Invest in Women in the Washington DC Metro Area

Washington Area Women’s Foundation hosted its annual Leadership Luncheon on October 18, focused on mobilizing the community to work together to build economic security, greater opportunities and racial equality for our region’s women and families.  The Luncheon featured an address from Rosie Rios, 43^rd Treasurer of the United States, and entertainment by Afro Blue – Howard University’s Premier Jazz Ensemble, Beltway Poetry Slam Team presented by Busboys and Poets and 16-year-old DJ Beauty and the Beatz.

The Leadership Luncheon focused on celebrating and highlighting the stories of young women and girls in the Washington region. Stories were woven together through video, art, music, spoken word performances and more. The Women’s Foundation launched its Young Women’s Initiative early this spring and from this, convened a group of 21 young leaders age 12-24 to form the Young Women’s Advisory Council (YWAC). The Young Women’s Initiative will push policymakers, business and community leaders and philanthropists to develop and invest in programs that address and eliminate racial and gender disparities.

“They’re not doing it alone. We’re bringing philanthropy, community, and government together to fashion the best way to invest in women and girls of color.  It won’t be easy,” said Jennifer Lockwood-Shabat, president and CEO of Washington Area Women’s Foundation. “Changes in mindset and policy must happen.  Systemic changes.  Seismic changes. “We’re just getting started. Join us because there’s no question that while we live in times that are divisive, we must be decisive in how we move forward, together.”

President and CEO of United Way of the National Capital Area, Rosie Allen-Herring said, “We’re also not sittin’ on the sidelines.  No, too much is at stake for every one of us not to stand up, and speak up.  And yes, to pony up too.” Allen-Herring also serves as Chair of the board of the Women’s Foundation and helped make the donation ask for the organization. “Everyone can contribute in some way. Everyone of us has taken a different path to arrive here today,” she said.

Yvette Butler, President of Capital One Investing, introduced Rosie Rios, 43^rd Treasurer of the United States who served as the Luncheon’s guest speaker. Rios discussed the value of human capital investments and the lack of female representation in currency and statues in our cities. ” Where are the real women on our currency and in public monuments? We value what we see every day, but do we see what we value?” “If you see it, you can be it,” she said. Rios ended her speech challenging the audience to do more for women and girls by the year 2020.