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Women United
WOMEN UNITED is a powerful network inspiring women to be role models of generosity, advocates for important causes and volunteers for change.
Women United is a global movement of more than 70,000 diverse women leaders dedicated to creating a world of opportunity for everyone. Women United recognizes the enormous power and influence of women in philanthropy. Since 2012, women leaders across the country have collectively raised more than $2 billion for their local communities.
Women United combines the financial power and collective talents of philanthropic women leaders to address early childhood literacy in our community by conducting year-round activities such as book fairs, volunteer reading events, book drives and distributions, networking events and volunteer projects. Women United also hosts our signature event, the Annual Business Leaders for Early Education Breakfast.
Why We Do This
United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona (UWTSA) is focused on advancing early childhood literacy in our community. Women United recognizes that early childhood education is an efficient and effective investment for economic and workforce development. The earlier the investment, the greater the return on investment, because 90% of a child’s brain development occurs by age 5.
Only 46% of third-grade students are proficient in English and Language Arts as measured by the Arizona Measurement of Educational Readiness to Inform Teachers (AzMERIT) in 2019.
Students who fail to reach this critical milestone often falter in later grades and drop out before earning a high school diploma.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds neither enrolled in school nor working is 16% percent in 2021.
Learn More About Women United:
Leadership
Aimee Graves
Women United, Chair
Women United Executive Committee
Tracy Benson
Mary Bouley
Lillian Brantley-Thompson – Literacy Champion Committee Co-Chair
Monica Brinkerhoff
Melinda Burke – Literacy Champion Committee Co-Chair
Sherry Cook
Lindy Cote
Lori Cotten
Elizabeth Cozzi – Women United Engagement Committee Co-Chair
Deepa Dalvi
Jane Denigris
LaVonne Douville – Business Engagement Co-Chair
Linda Drake
Allison Duffy
Dolores Duran-Cerda
Lynne Wood Dusenberry
Peggy Goulding
Delia Gonzalez
Aimee Graves – Executive Committee Chair
Melissa Hernandez – Women United Engagement Committee Co-Chair
Denisse Hernandez de Ortiz
Elizabeth Hightower
Heidi Hulquist
Daisy Jenkins
Nancy Kluge
Dianne Maki-Sethi
Stephanie Martin
Wendy Marquez
Sandy Maxfield
Elizabeth McIntyre
Cat Merrill
Sarita Morales
Trish Muir – Business Engagement Co-Chair
Elizabeth Murphy
Jessica Novak
Silvia Salcido
Lisa Owens-Sredzinski
Cory Rees
Mary Rowley
Calline Sanchez
Amber Schlack
Dr. Arianna Sholes-Douglas
Kassondra Silva
Allison Titcomb
Monica Vargas-Mahar
Laura Vitkus
Carol Weber
Arika Wells – Immediate Past Committee Chair
Rebecca Werner
Alicia White
Learn More Today!
If you’re interested in joining Women United sign up today to receive more information on how you can join today! Women United combines the financial power and collective talents of philanthropic women leaders to address early childhood literacy in our community by conducting year-round activities such as book fairs, volunteer reading events, book drives and distributions, networking events and volunteer projects.
What You Can Do
Membership is open to all women who invest $1,000 or more in United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. Membership benefits include:
- Women United Membership Recognition
- Complimentary ticket to the Annual Business Leaders Breakfast for Early Education
- Women United Members-Only Event Invitations
- Networking and Professional Development Opportunities
- Committee Service and Leadership Opportunities
Please complete the form and email it to womenleaders@unitedwaytucson.org
