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Committed to our Mission to Empower
Women and Girls!
More than 1,800 Founders strong
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As Chair of the Fund for Women's Board of Trustees I am honored to be working with an
amazing group of women. In recent months I have been with: our board, the governance committee, the advocacy
committee, one of our county development committees, the grants committee, and at the sold out kick-off event
honoring our relationship with Brew HaHa!. I am finding our Founders enthusiastically committed to helping us fulfill our
mission to empower women and girls.
The Grants Committee has just finished their arduous task of carefully reviewing 100 grant requests for over $1
million. More than 40 Founder volunteers read and ranked the grant applications. Discussion about which grants would be funded took place
at the Dover Public Library and was a rich conversation. Incredible attention to detail helped people make the
difficult decision on how to invest our $190,000 for 2017. I especially valued hearing the conversations. One
Founder said, "I remember when I was a young girl and got my first pair of glasses and could really see" in
support of a program that provides glasses to school children. Another commented about how her daughter once
grew vegetables and would eat them. Around the table we had diversity in ages and career stages including a
research scientist, an executive director of a nonprofit, board members of other nonprofits, a medical doctor, a
lawyer, professionals, retirees and educators to name a few of the hats we wear. We are daughters, mothers, and grandmothers from all three counties -- a great representation of Fund for Women Founders.
The grant requests we couldn't fund far outweighed those we could fund, which reminds me why we must
continually encourage others to become Founders and encourage all who have completed their pledge to make
sustaining gifts.
Our Advocacy Committee comprises women who have been on the staff of our U.S. Congress, judges, lawyers and
activists.They are helping the FFW define our role--we know it won't be political but we will identify how we can
work in Delaware to make sure that barriers preventing the empowerment of women and girls are eliminated. During the
time I spent with them, I was in awe of their knowledge and passion. Their conversation was so enlightening and
empowering, and I was proud to be part of an organization where people would commit their most precious resource,
their time, to help others have a voice.
While I have focused on our wonderful Founders who have time to volunteer, I would be remiss if I didn't say, one of
the strengths of FFW, and what was key when I first became a Founder, is that we have no expectation of a time
commitment. We only expect for you to share the commitment to empower women and girls in Delaware through
your financial support. Our year-end campaign was our best yet and we have begun 2017 with more than 30 new
Founders bringing us to more than 1,800 Founders strong.
Thanks to you all.
Kay Keenan, FFW Chair
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FFW Board of Trustees
hard at work planning
for great things in 2017
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Brew HaHa! Wine, Beer and Food Event on Feb. 15th
More than 100 Founders and friends got together
to mix and mingle while tasting great food and drinking great wine, beer and signature drinks.
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We would like to give a special shout out to Alisa, a FFW Founder, who is donating
$1.00 to the Fund for Women from every bag of coffee purchased from Brandywine Coffee
Roasters sold at Brew HaHa! during the whole year of 2017.
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March was Women's History Month and while there are many
Founders that we could congratulate and feature, we have selected
two who have made tremendous strides in life in helping others:
Pat Saunders and Sally Hawkins
Founder Pat Saunders was honored in March by Delaware Technical and Community
College as a Senior Volunteer.
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L-R: Michele Whetzel, Kay Keenan, Susan Sherk, Pat Saunders,
Lu Johnston, Cynthia Primo Martin, Dr. Sharon Mossman
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The honor was bestowed because Pat, who as a
volunteer for FFW writes all those handwritten welcome notes to our new Founders, has
made her life a gift to others. Noted particularly is her care for friends and strangers,
her tutoring and mentoring of young people, her work at Friendship House's Women's
Drop-In Center, and her leadership of a $1.44 million capital campaign to renovate the
kitchen that serves 20,000 meals to homeless people every year, and the installation of
a new pipe organ. Pat says, "Being busy has always been important to me... I find
activities that allow me to use the skills that I was given. In this way, I hope other people
are helped while I achieve a sense of satisfaction."
Congratulations Pat - you are an inspiration to us all!
Founder Sally Hawkins was honored for her career and volunteer work recently by the University and Whist Club.
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L-R: Kay Keenan, Sally Hawkins and Susan Sherk
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Sally Hawkins, who became a Founder in
2000 was a leader in the Delaware media world, a
s the
C
EO of WILM Radio (a
CBS affiliate) for many years and a pioneer in what were then radica
l changes in
radio journalism.
In her volunteer life she served on the Board of the Delaw
are
Community Foundation, and was also an advocate for women to ensure they
were treate
d fairly.
She was honored on International Women's Day in part
because she was the first woman admitted to membership in the formerly all-
male bastion in 1988.
To celebrate her work on behalf of women,
Wilmington University announced the establishment of the Sally V. Hawkins
Advancement for Women Scholarship.
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Stewards of Children Training
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The Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children organization was created in honor of
the late Beau Biden, former Delaware Attorney General. He wanted to protect our children, and
the Foundation lives on as his legacy to continue that great work.
The Beau Biden Foundation offered the Stewards of Children® training to Fund for Women
Founders. There were two sessions. The first was held in Wilmington on Thursday, March 23, at the
Widener University Delaware Law School. The second was in Georgetown on April 19,
at the Brick Restaurant. The two-hour training consisted of teaching adults to prevent,
recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. It is based on Darkness to Light's 5 Steps
to Protecting Our Children which, like the Beau Biden Foundation, believes that protecting
children is an adult responsibility, and education is critical for prevention of child sexual abuse.
