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.
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TUESDAYS WITH WI
Tuesday, April 11th; 5-7PM
Pepe’s Italian Restaurant
Join us for good food, networking, and conversation!
Come mingle and join us for food, drinks, and networking. Drop by and bring a friend to introduce them to the Women’s Initiative.
Bring a purse to donate to Power of the Purse and receive a FREE drink ticket.
Appetizers courtesy of the Women’s Initiative. Cash bar available.
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.
6TH ANNUAL POWER OF THE PURSE
June 6, 2023; 5-7PM at NOTRE DAME ACADEMY
Join the Women’s Initiative for a fun evening of camaraderie and solidarity to ignite positive change for women and girls. Enjoy a silent and live auction of designer purses and bag packages, and network with like-minded supporters. Early silent auction bidding will start online June 5th at 12 PM.
Power of the Purse raises critical funds for gender specific programming and financial literacy education that ensures more girls in our community receive a foundation for a strong and successful future. The Women’s Initiative is celebrating 20 year of igniting positive change for girls through philanthropy and women’s leadership.
Honorary Chairs
Jean Beaupre, ED.D., Nichols College
Jennifer Davis Carey, ED.D., Worcester Education Collaborative
Jessika Zequeira, Shine Initiative
Viviana Abreu-Hernandez, PH.D., Quinsigamond Community College
View 2022 event photo album on our Facebook page.
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 the positive impact we as a community have made in support of girls and women.
View 2022 event photos on Women’s Initiative’s Facebook page.
2022 WOMEN’S INITIATIVE AWARD HONOREES
Lois B. Green Leadership Award
Shauree Allotey
Director of Operations, Boys & Girls Club of Worcester
Meridith D. Wesby Young Leader Award
Morgan Johnson
Student and Social Justice Activist
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 Knowles | Vianna Mercedes |
| 2019 | Kathleen Orengo | Elizabeth Oluokun |
| 2020
2021 |
Liz Hamilton
Linda Cavaioli |
Chantale Zuzi
Génesis Márquez Campos |
20th Anniversary Year Sponsors
20th Annual Stepping Up For Girls Sponsors
Lead Sponsor:
Corporate Sponsors
Bank of America
Little House Capital
National Grid
Saint-Gobain
Seven Hills Foundation
UMass Chan Medical School
Unum
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Support Sponsors:
Bay State Savings Bank
Coghlin Electrical
College of the Holy Cross
Cornerstone Bank
Fletcher Tilton
Fontaine Bros.
Imperial Distributors
Main Street Bank
Marketing Sponsor:
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.
