Every day, the National Women's Hall of Fame staff hears from its visitors who learn about the achievements of Inductees and exclaim, “How did I not know about this person before now?”
Sadly, women have been left out of the history books. Their contributions are not always valued or they were forgotten.
But not Beverly! In her honor, Ithaca City School District's Central Elementary School was renamed Beverly J. Martin Elementary School, in 1992, the year before she died.
Beverly was born in Ithaca and raised in her lifelong home at 205 2nd Street.
Some of her accomplishments include she was the first Black senior class president at Ithaca High School (in 1953). She later became the first Black school administrator in Ithaca.
In a community famous for its educators, Beverly Jane Martin was a standout!
Jessye Cohen-Filipic, a licensed psychologist and Associate Professor at Ithaca College currently oversees behavioral health services at REACH (Respectful, Equitable, Access to Compassionate Healthcare) Project. Her focus in REACH's behavioral health services is in harm reduction health equity medical practice. Her specialized training in evidence-based therapies helps individuals with PTSD, substance use disorders, and complex medical issues, includes training in motivational interviewing, recovery coaching, harm reduction in behavioral health, working with LGBTQ clients, and integrated primary care.
In addition to her professional work, Jessye has viewed systemic problems through the lens of a foster parent for the past 10 years.
Jessye has been involved in mental illness stigma-busting since she was 16 and in disability rights advocacy in recent years.
Phew! As you can see Jessye is passionate about equitable access to behavioral health services. Thank you for joining our Board!
Peter Vercillo, President of Dryden Mutual Insurance Co., is pleased to be a long-time generous supporter of Community Foundation of Tompkins County.
"We strive to support the community in which our employees, agents and policyholders live. Being a good corporate citizen in our home town of Dryden and the various communities we conduct business in is at the core of every decision we make. As a result, we are currently in the process of adding another value within our mission statement to clearly define our commitment to the community." - Peter Vercillo, President
Join us in thanking and recognizing the work and charitable impact of local business owners, like Peter Vercillo and Dryden Mutual Insurance.
Our Communities Thrive Thanks to Donors
Why a Rural Fund?
Tompkins County tends to have many Ithaca-centric services. A very generous donor, Sarah Johnson, recognized this need and created a fund with $20,000 to improve access to services and enhance activities that better the quality of life for rural residents.
Our Rural Neighbors Fund donor recently sold property and added significant assets to the fund.
She is hopeful this inspires your philanthropy to think about what you care about and enhance our community.
This gift into Community Foundation's Field of Interest Fund, ensures the longevity and sustainability of the gift. Meaning it has the ability to provide enriching services to members of our community for years to come.
Working with the Community Foundation has a number of benefits for you and our local community.
George Ferrari, Community Foundation CEO said, “The Foundation exists to manage endowments and to provide others with endowment management services. We are familiar with the specific operational needs of nonprofit organizations and are available to provide guidance beyond endowment management. Let us show you how we deliver investment expertise, competitive fees, community knowledge and excellent customer service."
International Women’s Day fell on March 8; the day aims to draw attention to women’s achievements and the fight for gender equality. In celebration, the Women’s Fund, Chaired by Sheila Squier, held an educational event with Ithaca College’s Dr. Susan Salahshor, founding Program Director for Ithaca College’s Physician Assistant Program. She discussed local and global healthcare inequities that impact our lives in Tompkins County. She engaged guests in a conversation around galvanizing advocacy for ourselves (women) moving forward from the program.
Dr. Salahshor is a healthcare professional, Jamaican, a mother, a daughter, married to a Puerto Rican man. She spoke of these experiences including how healthcare as child in another country helps shape her decisions now. As a woman, she looks for women providers in every aspect of her care, “I need someone who understands my lived experience”. READ MORE... or
By working together, we can provide easier access to grants, while also keeping our administrative costs down.
In 2022 our impact in Tompkins County was $4.47 million (Community Foundation $2,686,092 and UWTC $1,787,188).
Thank you, United Way of Tompkins County, for all that your donors, volunteers, and staff do to strengthen our communities.
People helping people.
Grantee Story
GIAC Black History Month Annual Showcase
Back in-person for the first time in three years, Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) held their annual Black History Month Showcase in February at Ithaca College’s Ford Hall. It was a night of celebration, festivities, and lively music. See video clips HERE, HERE, and HERE.
This was made possible in part by a grant from the Community Foundation.
Welcome Ying Lin Zhao, Community Data Analyst
Enjoy this quote from our newest Cornell Intern making a difference close to home:
“I'm a first-year student at Cornell University, enrolled in a double major-mathematics and statistical science. I'm from the mixing pot of mixing pots – New York City. Therefore, I've always enjoyed working with diverse groups of people – for they each bring a unique streak of color to the art piece called community.
I feel a sense of reward when I contribute to communities I'm a part of. In New York City, I've worked with organizations to help educate youth and met and learned from a lot of wonderful people. In Cornell and Tompkins County, I aspire to continue to help better my local communities and to meet and learn from people of diverse backgrounds.
My position as the Community Data Analyst at the Community Foundation offers a perfect fusion of my love for numbers and my love for the community; through this opportunity, I hope to better myself and help better this community we all love.”
