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It’s an exciting time to be a part of United Way!

PJ MitchellThat is why I am honored to be serving as the Chair of the National Women’s Leadership Council, a group of twenty-four dynamic business and community leaders who are committed to igniting the power of women to advance the common good. Through focusing energy of Women’s Leadership Council on three key areas, we are helping to create long-lasting changes that address the underlying causes of root problems.

The United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council seeks to improve people’s lives by mobilizing the caring power of women in our communities. Members of Women’s Leadership Councils improve people’s lives by making a personalfinancial commitment, advocating for issues important to them, and taking a leadership role in advancing United Way’s work.

More than 100 communities have Women’s Leadership Councils, each reflecting the uniqueness of its community, United Way and membership. With more than 30,000 members nationwide, we are excited by what our collective power can achieve. Thank you for what you have done if you have already become a member, we have a lot of work ahead. If you have not yet become a member, we invite you to join us. Visit you local United Way and find out if they have a Women’s Leadership Council. If not, we are happy to help you start one.

One of our founding leaders, Dr. Johnnetta Cole, once said, “The ultimate expression of leadership is service to others.” At United Way Women’s Leadership Council, we lead and serve together. Along the way we build friendships, have some fun, and most importantly – we are part of the change. Thank you for Living United!

-- PJ Mitchell
Vice President, Global Sales and Operations, IBM Corporation
Baltimore, MD

Getting Involved

GIVE

There are many ways to make a difference in the community. Women’s Leadership Councils recognize that there is considerable power to make change and improve lives in making a personal financial commitment. That is why we have set an aggressive goal of raising $100 million nationally by the end of 2008. We know that investing our dollars is a core element of the equation to make successful communities a reality. We give and ask that you do, too!

ADVOCATE

Members of Women’s Leadership Councils know that advocating takes several forms. From learning what is really happening in the community and discussing those problems and United Way solutions at a neighborhood barbecue, to giving formal speeches at large events, to meeting with Members of Congress, our collective voice is another key element to advance the common good. Raising awareness of a problem helps to engage the entire community in the solution.

One way that Women’s Leadership Council’s advocated for the common good was to travel to Washington, DC, On February 28, 2008 over 120 Women’s Leadership Council volunteers and staff held over EIGHTY meetings with their member of Congress. By being there together, we made amazing impact. Watch Maria Blet’s video to have an idea of the day’s excitement . .

VOLUNTEER

Leadership is core to the success of Women’s Leadership Council. Creating long-lasting change in the areas of education, financial stability and health will require focused, boundless, tireless leadership. Many people think of the word volunteering as limited to painting a fence or something similar. Women’s Leadership Council members recognize that while these activities are critical – volunteering is also serving on nonprofit boards, providing guidance on strategic plans, mentoring, finding ways to provide leadership to your community in partnership with your United Way. Women’s Leadership Council members volunteer. Women’s Leadership Council members lead.

National Women’s Leadership Council Capitol Hill Day – 2008

National Women’s Leadership Council  icon_pdf

More than 120 women representing United Way and their Women’s Leadership Councils descended on Capitol Hill on February 28 to make some noise and to make a difference for communities.  Prior to the day, half of the participants had never met with their Congressional offices.  For them, this was a new experience in learning how Congress gets business done.  For everyone, it was a great experience in what a group of people – in this case, very strong women – can accomplish when they work together.

The women signed up to participate in an event that would give them an opportunity to make a difference nationally, and learn skills to help their voices to be heard on the state and local level.  All of these things were accomplished.  With 91 meetings with Congressional offices, many Members of Congress agreed to the volunteers’ requests on the spot.   Participants learned how to get moving on the state and local level from women who are already having success, with Andy McGuire of Des Moines, Toni Van Buren of San Antonio and Barbara Washington of New Jersey.   The majority of participants are now energized to get to work advocating on the state and local level.  

The event was led by Carol MacPhail, a member of the United Way National Women’s Leadership Council.  Carol is a dedicated volunteer who offers her time and talent to the Women’s Leadership Council nationally, and locally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she is a partner at Deloitte Tax.  Following the day, Carol sent a message to the participants that captured the spirit of the day.

"Life is a marathon and not a race, and so it is with our journey to advance the common good.  We enjoyed many positive outcomes from our time together in Washington including increasing support for 2-1-1 Calling, educating our elected leaders on the work and focus of the United Way, participating in our American democratic process and irreplaceable networking among sisters.

My fondest wish is that we will have each discovered the power of our unique voices to advance the work of the Women's Leadership Council.  And I am confident that my wish has been granted!"