Women's Endowment Fund to honor Pamela R. Valentine at annual celebration
AKRON, Ohio (Oct. 15, 2026) – The Women's Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation invites community members and leaders to save the date for its annual "For Women, Forever" celebration on Thursday, April 8, 2027, at the John S. Knight Center. The event will be hosted by emcee Sara Shookman, a career journalist and founder of Storyglow Studio.
The evening will feature a special fireside chat with 2027 Judith A. Read Tribute Award for Service & Advocacy for Women recipient Pamela R. Valentine, a respected community leader, philanthropist, mentor and retired business professional whose decades of service have strengthened Greater Akron. During the conversation, Valentine will share her personal journey of leadership, philanthropy, mentorship and community impact.
A graduate of the University of Akron, Valentine built a distinguished career in accounting and finance, culminating in her role as senior accountant for Lockheed Martin, where she oversaw an annual budget of more than $1 billion. She later brought her leadership and passion for service to the nonprofit sector as the manager of major gifts for Girl Scouts of North East Ohio.
Throughout her career, Valentine has been a tireless advocate for educational opportunity, women's leadership, and community service. Her volunteer leadership has benefited numerous organizations, including the Women's Endowment Fund, Project GRAD Akron, ATHENA Akron, YWCA of Summit County, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Child Guidance & Family Solutions, and many others. Valentine's professional accomplishments and community impact have earned her numerous honors, including The Soul of Philanthropy Akron's Hidden Philanthropist Award and the University of Akron's Dr. Frank L. Simonetti Distinguished Business Alumni Award.
Named for one of Greater Akron's most influential philanthropic leaders, the Judith A. Read Tribute Award for Service & Advocacy for Women was established in 2016 to honor Judy Read's lifetime of service and extraordinary commitment to empowering women and girls. Presented annually to an individual or couple who exemplifies Judy's spirit of leadership, advocacy, and community impact, the award recognizes those whose dedication creates lasting opportunities for others.
"Through her decades of leadership across the nonprofit, philanthropic, faith and civic sectors, Pamela has strengthened organizations, advanced opportunities for women and girls, championed educational success, and mentored emerging leaders," said Alisa Benedict O'Brien, event chair.
Corporate and individual sponsorship opportunities for the event range from $2,500 to $25,000. For more information about becoming a sponsor, visit akroncf.org/ForWomenForever-Sponsorship or contact Affiliate Fund Engagement Manager Deb Hoffman at 330-436-5614 or [email protected].
Tickets to the event will go on sale in February 2027. To be one of the first to receive an invitation, register for the Women's Endowment Fund's e-newsletter at akroncf.org/WEFNews. More information about the event is available at forwomenforever.org.
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 $6 million and awarded nearly $2.7 million in grants. Contributions of any amount are welcome and can be made online at 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 womensendowmentfund.org.
About Akron Community Foundation
For 71 years, Akron Community Foundation has been our community's champion and generator of enduring philanthropy. In 1955, a $1 million bequest from the estate of Edwin Shaw established the community foundation. It is a philanthropic endowment of $367 million with a growing family of more than 930 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 $280 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 akroncf.org.