United Way Women’s Initiative Hosts Stepping Up For Girls Sept. 18

Friday, September 13, 2013

GoLocalWorcester Features Team

Women come together in Central Massachusetts through United Way to help local girls succeed.

The Women’s Initiative of United Way of Central Massachusetts will host its annual Stepping Up For Girls event on Wednesday, September 18. It is the organization's yearly kickoff and fundraising event, honoring esteemed women in the community who represent the strength and excellence of what can be accomplished when the community works together.

The reception and program will be held at Mechanics Hall from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and will include Fitchburg Mayor, Lisa Wong as the keynote address speaker and a performance by In Da Zone dance team from The Boys & Girls Club of Worcester. The presentation of the Lois B. Green and Meridith D. Wesby Awards will be given to female leaders in the community that embody leadership and values of co-founders Lois Green and Meridith Wesby.

Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong

Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong's address will be an inspirational message to all in the audience, using her first-hand knowledge to discuss the importance of women's leadership and philanthropy.

More than 500 women (and men) from local colleges, businesses, and nonprofits are expected to attend the Stepping Up Event, which is sponsored in part by Bank of America, making a personal pledge to “Step Up” and continue working for the girls in the community. Reliant Medical Group has also “Stepped Up” to offered a table for local middle-school girls who participate in Women’s Initiative funded programs.

Learn more about girls in the local community + issues they face

People who attend will learn more about the Women's Initiative, the challenges girls in the local community face, how they can get involved, and make connections with other women leading the way in this community.

"They will discover opportunities to invest in young women’s leadership and understand how essential their work is to social change now and in the future," said Jennifer Potts. Communications Director for the United Way of Central Massachusetts.

"We expect women (and men) from all walks of life, each of whom are committed to the Women’s Initiative mission of 'promoting women’s leadership and philanthropy to create a positive and measurable change for women and children."

The Women's Initiative

Over the last decade, the Women's Initiative has set the standard of excellence for promoting women's leadership and philanthropy in the community. It has raised more than $3 million to programs that directly impact the lives of girls in central Massachusetts. The Women’s Initiative raises money to support programming for middle-school girls—to encourage dialogue around the issues of education, safety, physical and emotional well being, and healthy relationships.

In addition, Women’s Initiative continues to offer financial literacy conferences, called “Dollar $cholars,” for middle-school girls in Worcester and surrounding towns. During the last few years, more than 2,000 girls from central Massachusetts were taught the value of having financial information for self-sufficiency.

The volunteer-based group currently has engaged 1,100 members and has had over 2,100 donors over the past 10 years. "That has created positive change for 6,000 girls in Central Massachusetts," said Potts.

And the United Way's Women's Initiative has even bigger plans for the future.

Looking ahead

"Heading into the next 10 years, the Women’s Initiative looks to grow its membership and donors, as well as its ability to impact girls in the community," said Potts. "This event is an opportunity for women who are passionately interested in changing the community they live and work in to find out why the Women’s Initiative of United Way of Central Massachusetts is the premiere group they need to get involved in."

For more information on the United Way of Central Massachusetts and the Women's Initiative, click here.