January 2009

Be the Change You Want to Make.

PHILANTHROPY

Every moment of every day we work with our partners toward one united purpose – to help women and children move from poverty to self-reliance. During this New Year, we reflect on the many things we are truly grateful for and approach 2009 with a renewed readiness. We are so thankful to all of our board members, donors, families, friends and advocates who have helped champion the work of the Women’s Foundation to truly build a Greater Memphis. When you steward a cause that you care about, you unleash your generosity, and you create change.

Click here to Download a Practical Guide for Giving

Balance of Power and Opportunity

On Sunday, January 11, 2009, the Commercial Appeal published the following letter written by Ruby Bright addressed to the next First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama.

Dear Michelle,

The election of your husband, Barack Obama, as President of the United States empowers us to be the change we want to make. Throughout the campaign, both of you professed your commitment to helping strengthen the American family. I am looking forward to working with you on that mission.

As Executive Director of the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis and as Board Chair of the Women’s Funding Network, I am dedicated to helping women and children achieve economic self-sufficiency. These dual roles provide me with unique insight to work with women on opposite economic spectrums but who share a struggle for security. I work with women who strive to break the glass ceiling in leadership roles and women who, despite working two jobs, struggle to patch leaky ceilings and feed their children.

Click here to read the entire article.

Click here for an Additional Resource

11th Annual Tribute Luncheon and Symposium
Thursday, April 30, 2009, 11:30-1:15 pm

The Women’s Foundation is proud to announce our upcoming 11th Annual Tribute Luncheon and Symposium, Women Leaders Ascending. The Tribute Luncheon unites civic leaders, businesses, educational and faith-based organizations, community foundations and volunteers throughout our community. It is a forum to network, celebrate and learn about the collective work of WFGM’s local and national supporting partners.

The 11th Annual Tribute Luncheon and Symposium encompasses three events: the Legends Award Reception to be held on Wednesday evening, April 29; the Tribute Luncheon held on April 30, followed by the Youth Leadership Event. We are pleased to introduce Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, as Luncheon Keynote Speaker.

When Maryland Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend is crusading for any cause in which she believes, the ignited combination of vision, leadership and impact are undeniable. As a result, her efforts as a leader in social change have brought about enormous possibilities and life-changing initiatives, from improving schools to fighting crime.

Please join us for these exciting Tribute Luncheon and Symposium Events! Support the Women’s Foundation today by becoming a sponsor of this year’s celebration. Download the sponsorship form now.

Honor a Legendary Woman in Your Life

Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis Legends

Pronunciation: \'wi-m'n\’s \fau'n-'d'-sh'n\ for a Greater Memphis \'le-j'nds\

Function: noun - Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis Legends

Definition: The chronicle of life stories from phenomenal women whose visions forged new paths and whose passions inspire others to plant, till and harvest a better community for us all.

For the past 10 years, the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis has annually honored Memphis women for their achievements, courage, contributions and dedication. The 2009 Annual Tribute Luncheon and Symposium will introduce the new Legends Award.

These Legends Award recipients will be honored through an artist’s rendering that embodies and personifies their accomplishments and perseverance. Each work of art will be unveiled at the Legends Award Reception on April 29, 2009, and presented at the 11th Annual Tribute Luncheon on April 30, 2009.

Please take a moment to nominate
a Legendary Woman in your life.

Click here to view the Legends video.

Life Gifts – They Are Precious Indeed

In Remembrance – the Honorable Judge Rita Stotts and William “Max” Rose

2009 entered our lives at the Women’s Foundation with sadness and shrillness like never before for many of us. The loss of family and friends closely connected to us caused us to pause in disbelief. The forever gifts and legacies that these losses have given us and the Memphis area and beyond are breathtaking. At any given moment we should ask ourselves what we care about the most and how we want to be remembered. I have no doubt that I want to be remembered for giving in a vast number of ways that fueled my passion, enabled someone’s life and influenced and encouraged others to do the same. My 2009 resolve is that I want to be “raised up” with the love that I give unconditionally to my faith, family and my community.

Truly,

Ruby Bright

LEADERSHIP

Women in Leadership

Karla Davis, Senior Project Manager for Urban Strategies Memphis HOPE, WFGM volunteer and donor, was recognized as an activist in the December issue of Skirt! magazine. Karla connects former residents of Dixie Homes and Lamar Terrace with vital community resources they need to get on the road to economic self-sufficiency. Memphis HOPE is a community initiative of the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis in partnership with the Memphis Housing Authority, local and national Foundations, corporate donors, and community volunteers. Click here to learn more about Memphis HOPE.

Gwyn R. Fisher, Executive Director of MPACT Memphis, and WFGM donor and volunteer, was featured in The Commercial Appeal on January 8, 2009. A Memphis native, Fisher graduated from college in California and returned in 2000 to be closer to family, study law and see what the city had to offer. She was impressed. She joined Leadership Memphis, which she credits with teaching her more about the city's history, its people and how to get things done. She learned about her current position from a Leadership Memphis classmate who was also a member of MPACT’s board of directors.

Eva Mosby was appointed Field Management Director, Level Two with the Tennessee Department of Human Services (Shelby County), a collaborative partner of WFGM. Eva directs, provides guidance and assigns work to the directors of local office operations as well as other personnel and district office staff. She also coordinates program administration with state office policy directors to ensure timely and effective policy implementation for family assistance programs.

Linda Williams, WFGM donor and community partner, was recently named as the Executive Director of the RISE Foundation here in Memphis. The RISE Foundation helps Memphis public housing residents achieve financial self-sufficiency by teaching entry-level wage earners to budget, save and accumulate assets.

Educational Series – Restoring Strong Communities Conference

On November 19 and 20, 2008, the Women’s Foundation in collaboration with the Women’s Funding Network hosted a unique training opportunity entitled Restoring Strong Communities: Womens’ Leadership and Social Justice Fundraising Training. On November 19, a panel discussion entitled Advocating for Strong Communities: A Panel Highlighting Women-Led Solutions was held at the University of Memphis Fogelman Executive Conference Center. A group of dynamic speakers engaged the audience in applicable solutions needed to improve the gulf region. Panelists included: Xochitl Bervera, Board President, Families and Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children, Irene Jones, Community Activist, NAACP and Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson, Rev. Rebekah Jordan, Founder and Executive Director, Workers Interfaith Network, and Jocelyn V. Sargent, Ph.D., Program Director, Education and Learning Programming, W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

The conversation centered on the role of women-led advocacy in relief and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Panelists shared success stories as well as strategies for how non-profits, foundations and businesses can work together to support advocacy efforts. Panelists also discussed how work occurring in the gulf region impacts the broader South and the nation.

Please join us in advocating for strong communities by amplifying your voice on issue of poverty in our community. Click here to take our Poverty Impact Survey and help construct a new public policy initiative.