We could not be more thankful for the perfect day to have our Women’s Leadership Council Power of the Purse event. The skies were clear, spring had sprung, and women surrounded us with giving hearts! United Way of Northwest Georgia’s second annual Power of the Purse Event was held on Wednesday, April 17th, at Walnut Hill Farm – it was a day to remember! Funds raised will support United Way’s literacy initiatives, Community Partners, and other programs - and we could not have done it without the support of our generous sponsors, purse donors, guests, and staff.
Beyond the fun event lies a deeper mission: every WLC membership, event ticket, and raffle ticket purchased fuels the Women’s Leadership Council's impact initiatives. Together, we are championing programs that increase the self-sufficiency of individuals to improve their lives, the lives of their families, and the community as a whole.
This year's raffle featured a record 12 purses - a rainbow of colors in every shape and size.
The day began with guests checking in and reconnecting with old and new friends. The ladies had a fabulous time at our photo booth, which Inflated created for us. The talented ARC Studios and Jessica Carnes took our pictures!
Our President, Amanda Burt, began the United Way presentation by thanking our sponsors who made this event a reality. This year, we had six purses donated by local vendors and five designer handbags. Nineteen sponsors stepped up to support United Way and this important cause. Thank you – we are beyond grateful for the continued support!
Our Designer Level Sponsor:
Shaw Industries
Our Handbag Level Sponsors:
Brown Whitworth Reynolds Foundation
Dalton Utilities
Engineered Floors
Debbie Macon
Mohawk Industries
Textile Rubber & Chemical Company Inc.
Our Clutch Level Sponsors:
Coldwell Banker Kinard Realty
Early Childhood Initiative of Northwest Georgia
Kinard Family
Walnut Hill Farm
Our Wristlet Level Sponsor:
Adcock Financial Group
Our Pouch Level Sponsors:
Believe Greater Dalton
CC and Company
Just Peachy
Paper Princess
Raspberry Row
Southern Charm Clothing
The Pine Needle
She then highlighted our local Women’s Leadership Council, stating, “Our Women's Leadership Council ignites the power of women – they bring the passion, expertise, and resources needed to get things done and create lasting change in our community. Our local group has over 300 members investing over $1.5 million annually in local solutions.”
“It was an incredible day! United Way of Northwest Georgia and our Women’s Leadership Council are the connecting points for women to engage meaningfully and impactfully to improve the lives of every person in our community. It was inspiring to see so many women in one place who desire to do more for their community,” said United Way of Northwest Georgia President Amanda Burt.
We had the fantastic opportunity to hear from our exceptional guest and Dalton native, Ashley Callahan.
Ashley Callahan has a Master’s Degree in the History of American Decorative Arts from Parsons School of Design and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History from Sewanee, the University of the South.
Ashley is an independent scholar and former curator of decorative arts at the Georgia Museum of Art and is the author of several books, including Frankie Welch’s Americana: Fashion, Scarves, and Politics, Southern Tufts: The Regional Origins and National Craze for Chenille Fashion, and co-author of Crafting History: Textiles, Metals, and Ceramics at the University of Georgia.
Ashley had such an inspiring presentation on Southern Tufts and the history of Frankie Welch! Her passion and knowledge highlighting the history of fashion and girl power in Northwest Georgia was inspiring! 💜
Thank you, Ashley Callahan, for your wonderful message! You are a beautiful, shining light, and we are so grateful you shared your knowledge with us.
When we asked symposium guest Heather Firsdon about her experience at our event, she responded, “What a fun time, all while supporting an amazing cause. I would also like to add that our town is full of some beautiful and kind ladies. Everyone looked so fabulous!! There were some very inspiring women in that room, and it was an honor to be a part of it. Thank you for the invite; see you at the next event!”
We thank our Women’s Leadership Council for leading Power of the Purse this year. Without their dedication and work within our community, POP would not be where it is today! Power of the Purse is one of our community’s most successful – and stylish - fundraising events. As one guest remarked, “This is the BEST event of the year!”
This enthusiasm shows up in every element of the event – but especially in the generosity of our guests and sponsors. We want to thank all of you for attending and supporting POP! You make the event what it is, and we are beyond grateful for your continued support, year after year! Save the date for April 2025. If the past is precedent, demand for tickets will be incredibly high! Contact United Way to be the first to learn about tickets and sponsorship for our 3rd Power of the Purse event.
Contact Amy Ross or Stephanie Hogshead for purse donation and sponsorship details for 2025.
You can view the Power of the Purse 2024 Facebook album here.
Follow us on social media - @unitedwaynwga