Vol. 5 No. 2 October 2011

Women United in Philanthropy

I am pleased to serve as co-chair of our Steering Committee this year, with great

friend and philanthropist Robin Amato.

As we conclude our annual Human Services Grant Award Luncheon we are proud of our past success, which has prepared us well for continued growth and greater impact in the future.

First, let’s review our past success:

In 2006, we formed Women United in Philanthropy (WUP) with 23 donor members, 7 general members with collective fund donations, and 38 general members for a total of 68 members.

In August 2011, WUP celebrated 52 donor members: an amazing and gratifying 126% increase!

43 general members with collective fund donations: a whopping 514% increase!

39 general members for a total of 134 educated, engaged and philanthropic women: a fantastic 97% increase.

In 2006, WUP awarded its first Human Services Grant in the amount of $15,000. Including the October 4th Awards, WUP has awarded $197,825 in grants to eight local organizations serving women and children in our community.

Now, to our future:

Our Mission is simple, yet so compelling and powerful: to maximize women’s leadership in philanthropy by

1) engaging and educating our members,

2) increasing our individual charitable contributions

3) strengthening our community through the impact of our collective giving to support human services.

“WUP is the Place to Mobilize Women”

2011 WUP Grant Recipients: Harriet Kuhn, Executive Director of the International

Rescue Committee and Ruth Stone, President and CEO of Piedmont CASA.

Invite them to join you in this exciting,

impactful movement. Because, of course,

we women share our “best finds” with

each other. And, WUP is one of those

great opportunities.

Together, this is what women do best.

We make it happen. As Emily Dickinson

said,

“We never know how high we are,

Till we are called to rise;

And then, if we are true to plan,

Our statures touch the skies.”

Sue Friedman

Co-Chair

Women United in Philanthropy

in partnership with the United Way - Thomas Jefferson Area

We have realized past success together. We will grow our impact as we grow in numbers. Our future focus is on sharing the importance of WUP with our friends, coworkers, book clubs, neighbors…with all of the women we value in our lives.

WUP is the place to mobilize women - OUR energy, OUR talent and OUR collective resources - to benefit OUR

community.

Share this newsletter with the women

who are important in your life. Invite

them to visit our website:

www.WomenUnitedCharlottesville.info

Invite them to come with you to

our Membership Celebration on

Wednesday, November 2

at Maya Restaurant.

A beautiful Fall day greeted members and guests for the Women United in Philanthropy Annual Human Services

Grant Award luncheon at Farmington Country Club. Robin Amato, this year’s Co-chair, set the tone when she said “It takes a special quality for someone to ‘live’ philanthropy. As we get busier and busier it’s nice to pause to celebrate our combined success.” The room was filled with women who “live their philanthropy” through their collective giving and were ready to celebrate.

Guest speaker Jennifer Ackerman, author of The Social Network Diet: Change Yourself, Change the World (co-authored with Dr. Miriam Nelson), was introduced by co-chair Sue Friedman. Ackerman made the impulsive move to Charlottesville in 1991. Both she and her husband are writers and the lure of the University of Virginia library and academical village, as well as the close proximity to Washington D.C., were hard to resist.

Ackerman believes a healthy lifestyle begins at home. You change the individual and the small ripples move through the community and spread beyond. “Women really know how to use social networking effectively. They know how to listen, how to nurture, and how to lean on people to help effect positive change.” Those words should sound familiar to members of WUP.

The ripples that started with the founding members of WUP have spread to enable us to award two $20,000 grants this year. Carol Johnston, co-chair of the Grant Committee, introduced Ruth Stone, Executive Director of Piedmont Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and Harriet Kuhn, Executive Director of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) as grant recipients for 2011. Piedmont CASA provides specially trained volunteers to advocate for neglected and abused children. The IRC will use WUP grant money to establish a Refugee Craft Cooperative, working with talented women refugees to produce and sell their handiwork locally.

Jennifer Ackerman said “Women are tremendous catalysts for change.” We know. Through the collective giving of WUP, our members are making positive changes and “living philanthropy.” - Wanda Birckhead

International RescueCommittee

The International Rescue Committee in Charlottesville is grateful to Wom-

en United in Philanthropy for choosing to provide funding for the establishment of a Refugee Women’s Craft Coopera-tive.

This project will allow refugee women artisans, including weavers, jewelry makers, seamstresses, and those who do knitting, crocheting and macramé, to learn how to market their wares with a goal of bringing much needed income into their families.

