Empowering Women & Girls
A message from WPF Foundation President, Jean Pudlo
The WPF Foundation board works year-round to be responsible stewards of your gifts in support of empowering women and girls. At our May meeting, you’ll discover what’s happening this year as we hear from our 2021 grantees and announce the 2022 grantees.
The organizations and programs we support have been working to empower women and girls this past year. In one, teen girls who have experienced trauma learned how to process their experience so they could begin to look forward in their lives. Immigrant women and teen girls, in two different programs, learned how they could advocate for themselves, their families, and look forward to what their lives in American can be. And women entrepreneurs learned how to manage their business as they look forward to growth and success.
Your support last year, and for many years, has made this possible. Thank you!
We revised our grant making process this year, and made sure the word got out. We received a record breaking 34 grants and so the choices were hard, but also became quite clear.
On May 11, you will learn the three leadership programs we will be supporting this year – including an organization who will conduct two groups of Girls Leadership Edge – developed by WPFF members and the Center for Creative Leadership. Two other programs will provide professional development for current and potential women entrepreneurs. Again, our programs will help women look forward.
Our grant giving increased to $27,000 this year from $24,000. Thanks to your tremendous support and a boost from WPF’s savings from 2020 and 2021, we were also able to add $30,000 to our endowment this past year.
Your WPF Foundation Board of Directors is 100% committed to our mission of empowering women and girls, and each has already made a gift or pledged their support for 2022 to the Foundation. We invite YOU to join our Board with a gift – and together we can empower more women to look forward to success in their lives. It’s easy to give! We’ll be announcing our new Text To Give option, as well as have pledge forms at available at our May meeting – OR – you can donate securely online anytime at https://wpforum.org/donate/
When this Foundation was started decades ago, I’m sure our founders hoped for opportunities to support women in our society to advance their careers and grow, and we have made some impact. But we also know that many barriers for women still exist, as we try to progress in careers that will support our families and seek ways to lead in our communities. The Foundation’s work continues to provide opportunities that may not otherwise exist, thanks to you.
Kim Cummings Eder will be hosting our May meeting. A long time ago, I scheduled a vacation and unfortunately, will not be able to join you. She and other board members will update you. Thank you to Kim, and fellow board members: Andy Bunn, Dee Blake, Chandra Hackenbruch, Robin Hager, Frenesa Hall, Keyshia Gray, Susan Russell, Nicole Hayes, Altina Layman, Jennifer Mencarini, Kate Panzer, Murphy Sullivan and Jody Susong. They are a great team!
May Meeting…Wednesday, May 11, 2022
WPF Foundation Annual Report
Join us on May 11 as we celebrate the work of our WPF Foundation to Empower Women & Girls in Greensboro and Guilford County. We’ll hear from our 2021 grant recipients as well as announce the organizations and programs that, thanks to your donations, we will support this year. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of women and girls in our community, doing the groundwork to foster and mentor the next generation of women leaders.
2021 Grant Recipients
- Communities in Schools of Greater Greensboro $5,600 for a workshop to address the impact of trauma on teenage lives and how to respond and adapt.
- The Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship $2,400 for a 3-month one-on-one mentoring program for women business owners.
- New Arrivals Institute $6,000 for the RISE program to educate and empower young immigrant women through education and support.
- UNCG Center for New North Carolinians $10,000 for the WOMEN initiative to provide technology and support, focusing on English language skills, digital literacy for Umoga Women’s Group.
2022 Grant Recipients
To be announced on May 11! Don’t miss it!
UPCOMING MONTHLY MEETINGS
June Program
Robin Davis, founder and owner of Maxie B’s Bakery, will be speaking to us about Homegrown National Park – a garden revolution to incorporate native plants into your lawn. She is an active member of the Native Plant Society and has developed a Certified Wildlife Plant Habitat right outside her store.
August Program — Calling all WPF writers!
We are putting together an interactive program for August and would like to use WPF published authors as table facilitators. Whether you published a novel, memoir, non-fiction or children’s book, please contact rsgrabon@gmail.com. We promise to make it fun. Thanks so much.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE NEWS
from Jody Suson, Chair
Reminder: Membership applications are due June 1st. Be sure that your prospective new members have attended a WPF luncheon meeting with each of her sponsors, a total of three meetings, within the twelve months prior to the application. We have updated our Membership Application Form which can be found on the website along with the Sponsor Form.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. We are so excited to welcome and get to know the new class of members for 2022!
QUESTIONS?
Contact JodySusong at jsusong@triad.rr.com
Special Interest Group Upcoming Events
SERVICE TO OTHERS
Tuesday, May 10 @ 6:00-7:30 pm
The Family Room
204-C South Westgate Dr, Greensboro, NC 27407
The mission of The Family Room is to love, encourage and support families who foster and the children in their care. They provide resources include clothing, toys, beds, diapers, wipes, and formula. The goal is to never have a family have to say no to a placement because they don’t have what the kids need. Our time will be spent sorting and organizing some of these resources. Visit their website at https://familyroomtriad.com/ if you would like more information. Please RSVP to Jody Susong jsusong@triad.rr.com or Amy Baradell amyb@windowworksstudio.com. For those who would like, we will head out for dessert afterwards.
