POWER OF THE PURSE IS

STRONGER THAN EVER

Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade

Raises More Than $360K at

Record-Setting Annual Luncheon

Miami, FL — The Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade Annual Luncheon on Friday, April 18, 2008 was the largest ever: raising more than $360,000 and attracting 1,100 women. It was the most money raised and highest attendance in the event’s 12-year history. Philanthropists joined non-profit and business leaders to celebrate the “Power of the Purse: Part II” at the Hilton Miami Downtown by learning about recipients of Women’s Fund grants, bidding on designer purses at the Power of the Purse Auction, and bidding on Fair Trade items in the Women’s Fund Global Marketplace.

Proceeds from the luncheon benefit Women’s Fund’s grant making, advocacy and community-building efforts addressing unmet needs of women and girls in Miami-Dade County.

This year’s theme, “Celebrating the Power of Women to Connect Globally,” emphasized Miami’s special role as an international city, with the power to make a difference throughout the world. In keeping with this theme, Women’s Fund partnered with Women Thrive Worldwide to highlight the GROWTH Act, a groundbreaking bill now before Congress that has the potential to help lift millions of women in the developing world out of poverty. Women Thrive Worldwide President and Co-Founder Ritu Sharma Fox gave a Keynote Address. During her moving speech she explained that she became an advocate for women’s rights around the world because both of her grandmothers died young due to discrimination and poverty.

Women’s Fund also partnered with the Fair Trade Federation to create the Women's Fund Global Marketplace, a silent auction featuring items made by women artisans from around the world, including Mexico, Kenya, Rwanda, Peru, Chile, and Haiti. The Global Marketplace was such a hit that bidding wars broke out. Many items sold well above retail value. For more information about the GROWTH Act, Fair Trade, and the Global Marketplace, please visit the Women's Fund resources page.

The Global Marketplace built on the popularity and success of the 2nd Annual Power of the Purse Auction of designer purses. Crowds gathered to admire and bid on purses of all sizes and styles. Handbags donated to the silent auction included: 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.

Daisy Gil of Coral Gables won the Membership Drawing, which was open to all Women’s Fund Members who made contributors of at least $100 between January 1st and April 18, 2008. The prize, a week’s stay at The Phillips Club, New York, was donated by Judy & Jordan Bittel. Gail Shivel of South Miami won the grand prize of the Women’s Fund Raffle, a seven night Caribbean cruise donated by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

“When each of us understands the power of our purse, we can connect globally to strengthen families, communities and the earth. At the Women’s Fund, we believe that the challenges facing women transcend borders and political parties,” said Claudia Kitchens, Executive Director of the Women’s Fund, the only organization in Miami-Dade solely dedicated to funding and supporting innovative gender-specific programs in this community.

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. “This luncheon is the place to be for women who want to make a difference in Miami. The commitment of key philanthropic leaders has created momentum, which led to this year’s record-breaking fundraising,” said Director of Development Tiffany Zientz Heckler. Women’s Fund works to build women’s philanthropy by empowering women to recognize their power to transform the world as philanthropists. The luncheon speakers emphasized the tremendous influence and responsibility women have to create change in our community.

Margarita Codina, Norka Munilla, Sharon Socol and Rhonda Smith welcomed guests as the event’s Co-Chairs. Dolores Ziff, Honorary Co-Chair, was recognized for her significant contribution to the Women’s Fund in the past year. She was given a bouquet of flowers and a beautiful basket made by a women’s collective in Africa. The colorful hand-woven baskets served as centerpieces for the luncheon tables and were available for guests to purchase after the event. At the end of the day, many guests walked out juggling several multi-colored baskets and items won at the silent auctions.

This year’s major sponsors included: Mentor Sponsor, Baptist Health South Florida and Advocate Sponsors, Akerman Senterfitt, Merrill Stevens, Macy’s, Florida Power & Light Company, School Board Member Evelyn Greer, Evelyn & Norman H. Cohan and BlueCross BlueShield of Florida.

About the Women's Fund: Women's Fund of Miami-Dade was founded in 1993 to fill the enormous funding gap that exists for programs addressing the unmet needs of women and girls. Since then, the Women’s Fund has supported, through money raised from local donors, over 250 local projects. Women's Fund’s grantmaking, advocacy and assistance to innovative gender-specific projects in Miami are creating social change that will have a lasting impact on the entire community. It is investing more than a half a million dollars in grants to local projects this year. For more information, please visit www.womensfundimami.org.