Under the auspices of this project, partic-ipating women will also receive instruc-tion in basic business practices and be guided through the process of establish-ing a cooperative to support their ongo-ing work.

Knowledge gained through this project will help IRC strengthen its capacity to support future refugee business and mi-cro-enterprise development.

Letters from our 2011 Grant Recipients

Jennifer Ackerman, author and keynote speaker at the

2011 WUP Human Services Grant Award Luncheon.

Thank you,

Harriet KuhnExecutive DirectorInternational Rescue Committee

Piedmont CASA

Thank you for choosing Piedmont CASA as a recipient of the 2011

Women United in Philanthropy Grant – we are so thrilled to have the collec-tive support and endorsement of your members. Not only will the funds help us train and supervise new CASA vol-unteers, but also the publicity from this grant will help us get the message to our community that child abuse and neglect are very real problems here in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Last year, there were 1,258 child abuse and neglect referrals to our local depart-ments of social services.

There is hope. At Piedmont CASA, our volunteers lift up children’s voices. They listen. They speak out for them in

court. They fight for a child’s right to be safe, treated with dignity, and to learn and grow in the security of a lov-ing family. Last year Piedmont CASA provided advocates to 207 children whose lives were in the hands of the court system.

We will use the $20,000 grant to train and supervise new CASA volunteers who will stand ready to serve the new children who enter the child wel-fare system every day. When we lift up children’s voices, we lift up their lives.

Having a CASA volunteer means that life will be better for the children we serve. Thank you on behalf of the board, staff and especially the volun-teers who do the hard work at Pied-mont CASA. And mostly, thank you for caring about CASA’s children.

Sincerely,

Ruth L. StonePresident & CEOPiedmont CASA

“Living Philanthropy”

Margery, her husband Tom, and their three daughters moved to Charlottesville in 1984. The relocation proved to be a life altering opportunity for Margery and

her family. Margery became increasingly aware of the contributions and leadership of the women here and felt deeply motivated by their examples. This led her to receive her doctorate from Smith College School for Social Work at the age of 59. A former adjunct faculty member at Smith, Margery has maintained a private practice for adult psychotherapy since 1993.

As a member of the United Way Board, Margery learned of the human services needs in our area. She was stunned to learn that one child in four lives in poverty. Margery and several of her United Way colleagues became aware of “giving circles” in which groups of women through their collective giving were substantially impacting their local communities. Expanding to include other women from the community, the group began to research local human service needs with emphasis on needs of women and children. With the guidance and partnership of the United Way, the group created our mission statement and created membership categories with the aim of offering membership to women across a broad spectrum of circumstances. The first inaugural meeting of WUP was held in April 2005. Guest speaker Dr. Laura Nash, upon hearing the story of our beginning efforts said “Go for it!”. Women United in Philanthropy

was launched.

Margery admires the ongoing leadership and success of WUP. “We used the commitment to women’s collective giving as a compass.” Thanks to our founding members - thanks to you, Margery - we are on the right path.

Did you know that Margery is a great fan of Carol Burnett? She says “I have found that laughing at situations in life – and at myself – can be a great remedy for all that ails.” We are so happy to have you laughing with us in WUP. Next time you see Margery at a WUP event, have her tell you about her favorite Carol episode!

Let’s Hear it for Margery Daniel!

WUP Co-Founder, Margery Daniel. This

photo was taken of her at the WUP Event in

February 2011 where she was a Panelist.

Where Does the Money Go?SAVE THE DATE!

Membership Celebration!

November 2, 2011

Maya Restaurant633 West Main Street

5-7pm

Bring Friends!

RSVPby Oct. 31 to

Caroline Emerson

cemerson@UnitedWayTJA.org

Our 2010 Grant Recipient, The Women’s Initiative, received $40,000 from

WUP last September. Their Board of Directors wanted to say thanks:

WUP has made a significant contribution at a critical moment in our agency’s de-

velopment. Thanks to this extraordinarily generous grant, The Women’s Initiative

has been able to expand its services to give under served women the mental health

care that they need and deserve. Thank you! ~ Bebe Heiner, Founder, Chair

Supporting the mental health of women in our community is a fundamental step in

a journey towards wellness and empowerment. The support from Women United in

Philanthropy in 2010 was a bold step in recognizing this profound issue and provid-

ing a significant resource to make a difference. It is sincerely appreciated. ~ Sue

Winslow, Vice Chair

The Women’s Initiative, with its extraordinary and growing staff of committed pro-

fessionals and volunteers, continues to provide high quality counseling and mental

health services to a very needy population. Their efforts were greatly furthered by

the generous gift from Women United in Philanthropy... Thank you for your com-

passion. ~ Chuck Rotgin, Treasurer

Join WUP at our Membership Celebration on November 2 to learn

more about how The Women’s Initiative has used WUP

grant money to change lives. Bring a friend!

