Women’s Initiative

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.

2023 Events

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TUESDAYS WITH WI 

SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, November 28, 2023

5PM-8PM

Tilton Hall, Clark University

950 Main Street, Worcester, MA

Registration is required. Please click here to register: https://give.classy.org/TuesdaysWithWI

Our Guest:

Celia Johnston Blue

President & CEO, Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition (MAWOCC)

Moderator:

Joyce Augustus

Chair, DEI Committee & President, JCassand, Inc.

For more information Contact Leah Larson at leah.larson@unitedwaycm.org.

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.

 

Proudly supported by:

 

Past Women’s Initiative Events

STEPPING UP FOR GIRLS

 

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Hogan Center at College of the Holy Cross

One College Street Worcester, MA 01610

 

This event is 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.

 

The 2023 Lois B. Green Leadership Award was presented to:

Diane Giampa

EVP Human Resources, Marketing, Retail Banking at Baystate Savings Bank

 

The 2023 Meredith D. Wesby Young Leader Award was presented to:

Layla Zambrano

Student

Stepping Up For Girls Sponsors

Signature Sponsors:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead Sponsors:

 

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Corporate Sponsors:

Cornerstone Bank

Seven Hills Foundation

UMass Memorial Health

Webster Five

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

 

Support Sponsors:                                                                                                                            

Bank of America

Commonwealth Financial Group – Kerri A. Melley

Fletcher Tilton

Imperial Distributors

Main Street Bank

Pathways for Change

UMass Chan Medical School

UniBank

 

Signature Drink Sponsor:

Dream Big Wealth Strategies

 

Food & Wine:

The Hanover Insurance Group

Marketing Sponsor:

 

 

 

 

Media Sponsors:

 

Power of the Purse

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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

View 2023 event photo album on our Facebook page.

Stepping Up for Girls 20th Anniversary

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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

 

YEARGREEN LEADERSHIP AWARDWESBY YOUNG LEADER AWARD
2006Val LoringMonaye Leathers
2007Marcy ReedKatarzyna Koscielska
2008Marianne Felice, MDIris Sanxhaku
2009Suzanne PattonHanh T. Lam
2010Colleen O’BrienAndrea Siemaszko
2011Patty EppingerDianara Nagrone, Shaleah Morgan, Yalitza Garcia
2013Maureen BiniendaSabbatina Konadu
2014Susan MailmanMcKenzie Gratton
2015Phyllis PollackTereza Ngendahoruri
2016Maureen GrayKatherine Esparza
2017Patsy LewisDarhianys “Lula” Bethancourt
2018Lucia KnowlesVianna Mercedes
2019Kathleen OrengoElizabeth 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:                                                                                                                                        

hanover-insurance-group-logo

 

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:

Kerri A. Melley, Commonwealth Financial Group

Pathways for Change, Inc.

Point32Health

Sullivan Group

UMass Memorial Health

UniBank

Webster Five
Worcester State University

 

Media Sponsors:

 

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.

 

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