Program Spotlight January 2013
Hello from Interim Executive Director Cara Baribeau
I am thrilled to say hello to everyone in my first newsletter article as the interim executive director of Women 4 Women. While I am brand new in my role for the organization, I have long been passionate for its mission. As a graduate of an all-women’s college, the advancement of women and girls in our society has been a subject of great personal interest for over 20 years. I am thrilled to be helping Women 4 Women focus on the need to improve the lives of women and girls right here in the Louisville community.
As I have been immersing myself in the great legacy of this organization and pouring over the data collected through Women 4 Women’s Benchmark studies, I am struck by the amount of help women and girls in our community need and energized by the opportunity we have to make a real difference. While there has been improvement since our first Benchmark study was completed, the fact that 43% of single mother families in Louisville live in poverty, that 54% of our women are obese (61% of African American women), that 1 in 3 women in Kentucky will be a victim of domestic violence and that our earnings are 74% of that of men’s are just a few examples of where we must do better.
As Women 4 Women looks at priorities for 2013, we are returning to our roots as a grantmaking organization with a focus on helping women and girls achieve economic self-sufficiency with four key areas of focus: Education & Leadership, Social Change & Single Parent Economy, Jobs & Earnings and Health & Safety.
Women 4 Women is uniquely situated in the community as the expert on issues facing women and girls and provides the platform to unite us to improve their lives through focused grantmaking. Our Annual Luncheon and Golf Tournament are always amazing events that draw capacity crowds who believe in our mission. This year I’d like to see our friends Join 4 A Voice to make an even greater difference with our dollars. With the power of our collective dollars, Women 4 Women can make a meaningful difference through impactful grants in meeting the needs of women and girls in our community.
Additionally, I see Women 4 Women as the forum for women to elevate the dialog about the issues of gender inequality. Whether it is violence against women, access to healthy food, the lack of equal representation in leadership, or dialog about creating more flexible workplace solutions that meet the needs of the 21st century, Women 4 Women can convene the conversations that can lead to systemic changes that will benefit our entire society.
I am excited about my involvement with Women 4 Women and the chance to play a role in its strategic evolution. Please join me in all our effort to make Louisville a community where women and girls can thrive.
