"This is an exciting and important milestone for both the AAUW Maryville Branch and the Women's Equity Foundation," said Harolyn (Harri) Ropp, president. "The branch has enjoyed enthusiastic support from the community for our educational efforts, and now we can broaden our monetary support even more by being able to accept tax-deductible charitable contributions."

The IRS designation culminates several months of planning and paperwork by the Foundation's board of directors. "It has been a long-standing objective of the AAUW Maryville Branch to create a non-profit organization through which we can continue to promote education and equity for women and girls in the state of Tennessee," Ropp said.

The first step was the incorporation of the Women's Equity Foundation in June, 2005, as a Tennessee public benefit corporation to implement the branch's current educational initiatives: an annual Sister to Sister Summit, the Women's History Month Issues Forums, and the AAUW Crystal Award.

However, Ropp said the Foundation may also develop other programs and activities for community outreach because the public has been so receptive to our efforts thus far. "As usual, it all boils down to money, and how well we do in our fund-raising," she said.

Donations and contributions are now being accepted. Donors may designate to which activity they are contributing, and may pay by credit card or PayPal account online at www.discoveret.org/aauwmvil/wef. Donation forms and instructions for mailing checks are available at www.discoveret.org/auwmvil/wef/donatemailform.htm.

For business/corporate sponsorships or bequests, contact Kathleen Sallee, treasurer, at 984-7856 or email aauwmvil@discoveret.org.

For more information, visit www.discoveret.org/aauwmvil or contact Ropp at 995-9065.

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