Member News
New Event!
Dolphin Head Dawn Walk & Sea Breeze Breakfast

October 17, 2020, 7:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

A beautiful 3/4-mile walk along the bluff path next to Port Royal Sound as the sun rises. Breakfast, Seabreeze punch and mimosas served afterward.

Annual Luncheon Now a Virtual Meeting
Unfortunately, the luncheon aspect of our annual meeting has been officially cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns and lack of facility availability. However, our Events Chair, Peaches Peterson, is currently working on a virtual option for our annual meeting, which will be held on the same date on which the luncheon was planned - October 28.

While we'll miss seeing you all in person at this event we've all come to look forward to, we promise the virtual event will still be informative and action-packed. Please be sure to save the date. More information will be sent to you soon.
Welcome Our New Advisory Board Members!
In our summer news bulletin, we sent you the Membership Chair slate to approve, which you did. Therefore, we're proud to announce that Kaye Black and Martha Anne McDonald are our new Membership Chairs.

Additionally, the advisory board appointed and unanimously elected Betty Irby to fill the space of Governance Committee Chair. Betty will fill the open governance seat for the remaining year of Laurie Burke’s term. We thank Laurie for her exceptional governance leadership!

Get to know Kaye, Martha Anne and Betty:
Kaye Black, Membership Cultivation Committee Chair


Martha Anne McDonald, Membership Records Committee Chair

Betty Irby, Governance Committee Chair
Women's Equality Day
In August 2020, we celebrated the 100 year anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The Amendment which gave women the right to vote was ratified on August 18, 1920, after Congress passed it on June 14,1919. 

Wisconsin was the first state to ratify the amendment on June 10, 1919, followed that day by Illinois and Michigan. Needing 36 states to pass, state-by-state drama evolved over the next year. It had passed the Senate in Tennessee, but the vote was tied in the House of Representatives. Breaking the tie was a young Harry Burn who had been leaning to a “no” vote, when he reversed course on the advice of his mother. Tennessee became the 36th affirmative vote, ensuring ratification.

South Carolina originally rejected the amendment on January 28, 1920, belatedly ratifying on July 1, 1969. Our state was not the last though. Of the 48 states at the time of passage by Congress, Mississippi was the last to ratify on March 22, 1984.

The adoption of the 19th Amendment in August of 1920 culminated decades-long work at the state and national levels to ensure women’s right to vote.

WIP members Margaret McManus, Elizabeth Loda, Anuska Frey and Mary Noonan participated in celebration of Women’s Equality Day at Mitchellville Freedom Park. All participating ladies were dressed in white to commemorate the suffragettes' movement 100 years ago, that brought about women’s right to vote.
WIP Grants in Action - Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton
On July 17, 2020, Elizabeth Loda (Advisory Chair) and Andi Purple (Grants Chair) attended the Bluffton Boys & Girls Club Explorers’ LEAD Summer Graduation. This program was funded as part of the 2020 Grant Theme, “Providing Enrichment and Readiness for at Risk Children.” In partnership with the Bluffton Police Department, the program provides education and career development for teens by exposing them to career opportunities in law enforcement and the consequences of poor decision-making, while also enhancing their life skills, and building character and leadership skills.   

The ceremony was held in the parking lot of the Boys & Girls Club to maintain social distancing; families and guests remained in their cars, tooting car horns throughout the program. After the national anthem, pledge of allegiance and a special prayer, Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka addressed the graduates. Certificates and awards were presented; and Bluffton Police Chief Chandler spoke words of wisdom directly to the graduates. Women in Philanthropy’s support was noted in the program and announced to the audience. 
Women in Philanthropy - Grants Theme 2021
Thank you to all members for voting for the theme: Providing New Major Initiatives to Assist in Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Our granting focus will be based upon your response.

1. Medical and Mental Health: 50% of votes
2. Education K-6, including Special Needs: 36.8% of votes
3. Employment Issues: 13.2% of votes
The WIP Membership Committee Needs Your Help!
Our member directory is a vital tool for WIP communications, and only you can tell us whether your information is correct. Do you have a new address, phone number or email? 

Please click on this link to the WIP member list and check your information. We will contact you in the next week or so to get your confirmation or corrections.

We request that you verify the following:

  • your name as it should appear in the directory (and on your nametag)
  • date of your last annual contribution to WIP
  • how contribution was made: check, credit card, transfer from a donor advised fund (if so, name of fund), stock transfer (if so, from what broker & name on account)
  • preferred phone number(s)
  • email address
  • physical address & residential community

NOTE: Annual contributions to WIP now cover a calendar year. Your 2020 contribution may have been made at the end of 2019 or any time in 2020. Your 2021 contribution will be due by January 15, 2021. If you prefer to do your philanthropic giving at year-end, just make sure you note that it is for the next calendar year.

One of our goals is to maintain an up-to-date membership directory, and we can’t do it without your help!
Important Membership Note

All members' 2021 contributions are due in January (calendar year). You may renew online by credit card, or by mail at Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, P.O. Box 23019, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925. If paying by check, please include a note in the memo line that says "WIP Membership Renewal."
Women in Philanthropy is a Fund of
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry