July 2017

Greetings!


Nothing’s better than summer in Vermont – the weather notwithstanding!

It’s been an exciting six months for the Vermont Women’s Fund and as we turn the corner on 2017, there is no let-up in our determination to fast-track women’s economic security in Vermont through the work of Change The Story (in collaboration with the Vermont Commission on Women and Vermont Works for Women). 

This important work is in addition to our commitment to seek out and fund excellent programs for young women and girls in Vermont to get them on a solid economic footing. A list of the 2017 grantees are available on our website.

As much as we want to bask in the glow of summer, we are already looking ahead to the fall and our annual celebration event planned for October 4 in Burlington at the UVM Davis Center. Please save the date and plan on attending!

And, if you are looking for inspiration, come to one of our July screenings of the film, Dream, Girl, a compelling documentary about women’s entrepreneurship. We’ve been showing this film all over the state (thanks to a donor who made it possible) and coupled with a panel discussion of local entrepreneurs, we are learning a lot about what it takes to make a go in business here in Vermont. See more details below.

Also, we couldn’t be more proud and honored to be the beneficiary of the Persist5K run/walk which took place on Mother’s Day this past May. The organizers, a group of women from Charlotte, put together an incredible event that raised over $13,000 for the Vermont Women’s Fund!  We thank them wholeheartedly and are so grateful for their support!

Happy summer to you all! 

Meg


Meg Smith, Director
Dream, Girl - a Film about women's entrepreneurship

Join us this month in Manchester or Waitsfield

 

Women’s entrepreneurship is a hot topic in Vermont these days!  We’ve seen a noticeable spike in interest from women who are eager to learn more about starting their own businesses and Dream, Girl is a great jumping off point. Thanks to the generosity of a Women’s Fund donor (and an entrepreneur herself), we are able to expand our first screening into a traveling film series to audiences across the state.

 

After each screening, we follow up the film with a panel of local women entrepreneurs who give their “boots on the ground” experience and answer some of the hard questions about what it takes to get a business going and growing. Find a screening near you this month!

 

Manchester – July 19

Manchester Community Library - FREE

5:00 pm – Pizza, refreshments, and networking

5:30 pm -  Film screening

6:45 pm -  Panel discussion featuring Lisa Kelly of Zen Revolution  VT; Rhonda Lathrop of Real Sport and Roundabout Fro Yo; Joy Proft of Joy All Things Underthings


Admission is FREE: Please register here to save a seat

 

Waitsfield – July 26

Big Picture Theater - $10 adults; $5 students

6:00 pm - doors open

6:30 pm - film screening

7:45 pm – Panel discussion featuring: Emily Doyle of Ursa Major; Leigh Phillips of Laughing Moon Chocolates; Wendelyn Duquette of Quick$tart


Buy your tickets for Waitsfield here

 

We know a lot more about the current status of women-owned businesses in Vermont, thanks to the research of Change The Story. Currently, women-owned businesses comprise nearly 1/3 of all privately held firms in the state. Many of these businesses are solo practitioners and their revenues are sharply lower than those generated by businesses owned by men. Imagine the potential for Vermont’s economy if we can inspire women to start their own firms and encourage existing women-owned businesses to grow?  
Thanks to our PerSisters

A huge thank you goes out to the PerSisters, a group of women who organized the Persist5K race/walk/march on Mother’s Day in Burlington! Inspired by the Women’s March in January, a group of women from Charlotte (who know each other from a boot camp class) organized the race to celebrate the spirit of the march and to help the Vermont Women’s Fund.  Over 400 people registered to run or walk on Burlington’s bike path on a slightly damp Sunday morning in May and in turn, raised over $13,000 for the Vermont Women’s Fund!

 

One quick glance at the photos (here and here) tells the story: fun, laughter, solidarity, and esprit de corps was the order of the morning and many mothers, daughters, and grandmothers ran together! 

 

It was a magnificent effort and the Vermont Women’s Fund is so grateful for the support! Also, special thanks to Skida, a women-owned Vermont hat company, who created a pink headband with an embroidered Persist5K logo to complement the event.

 

The PerSisters plan to host the race next year as well – you won’t want to miss it!  (If you are interested in organizing a similar Mother’s Day race, please get in touch with Meg)
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