Sisterhood is vocal. Speak out!
Dr. Sarah Glaser
Director of Finances
206 Harrison Ave. Apt. A
Williamsburg, VA 23185
2012 WDI debaters
Mr. Steven Schwartz
27 Birchwood Lane
Lincoln, Massachusetts 01773
15 June 2013
Dear Steven,
My name is Sarah Glaser, and I am the Director of Finances for the Women’s Debate Institute. The WDI is a
five-day camp for female high school debaters held every August near Minneapolis. The WDI is not just any
debate camp: in addition to improving policy and Lincoln-Douglas debate skills, the WDI has the explicit
mission of increasing the participation and retention of women in debate. Males significantly outnumber
females in debate activities, and we aim to change that. We bring together students from across the country
to foster a community of young women and we aim to increase the number of women debating in college:
This experience is fantastic. I love the staff, speakers, debates and girls…. I’m thinking about debating in college which
I never ever have thought of, but WDI has given me confidence to. Thank you. ~ Gabby, 2012 WDI debater
The WDI began in 2001, and every year we grow and attract girls travel from across the country – from
Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Seattle and more.
Our past and present staff includes some of the most successful debaters in history, including:
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Carly Wunderlich, winner of the 2010 National Debate Tournament from Michigan State University.
Greta Stahl, winner of the 2004 NDT and Director of Debate at Michigan State.
Christine Malumphy, semifinalist at the 2005 NDT and student at Berkeley Law School.
Jenny Heidt, semifinalist at the CEDA National Tournament and Director at the Westminster Schools.
Tara Tate, coach of numerous high school national champions at Glenbrook South High School.
Linda Collier, coach of UMKC national champions and Director of Debate at the Barstow School.
Kate Shuster, winner of the NDT and founder of the Middle School Public Debate Program.
Biza Replko, winner of the 1998 CEDA National Tournament and coach of MSU NDT champions.
The WDI is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization staffed by unpaid volunteers. We have an annual budget of
approximately $25,000, and those funds are raised from foundations and individuals. And best of all, our
camp is 100% FREE to students. Our goal is to make sure cost is not a barrier to debaters who want to
attend summer camp. As a non-profit organization, we need your help!
Please make a tax deductible donation - even small amounts go far.
1. Sponsor a debater! Endow a fellowship ($350) in honor of a loved one or mentor. All fellowships
are matched with travel stipends to ensure students can attend.
2. Make a general donation. Any amount - $10, $50, $100 – goes a long way.
3. Provide support supplies – copy cards, gas cards, frequent flier miles.
3379 22nd Street
San Francisco, CA 94110 womensdebateinstitute.org
To donate:
1. Return the enclosed, addressed envelope with a check to the Women’s Debate Institute. Providing
your own stamp saves us hundreds of dollars.
2. Visit our website (www.womensdebateinstitute.org/donate) to donate through PayPal.
Your tax-deductible donation helps us in several ways. We use donations to:
1. Make the WDI a tuition-free camp available to any young woman who wants to attend.
2. Provide travel stipends to students who face financial challenges. So far this year, we have provided
over $4000 in travel stipends ranging from $100 - $450.
3. Pay for evidence and workbooks. Each debater is given hundreds of pages of (electronic) evidence,
‘How To’ handbooks, and a scholarship booklet featuring debate and speaking-related college
scholarships.
4. Assist our outstanding collegiate staff members. Our staff is all volunteer – but we pay travel
expenses for staff who are still students themselves.
To learn more about our activities, visit us at www.womensdebateinstitute.org.
All donations to the WDI are tax-deductible through 501(c)3 status and we will provide you with a receipt
for tax purposes. And our students are incredibly grateful:
“There are unlimited reasons for me to be grateful for your contributions to WDI. You have given me an experience I
would not have been able to afford. I debate for an urban league, and I am the first female captain on my debate team –
EVER. I cannot stress how much I appreciate WDI, your contributions, and the female debate community that
showered me with love, respect, advice and unconditional support.” ~ Ariana
“Thank you for supporting the WDI. Debate has helped me so much and also changed my life. You can’t imagine how
I used to feel, scared knowing that as a non-English speaker I would never be able to stand for myself and speak up.
Debate proved me wrong; it showed me that no matter where you come from and how you might think about yourself,
you can always stand up for yourself and be the person you want to be” ~ Vanessa
Thank you for considering a donation to the Women’s Debate Institute. We are working hard to grow and
enrich the debate community, and we couldn’t do it without donors like you. Please contact me with any
questions!
Sincerely,
Sarah Glaser
Director of Finances
sarahmglaser@gmail.com
Rae Lynn Schwartz-DuPre
Director of Public Relations