United Way Women's Leadership helps change lives in Greenville County
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From left, WL Chair Michelle Yarbrough, Chief Justice Jean Toal and WL Vice Chair Margaret Marcum. During the group’s annual Women Make a Difference event Wednesday at the TD Convention Center, Women’s Leadership members were introduced to the first 11 recipients – and first four graduates – of the philanthropic organization’s “Jobs to Careers – Women Helping Women” scholarship program.
Michelle DeLuca Yarbrough, attorney with Gallivan, White and Boyd, and chair of the Women’s Leadership Council, said the group developed the 3-year-old scholarship program to address the need for greater financial stability for Greenville County women and their families, and to help remove some of the barriers that can prevent women from realizing their career goals.
Designed in conjunction with United Way of Greenville County’s strategic goal of increasing financial stability in the community, the group is setting aside up to 3 percent of the annual Women’s Leadership contributions to fund the scholarship and mentoring program. Working in collaboration with community partners Greenville Technical College and SHARE (Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources), “Jobs to Careers” assists women in the community looking to transition from paycheck-to-paycheck jobs to more stable, long-term careers. The program offers money for education and job training, as well as a stipend and funds for transportation and childcare.
The scholarship program is just one part of Women’s Leadership’s overall philanthropic efforts in Greenville County. Now in its 13th year, Women’s Leadership has grown to include more than 1,300 members who last year contributed more than $1.8 million in support of United Way programs and initiatives.
“Our generosity and caring is not limited to the size of the check we can write,” said Yarbrough. “We contribute our time and talents through a wide range of volunteer opportunities.”
That tradition continued during Wednesday’s luncheon with the “Wear One, Bring One” project. Attendees brought hundreds of new women’s undergarments to be donated to women in need at the domestic violence shelter, Safe Harbor.
“When a woman leaves her home in crisis as the result of domestic violence, she often does so with just the clothes on her back,” said Women’s Leadership event chair Fritzi Barbour of Coldwell Banker Caine. “Having a new pair of underwear waiting for them tells these women they have friends in the community who care and will support them through the most difficult of times.”
To date, the luncheon has collected approximately 4,500 undergarments for Safe Harbor.
South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Hoefer Toal delivered the keynote address at Wednesday’s event, which is held each year to honor local women philanthropists who contribute $1,000 or more annually to United Way.
Women’s Leadership was created in 1998 as a subcommittee of the Palmetto Society (United Way of Greenville County’s leadership giving recognition group) and now includes four professional subgroups: Women in Banking, Women Attorneys, Women in Real Estate and Women in Engineering. Women’s Leadership’s goal is to recognize women’s philanthropic efforts in the community and to develop leadership opportunities in civic and non-profit organizations for professional women.
To become a member, or for more information on Women’s Leadership and its programs, visit www.unitedwaygc.org or call 864-467-3551.
News Coverage: WHNS Fox 21; WYFF 4
