The Women's Foundation of Arkansas, a nonprofit dedicated to investing in projects that improve the lives of women, held its annual fundraiser and celebration of women, Power of the Purse, Sept. 30 at the Little Rock Marriott.
Honored as Woman of the Year in Philanthropy was Denise Garner for her work with Feed Communities, a hunger relief organization. She said the fact that she was there shows that the definition of philanthropy has changed. "It is more volunteerism. It is activism. It is doing what we can with what we have, somewhere ... in that moment in time."
Charlotte Schexnayder received the Brownie Ledbetter Award. The former newspaper publisher/editor and former state representative was the first female president of the Arkansas Press Association, the first woman appointed to the state Parole Board and the first female member of the Dumas Chamber of Commerce. She also became president of every professional journalism organization of which she was a member. She said her mother taught her to live by the saying, to whom much is given, much is required. She encouraged the crowd to do the same.
Keynote speaker was Carla Harris, vice chairman of Global Wealth Management and managing director and senior client adviser. Before her speech, she talked about the foundation's work investing in the next generation of women and told the attendees that there was a guaranteed return in that, "so please continue to invest."
Shannon Heard served as event chairman.
-- Story and photos by Cary Jenkins
High Profile on 10/11/2015