ANNUAL CELEBRATION 2025
TONIGHT’S PROGRAM
Opening with musical guest Myra Flynn Welcome
Jane Lindholm, Emcee
Holly Morehouse, VP for Community Impact
Vermont Community Foundation
Emily Bush, Director
Vermont Women’s Fund
Grantee spotlight: Habitat for Aviation
Kerry O’Brien, Founder & CEO commando
Featured speaker Reshma Saujani
Please enjoy refreshments throughout the evening. All food & beverages are allowed in the theater.
Special thanks to our event vendor partners
The Flynn, Daria Bishop Photography, Adventure Dinner, Phoenix Books, & Home Port
MEET OUR FEATURED GUESTS
We are proud to present a stellar line up of women for tonight’s event.
RESHMA SAUJANI is a leading ist, the founder of Girls Who , the founder and CEO of s First, and the host of My alled Midlife with Lemonada a. She has spent more than a de building movements to for women and girls’ omic empowerment, ing to close the gender gap e tech sector, and most ntly fighting for the tural changes moms need deserve, including affordable care and paid leave.
JANE LINDHOLM is Jane Lindholm is the host, executive producer and creator of But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids. In addition to her work on our international kids show, she produces special projects for Vermont Public. Until March 2021, she was host and editor of the award-winning Vermont Public program Vermont Edition.
MYRA FLYNN is a lyrical storyteller, who uses her voice to empower, inspire, and even educate. Her uncategorizable and unique blend of indie/soul/folk/R&B original songs combine soulful vocals with a lyrical delivery that doesn't let one get too comfortable.
As the New England Deli magazine puts it, "Her vocal influences have as much in common with Ani Difranco and Shawn Colvin as they do with Rihanna and Jill Scott." Myra will be performing alongside her full band in this celebratory performance.
VERMONT WOMEN’S FUND was founded in 1994 and is a philanthropic resource dedicated to advancing gender equity and justice for women, girls, and Vermont communities. Every year, with guidance from the Women’s Fund Council, the fund makes grants to create positive economic and social change. It also works with partners to support initiatives to identify and close economic gaps and address the intersectionality of race and gender.
Our definition of “women and girls” is inclusive of cis and trans women and girls, as well as non- binary people affected by gender oppression. Moreover, we recognize the disproportionate marginalization of the voices of BIPOC individuals in Vermont.
Learn more at vermontwomensfund.org.
The Women’s Fund is a component fund of the Vermont Community Foundation. We recognize their support of a thriving state as a champion sponsor of the Women’s Fund and this event.
SUPPORTED PROGRAMS
In addition to grantmaking, the Women’s Fund supports special projects and events.
WOMEN WORK & WAGES
Tonight, we announce a new partnership with the Vermont Works for Women and the Vermont Commission on Women. We’re launching the Vermont Women, Work, and Wages, Spotlight Report— a powerful tool for understanding the economic realities facing women across our state.
This spotlight report shines a light on the essential role women play in helping drive Vermont’s economy and strengthening our communities. A more comprehensive and expansive Women, Work, and Wages Report will launch in Summer 2026. This report is the product of thoughtful collaboration, and we’re deeply grateful to the contributors, researchers, and supporters who made it possible. By grounding our efforts in data, we’re hoping to spark conversations, inspire action, and keep building a stronger, more inclusive Vermont for everyone.
VWF LEGACY PROJECTS
COUNCILMEMBERS
Council members play a hands-on role through monthly meetings and committee work focused on grants, outreach, and governance helping direct funding and strengthen community partnerships. In their local communities, they raise awareness, inform aligned organizations of grant opportunities, and support events and fundraising year-round.
Sujata Moorti, co-chair
Candice White, co-chair
Lucy Briggs Barrett
Kathleen Burns Kingsbury
Norka Chamorro
Amanda Cochrane
Andrea Dion
Sara Kermenski
Tracy King
Katarina Lisaius
Dr. Tiffany Ann Love
Kendal Melvin Smith
Kimberly Rupe Lennox
Kelly Scannell
Corinne Taney
Alison Whritenour
Laurie Wood
Eva Zaret
2025 GRANTEES
The Vermont Women’s Fund awarded a total of $359,000 to 39 organizations this year.
Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center, BEEC
Environmental Educator Training Program, Brattleboro
Capstone Community Action, General Operating Support, Barre
Champlain College, Single Parents Program Scholarships, Burlington
Dismas of Vermont, Women’s Dismas House General Operating Support, Hyde Park
Education Justice Coalition of Vermont, Youth Organizing: Building Justice and Equity Minded Youth Leaders, Burlington
Epsilon Spires, Grrrls to the Front Workshop Series, Brattleboro
Green Mountain Camp for Girls, Launching Leaders, Dummerston
Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity, Women’s Homeownership Empowerment Initiative, Williston
2025 GRANTEES
continued...
Green Mountain United Way, Benefits Cliff Training Support, Barre
Habitat for Aviation, Women Paint Planes - PINK! Training the Next Generation of Women Aircraft Coating Specialists in Vermont, Swanton
Hope Grove Recovery, Empowering Recovery: Comprehensive Operation Support for Sustainable Success, Fairfield
Janet S. Munt Family Room, Healthy Families from the Start (HFS), Burlington
Lund Family Center, Kids-A-Part Parenting Program, Burlington
Mercy Connections, Justice, Mentoring & Reentry (JM&R), Burlington
Milk with Dignity Standards Council, Building Dignity and Power for Women Farmworkers - General Operating Support, Burlington
Mission Farm, The Kitchen at Mission Farm, Killington
NewStory Center, General Operating Support, Rutland
Orange County Parent Child Center, General Operating Support, Tunbridge
Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Sexual & Reproductive Health Services and Information in Vermont, Colchester
Project Against Violent Encounters, General Operating Support, Bennington
River Gallery School, Empowering Futures: Creative Career Pathways for Girls and Gender-Expansive Youth, Brattleboro
Springfield Area Parent Child Center, General Operating Support, North Springfield
Steps to End Domestic Violence, General Operating Support, Burlington
Sunrise Family Resource Center, Transportation Independence for Young Women, Bennington
Telling My Story, General Operating Support, Windsor
The Civic Standard, Flower Shop & Housing Initiative, Hardwick
The Family Place, General Operating Support, Norwich
The Umbrella of St. Johnsbury, General Operating Support, St. Johnsbury
2025 GRANTEES
University of Vermont, Women in Beekeeping, Burlington
Vermont Afghan Alliance, Driving Program for Afghan Women, Burlington
Vermont Works for Women, General Operating Support, Winooski
Yestermorrow, Yestermorrow Women’s+ Scholarships, Waitsfield
Safeline, Youth Outreach Prevention Pilot, Chelsea
Governor’s Institutes of Vermont, Tuition Assistance for Young Women, Winooski
Hannah’s House, Licensed Mental Health Professionals
Retention in Washington County, Waitsfield
The MINT, Scholarships for Women & ENBY Makers, Rutland
Good Beginnings of Central VT, General Operating Support, Montpelier
COVER Home Repair, Creating Brave Spaces for Women in Carpentry – Year 4, White River Junction
Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, Healthy, Local Food for Women Facing Insecurity and/or Diet-Related Illnesses, Richmond
HELP US REACH $150,000
Give tonight to meet our giving challenge. Text to give with your cell phone to help Vemont’s women and girls rise and thrive!
1. Send a text to: (325) 603-3395
2. In the message field, type: rise25
3. Press send.
4. Click on the link in the reply text to go to our secure giving webpage.
5. Make your donation. You may choose to be anonymous or have your name displayed on screen. THANK YOU!
ANNUAL & EVENT SPONSORS
In addition to our annual and event sponsors featured in ads throughout this program, we recognize our partners and corporate donors who made tonight - and our grantmaking - possible.
Additional thanks to Homeport for donating furniture for our stage and Daria Bishop Photography.
We are grateful for the production & events teams from The Flynn for making this a spectacular night.
PARTNERS
SUPPORTERS
