Changing
Lives with Cocktails and Clothes
By
Judi Butterworth, Co-Chair of “Friends of AWEE”
 Some
time during the early 80s, I asked my friend, Sandy Cowen, where I
could donate some work clothes I no longer wanted. “I give
mine
to AWEE,” she said, and proceeded to tell me about the
organization she had joined as a board member and its ambitious goals
to help women achieve financial independence.
This made so much sense. AWEE wasn’t a duplicate of any other
organization. It had the potential to transform entire families, which
was sorely needed. That was the beginning of my long relationship with
AWEE.
By the late 80s, Phoenix was starting to look like a real city, growing
fast and building some real economic momentum. At the same time, there
was a growing pool of women who were being left by the wayside due to
poverty, domestic violence and other problems. Yet, too few of the
business leaders I met knew about AWEE and its mission to help these
struggling women. This was my inspiration for creating the Cocktails
& Clothes Reception.
At the first event—hosted at my home—we had a
turnout of
about 40 professional women, each of whom donated some gently worn
clothing and a $25 admission fee. Many were commercial real estate
colleagues and friends who later became AWEE board members and
financial supporters. As wonderful as these donations were, the major
benefit was the awareness we began to generate in the broader business
community about AWEE and its work.
It’s now 20 years later and Clothes & Cocktails has
evolved
into a hugely popular event orchestrated by a nine-member committee
that I’m delighted to co-chair together with my good friend
and
colleague, Phyllis Dumond. This committee, called "Friends of AWEE," is
comprised of a team of dedicated women that includes Heather Moos,
Sarah Jennings, Deborah Townsend, Chandra Graham, Barbara McKenney,
Margaret Robertson, Heather Cheney, Nancy Hempy, Courtney Thissell and
Jami Savage.
Thanks to the drive and dedication of these terrific women, we
anticipate 250 attendees and more than $15,000 in donations of
merchandise, services and travel items at our Spring 2009 event. We
also expect to collect a full moving van of clothing to replenish
AWEE’s Clothing Boutique, which provides women with gently
used
clothing suitable for job interviews and workplace wear.
Everyone loves this fast-paced event, which is replete with live
auction, raffle items and great networking. It all goes by in an
exciting blur. That’s why it continues to grow.
We’re also
attracting a broader range of attendees from different age groups and
occupations, so more people than ever are learning about AWEE and its
amazing workforce training and education services.
If
you’re interested in
helping with underwriting, raffle items, event planning or any
logistical tasks, we'd love to have you join us. Please call Phyllis
Dumond at (602) 770-0526. And be sure to watch out for our "Save the
Date" announcement later this year!
|
