September 2008

Women Advancing Leadership

Welcome New Board members

The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis is pleased to welcome five dynamic women to serve on the Board of Directors:

Congratulations and Special Recognition to Memphis Women’s Leaders Moving Forward

The Women’s Foundation congratulates the following women for their ability to influence others and make a difference in their professional and personal endeavors. This month’s Women Leaders Moving Forward Are:

• Rosie Bingham, Ph.D., WFGM Board Alumna
• Deborah Hester, WFGM Board Alumna
• Cecelia W. Sawyer, WFGM Board Alumna (1999-2001)
• Gayle S. Rose, Founding and current WFGM Board member and WFGM Board Chair 2002-2004
• Ruby Bright, Executive Director of the WFGM
• Jennifer Oswalt, WFGM Board Member, Chair of YWP
• Yolanda Dozier, WFGM Volunteer, Vice-Chair of YWP
• Deborah Reed, WFGM Supporter
• Deborah Clubb, WFGM Donor/Supporter
• Veronica Coleman, WFGM Donor/Supporter
• Donna Sue Shannon, WFGM Donor/Supporter
• Marie V. Pizano-Firtik, WFGM Board Member
• Rev. Dr. Gina Stewart, WFGM Supporter
• Sharon Taylor McKinney, WFGM Volunteer
• Cassandra Webster, WFGM Board Alumna, WFGM Board Chair 1999-2000

Mother-Daughter Collaboration Benefits WFGM!

On August 21, 2008, Shirley Wexner and Barrie Wurzburg, the mother and daughter team of Joseph, hosted its first Fashion and Trunk Show fundraiser benefiting the Women’s Foundation. The Fashion and Trunk Show featured the creative designs of Hilton Hollis, New York fashion designer. The Women’s Foundation would like to extend a special thank you to the sponsors, Metropolitan Bank and Joseph, and supporters and organizers of this event. With more than 100 people in attendance it was a “fabulously chic” time for all. To view photos taken during this event click here.

Gender Wage Gap Narrows as Incomes Rose in 2007

A new fact sheet released by the Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) shows that the earnings ratio between women and men edged upward in 2007, making up some ground after years of stalled progress. According to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2007 the ratio of women's and men's median annual earnings was 77.8 for full- time year-round workers, up from 76.9 in 2006. (The gender wage gap, then, is 22.2.) Women's median annual earnings were $35,102, compared with men's earnings of $45,113. While men's and women's median annual earnings increased by similar dollar amounts from 2006 to 2007 ($1,653 for men and $1,665 for women), the change for women represents a bigger boost as a share of their (lower) earnings (an increase of 5.0 percent for women versus 3.8 percent for men).

"While this gain is relatively small, it is a relief to see some progress toward equality in earnings between women and men," said Dr. Vicky Lovell, IWPR's Acting Director of Research. "The most promising thing about these new numbers is that both women's and men's earnings increased in 2007." To read more about this story click here.

Calendar of Events

Coming In September:

Christian Brothers University’s, Power Talks for Women Series continues Thursday, September 18, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. The event at Germantown Country Club will feature speaker Carolyn Clancy, Executive Vice President, Personal and Workplace Investing for Fidelity Investments.

Ms. Clancy’s talk will be center around the topic of “Women and Investing.” During this event the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis will be honored. The event is free but reservations are required. Please RSVP at 901-321-3291. Click here to download the event flyer.

Tune in September 23, 2008 at 6:30 pm to our On Cable Tonight Live Broadcast on Channel 17. The program will highlight WFGM volunteerism and World Poverty Day which is October 17, 2008.

Coming In October:

WFGM is pleased to join the Assisi Foundation along with the Urban Child Institute, The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, The Alliance for Nonprofit Excellence, and the United Way of the Mid-South, in hosting Dr. Ruby Payne on Oct. 3, 2008. Dr. Payne, an expert on poverty and the mindsets of economic structures, will be discussing finding creative and practical solutions to the challenges of working with a variety of socioeconomic classes. A professional educator since 1972, Dr. Payne is the author of A Framework for Understanding Poverty. Her book, which has sold over 1 million copies, teaches the hidden rules and mindsets of economic class and the specific strategies for overcoming poverty’s obstacles.

Please join Dr. Payne for a service provider workshop. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. The workshop is free of charge, but reservations are required. Space is limited please RSVP by Sept. 19, 2008.

