Collective Strength of Women

Dear [contact-firstname] ,

Happy Holidays! As we celebrate and reflect on the accomplishments of 2009, the Womens Foundation is humbled by the collective strength and vision of our board of directors, donors, corporations and foundations and grantee partners. As we prepare for the work of 2010 and beyond, together we begin the New Year with this mantra-to act now and think beyond our borders to make a lasting impact.

Wishing you and yours a joyous holiday celebration,

Unraveled and Restitched

The first full-time director of the Womens Foundation, Ellen Rolfes is now retired and volunteers with BRIDGES and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, stitching new patches into our community fabric to create a better Memphis.

Mounted boldly over a sofa in my home is an antique patchwork story quilt. It reminds me of my life-a metaphor of strips in living color, held together with gentle feather stitching done by womens hands. Some of the fabric is in exotic shades of fuchsia and purple velvet, yellow calico, persimmon satin and vibrant red silk. Other pieces are dull and faded into oblivion.

The pieces that speak the most to me are torn to shreds with nothing to show but a few threads of fading color clinging to scrunched-up cotton batting. Those patches are the strongest though, as they have lived the most for sure. They were almost taken out by lifes unpredictability, but an invisible force kept them joined to the larger pattern, not letting go for anything. A full life is just that way- little patches of good, bad and even the ugly all stitched together to make a completed pattern. Master quilters know just how to unravel and re-stitch all pieces into a seamless connection, creating a colorful mosaic that is used for warmth and comfort. Life is a brilliant design.

Continue reading Unraveled and Restitched.

PHILANTHROPY

Bridging the Divide - Afghanistan to Memphis
An Evening with Mary MacMakin

Mary MacMakin (center) with Cindy Spies and Dr. Patti Ray at St. Marys Episcopal School on December 8, 2009.

Mary MacMakin, CEO of Afghanistan Zendabad (Afzenda), was brought to Memphis through her relationship with filmmakers Cindy and James Spies. During Marys rigorous visit to Memphis she spoke on Live at 9 with Marybeth Conley, the Susan Murrmann Radio Show, and at St. Marys Episcopal School - in addition to a reception at Deborah Whitts home. MacMakin works with women who struggle against the Taliban, the opium drug trade and war in Afghanistan. The Womens Foundation, together with Linn Sitler and Dr. Susan Murrmann, assembled an evening with MacMaklin at Deborah Whitts home to help support the Afzenda Fund. Afzenda will support women-owned small businesses in Afghanistan. Ruby Bright, Executive Director of the Womens Foundation, said, 'The Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis is all about helping women succeed. We want to build this relationship with Mary and Memphis so that in time we can connect women in Afghanistan with women in Memphis and help them become entrepreneurs, learn skills and become self-sufficient.

Read more about the Womens Foundation harnessing collective strength worldwide.

To donate to the Afzenda Fund, click here.

PROGRAMMING

During the week of November 30 - December 4, 2009, Womens Foundation for a Greater Memphis proudly hosted over 200 people for meetings at which leaders from all sectors of our community spoke to national partners about the incredible work going on in Memphis to reduce poverty. The outpouring of participation is a testament to the work and commitment of supporters of the Foundation who invest their intellectual capital, time, talent and resources to make social change possible in our community.

Womens Fund Southern Region Collaborative
November 30-December 1, 2009

The primary focus of the Womens Fund Southern Region Collaborative was to explore conversation and opportunities to build an action agenda for advancing social change work in the region. Participants represented 15 womens funds from North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi. Representatives from the groups national partners, Womens Funding Network, Ms. Foundation for Women and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, also attended this two-day meeting. WFGM was able to highlight community partnerships and initiatives through our work with Green Jobs and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).

WFGM Selected as Part of the Green Jobs Institute

WFGM was one of nine organizations selected out of 80 applicants to participate in the Green Jobs Institute. Pat Thompson, Development Grants Manager for WFGM, attended training at the Institute in Washington, D.C. last month.

Pat said, We are thrilled to be included in this movement to advance opportunities for women. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, women will not be left out of the new green economy-specifically in the area of weatherization. Since our trip to Washington, D.C., we are forming a local collaborative to provide the training that will result in jobs for women in Memphis.

