United Way of Allegheny Women’s Leadership Council
Launches New Initiative at 11th Annual Breakfast
On Thursday, September 6th, United Way of Allegheny County hosted a record setting crowd with more
than 1,350 guests in attendance at the 11th Annual Breakfast.
Guests learned about United Way of
Allegheny County’s new woman-focused
initiative United for Women. Created by
the Women’s Leadership Council, United
for Women will help financially struggling
women who have had a major event that
has challenged their financial well-being
and find themselves one step away from
crisis.
Guests network in the Wyndham Hotel Ballroom before the program.
During times of intense change – the death of a spouse, a divorce, a financial crisis or a long-term
illness, becoming a victim of violence – a woman’s life can be suddenly
impacted. Recognizing the need for support of women during these
unexpected times of transition has led the Women’s Leadership Council
to this initiative.
Pictured at left are Laura Ellsworth, Chair and Elizabeth Terrell, Co-chair
of the Women’s Leadership Council.
The goal is to make a difference between a healthy and productive life
or continued long-term crisis and potential poverty. Our united support
will be the bridge to a better future for them and their family.
Copyright ©, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2012, all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.
In addition to the launch of United for Women, guests
heard an inspiring message from Lee Woodruff, Author
and contributor to CBS This Morning News.
Lee knows that “Life Changes in an Instant.” One
minute, she’s a successful writer and businesswoman,
mother of four children and wife of Bob Woodruff, coanchor of ABC’s World News Tonight. The next minute,
her life turns upside down when Bob is severely
wounded by a road-side bomb in Iraq. Thirteen months
later, Bob returned to ABC News. Lee’s message
Lee Woodruff closes her inspiring message with a
reading from her book, ”Perfectly Imperfect”.
reminded us that no matter your station in life, we all go through transition and we all need support
along the way.
United Way of Allegheny County Women’s Leadership Council has committed to raising an additional
$1 Million dollars during the 2012-2013 Campaign to support these women in need. In order to reach
our goal, each Women’s Leadership Council member is asked to consider a 20% increase in their
annual gift. As a result of the Breakfast, Women’s Leadership Council has already collected more than
$20,000.
In addition to financial contributions, guests of the Breakfast were encouraged to donate items that
were then distributed to agencies currently supporting women in transition.
Thanks to the generosity of our guests, we
collected:
* 2,200 pounds of personal care items – skin/hair
products and body wash/lotion
* 600 pounds of gently-used accessories –
scarves, jewelry and lots of handbags
* $815 in gift cards – gas gift cards and bus
passes
Just some of the items donated for women in transition.
We extend a special thank you to Susan Koeppen from KDKA for serving as our emcee.
Thank you to the Wyndham Hotel for providing an overnight stay, in a deluxe suite, with breakfast. A
name was selected from all those who made a donation at the breakfast, and the winner is . . .
Margaret Kanaan from Hefren-Tillotson. Congratulations!
Women’s Leadership Council 11th Annual Breakfast is sponsored by:
Premier Sponsor: Eden Hall Foundation
Signature Sponsors: Trib Total Media, UPMC Health Plan
Supporting Sponsors: Duquesne Light Company, Eaton Corporation, First Niagara Bank Foundation,
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Jones Day, Peoples Natural Gas, UPS
Media Sponsor: Pittsburgh Magazine