Upcoming Events

• A capacity crowd joined the Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona (WFSA) in celebrating three generations of giving at our 15th annual luncheon on April 16, 2008. More than 1000 guests helped honor Tucson mother-daughter philanthropists Lura and Ann Lovell, whose generosity has supported the next generation of female philanthropists through WFSA’s Unidas program.
  
  The Foundation also announced grant awards totaling nearly $130,000 to 11 diverse organizations creating change for women and girls and joined radio personality Bobby Rich in recognizing MIX-fm’s “Woman of the Year,” Kathy Scheppe, Principal of Gridley Middle School.
  
  After a heartfelt, and occasionally humorous, tribute to the Lovells by WFSA Advisory Council Chair Helaine Levy, the Lovells spoke about the inspiration behind their philanthropic ethos, and their desire to make a difference in the community.
  
  In addition, the luncheon program featured speakers representing two of WFSA’s 2007 grant recipients. Kathryn Ferguson, a filmmaker with Arizona Media Arts, previewed her documentary “Rita of the Sky,” about a Tarahamara woman who was wrongly diagnosed as mentally ill and subsequently institutionalized for ten years. This poignant film looks at the intersection of gender, culture and the law.
  
  Olivia Harden, a recipient of a Women’s Foundation Go Girls! sports grant, spoke about the opportunity the grant afforded her to participate on the Desert Cobras softball team.
  
  Unidas grants were also announced at the luncheon. This award-winning girls’ philanthropy program trains young women in philanthropy, grant-making and leadership. The Sierra Vista program granted $7500 to Forgach House for the program, Healthy Relationships…Dating and Beyond. Tucson Unidas participants awarded two $5,000 grants to El Rio Foundation for their Teenage Parent Program and Teen Outreach Pregnancy Services for the TOPS Teen Education Network (TOPS TEN).
  
  The luncheon raised more than $140,000 to support the Women’s Foundation’s programs and grant-making. Thanks to all who attended!