafficking laws in Tennessee was recently decided. Read this article about the victory achieved in our continuous fight to combat sex-trafficking in our state and beyond. The Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis is proud to be a member of TWFA.
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HOLIDAY TRIBUTES
Honor your friends and family
with a gift that has a lasting impact.
Now available in red and silver or
blue and silver.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
2014 Legends Art Exhibit
Now on display thru
Friday, January 2, 2015
City of Memphis Hall of Mayors
125 N. Main Street
Memphis, TN 38103
Monday, January 5, 2015 thru
Friday February 6, 2015
Temple Israel
1376 E Massey Rd.
Memphis, TN 38120
Phon-a-thon
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Thursday, December 4, 2014 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis Office One Commerce Square 40 South Main, Suite 2380 Memphis, TN 38103
To volunteer, please email
Joyce Presley.
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SAVE THE DATE
20th Anniversary Celebration
and
Annual Tribute Luncheon and Symposium
May 1, 2015
Thursday, April 23, 2015
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ON CABLE TONIGHT
Be sure to watch our November edition of
On Cable Tonight. We will be discussing the success of Urban Strategies Memphis HOPE,
a public-private partnership that provides comprehensive, personalized case management services for families from the targeted HOPE VI communities.
The WFGM's On Cable Tonight Show
airs monthly - every fourth Tuesday on
Basic Cable Channel 17 at 6:30 p.m.
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WFGM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Administrative Support
Clerical
Communications & Marketing
Data Entry
Special Event Support
To volunteer, e-mail Joyce Presley
or call 901-969-2406.
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ADVOCACY IN ACTION
If you suspect someone is a victim
or you witness activity you believe
to be related to sex trafficking,
call the Tennessee Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline
at 1-855-55-TNHTH.
You can also visit:
StopSexTraffickingInTN.com
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Kroger Plus Card Community Rewards
Use your Kroger Plus card to earn points
that turn into rewards for WFGM.
By signing up your card on Kroger's Community Rewards website, you can
select the Women's Foundation as your organization of choice. Best of all, it won't interfere with your fuel points.
Learn more ...
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WFGM Annual Report
With generous support from donors
like you, the Women's Foundation has been able to make vast accomplishments locally, regionally and nationally.
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We Want to Hear from You!
Each month we receive information about incredible women doing incredible things.
If you have a story about a
phenomenal woman who is impacting 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 Brittany Tuggle
or call 901-969-2399.
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