FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Mercy Chikowore
October 19, 2017 202-469-3673, mchikowore@wawf.org
Washington Area Women’s Foundation Raises Over $860,000 at Annual Leadership Luncheon
Rosie Rios, 43rd Treasurer of the United States Served As the Guest Speaker and Discussed the Value of Human Capital Investments
Washington, D.C. (October 19, 2017) – Washington Area Women’s Foundation hosted its annual Leadership Luncheon on October 18, focused on mobilizing the community to work together to build economic security, greater opportunities and racial equality for our region’s women and families. The Luncheon featured an address from Rosie Rios, 43rd Treasurer of the United States, and entertainment by Afro Blue – Howard University’s Premier Jazz Ensemble, Beltway Poetry Slam Team presented by Busboys and Poets and 16-year-old DJ Beauty and the Beatz.
The Leadership Luncheon focused on celebrating and highlighting the stories of young women and girls in the Washington region. Stories were woven together through video, art, music, spoken word performances and more. The Women’s Foundation launched its Young Women’s Initiative early this spring and from this, convened a group of 21 young leaders age 12-24 to form the Young Women’s Advisory Council (YWAC). The Young Women’s Initiative will push policymakers, business and community leaders and philanthropists to develop and invest in programs that address and eliminate racial and gender disparities.
“They’re not doing it alone. We’re bringing philanthropy, community, and government together to fashion the best way to invest in women and girls of color. It won’t be easy,” said Jennifer Lockwood-Shabat, president and CEO of Washington Area Women’s Foundation. “Changes in mindset and policy must happen. Systemic changes. Seismic changes. “We’re just getting started. Join us because there’s no question that while we live in times that are divisive, we must be decisive in how we move forward, together.”
President and CEO of United Way of the National Capital Area, Rosie Allen-Herring said, “We’re also not sittin’ on the sidelines. No, too much is at stake for every one of us not to stand up, and speak up. And yes, to pony up too.” Allen-Herring also serves as Chair of the board of the Women’s Foundation and helped make the donation ask for the organization. “Everyone can contribute in some way. Everyone of us has taken a different path to arrive here today,” she said.
Yvette Butler, President of Capital One Investing, introduced Rosie Rios, 43rd Treasurer of the United States who served as the Luncheon’s guest speaker. Rios discussed the value of human capital investments and the lack of female representation in currency and statues in our cities. ” Where are the real women on our currency and in public monuments? We value what we see every day, but do we see what we value?” “If you see it, you can be it,” she said. Rios ended her speech challenging the audience to do more for women and girls by the year 2020.
The Washington Area Women’s Foundation’s Leadership Luncheon was generously supported by Capital One Investing, Kaiser Permanente, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Graham Holdings, RP3 Agency, Interface Media Group, Linder Global Events, Pepco, APCO Worldwide, Marion Scattergood Ballard, Bank of America, Donna Callejon and Deborah Whiteside, Deloitte, LLP, Amy Dunbar and Ted Hester, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hobo Bags, Horning Family Fund, The HSC Foundation, Rachel Kronowitz, Elissa Leonard & Jay Powell, Rockefeller & Co., King & Spalding, Volkswagen Group of America, Washington Business Journal, Mary Zients among others.
For more information about Washington Area Women’s Foundation or to donate, visit www.thewomensfoundation.org.
About Washington Area Women’s Foundation
Washington Area Women’s Foundation is a DC-based public foundation dedicated to mobilizing our community to ensure that economically vulnerable women and girls in the Washington region have the resources they need to thrive. Learn more about The Women’s Foundation’s mission to transform the lives of women and girls, the Washington region, and the world by visiting us online, on Facebook or on Twitter.
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