United Way Initiative Serves to Empower Women

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JournalNews :: 9.21.05 — The Butler County United Way hosted Wednesday evening its inaugural Women’s Initiative: An Evening of Pampering at the Four Bridges Country Club.

“It’s a way for women to be able to collaborate and to give back to the community,” said Dorothy Coleman, co-chairwoman of the event and chief executive officer of United Healthcare.

The Women’s Initiative is part of the United Way of America, which encourages women to educate and empower each other through philanthropy. Its local mission is to strengthen the community and change lives in Butler County through collaboration among women leaders, according to organizers.

This year’s focus has been promoting early education to children through a program called Born Learning. Information about Born Learning, provided by Ohio Casualty Group, will be available for parents at various doctors’ offices throughout the county.

The initiative included a silent auction, a chair massage and a style show featuring shops from the Streets of West Chester.

“It was a vision of the executive team to plan an event that would attract and rally women around a worthwhile cause,” said Maureen Noe, president and chief executive officer of the Butler County United Way.

The initiative served as a conclusion to a day of activities. The fall Day of Caring took place Wednesday morning and afternoon.

About 180 volunteers from 12 companies participated in the Day of Caring’s 29 projects throughout Hamilton, Fairfield and nearby townships.

“The United Way should be in the business of connecting resources to needs,” Noe said.