Nonprofit and Service Provider Workshop
Friday, October 3, 2008
8:30 am – 3:00 pm
The Holiday Inn Hotel – University of Memphis
3700 Central Ave.
RSVP information:
Kim Motschman
901-684-1564 ext 207
901-870-8727
kmotschman@assisifoundation.org

Recycle Your Cell Phone with the Grizzlies! Friday, October 10, 2008, is the Grizzlies vs. Bobcats Pre-season Game! Do a Good Deed and recycle your old and unused cell phones the night of this game and receive one free ticket for ever one seasoned ticket purchased. Also receive a discount on special seating as a WFGM Supporter the night of the game. Special pricing includes: $45 per person for Plaza 6 tickets and $10 per person for Terrace 6 tickets. Click here to download the ticket registration form For additional information, contact LaTonya Lane at 901-205-1455 or email llane@grizzlies.com. Game Time is 7 pm!

WFGM 2008 Grants Showcase and Volunteer Recognition will be held Thursday, October 16, 2008, 5:30pm -7:30 pm, Memphis Botanic Gardens, 750 Cherry Road, Memphis. This event is sponsored by Morgan Keegan. To RSVP for this event please email Joyce Presley at joycepresley@wfgm.org or call 901-578-9346.

Please note Friday, October 17, 2008 is World Poverty Day. Make a conscious effort to “Pay it Forward” on that day!

U of M VP Bingham Joins American Psychological Association Board of Directors

Dr. Rosie Phillips Bingham, vice president for student affairs and a professor in counseling, educational psychology, and research at the University of Memphis, has been elected to the board of directors of the American Psychological Association (APA).

Bingham, Founding Board Member of the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis and 2004-06 Board Chair, has served as president of the Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors, the International Association of Counseling Services, and the Society of Counseling Psychology of the APA. She is an APA member of Divisions 1, 17, 35, 45, and 51 and serves on the group’s board of educational affairs. To read more about Dr. Bingham’s appointment, click here.

Hester Named as New President
and CEO of Girls Inc.

Deborah Hester, Women’s Foundation Board Alumna, was recently named President and CEO of Girls Inc., a national non-profit youth organization that provides researched, outcome-based, and age-progressive programs to millions of American girls, particularly those in high-risk, under-served areas. The mission of Girls Inc. Memphis, a longtime grantee of the Women’s Foundation, is to inspire all women be smart, strong, and bold. Girls Inc. of Memphis serves over 10,000 girls annually. D.

IWE Program Leadership Receives National Recognition

Cecelia W. Sawyer, Women’s Foundation Board Alumna (1999-2001), President of Shelby County Links Incorporated, and Senior Vice-President of Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare has served the community in many capacities. Recently, Cecelia along with Bridget Chisholm, Founder and Program Director of the Institute of Women’s Empowerment (IWE) and the Shelby County Chapter of Links, Inc. received national recognition at the 36th National Links Inc. convention in Seattle, Washington, for the Institute of Women’s Empowerment (IWE) program. IWE has the ability to empower, enlighten, and elevate women. The program was conceived, designed, and implemented by the Shelby County Chapter of Links, Inc. As a first place National Trends and Services winner – they were celebrated for their vision, a vision of reducing the disparities gap in African American women within their community. The program was created specifically for the Women’s Foundation Urban Strategies Memphis HOPE project. The Institute for Women's Empowerment is an intensive four-month life skills program that uses an interactive/experiential curriculum experience. It culminates with each participant completing the program having either an Individual Business Plan (IBP) or Family Business Plan (FBP). Women are supported and provided the tools they need to succeed. The program is needs based and outcome oriented resulting to date with seven participants gaining employment with Methodist Healthcare Systems.

Tennessee Women’s Forum Elects New Members

Recently, Gayle S. Rose, Founding and current Women’s Foundation Board member and WFGM Board Chair 2002-2004 and Ruby Bright, Executive Director of the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis were recently accepted into the Tennessee Chapter of the International Women’s Forum (IWF) – Tennessee Women’s Forum as members. The International Women’s Forum is an organization that advances women’s leadership across five continents, 21 nations and 60 affiliated forum locations throughout the United States. IWF’s substantive programming also provides a global stage upon which women leaders can meet, confer, resolve and develop opportunities that expand prospects for women and girls throughout the world. Congratulations Gayle and Ruby on becoming members of IWF – Tennessee Women’s Forum.