W.K. Kellogg Foundation Hosts Womens Philanthropy and Poverty Cluster in Memphis

Kimi Green, New Mexico Community Foundation, speaks about best practices in Women's Philanthropy.

On December 2, Womens Funds from across the country gathered in Memphis for the final W.K. Kellogg Foundation Philanthropy and Poverty Cluster meeting this year. Rose Jackson Flenorl, Manager of Global Community Relations and Philanthropy at FedEx Corporation, spoke at the opening reception regarding Innovations in Womens Funds and Philanthropy. Anne Mosle, Vice President of Programs at W.K. Kellogg Foundation, joined Flenorl addressing attendees about Why the Time for Social Change is Now.

Pamela Clary, Principal and Partner, Community Capital LLC
Karla Davis, Sr. Project Manager, Memphis HOPE
Beth Flanagan, Director, Memphis Medical Center
Dr. Laura Harris, Assistant Professor and Evaluator, University of Memphis
Barbara Sax Jacobs, Program Director, Plough Foundation
Octavia Johnson, Memphis Area Manager, McCormack Baron Ragan
Trina Jones, Director of Executive Projects, Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare
Robert Lipscomb, Executive Director, Memphis Housing Authority and the Division of Housing and Community Development
Linda McNeal, Memphis HOPE Family
Sandra Moore, President and Officer of Urban Strategies Memphis HOPE, Urban Strategies, Inc.
Luretha Phillips, HOPE VI Manager, Memphis Housing Authority
Marjorie Sims, Program Officer, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Susan Stephenson, President and Co-Founder, Independent Bank
Tekeima Townsend, Case Manager, Memphis HOPE
Anita Vaughn, CEO, Baptist Hospital for Women
Becky West, President and CEO, WestRogers, LLC

LEADERSHIP

Celebrating Womens Leadership

2010 Legends Awards - A Call for Honorees


The Legends Award was created to pay tribute to women whose work embodies the mission of the Womens Foundation. The Award applauds trend-setting women whose visionary and innovative work is paramount to their specialized areas of outreach. Past Legends Award Honorees- Minerva Johnican, Susan Sanford, Maxine A. Smith, Dr. Jane Walters, Happy Jones and Jeanne Varnell-had their lifes work symbolized through artistic expressions by Memphis leading artists.

W.K. Kellogg Foundation Challenge Grant for the National Civil Rights Museum

On Thursday, December 3, Womens Philanthropy and Poverty Cluster members and WFGM board of directors attended a reception at the National Civil Rights Museum. Anne Mosle, Vice President of Programs for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, announced a $5,000 matching grant from the Kellogg Foundation for donations received from the audience. In a matter of minutes, over $5,000 was contributed, exceeding the challenge. A $10,425 contribution for the National Civil Rights Museumtrue womens philanthropy at work!

Mid-South Minority Business Council Awards Honor Institutional Diversity

Congratulations to Gayle Rose, CEO of Electronic Vaulting Services and WFGM Founding Board Member, for her role as keynote speaker at the Mid-South Minority Business Council Robert R. Church Sr. Achievement awards on Friday, November 20, 2009.

Independent Bank Relies on Community-Centered Alternative to Business

Susan Stephenson, Co-founder of Independent Bank and WFGM Executive Committee Board Member, was featured in the Commercial Appeal in a December 11 article about Independent Bank expanding its presence in Memphis.

Calendar of Events

Call for Volunteers!
Tuesday, January 19, 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 Memorial Hospital for Women.

On Cable Tonight with the Womens Foundation for a Greater Memphis
Tuesday, January 26, 2009, 6:30 p.m.

Tune into the live broadcast of On Cable Tonight with the Womens Foundation for a Greater Memphis on Channel 17 at 6:30 p.m.

Bridges out of Poverty, Dr. Ruby Payne
Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Womens Foundation joins the Assisi Foundation, Community Foundation of Memphis and United Way of the Mid-South in sponsoring the return of Dr. Ruby Payne to Memphis. More info coming soon.

12th Annual Tribute Luncheon and Symposium
Thursday, April 29, 2010 at the Memphis Cook Convention Center