Heart of Florida United Way
Women’s Leadership Luncheon

Proving that one woman can make a difference, critically acclaimed author, poet and teacher Sapphire inspired more than 450 female business and civic leaders attending the 2010 United Way Women’s Leadership Luncheon in March.

As the best selling author of Push, which inspired the Oscar winning film Precious, Sapphire urged the group to continue their efforts to help local women, children and families in need.

She described education as “transformational” because it helps women and girls break cycles of poverty. “We know that 90% of poor women on welfare are able to earn a living wage within two years of completing college,” she said.

Another speaker that awed the sell-out crowd was Marti Gitto-Brady, 68, who found herself living in her car after she lost her job and couldn’t find work. With a master’s degree in counseling and long history of helping others, Gitto-Brady spoke poignantly of the challenges of being homeless and needing help herself. After calling United Way 2-1-1, she found timely assistance and today has a full-time job and new place to live.

The United Way Women’s Leadership Initiative is working to raise awareness, funds and volunteer support to address problems that disproportionately affect women and children, such as hunger, homelessness, domestic abuse, lack of medical care and other serious challenges.

To learn how you can connect with other like-minded women to make a difference, contact Marta Vargas, United Way Director of Leadership Giving, at (407) 835-0923 or e-mail marta.vargas@hfuw.org. 

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