The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

September 11, 2007

Women taking bigger role in UW

By Courtney Anderson

MERCER COUNTY — There’s an old-school mentality that men are “the ones who write the checks,” Laura Ackley said, but the many generous ladies who are members of the Women’s Leadership Initiative of the United Way of Mercer County are evidence that that’s just not true.

Ms. Ackley is co-chair of the initiative, which kicked off the year Tuesday morning with a breakfast at Tara — A Country Inn, Clark.

The women and a handful of men who attended learned more about 15 of the area human service agencies that the United Way supports.

Groups like the American Red Cross and the Girl Scouts of America set up informational booths about what they do in the community.

Carol Rich of the Children’s Center of Mercer County and Karen Bly of Keystone Blind Association spoke about their agencies’ programs, as well.

The idea is for women to see first-hand where their money is going, Ms. Ackley said.

If you participate in the initiative and its programs, “you will learn more and you will want to do more,” said campaign co-chair Ruthanne Beighley.

“We’re here to empower women to get increasingly engaged in the United Way’s mission,” she said.

The United Way cares about “what matters,” and the initiative’s slogan is “create, achieve and progress.”

“We do this because we are seriously — sinceriously is my word — committed to the United Way of Mercer County and the success of its agencies,” said Ms. Beighley.

The initiative began four years ago, Ms. Ackley said, and lets women know “what’s out there they could be helping with.”

“They want to do it,” Ms. Ackley said.

Membership in the initiative is automatic with a donation of at least $250 to the United Way, Ms. Ackley said. That can be met through payroll deductions, spousal gifts of $500 or more and individual donations, even if they are earmarked for a certain program, Ms. Ackley said.

Upcoming Women’s Leadership Initiative events are:

• Coffee and Connections Nov. 28 at the Arc of Mercer County, Hermitage.

• Spa night March 26 at Buhl Mansion Guesthouse and Spa, Sharon.

• Coffee and Connections May 21 at Prince of Peace Center, Farrell.

The annual United Way Restaurant Revue starts at 6 p.m. Sept. 20 in The Rosemont banquet and conference center in Sharon. Tickets are available by calling 724-981-1884.

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