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OUR MISSION ...
The Women's Equity Foundation was established in 2005 to provide
positive, energizing programs promoting opportunities for all women and
girls through community outreach education and activities. Our goal is
systemic and cultural change. National, state, and local research
defines equity issues in Tennessee for which the Foundation makes
recommendations for connecting the research to the implementation of
solutions.
We believe we are one of the few AAUW
branches in the U.S. who have established a non-profit supporting
mechanism through which we may obtain funding for educational pursuits.
AAUW is a nationwide grass roots
organization of 130,000 college graduates founded in 1881 and dedicated
to promoting educational equity for all women and girls.
Since 1990, AAUW has supported an Initiative for
Educational Equity, providing groundbreaking research on gender equity,
education and sexual harassment.
The AAUW Maryville Branch, established
in 1942, has conducted programs
for women and girls to promote leadership, education on the status of
women in Tennessee and recognition of the accomplishments of women in
the community who serve as role models for girls.
The Women’s Equity Foundation has been organized to further
promulgate AAUW research in East Tennessee and provide outreach
activities to implement the research.
By partnering with various coalitions
in Blount County and East Tennessee, the Women’s Equity Foundation is
able to maximize resources. Our Foundation is an
outgrowth of projects begun by AAUW Maryville Branch in 2000. The Branch
continues to provide needed volunteers to staff these projects with
strong support from Maryville College, all three Blount County school
districts, and several other non-profit organizations.
An annual an all-day conference
designed to give girls in grades 7 through 12 the opportunity to
discuss issues that adversely affect their lives and develop a Plan
of Action to elicit change in the community.
A joint project
of AAUW and the League of Women Voters of Blount County to encourage
new voters and "drop off" voters to become informed on national
issues and to vote in the 2008 Presidential Election.
A series of Issues Forums held
during Women's History Month each year. Issues highlighted in the
past have included Taking Back the Night through Justice, Women and
Political Participation, Women Working for World Peace, and Why is
Tennessee 50th in the Status of Women
The National
Conference for College Women Student Leaders is a two-and-a-half day
conference to help students hone leadership skills for their work on
campus and in their communities.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
...
Having received 501(c)(3) status from the
IRS, the Women's Equity Foundation is allowed to accept tax-deductible
gifts and apply for a variety of grants. WEF will continue to pursue a
secure funding base that can support initiatives to promote equity and
education for women and girls in the State of Tennessee.
With a phenomenal membership growth
since 2000, opportunities for making a difference in the lives of Blount
County women and girls are real, and immediate.
Personnel ...
All directors are volunteers; there are no paid
staff positions. The nine-member WEF board of directors is comprised of
women who are leaders in their chosen vocations as well as in their
communities. All Directors are members of AAUW Maryville.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Harolyn Ropp, President
Kathleen Sallee, Treasurer
Millie Flood, Secretary
Terry Bradley, Director/Development Chair
Patricia Clark, Director/Media Chair
Brianna Cook, Director
Kathie Shiba, Director
Ruth Johnson Smiley, Director
Rebecca Vial, Director
Ex Officio
Vandy Kemp - President of AAUW Maryville Autumn Hall - Issues Forums/Crystal Award
CONTACT US ...
If you would like to volunteer to work on
one of our projects or become a member of the WEF Board of Directors,
write to the Women’s Equity Foundation at
aauwmvil@discoveret.org.
