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Women’s Fund of
Miami-Dade Annual Luncheon Demonstrates “The Power of
the Purse”
Over 1,000
women opened their purses for a good cause.
On April 19, 2007 runway fashion met philanthropic
giving at The 2007 Women’s Fund Annual Luncheon, The
Power of the Purse: Part I, which raised more than
$220,000 for Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade. Over 1,000
women (and a few good men) celebrated the power of
women’s philanthropy at this sold-out event by
participating in a silent auction of over 100 purses
donated by major fashion designers and local artisans.
Handbags in the auction came from Bottega Veneta, Etro,
Rene Ruiz, Gucci, Rafe, Kooba, Marc Jacobs, Henry Cuir,
Judith Lieber, Balenciaga, Prada, Valextra, le Sport
Sac, Michael Kors, Lucky Brand Jeans, Theory, Goyard,
and many more.
Luncheon participants delved into their own handbags to
enter the “All Dressed Up With Places to Go” raffle that
included a $10,000 gift certificate to Rene Ruiz
Couture, custom designed shoes by Morgan Miller, tickets
to any Carnival Center Presents performance, and a
two-night stay at The Four Seasons, Miami. Evelyn Axler,
of Pinecrest was the lucky winner.
“It is only appropriate for cutting-edge fashion to
support an organization doing cutting-edge work for
women and girls in Miami-Dade,” said local fashion
designer Rene Ruiz.
The Women’s Fund’s Annual Luncheon was again described
as Miami’s best networking event for corporate and
community leaders who understand the need to support
women and girls in our community. The luncheon also
highlighted the tremendous power and responsibility
women have to create change in our community.
“This is the most opportune time in our culture and
community for women to make a quantum leap forward to
create healthy, sustainable communities,” said Chris
Grumm, CEO and President of Women’s Funding Network, an
international organization of 120 member funds that are
committed to improving the status of women and girls
locally, nationally and globally. Women's Fund of
Miami-Dade is a member of the Women’s Funding Network.
Director of
Development, Tiffany Zientz, announced “The Power of the Purse”
Endowment Campaign with more than $550,000 already committed.
The campaign goal is $5 million.
“This is
an historic moment at the Women’s Fund. After 14 years
of magnificent work, we are creating an endowment now to
ensure that we continue serving our community for the
long term,” Zientz said.
Proceeds from the luncheon
will benefit the Women’s Fund’s grant making, advocacy
and community-building efforts that address the unmet
needs of women and girls in Miami-Dade County.
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L-R: Deborah Hoffman (Women’s Fund Board
Member), Chris Grumm (President, Women’s Funding Network and Keynote
Speaker), Zoila McLaughlin and Susan Fox Rosellini (Women’s Fund Grantee
Partners, Family Resource Center)
L-R: Ellen Shishko (Women’s Fund Board Chair), Deborah Koch (Gibraltar
Bank), Robin Johnson (Merrill Stevens, Erin Knight (Region’s Bank),
Jennifer Hunter (FPL), Julie Williamson (Akerman Senterfitt), Ann
Machado (Creative Staffing). Not pictured: Phillis Oeters (Baptist
Health South Florida), Evelyn & Norman H. Cohan.
Lalita Airan (Women's Fund Board Member)
and Janet Reno |
