Female Faces of Philanthropy: Susan Pitt

Former Women’s Foundation Board member Susan Pitt has supported a diverse group of community organizations through board service and philanthropy. She has served on the boards of Planned Parenthood of Southern Arizona, the Arizona Theatre Company and Cultural Affairs at the University of Arizona, and was Chair of the WFSA Board of Trustees in 2001-02. She is also a past and sustaining member of Angel Charity for Children.

Susan, like many women in her generation, became aware of the importance of women educating themselves and the resulting ability to support their families in the late 70s, when she became what was termed at that time a “displaced homemaker”; divorced with no marketable skills, the need to work--and the responsibility for four teenagers. Fortunately, she was able to return to school and obtain her BS in Public Administration at the U of A and to later work in government and in the private sector in various capacities. But, as a result of her experience, Susan believes strongly in the WFSA mission, and is committed to leveraging resources to empower women and girls. “I feel a responsibility to grow and mentor the next generation of women leaders. The work of the Women’s Foundation is crucial to help women attain economic parity and full participation in business, government and in our community,” she says. She also believes families and society as a whole benefit when women and girls are prepared for unforeseen circumstances.

When she’s not volunteering on behalf of one of the community organizations she supports, Susan enjoys her home and family (between Susan and her husband, they have seven children, eight grandchildren, and one on the way), traveling (in November she is traveling to Uruguay), playing the piano, golfing, and taking walks with her Kerry Blue Terrier, Putter.