ON THE
WOMEN’s FOuNDatION OF gREatER saINt LOuIs
T
he power of women is the heartbeat of change.” These words, displayed on the Women’s Foundation of Greater Saint Louis’ website, encompass everything the group stands for and believes in. The foundation is invested in and dedicated to making a better society for women and girls. Since 2007, members of the group have been providing education and funding for the challenges of women and children in St. Louis. The group is affiliated with the national Women’s Funding Network, a group of funding organizations that are changing communities through thoughtful charitable investment. Through fundraising and raising of awareness, people like the board’s president, Jill Nowak, are always seeking to make a bigger impact on the community. The foundation goes through strategic planning to figure out where it can be most effective. “We want to help women prepare themselves for viable careers and break down barriers,” Nowak says. Recently, it hosted an event at KWMU, UMSL at Grand Center about women and the wage gap. The foundation, paired with KWMU radio, hosted Dr. Barbara Gault of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, who presented her findings on the status of
16 August 12, 2016 | LadueNews.com 16 august 12, 2016 | LadueNews.com
Empowering Women and girls By Robyn Dexter
Heather Hussey, Jill Nowak, Martha uhlhorn, Eulonda Nevels and Laura Dierberg ayers.
women in St. Louis. “It revealed that if current trends continue, it’ll be 2066 before parity in pay,” Nowak says. “We drilled down on data in the St. Louis region and are taking some of that data to develop programs around it.” Next up for the foundation is an annual event called Making a Difference from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac. This year, the speaker is St. Louis native and bestselling author Susan Solovic, emphasizing a theme of “Stronger Women for a Better Community.” “This has been our hallmark event each year,” Nowak says. The evening will include a reception, presentation by Susan Solovic, silent auction and book signing. Each year the foundation honors a local woman or organization with the Making a Difference Award. This year Martha Uhlhorn, a founding member of the Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis, will be honored for the difference she has made in the lives of women and girls in the St. Louis community. Nowak says Solovic has been successful through taking nontraditional routes and is an entrepreneur, author and media personality. “When we thought about economic empowerment of women and nontraditional careers, we instantly thought of her,” Nowak says. “She calls herself a serial
entrepreneur and will be a great tie into our theme this year.” Making a Difference highlights women’s issues while supporting the program and grants the Women’s Foundation of Greater Saint Louis provides to agencies serving women and girls in the greater St. Louis area. Women’s Foundation of Greater Saint Louis, 8816 Manchester Road, No. 286, Brentwood, 314-780-3956, wfstl.org
MakiNg a DiFFeReNce Stronger Women for a Better Community Featuring Susan Solovic Sept. 21 | 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Hilton St. Louis Frontenac Register online at wfstl.org or contact Nancy Carter 314-780-3956 Photo courtesy of the Women’s Foundation
GROUP PhOtO by SabRine RhOdeS
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