Celebrating 10 Years of United Way's Women's Initiative by recognizing Women Leaders in Philanthropy and Volunteerism.

WHEREAS, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ) in Southeastern Pennsylvania is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of its Women's Initiative affinity group; and

WHEREAS, Molly D. Shepard, President and CEO of The Leader's Edge/Leaders By Design, founded the Women's Initiative in 2003; and

WHEREAS, The Women's Initiative has raised more than $3 million to support its signature program,

Girls Today, Leaders Tomorrow

, a program that helps at-risk girls learn how to build and maintain healthy relationships and develop enhanced leadership skills; and

WHEREAS, The work of

Girls Today, Leaders Tomorrow

has been supported by a number of local agencies that share United Way's commitment to improving the lives of children, including Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Philadelphia; Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia; Congreso; Discovery Charter School; Education Works; Excell Community Development Corporation; Foundation for Pottstown Education; Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania; Girls Incorporated of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey; Healthy Communities Initiative, Inc.; Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence Network; Philadelphia Department of Human Services - Girls Track; Philadelphia Prevention Partnership; Public Health Management Corporation; Say Yes to Education; The Wellness of You, Inc.; United Communities of Southeast Philadelphia; and YWCA Tri-County Areas; and

WHEREAS, The Women's Initiative has offered professional women opportunities to volunteer with agencies that work with at-risk girls to develop core values supporting their future success; and

WHEREAS, Women engaged with the Women's Initiative, under 35 who belong to the Women's Initiative Next Generation (WING), are extended the opportunity to build their network with women who are committed to creating lasting change for individuals and families; and

WHEREAS, The Women's Initiative celebrates a decade of creating exponential impact in the lives of those most in need, carrying out the vision of harnessing the caring power of women, increasing the impact of women donors and growing the number of women volunteers;

and

WHEREAS, The 2013 Women's Initiative Gala will take place on Wednesday, March 13 at the Crystal Tea Room, Tierney President and CEO Mary Stengel Austen will receive the 2013 Women's Initiative Award and presenting sponsor Independence Blue Cross will be recognized for its strong support of the Women's Initiative; and

WHEREAS, The mission so clearly defined a decade ago remains - to mobilize the power of women to give, advocate and volunteer in support of at-risk women and girls; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby celebrate 10 Years of United Way's Women's Initiative by recognizing Women Leaders in Philanthropy and Volunteerism.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Jill Michal, UWGPSNJ President & CEO; and Amy Frazier and Nancy Threlfall, Chair and Vice Chair, respectively, of the Women's Initiative for their commitment to improving the quality of life for at-risk women and girls throughout the Greater Philadelphia region, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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