LIVING UNITED
2010, ISSUE I
The Women’s Leadership Council Builds Support and Momentum
The Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) is off to a fast start. Less than four months after its launch, the group has grown to 100 members, each with the passion and commitment to make a real difference in the community. Prominent local women have joined to lead the effort. Karen Days, president of The Coalition Against Family Violence and interim president of The Center for Child and Family Advocacy, Liza Kessler, partner-in-charge of Jones Day, and Beth Pritchard, consultant and former president and CEO of Bath & Body Works will serve as co-chairs of the steering committee. “The enthusiasm and energy from the women at our meetings has been tremendous,” said Tanny Crane, WLC chair. “Our members know the work of the WLC will change lives and they are willing to volunteer their diverse talents to make it a success.” On December 3, 2009 at the second meeting of the WLC, Julie Graber of the Institute on Women spoke about the income and educational inequalities women in Ohio face. The statistics paint a grim picture: • Ohio ranks 39th out of the fifty states and Washington D.C. in women’s educational attainment. Only 23% of the state’s women hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. • On average, women who work full-time over a 12-month period are paid only 74% of men’s wages. The women gathered that evening considered her points, then turned to small group discussions at their own tables. At their previous meeting, they decided the WLC could make the most difference by developing an
initiative that helps women achieve a level of financial stability that enables them to provide for themselves and their families. Educational opportunities emerged as a clear strategy for achieving that goal. Continuing on that theme, the members discussed the resources and opportunities women need to become successful, and the most effective ways the WLC could help. “This is one of the most hands-on giving groups I have ever worked with,” said Janet E. Jackson, president and CEO of United Way of Central Ohio. “WLC members don’t just want to give, they want to deeply understand the needs of women and create ways to make the greatest impact in their lives. Every WLC meeting I attend is a new inspiration for me.” To become a member of the Council, each woman pledged to contribute $1,000 over and above her current gift to United Way of Central Ohio. Any woman who makes her pledge before March 31, 2010 will be a founding member. To encourage younger women to become involved with the WLC, Alexis Jacobs, president of Columbus Fair Auto Auction, Inc., has provided a generous matching gift that will fund a step-up membership program, allowing 34 women 35 years old and under to join the WLC with a reduced commitment in the first two years. For more information on the Women’s Leadership Council, contact Dianne Biggs at dianne.biggs@uwcentralohio.org or 614.227.2734. To sign up for updates on the WLC’s work, see photos from past events, and more, visit liveunitedcentralohio.org/wlc.