Women Blog

As national statistics cite a growth in women’s philanthropy, United Way of Allegheny County’s Women’s Leadership Council Hosts 8th Annual Breakfast to raise awareness about the increasing power of women at home, at work and in the community.

“8 YEARS OLD. $11 MILLION RAISED. 1200 POWERFUL WOMEN. Share our vision. Join our cause.” That’s the powerful message that United Way of Allegheny County’s Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) will share at its Eighth Annual Breakfast on September 16, from 7AM to 9AM, at the Westin Convention Center Hotel (1000 Penn Avenue).

WLC Breakfast tickets are available for $10 per person or $100 per table (price includes breakfast). All tickets can be ordered on-line by going to www.unitedwaypittsburgh.org. For additional information, contact United Way of Allegheny County at 412-456-6753. Keynote speaker is Dr. Bertice Berry. Premier sponsor is Eden Hall Foundation. Signature sponsors are UPMC Health Plan and Citizens Bank.

Last year, United Way of Allegheny County’s WLC increased its membership by more than 25% and now numbers 1200 women strong. The leadership commitment is a significant one — each WLC member contributes an annual gift of $1000 or more in support of United Way of Allegheny County’s efforts to improve lives by addressing critical community needs. Since its inception in 2001, WLC members have collectively raised $11 million for United Way of Allegheny County. In the same period of time, Women’s Leadership Councils across the United Way system have jointly raised $559 million from more than 40,000 members in 125 communities nationwide.

National research consistently stresses the giving capacity of women and their philanthropic potential:

– In its most recent Personal Wealth Tables (2004) available, the IRS noted that 43% of the nation’s top wealth holders (defined as individuals with assets of $1.5 million or more) were women.
– In 2008, the Center for Women’s Business Research estimated there are 10.1 million privately-held, 50% or more women-owned firms generating $1.9 trillion in annual sales and employing 13 million people nationwide.
– According to Diversity Best Practices & Business Women’s Network, women are responsible for 83% of all consumer purchases.
– U.S. News & World Report (September 23, 2008) cited women’s preference for direct involvement in charitable work, as opposed to just donating money.

“Is this a movement that continues to grow in strength, impact and numbers? You bet it is!” remarked WLC Chair Diane Holder, President and CEO, UPMC Health Plan and Executive Vice President, UPMC. “Even in tough times like these, women throughout Western Pennsylvania are uniting. Moreover, what we are seeing is not only a growing commitment to philanthropic leadership, but also an active participation in the community by many WLC members.”

“Many of these women aren’t just donors, they are actively engaged in the work of United Way as volunteers, advocates and mentors. They are giving their time, energy, passion and commitment — in addition to their money — to make a difference in the life of someone in need,” adds WLC Co-Chair, Susan Baker Shipley, Head of Global Trade Finance, North America, The Royal Bank of Scotland\Citizens Bank. “Other women are seeing that impact and joining the cause.”

Dr. Bertice Berry, the Breakfast’s featured keynote speaker and a best-selling author, award-winning entertainer and comedienne, and sought-after lecturer shares the sentiment that community involvement “goes beyond just writing a check.” Berry, who has been featured on Oprah, The Tonight Show and 20/20, has created a niche as both a gifted speaker with a comic edge and a comic with a serious message. She will discuss the foundation for living a purposeful life at home, at work and in the community. “When you walk in purpose,” Berry says, “you collide with destiny!” (See attachments for Dr. Berry’s biography and photo or visit www.berticeberry.com)

The United Way of Allegheny County’s 8th Annual Women’s Leadership Council Breakfast is presented through the long-standing generosity of Premier Sponsor Eden Hall Foundation. Signature sponsors include UPMC Health Plan and Citizens Bank.

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP COUNCIL | Recognizing the Power of Women in Philanthropy

More and more, women are being recognized for their contributions in the areas of business, banking, science, medicine and community work. Despite great strides over the past decades, few women have understood their potential, individually and collectively, to make a difference as philanthropists.

The purpose of United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) is to recognize and promote philanthropic giving to and involvement in United Way among women. The Council unites women and demonstrates their power to effect positive change as philanthropists, role models, mentors and leaders in the Pittsburgh region. Since its inception in 2001, WLC has grown to 1200 members and collectively raised $11 million for United Way of Allegheny County.

Source: United Way of Allegheny County

Terri Billington, an ActionCOACH Business Coach and franchise owner, won the WA Woman of the Year award from the Franchise Council of Australia

On August 28, the Franchise Council of Australia announced the WA winners of the MYOB Excellence in Franchising Awards at the Burswood Entertainment Complex. One of the winners was ActionCOACH’s Terri Billington, who has been a franchise owner since December 2005. She has also been a Business Coach since the same year.

“It is a massive honor to receive this award, and totally unexpected,” Billington said. “This award means so much to me. I am extremely proud to be the recipient of it and am looking forward to representing ActionCOACH and women in franchising at the National Awards in October.”

All the regional winners of the Franchise Council’s franchise awards will be up for the title of national winner at the Gala Awards night on October 21 as part of the National Franchise Convention in Perth.

Just last July, Billington was ranked 35 in ActionCOACH’s worldwide list of top 100 Business Coaches, and she has won three ActionMAN awards. Earlier this year at ActionCOACH’s Asia Pacific Conference, Billington was a finalist for the Coaches’ Choice NetworkCOACH award, and she is a current finalist in the Telstra Business Women’s Awards.

Billington said that by winning the Woman of the Year Award, she now has more confidence and credibility. “I have found that it is important to business owners that they deal with a coach who not only has experience but has also achieved a level of success,” she said. “Winning this award, along with being the number one female ActionCOACH globally, has certainly added massive value to me and my business.”

Billington may never have joined ActionCOACH had she and her husband never hired one. She credits Leisel Speranza, who coached her and her husband in their business, with inspiring her to follow her passion and become a Business Coach.

“I am extremely passionate about my ActionCOACH business and, in particular, inspiring women to be successful in business, both within ActionCOACH and externally,” Billington said. “I truly hope that winning this award does make a difference to the ActionCOACH world, as I believe that we can all make a massive difference to the business world. The more the ActionCOACH brand is out there, the easier it is for business owners to find us. ActionCOACH is an amazing business and provides amazing support.”

Source: ActionCOACH