I am proud to work for an organization that is dedicated to making the Atlanta a more equitable city for women and girls – addressing the barriers women face to economic self-sufficiency. When we all come together to empower women, we can change a life, a family, and a community.

Due to Covid-19, not only is The Atlanta Women’s Foundation unable to host our annual fundraising luncheon (for the first time in 24 years), but women in our community are facing an economic crisis due to the pandemic. Prior to Covid, disparities existed for women and girls. 17% of women lived below the poverty line in metro-Atlanta, and the majority of workers paid poverty wages were women, 79%. And research is showing that Covid-19 is disproportionately impacting women and making women’s economic situation worse. Women are more likely to be single parents, take on additional caretaking roles, and comprise a large part of the healthcare, childcare, and other industries most impacted by the economic impact of the pandemic.

We know that women can’t wait until next year, and that is why AWF has launched the Numbers Too Big To Ignore fundraising campaign – to meet the critical needs of our grantee partners and the women and girls they serve. Funding will support AWF’s Women’s Pathway to Success program to continue the important workforce development programs and also address the immediate needs in this difficult time, such as rental/mortgage assistance, food and groceries for families, counseling services and PPE supplies for shelters. I am launching a personal fundraising page to enlist the support of my network to help us drive the change we wish to see in the Atlanta community. Will you join me in breaking barriers and building women?