 March is one of my favorite months. Thirty one days to celebrate women's history. This year the national theme for Women's History Month is "Weaving the Stories of Women's Lives." Communities across the country are taking the time to weave women's stories - individually and collectively - into the essential fabric of our nation's history. Here in Memphis we are blessed with a long history of diverse, committed, and involved women leaders. At the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis we honor the many women who work with us as partners in reducing poverty and increasing women's leadership. We will continue our celebration of women's history on April 23 as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary and pay tribute to the legendary women who established our organization in 1995. We will honor these early visionaries with Legends Awards and highlight the collective work of our diverse founders. I invite you to join us as we tell the story of how these women came together with a vision for changing the conditions of women and children to create a Greater Memphis. We are grateful to the founding leaders of the WFGM, and countless others for their contributions of time, talent and treasures to our organization, community and society. Read more... 
P.S. I invite you to take the quiz designed by the Women's Foundation of Kansas City to celebrate women who created change throughout history by advocating for women and families and by breaking barriers! |
PHILANTHROPY
Tribute Luncheon Speaker Debbie Allen - Philanthropist, Choreographer, Director, Educator
In a career that spans three decades, the name Debbie Allen 
is synonymous with dynamic energy, creative talent and innovation.
For her vast body of work, Allen has earned three Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, five NAACP Image Awards, a Drama Desk, an Astaire Award (for Best Dancer), and the Olivier Award. She holds four honorary Doctorate degrees and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Through her philanthropic endeavors she has worked tirelessly to enlighten, inspire and engage young people around the world through dance and theater arts. Read Debbie's biography ...
The 2015 Annual Tribute Luncheon and 20th Anniversary Celebration will be held on Friday, May 1, 2015 at the Memphis Cook Convention Center. Each year, the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) assembles more than 1,600 attendees who come together to honor and celebrate women who have made significant contributions to the Memphis community. The Celebration and Symposium consists of three interrelated events: the Legends Award Reception, the Annual Tribute Luncheon and the Youth Leadership Forum.
2015 Legends Award Reception - Thursday, April 23 from 6-8 p.m.
The Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis has a proud history of leadership and advocacy in promoting a community of well-being and prosperity. To commemorate our 20th Anniversary, during the April 23 Legends Award Reception, WFGM will celebrate the collective work of its diverse founders and tell the story of how they came together with a vision for changing the conditions of women and children creating a Greater Memphis.
WFGM will salute the recipients of the first leadership award given in 1997, the Mertie Buckman Mentor Award. It will also pay tribute to Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women and its mission to meet the needs of women at every stage of their lives.
The Legends Awards pay tribute to women whose work embodies the mission of WFGM. The Legends Award Reception is a public celebration of these women and an unveiling of the Legends artwork. There are now 31 Legends and a body of art that communicates their strength, grace, and vision. Please join us!
|
|
|
| | Jada Thomas and Dominique Malone (White Station High School) |
GRANTEE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
The Shelby Debate Commission
provides the social and academic benefits of debate Shelby County Schools (SCS) students. The after-school program focuses on academic policy debate, and it is designed to improve critical thinking, public speaking and leadership skills needed to succeed in college and beyond. The organization's mission is to provide SCS high and middle school students with life-changing personal growth through competitive interscholastic debate. Programs are designed to stimulate higher interest and success rates in academics; improve students' preparation for high school and college graduation; and enhance ability to create a life path toward fulfilling careers.
|
|
ADVOCACY IN ACTION
 Women's Funding Network Partnership for Women's Prosperity (PWP)
The WFGM is one of six partners in the Partnership for Women's Prosperity (PWP) - a professional learning community convened by the Women's Funding Network (WFN) in collaboration with six women's foundations based in the U.S. PWP's overarching goals are to lift up and amplify what works in local communities; shift the national landscape for economically vulnerable women in order to create new opportunities; and maximize the influence and resources of women's foundations across the country.
WFN recently released a white paper entitled: Learning, Leveraging and Giving for High Impact that presents the first round of results from PWP.
