FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
contact: Lynnette Watts, Executive Director
Women's Foundation of Arkansas
ph. 501-537-0918
fax: 501-537-0755
WOMEN'S FOUNDATION OF ARKANSAS ANNOUNCES NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN FOR BROWNIE LEDBETTER CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AWARD
Little Rock, AR (March, 2011) - The Women's Foundation of Arkansas will host its 13th annual Power of the Purse luncheon on Friday, October 21st, 2012, in the Governor's Hall IV of the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. The WFA will announce its 2011 grant award winners, recognize its 2011 Woman of the Year, and, if a recipient is selected, the Brownie Ledbetter Civic Engagement Award winner.
For twelve years WFA has sustained the idea that improving the lives of women and girls in Arkansas ultimately improves the health and wealth of Arkansas' families and communities as a whole. In 1998, the Women's Foundation of Arkansas's grant-making fund was launched at a luncheon honoring Arkansas Business Publishing Group's Top 100 Women. WFA held its first Power of the Purse Luncheon in 1999 to announce the grants made possible with the generous gifts of its founders. WFA now holds this signature event each fall to inform attendees of what their gifts have made possible that year, honor accomplished women, announce the year's grant recipients, and open its upcoming grant cycle. Money raised from the luncheon allows WFA to continue making grants to deserving projects and programs that serve women and girls across Arkansas.
The Brownie Ledbetter Civic Engagement Award was established by the WFA Board of Directors in 2010 and announced at the 2010 Power of the Purse luncheon. Cal Ledbetter, Snow Ledbetter Moen and Grainger Ledbetter accepted the award and shared remembrances on Brownie's life and work. The Brownie Ledbetter Civic Engagement award honors the life and work of one of WFA’s Founders, Mary Brown (Brownie) Williams Ledbetter. It is not an annual award, but one which will be given only when that special woman distinguishes herself above all others within the state through her exemplary participation in the building and strengthening of her community. Brownie’s is not an easy example to follow, but the Foundation will be proud to recognize – in years to come - those women who display her values and dedication in their approach to community building. Nominations are sought from the public for a woman who deserves this award. The nomination criteria and nomination award form may be found on the WFA website at the Power of the Purse tab. Nominations will be accepted through April 8, 2011.
The Power of the Purse luncheon has become "the place to be" for professional women, community leaders, active philanthropists, aspiring women - and a growing number of men - from across the state who see participating in the luncheon as a way to help WFA pool charitable dollars, showing how one donor's "small purse" can create a "big impact" through everlasting change in communities across Arkansas.
The Women's Foundation of Arkansas is the only not-for-profit, statewide organization with the sole focus of developing the professional, economic and philanthropic potential of Arkansas women and girls by ensuring they have the necessary resources, tools, and knowledge to reach their full potential. In its twelve years of existence, the Women's Foundation of Arkansas has been a leader in making positive impacts for women and girls in Arkansas.