United Way - Thomas Jefferson Area

Women United in Philanthropy

806 East High Street

Charlottesville, Virginia 22902

www.womenunitedcharlottesville.info

Phone: 434-972-1701/Fax: 434-972-1719

Email: womenunited@unitedwaytja.org

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Robin Amato Maia BannanKimberlee Barrett-JohnsonLiza Myers Borches Maggie Bourgeois Kathleen BowmanAntoinette Brewster Kakie Brooks Suzanne Brooks Lynn Brown Bobbie BrunerMaxine Burton Rose CaponCarol Clarke Deborah Conway Margery Daniel Cynnie DavisAthena Velie EastwoodPeggy Echols

Jennifer FeistShirley French Sue FriedmanGrace Giras Doris GreinerCarol Ham Ruth Hanft Deborah HayesBebe Heiner Sharon HostlerAmy Hughes Joan Jay Carol JohnstonKathleen Ladika Peppy LindenSusan McConnell Jeanne McCusker/ Home Instead Senior CareJanet Miller

WUP MembersDONOR MEMBERS

Mildred AbrahamKaren Ahern Alyson BallSharon Barker Sandy BeardMimi BenderSarah Bridenhagen Cheryl ChandlerCharlotte DammannPat DavisMary Loose DevineyLucille DiggesRobin EllisChris EureJoan Fadden

Byrd AbbottMarjorie Adam Nina BarnesKim Baughman Carolyn BeachBeverly BeanWanda Birckhead-FarrarGardy BloemersKaren BoeschensteinGayle Bragg Olivia Branch Heidi BrooksMeghan CloudPatricia CluffKristin Cory Beth Duffy-Cox

Ann MyersK.K. PearsonLinda PerrielloSue RaineyJane RotchNancy Rudel Margie Swanson Heidi ThorsenCathy Train Louise Trudel Nancy TuzAlison WebbSherry Williams/ University TireKatherine Woods

Vicki FarmerLaura FarrellJoan FentonAnne GardnerPeg Gilliland Debbie GordonJoyce HoltKarin HughesDearing JohnsLou JordanBarbara Kessler Rosemarie KingKim Martin Bruce Murray Meghan MurrayJudy Nunley

Shana Pack-GangluffJoyce RobbinsStephanie Scheel Linda Seaman Diana SmithSonjia Smith Deborah van EerselKathy Walmsley Mitzi Ware Bitsy WatersRoxanne White Lauri WilsonMeg Zakin Kate Zirkle

GENERAL MEMBERS(with Collective Fund contributions)

Sharon Fay Dorrie Fontaine Kathleen Ford Carolyn FrazierDebbi GoodmanSarah Gould-StottsSylvia GriffinAndrea Gruber Sonia HaimesJennifer HamlinDiane HillmanMarguerite HolmesSally Humphrey Mary Johnson Karyl Kayton

Barbara LeeEtta Legner Derry Miller Ann Mingledorff Julie MurphyAnna PatchiasBeverly PawsonBetty PhelanJacquie PickeringLainie RainwaterTheresa ReinesShamin Sisson Judy Smith Ellen Vaughan Betsy Woodard

GENERAL MEMBERS

MembershipAnnouncements

It’s Membership Drive Time!

Because of your Membership, WUP has awarded

8 grants totaling $197,825!

We thank YOU for your significant role in this achievement

and look forward to 2012!

For more information on Membership or to

download the Membership Form,

please visit

www.WomenUnitedCharlottesville.info

WUP Membership Celebration!

- Learn more about WUP and our newCorporate Membership level.

- Help us celebrate another successful grant yearwith our dedicated members.

- Hear an update from our 2010 Grant Recipient,The Women’s Initiative.

This fun event will be Wednesday, November 2, 2011from 5pm to 7pm

at Maya on Main Street in Charlottesville.

RSVP to Caroline Emersoncemerson@UnitedwayTJA.org

This is a terrific opportunity to introduce new women to our group. We want to grow! Please bring a friend or two!

See you there!

- Maia Bannan, WUP Membership Committee Co-Chair

Facebook.com/WomenUnitedCville