Oswalt and Dozier Named Chair and Vice-Chair of Young Women Philanthropists (YWP)

Jennifer Oswalt, Chief Financial Officer and Vice-President of Family Office Services at Sovereign Wealth Management and current Women’s Foundation Board member, has been named Chair of Young Women Philanthropists. Previously, Jennifer served as Vice-Chair. Yolanda Dozier, Director of Core Development, Mid-South Minority Business Council and longtime Women’s Foundation volunteer, has been named Vice-Chair. Previously, Yolanda had served as a Council Member and edited the YWP newsletter, The Neo-Philanthropist. The goal of YWP is to introduce a novice group of philanthropists to a more experienced group of patrons. Through this invaluable relationship, the YWP will offer its participants the opportunity to learn about philanthropy and the importance of giving, the opportunity to contribute in a manner that is more intentional than random so that one’s giving has a greater impact, and the opportunity to own for oneself the concept of philanthropy, which is a process one participates in, which develops and becomes more refined over time.

Deborah Reed, Assistant Director, Continuing Education Southwest Tennessee Community College

An Appointment by the Governor

Deborah Reed, long time supporter of WFGM, was recently appointed by Governor Phil Bredesen to the State Workforce Development Board as a representative of vocational education. In evaluating the candidates for the position, Deborah’s “individual characteristics and professional qualification were exceptional among the number nominees.”

Deborah’s appointment is effective immediately and will run through July 31, 2011.

Deborah Clubb, Veronica Coleman, and Donna Sue Shannon honor by the YWCA

On Aug. 23, longtime Women’s Foundation donors and supporters were honored by the Memphis Chapter of the YWCA. Deborah Clubb, Executive Director of the Memphis Area Women’s Council accepted the Ellida Sadler Fri Leadership award at the annual Membership luncheon held at the Fogelman Executive Center. Veronica Coleman, Executive Director of the Nile Project was honored for community service and Donna Sue Shannon, Project Manager for Play House on the Square was honored for lifetime achievement. We are proud to be affiliated with these women!

For the past 12 years, Lisa Montgomery, publisher of Memphis Woman Magazine, has celebrated 50 Women Who Make a Difference in the Mid-South who are influential and inspirational. Their impact is measured by their contributions professionally and within the community. The Women’s Foundation is pleased to join in the celebration by recognizing a few women of the elected 50 who have devoted time, talent and resources to the work of Women’s Foundations over the years. We also would like to give special thanks to Memphis Woman Magazine for the successful presentation and communication of women, women’s issues and their accomplishments. Memphis Woman Magazine has recognized 600 women over the past 12 years. Many of them are Women’s Foundation’s Board members, volunteers, and donors.

Congratulations:

Marie V. Pizano-Firtik, Founder & President, Marie’s Mission and Owner & Creative Director, Zazu & Valentina, LLC., and board member for the Women’s Foundation

Marie sets her goal as a woman who desires to give back and to serve with love in her heart. She aims to be the very best role model she can be for her children and her family. “Her passion and enthusiasm, energy and spirit, strength and courage clearly shine when she raises awareness for women and children’s concerns both locally and nationally.”

Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart, Senior Pastor, Christ Missionary Baptist Church, Women’s Foundation supporter and 2007 WFGM Faith Forum Facilitator

When Dr. Stewart began the first African American female pastor to serve an established African American Baptist congregation, her membership was 500. Now that membership has grown to over 3,000 with her leadership, Dr. Stewart’s foundation in success is that she lives fully aware that God has designed her life.

Sharon Taylor McKinney, Tennessee Department of Economic Development BERO Enterprise Specialist and Women’s Foundation volunteer

Sharon’s greatest ambition is assisting people with dreams deferred. She works to provide resources for small businesses that otherwise would not have a voice. Sharon is celebrated because “she serves as a role model and mentor for many women and men pursuing business opportunities” by providing access to technical assistance, and coordinates procurement, manufacturing and international trade initiatives for small, minority and women-owned businesses within 21 West Tennessee Counties.

Memphis Youth Leadership Program

Cassandra Webster, Executive Director of the Memphis Challenge, and Women’s Foundation Alumna, 1996-2006, and 1999-2000 Board Chair, launched the Memphis Youth Leadership program (MYL), developed in partnership with the Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce. The MYL was developed to enhance skill and competency levels in Memphis youth who typically would be considered at risk for drop out. The program is designed to inspire and motivate youth to strive toward excellence in all that they do and equip them with marketable skills to be workforce ready.

MYL is an eight-week interactive program that stimulates and engages youth, ages 14-17, through life skills training opportunities for positive connections with family, peers and community, coping skills training, and more, in order to encourage successful outcomes for program participants. To learn more about this program, visit www.memphischallenge.org. Seven Memphis HOPE youth participated and all received various honors.