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Fund for Women celebrates
7th Annual
Fashion, Fun & Philanthropy Fashion Show
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The Fund for Women in Sussex held their 7
th
annual Fashion Show on Sunday, April 9
th
at the Atlantic Sands
with almost 200 people in attendance. Attendees enjoyed delicious food, drinks, raffles, and the fashion show.
Models walked the runway with evening wear, beach attire and even with Las Vegas style clothing, just to name a
few. The FFW grantee speaker was Kasiyah Tatem, who spoke about her experience at Pathways to Success
nonprofit organization.
FFW Founders and models showcased fashions from Candlelight Bridal in Millsboro, Cleo's and Simply Dressed in
Rehoboth Beach, Lady Fenwick in Fenwick Island, Deanna's & Piccolino, The Cottage and Twila Farrell in Lewes, and Coolspring Cottage located in Lewes and Milford.
Models this year were Estee Ciarlone, Lisa Condon, Jeannie Fleming, Sarah Gilmour, Bonnie Johnson, Michelle
Leeuwen, Leslie Mergner, Carolyn Newcott, Debbie O'Donnell, Kathy Pizzadili, Marylee Phillips, Sandy Roberts,
Dawn Sbriglia, Genevieve Slater, Laura Slater, Pat Tosi and Emily Yeager. Hair and makeup for the models was
graciously donated by Bad Hair Day?, Ally and Lexi from Bling Salon and Spa, and Kelsey Dunn with Motives. Music
was provided by Tyler Collins.
Congratulations to the 12 new Founders who joined the Fund for Women. They are: Fayetta Blake, Barbara
Freimuth, Erlene George, Marie LaRoca, Richard Legatski, Rhonda Lerner, Joanne Oliver, Jane Runey, Angela
Showell, Ginny Smith Morris, Dian Stein and Patricia Woll.
Congratulations to our new Business Founder Deanna's and Piccolino from Lewes.
1) Sandy Roberts and Bonnie Johnson
2) Debbie O'Donnell and Jeannie Fleming 3) Pat Tosi and Carolyn Newcott 4) Fayetta Blake and Kathy Kiernan 5) Leslie Mergner and Emily Yeager 6) Michelle Leeuwen 7) Deb Quinton and Lynn Kokjohn 8) Marylee Phillips and Sarah Gilmour 9) Laura and Evie Slater 10) Lisa Condon 11)
Kasiyah Tatem
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In 2010, after reaching the original
goal of 1,000 Founders, the Fund's Board of Trustees established a
new goal to grow the existing endowment by $1 million before the
Fund's 25
th
Anniversary in 2018. As of April 15, 2017, we now have
1,811
Founders. We are almost there. We are 207 Founders away
from hitting our 2018 goal.
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Join us for the 2017 Grant Awards Ceremony on May 18th at the Duncan Center, Dover, DE from 5:45 - 7:30 pm. Tickets on sale now!
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Driving Force Award goes to Jane P. Wilkie
Community Activist, Volunteer, and FFW Founder
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Through her hands-on volunteer work and her community outreach, Wilkie has helped increase charitable giving and grow services to Delawareans in need at many organizations including Epiphany House, Survivors of Abuse in Recovery, and the YWCA.
"Jane has singlehandedly recruited dozens of donors and raised thousands of dollars for both the Fund for Women and the YWCA," said Maria Taylor, a Fund for Women Founder and member of the YWCA board. "At SOAR, Jane has raised more money than any other individual or corporation," Executive Director Valerie Marek said.
Wilkie taught English as a second language at Delaware Technical Community College for 29 years before retiring in 2007. Upon retiring, Wilkie started building an endowment fund at the Delaware Community Foundation, donating each year until it was large enough to support a scholarship for international students.
Jane will be honored and receive the Driving Force Award on May 18th at the Grant Awards Ceremony to be held at the Duncan Center, Dover, DE.
Registration link above.
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New Castle County Garden Party
Wednesday, June 7
At the home of Karen and Dr. Dave Pensak
2207 N. Grant Ave., Wilmington, DE 19806
Questions: contact Kristen Kuipers 215-704-7980
Sussex County Garden Party
Wednesday, June 7
At the home of Kathy Kiernan
24006 Old Meadow Road, Seaford, DE 19973
Questions: Kelly Sheridan 302-856-4393
Delaware Art Museum Reception
Wednesday, July 26
2301 Kentmere Pkwy., Wilmington, DE 19806
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Curator tour of Matt Connor artist exhibit: Women in the workplace in the 50s and 60s. $35 pp / Light hors d'oeuvres and cash bar
Registration link will open approx. 1 month prior
Annual Philanthropy Breakfast
Wednesday, October 11
** New Location **
Chase Center, Wilmington Riverfront
7:30 - 9:00 am
Registration link will open approx. 1 month prior
Save the date!
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With your help we can do more to empower the
Women and Girls in Delaware -
invite a friend to become a Founder,
and if you have completed your original $1,000 pledge,
commit to
becoming a 2017 Sustaining Founder.
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Helpful Fund for Women Links
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Helping Women and Girls in Delaware
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