Get Involved
The Women’s Initiative hosts annual fundraising and member events to drive awareness of our philanthropic and leadership group, highlight our support of adolescent girls, and raise funds to increase our impact.
Power of the Purse
Power of the Purse is a fun evening of camaraderie and solidarity to ignite positive change for women and girls. Enjoy a live and silent auction of designer purses and bag packages while networking with like-minded supporters.
5TH ANNUAL POWER OF THE PURSE
June 7, 2022; 5-7PM
The Mercantile (2 Mercantile Street, Worcester)
$50 suggested donation. REGISTER TODAY!
Download the 5th Annual Power of the Purse Invitation
For sponsor opportunities, download the WI Milestone Anniversary Sponsorship Packet 2022-2023
To make an auction donation, download our 2022 POP Purse Donation Letter and Form
HONORARY CO-CHAIRS
Kimberly Salmon | The Hanover Insurance Group
Carolyn Stempler | Carolyn & June Designs
Monica Thomas-Bonnick | Webster Five Foundation
Kelsa Zereski | Reliant Foundation
20th Anniversary Year Sponsors
5th Annual Power of the Purse Sponsors
Lead Sponsors:
Corporate Sponsors:
Anna Maria College
Koopman Lumber
Saint-Gobain
Support Sponsors:
Avidia Bank
Bay State Savings Bank
Bowditch & Dewey
Cornerstone Bank
Fletcher Tilton, PC
Fontaine Bros.
Food and Wine Sponsor:
Lamoureux Pagano Associates | Architects
Marketing Sponsor:
Media Sponsors:
Seven Hills Foundation
UMass Chan Medical School
UMass Memorial Health
Imperial Distributors
JCassand, Inc.
Main Street Bank
Kerri A. Melley – Commonwealth Financial Group
Pathways for Change, Inc.
UniBank
Webster Five
Worcester State University
Stepping Up for Girls
A celebration of women’s philanthropy, leadership, and empowerment of adolescent girls, Stepping Up for Girls is the Women’s Initiative’s signature fundraiser to support future programming. The event highlights our funded programs, celebrates local women leaders, and features testaments to the possibilities of the future and the progress we as a community have made in supporting girls and women.
19th Annual Stepping Up for Girls Celebration
Tuesday, October 19, 2021; 5-7PM
View the event photo album on our Facebook page.
Watch back the honoree videos and girls’ recordings on the United Way’s YouTube page.
2021 WI HONOREES
Lois B. Green Leadership Award
Linda Cavaioli, Former Executive Director of YWCA Central Massachusetts
Meridith D. Wesby Young Leader Award
Génesis Márquez Campos, Student and President/Co-Founder of Worcester Youth Cooperatives
Leadership Awards
The Women’s Initiative co-founders, Lois Green and Meridith Wesby, were leadership role models for many young women and their vision was to strengthen young girls and empower women. Named in their honor, the Lois B. Green Leadership Award and Meridith Wesby Young Leader Award recognize female leaders in our community.
WI Leadership Award Past Recipients
| YEAR | GREEN LEADERSHIP AWARD | WESBY YOUNG LEADER AWARD |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Val Loring | Monaye Leathers |
| 2007 | Marcy Reed | Katarzyna Koscielska |
| 2008 | Marianne Felice, MD | Iris Sanxhaku |
| 2009 | Suzanne Patton | Hanh T. Lam |
| 2010 | Colleen O’Brien | Andrea Siemaszko |
| 2011 | Patty Eppinger | Dianara Nagrone, Shaleah Morgan, Yalitza Garcia |
| 2013 | Maureen Binienda | Sabbatina Konadu |
| 2014 | Susan Mailman | McKenzie Gratton |
| 2015 | Phyllis Pollack | Tereza Ngendahoruri |
| 2016 | Maureen Gray | Katherine Esparza |
| 2017 | Patsy Lewis | Darhianys “Lula” Bethancourt |
| 2018 | Lucia Knoles | Vianna Mercedes |
| 2019 | Kathleen Orengo | Elizabeth Oluokun |
| 2020 | Liz Hamilton | Chantale Zuzi |
2021 Sponsors
Signature Sponsor:
Lead Sponsors:
Corporate Sponsor
Little House Capital
Saint-Gobain
UMass Memorial Health
Support Sponsors:
bankHometown
Bay State Savings Bank
Bowditch & Dewey
Coghlin Electrical
Cornerstone Bank
Country Bank
Fallon Health
Fidelity Bank
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care/Tufts Health Plan
Food and Wine Sponsor:
LLB Architects
Webster Five
Media Sponsors:
Imperial Distributors
Interstate Specialty Products
Kerri A. Melley, Commonwealth Financial Group
Notre Dame Academy
Pathways for Change, Inc.
Seven Hills Foundation
UMass Chan Medical School
UniBank
Worcester State University
Virtual Program Sponsors:
Assumption University
College of the Holy Cross
Main Street Bank
National Grid
Worcester Business Development Corporation
Member Celebrations
The Women’s Initiative hosts member events throughout the year to give thanks to the hundreds of annual members and meet new supporters. Join our mailing list or follow us on FaceBook to get information on our next member event.
