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:
Corporate Sponsors:
Cornerstone Bank
Seven Hills Foundation
UMass Memorial Health
Webster Five
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Support Sponsors:
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
View 2023 event photo album on our Facebook page.
Stepping Up for Girls 20th Anniversary
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.
