United Way Women's Leadership was created in 1998 as a subcommittee of The Palmetto Society, United Way's leadership-giving recognition group.

Women's Leadership recognizes women who give $1,000 or more to United Way. In the Initiative's first year, 208 women contributed $328,087. Initiative membership has continued to grow, reaching 932 women with total contributions of $1,274,413 in 2006.

The purpose of Women's Leadership is to:

• Recognize women's philanthropic efforts in our community, specifically recognizing those who contribute $1,000 or more annually through the United Way.

• Identify and cultivate women who have the ability to become a member of this group of women dedicated to furthering philanthropy of women.

• Develop volunteer leadership opportunities in civic and non-profit organizations for professional women.

Activities of Women's Leadership include:

• "Women Make A Difference" annual luncheon—celebrating women's philanthropic contributions to our community.  This luncheon incorporates the "Wear One, Bring One" service project held in conjunction with annual luncheon. Luncheon attendees bring new undergarments with them to the luncheon and the undergarments are donated to a local emergency shelter for women. In 2006, more than 500 sets of bras and panties were collected.

• New Member event to recognize and honor new members of Women's Leadership.
 

Women are leading the way in philanthropy in our community.  For more information about Women's Leadership, contact Jenny Pressly at 864.467.3506 or jpressly@unitedwaygc.org.