Happy #Women'sHistoryMonth to all the extraordinary women in our community!
Every day is a great day to celebrate the amazing women in your life, but Women's History Month gives you an extra reason to do just that.
As a local organization supported by women, we know the importance of empowering women and girls to make a difference in our community.
We are proud to have:
12 women on our Board of Directors,
over 260 Women’s Leadership Council members,
19 out of our 23 Community Partners are led by women,
and an entirely female staff here at United Way of Northwest Georgia.
We believe in inclusive leadership, service, and results.
Our founders established our United Way with the same entrepreneurial spirit and expectation for success as they did when establishing their own businesses.
In fact, The “Empty Stocking Fund” was established in the 1940s on a bet from Mrs. M.E. Judd to Lamar Westcott challenging him to raise $4,000 from a town of 3,000 people.
For the first time, he organized the raising of funds much like we do today - with businesses and community citizens stepping up to help their neighbors. Mr. Westcott raised the $4,000 and won the bet.
The fundraising for the “Empty Stocking Fund'' continued throughout the years and formed the Community Chest. The Community Chest then became what we now know as United Way of Northwest Georgia.
United Way of Northwest Georgia exists because a woman challenged a local community member to step up and help those in need. Pretty cool!
United Way of Northwest Georgia understands the vitality of women thriving within any given community, so much so, that we have a women’s specific giving society, the Women’s Leadership Council.
The Women’s Leadership Council is a group of women truly generous in heart and spirit who bring vision, energy, talent, and creativity to improve lives in our community and create lasting change.
Representing all backgrounds including professionals, community volunteers, philanthropists, and business leaders, these women energize the entire community to impact education, basic needs, and health in Northwest Georgia.
It’s more than philanthropy. It’s about giving women the training, resources, and information needed to be effective community volunteers and leaders.
Our WLC members recently hosted a Bedding and Linens Drive during the month of February for United Way Community Partner, The NWGA Family Crisis Center. WLC member volunteers led the charge in donating and collecting blankets, towels, bed pillows, and twin sheets for the Crisis Center.
We also had several volunteer opportunities such as: making cleaning baskets for new homeowners at Community Partner, Habitat for Humanity, a toiletry drive for Community Partners in need, a toy drive for Community Partner Salvation Army’s Sharing is Caring Event, helping with our #PowerLunch Book distributions to encourage summer reading, and helping with a city-wide meal distribution program.
These volunteers were able to come together and make a difference even in the midst of a global pandemic. The women of WLC inspire us daily in that no matter what circumstances we may find ourselves in, it’s always a good time to give back.
Interested in joining our Women’s Leadership Council?
Click Here for more information.
Thank you to the women who are making a difference within our local community and helping us Build Better Futures! We couldn’t do this without you!
Interested in investing within the Education, Basic Needs, and Health of women and their families within our local community?
Click Here to Give.
Click Here to Volunteer.
#LiveUnited #WomenUnited