The Urban Child Institute Releases Research Brief, "Off to a Good Start"
The Urban Child Institute has released a new publication, "Off to a Good Start," to increase community awareness on issues surrounding the social and emotional well-being of young children in Memphis and Shelby County. The contents provide an overview of contributing factors, and underscore the need for children to be able to problem solve, to be strong and adaptable, to handle stress, and to interact appropriately with others in order to succeed in the 21st century.
Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) Releases Status of Women and Girls Report
IWPR's Status of Women reports are a unique source of comprehensive information on women. Since 1996, IWPR has analyzed data on a wide range of indicators at the local, state, national and international levels, including demographics, economic security, education, reproductive rights, political participation, civic engagment and access to health care and work supports. According to the report, Tennessee ranks 34 out of 51 in women's employment and earnings. Twenty-nine percent of women in the state are working low-wage jobs.
Earth-Friendly Family Magazine Jabberblabber Arrives in Memphis
Jabberblabber is an educational publication where readers of all ages learn through creative, fun activities. Articles and advertisements focus on events and programs taking place in the greater Memphis area. Jabberblabber devotes a portion of the magazine to 'earth friendly' editorial and activities as well. More than 30,000 copies are printed monthly and they are available for free at over 70 Walgreens stores, several family friendly business and schools, including private schools. Visit jabberblabber.com and click on 'this month' to view the March issue.
|
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH EVENTS
The Center for Research on Women at the University of Memphis will be hosting several events during March in observance of Women's History Month, including:
Belle McWilliams Lecture in American History: To Gain Title to Our Bodies: Black Women and the Long Civil Rights Movement
March 26 | Reception begins at 5:30 PM; Lecture begins at 6:00 PM | UC Theater
|
|
|
|
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS
WFGM Hall of Legends Tour
March 30
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women
Co-Hosted by: Tennessee Women's Forum
WFGM 2014 Legends Art Exhibit
March 16 - April 10
The National Civil Rights Museum
April 10 - May 11
FedEx World Headquarters
WFGM Legends Award Reception
Thursday, April 23, 2015
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
The Columns at One Commerce Square
Reserve your seats
WFGM 2015 Tribute Luncheon and 20th Anniversary Celebration
Friday, May 1, 2015
11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Memphis Cook Convention Center
Reserve your seats
|
|
WAYS TO BE INVOLVED
Contribute to WFGM through
Kroger Plus Card
Community Rewards Program!
Kroger is committed to helping
communities grow and prosper. Year after year, local schools, churches and other nonprofit organizations earn millions of dollars through Kroger Community
RewardsŪ. WFGM supporters can earn community rewards for our organization every time you shop at Kroger and swipe your Kroger Plus Card!
Follow the steps below:
Log on to Kroger Community Rewards
and create an account
if you have not already done so.
Click "Edit" under Community Rewards.
Under "Find Your Organization,"
enter the NPO number for WFGM: 80981
Then, select "Save Changes."
If you have registered correctly,
you should now see WFGM information
listed under Community Rewards on
your Account Summary page.
Please note that Kroger Plus Reward members have to renew annually and select WFGM as their organization of choice.
Thanks in advance for your continued support!
Help WFGM win $15,000!
Monogram Foods is giving away $150,000
to charities to 10 charities over 10 years.
Help WFGM win $15,000 to empower women to reach their full economic potential
by voting in the IMPACT 10 contest.
The contest ends on April 26th.
Vote today!
|
|
REGISTRATION IS NOW
OPEN FOR
GIRLS EXPERIENCING ENGINEERING (GEE)
Girls Experiencing Engineering (GEE) is a fast-paced, interactive summer program (structured in a series of one week, 20-hour intensive sessions) that seeks to instill young women with confidence, interest, and awareness of the wide array of career opportunities within science, technology, and engineering fields.
Register today!
|
|
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
Profits Increase with More Women in Executive Roles
Read More
|
|
WFGM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Administrative Support
Clerical
Communications & Marketing
Data Entry
Special Event Support
To volunteer, e-mail Joyce Presley
or call 901-969-2406.
|
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.
|
|