BOOKS & ARTS
Wednesday, May 11 6-8 PM
Folk A’Fare at Elm & Bain, 620 S. Elm Street
There are still some tickets available for the NC Folk Festival fundraiser Folk A’Fare. It is a culinary event that honors global food traditions and tantalizing cuisines created by chefs in the Greensboro community – presenting their signature dishes and showcasing our city’s rich and diverse dining scene.
The event is a little pricey ($100/ticket) but proceeds help to keep the 3-day Festival free plus it entitles you to sample food from a number of Greensboro’s Ethnic restaurants. It is a fun way to see friends, experience great food and support the Folk Festival.
Participating restaurants include: – Chicken Bee – Jamaica Coast Catering – Sofrito Latin Innovation Kitchen – Crafted, The Art of the Taco – Empanada Grill – Koshary – Manny’s Universal Cafe – The Historic Magnolia House – Steven’s Banh Mi – Zaytoon Mediterranean Grill – Radici Desserts from: – Amoroso’s Bakery – Luche Libre Ice Cream & Churros.
If you are interested in joining those of us who are planning to attend, go to ncfolkfestival.com/folkafare and purchase your ticket, then let Michele Smith know at msmith@hillevans.com, so that WPF members attending can watch out for each other.
WORKING MOMS
Tuesday, May 17 @ 4:00 PM
Dram & Draught
300 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27406
Join the Working Moms for afternoon drinks as we gather to support each other.
Please RSVP to Marlee at marleegfoster@gmail.com or 336-235-1596.
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DINING OUT
Wednesday, May 25 @ 6:30 pm
Green Valley Grill- 622 Green Valley Rd.
This month’s gathering will be hosted by Susan Watson. RSVP to Amy Meinecke at diningout@wpforum.org.
WOMEN OF WALL STREET
Friday thru Sunday, May 13-15
New York City
This is our annual trip to NYC and is always lots of fun! Anyone in WPF is welcome to join us. Please contact Peggy Ward at peggy.ward8@icloud.com if you are interested.
Thursday, May 19 @ 6:00 pm
Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church
2600 Pisgah Church Road, Greensboro
This is our quarterly business meeting and we will review the companies in our portfolio. Please enter the church through the door marked “Welcome Center” which is on the left as you face the church. Please plan to attend. Contact Peggy Ward at peggy.ward8@icloud.com if you have any questions.
BOOKS & ARTS
Greensboro Bound Literary Festival
May 19-22, 2022
The University Libraries is proud to announce, in partnership with Greensboro Bound Literary Festival, “An Evening with Amor Towles” Thursday, May 19 @ UNCG in the Cone Ballroom of the Elliott University Center (EUC). A New York Times bestselling author, Towles is best known for his bestselling novels Rules of Civility, A Gentleman in Moscow, and The Lincoln Highway.
You must register for this event in advance, but there is no assigned seating – please register here: An Evening with Amor Towels
Nancy Radtke at nancy.radtke@allentate.com and Micheline Chalhoub-Deville at mbchalho@uncg.edu are coordinating rides. If you would like to be a “Driver” or a “Rider” please let Nancy know. If you want to get to the Cone Ballroom on your own steam, let her know that too!
Doors to the event open at 6:30 PM; the program begins at 7:00 PM. We can assemble carpool rides from the Belk Parking lot at Friendly Center at 5:30 pm. We’ll then park at UNCG and meet at The Old Town Draught House on Spring Garden Street (there may be time for a beverage if we get there early enough). Then walk over to the Cone Ballroom.
Free parking can be found in the Walker Avenue Parking Deck located at 506 Stirling Street. Transportation from the parking deck to the EUC will be available for those with mobility challenges.
Event goers will have an opportunity to purchase copies of Towles’ work and get one book signed by him after the event. Make sure your driver is willing to wait for you!
Masks are not required for this event. So far we have about 10 people signed up – room for plenty more!
NEW SIG!
Ladies of Leisure (LOL) Retired
Thursday, May 12 @ 3:00 pm
Tea at the O’Henry
We are pleased to announce a new SIG designed to create connection opportunities for retired WPF sisters. This SIG will sponsor social outings arranged periodically that are of interest to the group, with frequent focus on events that occur during week days. It may also include gatherings for the purpose of sharing educational topics and activities that are pertinent to retirees. All are welcome regardless of WPF membership category. Those with flexible work schedules are also welcome to participate.
Our first outing, will serve as a planning session, We have 8 seats and ask that you please send your RSVP to retired@wpforum.org.
For more information, please contact Maria Hanlin, Jane Hewitt, or Christie Soper.
Don’t forget to Vote on Tuesday, May 17th
Early voting is open now until May 14th
Races on the May 17, 2022 statewide primary include:
• U.S. Senate and House of Representatives • N.C. Supreme Court and Court of Appeal
• N.C. General Assembly • Local Government and Municipal Contests
The upcoming Guilford County primary election ballot will include a proposal for a $1.7B school bond that will address critical safety and maintenance needs in our schools, as well as a fraction of a penny (0.25%) sales and use tax to help fund it. This bond builds on the initial investment from the $300M bond passed in 2020 to provide upgrades at every school in the District. Visit https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/administration/2022-bond-information#ad-image-4 for more information.