Women's Leadership Council
Who We AreThe Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) is an engaged network of women philanthropists who recognize and encourage exceptional giving and harness the caring power of women leaders toward positive community change. Members of the WLC contribute at least $2,500 to United Way annually or make a new matched gift of at least $1,250 to our affordable housing or child wellness initiatives.
WLC members are making a difference, community by community, by taking a leadership role in advancing United Way’s work, by advocating for issues important to them and by making a personal financial commitment.
Members of the WLC are passionately committed to helping achieve United Way’s goal to make life better for residents in the Greater Washington area and enjoy opportunities to meet other women with the same goals. Benefits of WLC membership include:
- Opportunities to network with like-minded women philanthropists through WLC conference calls and events;
- Invitations to events with other community-minded women, volunteer activities and forums to learn about a variety of topics from art and wine to public policy;
- Opportunities to provide input into organizational strategy and provide counsel as to how most effectively expand the WLC and promote philanthropy among Greater Washington women; and
- Frequent updates on the positive impact of your contributions to United Way.
By becoming a member of the WLC, you will be part of an amazing group that reaches across the country. You will be invited to biannual summits to trade ideas with members of other WLCs; you will have the opportunity to network with women from all over the country as you lobby on Capitol Hill in February 2010. As part of the Women’s Leadership Council of United Way of the National Capital Area, you will have opportunities to attend the Annual Luncheon, be a part of our Signature Project, volunteer in communities that need your help, be invited to private celebrations and fundraisers and be a part of a new and flourishing women’s philanthropic group dedicated to improving our community.
Recent WLC Events
Crafting a Vision of Art in Your Community
On April 23rd, Women's Leadership Council volunteers, Jackie Rhone and Tiffany Hollinger hosted "Crafting a Vision of Art in Your Community" - an evening filled with inspiring artwork and lively conversation. Works from the "Ethnic Expressions" collection were on display in the home of Janine and Lawrence Carter.
Proceeds from the evening benefited the UWNCA's Fun Fly & Fit program, a campaign designed to stem the tide of childhood obesity and to promote physical activity among youth in the Greater Washington area.
Photos above (left to right) - Ethnic Expressions associate, Janine Carter (shown at far right), with guest prior to the program. Janine introducing the works of art.
Women's Leadership Council Luncheon WLC) luncheon
On March 26th, nearly 300 women attended the inaugural Women's Leadership Council (WLC) luncheon. WLC Chair, Connie Bertram, addressed the group as well as Debbi Jarvis, UWNCA's Campaign 
Cabinet chair.
Guests gathered to hear an informative presentation by Barbara Kamara, Co-chair of the UWNCA Child Wellness Steering Committee and celebrated this year's WLC Spirit Award recipient, Sheila C. Johnson (shown at right), entrepreneur, philanthropist and champion of humanitarian causes.
Photos above (left to right) - Connie Bertram, Esq addressing the audience and the WLC Advisory Board.
Hello and welcome to the Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) of United Way of the National Capital Area!
2008 was our inaugural year, and it was very successful. With 475 charter members and just over $1,350,000 raised, we are already creating long-lasting, positive changes in our region. We are excited about the potential we have to engage, educate and empower even more women throughout 2009 and the upcoming years.
The WLC is so much more than a women’s group. We touch the lives of those around us, we network with other women and we are able to truly make a difference in the lives of those who need it the most. We have entertaining and educational events throughout the year along with volunteer activities and opportunities for advocacy. The WLC is an energized philanthropic women’s movement with opportunities for giving back and networking.
We have done so much already, such as:
- Participating in a Capitol Hill Day where WLC members from all around the country came to Washington, DC to lobby for increased awareness for the human care issues that their communities are facing;
- Gathering a deeper understanding of the issues facing us as leaders—who happen to be women—by hearing Robin Gerber discuss the key characteristics that will help us in our journey through life; and
- An Alexandria wine-tasting where we not only mingled and tasted new wines, but learned about what is being done in Alexandria to combat the affordable housing crisis by talking with leaders and experts in the housing field.
There are other events we have participated in, and so many more we have planned for the future. Please take a moment to look at our events page to learn more about our events and programs.
We acknowledge and appreciate the contributions women make to improve lives in our community, and we understand that women want to make a difference and be connected to our region. That is why we hope women will join the Women’s Leadership Council and develop their philanthropic power as community investors, advocates and volunteers even further.
Thank you for your support of UWNCA. We would not be able to do the work we do without your help.
-Connie
Interested in becoming a member of the WLC or learning more?
Please contact Elizabeth Zacharias Owens, Relationship Manager, Major Gifts and staff liaison for the WLC at eowens@uwnca.org or 202.488.2125
