FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 14, 2008

Contact: Mara Leventhal, Women's Fund of Miami-Dade

Phone: (305) 441-0506

Email: mara@womensfundmiami.org

 

WOMEN’S FUND OF MIAMI-DADE ANNUAL LUNCHEON,
THE POWER OF THE PURSE: PART II

CONNECTS TO WOMEN WORLDWIDE

Friday, April 18, 2008
Hilton Miami Downtown (formerly Radisson/Omni)
1601 Biscayne Boulevard

MIAMI, FL – Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade’s 12th Annual Luncheon, The Power of the Purse: Part II¸ will be held April 18, 2008 at the Hilton Miami Downtown (formerly Radisson/OMNI) at 1601 Biscayne Boulevard, with attendance expected to approach 1,100 people. The event will feature a silent auction of 100 designer handbags; a “Global Marketplace” of Fair Trade products from all over the world; and an exhibition of the 45 organizations receiving Women’s Fund 2008 community grants all beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The luncheon program will begin promptly at 12:00 p.m., featuring Keynote Speaker Ritu Sharma Fox, President of Women Thrive Worldwide, a leading voice on international women’s issues and U.S. foreign policy. Ritu Sharma Fox and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen will hold a press conference before the luncheon, at 10:30 a.m., about the GROWTH Act, an innovative piece of legislation that would make U.S. development assistance more effective in addressing poverty by promoting economic opportunities for women and their families worldwide. Please contact Women’s Fund for materials about the press conference and the GROWTH Act.

Dolores Ziff, Honorary Co-Chair, will be recognized for her significant contribution to the Women’s Fund in the past year. Margarita Codina, Norka Munilla, Sharon Gurman Socol and Rhonda Smith are serving as the event’s Co-Chairs.

The theme of The Power of the Purse: Part II, "Celebrating the Power of Women to Connect Globally," builds on last year’s theme, "Celebrating Women’s Philanthropy." Every one of us, when we open our purses, has the power to seek and demand products made in ways that respect workers rights, provide a fair wage, and protect the environment. To heighten community awareness about Fair Trade products made by women, Women’s Fund 2008 Annual Luncheon, The Power of the Purse: Part II will:

• Promote Fair Trade companies on www.womensfundmiami.org and in the luncheon program book.
• Welcome Ritu Sharma Fox, as the luncheon Keynote Speaker.
• Offer Fair Trade items displayed with photos and stories about the women who made the baskets, jewelry, and art featured in the “Global Marketplace.”

This year’s major sponsors include: Baptist Health South Florida, Akerman Senterfitt, Merrill Stevens, Macy’s, Inc., Florida Power & Light, School Board Member Evelyn Greer, Evelyn & Norman Cohan and BlueCross BlueShield of Florida. Handbags donated to the silent auction include: Prada, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, Tory Burch, Jill Sander, Chloe, Burberry, Versace, Matthew Williamson, Lucky Brand Jeans, Juicy Couture, Calvin Klein, Botkier, Valextra, and many, many more. The handbags may be previewed on our website.

Tickets are $125 per person and are available online at www.womensfundmiami.org or by calling (305) 441-0506.