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.
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
Virtual and In-Person at the Jean McDonough Arts Center (20 Franklin Street, Worcester)
5PM: Cocktail Reception (in-person)
6PM: Program (in-person and live streamed)
Suggested $100 WI membership donation
Download the 19th Annual Stepping Up for Girls invitation here.
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
For sponsorship opportunities, download the 2021 Stepping Up for Girls Sponsor Packet
Watch all the excitement from our 18th Annual Stepping Up for Girls Week-Long Virtual Celebration on November 10, 2020. Check out the recording on our YouTube page.
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 |
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
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 an auction of designer purses and engage with like-minded supporters.
4th Annual Power of the Purse Auction
June 8, 2021; 5-7PM
HONORARY CHAIRS
Marianne Felice, M.D.
Professor Emerita Pediatrics and OB/GYN, UMass Medical School and Former Chair Pediatrics, UMass Memorial Health Care
Tamara Lundi, MHA/LCSW
President, Community Healthlink, UMass Memorial Health Care
Thank you to all who supported the 4th Annual Power of the Purse! See photos from the event on our Facebook page.
2021 SPONSORS
Signature Sponsor:
Lead Sponsors:
Corporate Sponsor:
UMass Memorial Health
Support Sponsors:
bankHometown
Bay State Savings Bank
Bowditch & Dewey
Coghlin Electrical
Cornerstone Bank
Country Bank
Fallon Health
Fidelity Bank
Food and Wine Sponsors:
Lamoureux Pagano Associates | Architects
LLB Architects
Webster Five
Marketing Sponsor:
Media Sponsors:
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care/Tufts Health Plan
Imperial Distributors
Interstate Specialty Products
Pathways for Change, Inc.
Seven Hills Foundation
UMass Medical School
Worcester State University
Virtual Program Sponsors:
College of the Holy Cross
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.
