Tickets now on sale for Women's Endowment Fund's 30th Anniversary Celebration
A reimagined event will feature National Geographic Media executive Debra Adams Simmons and Summa Health executive Tracy Carter
THIS IS A PAST EVENT
Tickets to the Women's Endowment Fund's 30th Anniversary Celebration are now on sale at www.akroncf.org/ForWomenForever. This year's event, hosted at the Akron Civic Theatre by former WKYC anchor Sara Shookman, marks a return to in-person celebrations held by the Women's Endowment Fund.
The Akron Civic Theatre will open its doors to guests at 6 p.m. on June 7, allowing guests an hour to walk through a timeline of the fund's history in the theater's arcade and mingle with friends while enjoying heavy hors d'oeuvres and beverages. At 7 p.m. guests will take their seats in the auditorium for a program including presentations from some of the fund's grant recipients; the keynote address delivered by Debra Adams Simmons, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at National Geographic Media; and the presentation of the 2023 Judith A. Read Tribute Award for Service & Advocacy for Women to Tracy Carter, System Director, Government Affairs and Health Policy at Summa Health.
The "For Women, Forever" event celebrates women's philanthropy and benefits the Women's Endowment Fund, which supports programs that improve the health and wellness, safety, and economic empowerment of women and girls in Summit County.
"We're celebrating a major milestone for the Women's Endowment Fund," said event co-chair Lashawrida Fellows, Deputy Director of Human Resources for the County of Summit Executive Office. "That's why we knew this year's event had to be different from anything we've ever done. After three years of meeting virtually, the board knew that everyone – the fund's supporters, founders and nonprofit partners – would benefit from a different event format that encouraged them to reconnect with one another and reflect on the history of women's philanthropy in Akron."
The theme of this year's "For Women, Forever" event is "Amplifying Our Voices." Women's Endowment Fund Advisory Board President Laura DiCola explained the meaning of the theme, saying, "This celebration is about growing and sustaining the impact of the fund for generations to come. As we look forward to the next 30 years and beyond, now is the time to amplify our collective voices to accelerate into the future. The fund is dedicated to lifting and amplifying the voices of the next generation of female leaders in Summit County who will build on the foundation that has been created and carry this work forward to create a legacy that truly honors our past."
Tickets for "For Women, Forever" are $75 for young professionals, $100 for an individual ticket, $175 for a patron ticket, and $1,000 for a VIP Package that includes four tickets to the event and special recognition in the event program. Tickets can be purchased until Monday, May 29. Sponsorships are still available and include tickets to the event, along with recognition in event materials. For more information about becoming a sponsor, contact Affiliate Fund Engagement Manager Deb Hoffman at 330-436-5614 or dhoffman@akroncf.org.
Also available this year is a commemorative custom-designed Women's Endowment Fund 30th anniversary pin created by local artist Leandra Drumm. The pin's design will be revealed at the end of the event. Pins can be purchased online or at the event for an additional $100 donation to the fund. For more information, visit the FAQ section of akroncf.org/ForWomenForever.
Major sponsors of this year's event include Leppo Rents, the Read Family, Roetzel & Andress, The J.M. Smucker Company, Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro's Department of Job and Family Services, FirstEnergy Corp., Acme Fresh Market, Akron Children's Hospital, Baird, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Myers Industries, and the Synthomer Foundation.
About the Women's Endowment Fund
The Women's Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation was established in 1993 as a permanent endowment committed to encouraging the advancement of women and girls in Summit County. To date, it has grown to more than $4 million and awarded more than $1.9 million in grants. Contributions of any amount are welcome and can be made online at www.akroncf.org/give/WEF or mailed to Women's Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation, 345 W. Cedar St., Akron, OH 44307. For more information, call 330-376-8522 or visit www.womensendowmentfund.org.
About Akron Community Foundation
Celebrating 67 years of building community philanthropy, Akron Community Foundation embraces and enhances the work of charitable people who make a permanent commitment to the good of the community. In 1955, a $1 million bequest from the estate of Edwin Shaw established the community foundation. It is a philanthropic endowment of nearly $260 million with a growing family of more than 800 funds established by charitable people and organizations from all walks of life. The community foundation and its funds welcome gifts of all kinds, including cash, bequests, stock, real estate, life insurance and retirement assets, just to name a few. To date, the community foundation's funds have awarded nearly $214 million in grants to qualified nonprofit organizations. For more information about Akron Community Foundation or to learn more about creating your own charitable fund, call 330-376-8522 or visit www.akroncf.org