Close to 200 women gathered on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at Trident Technical College to celebrate the incredible honorees of the 2024 Women United Awards Luncheon Rise Together: Empowered Women Inspire Change. Anita Zucker also delivered the keynote discussion, presenting the first-ever Lifetime Achievement award to Dr. Mary Thornley.
2024 Women United Awards Recipients
Nonprofit Leader of the Year - Robin Haggard, Communities in Schools
Hands on Hero of the Year- Ruhamah Dunmeyer Grooms, Booz Allen Hamilton
Role Model of the Year - Sonia Hanson, SouthState Bank and Sunflowers of HOPE, Inc.
Lifetime Achievement Award - Dr. Mary Thornley, Trident Technical College Presented by Anita Zucker
Members of Trident United Way Women United gathered at Lowcountry Food Bank in April 2024 to pack bags for their Backpack Buddies program. The group worked with incredible efficiency and speed, packing 114 boxes in just under an hour. Afterwards members had an opportunity to connect and network while enjoying snacks and beverages.
Women from all around the Tri-County area gathered on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Blackbaud for the Trident United Way Women United Lunch & Learn: Breaking Barriers, a panel discussion featuring four incredible women sharing their professional journeys. Panel moderator Nella Barkley guided the event with thoughtful, insightful questions and panelists Page Bullington, Anne Forrest and Alyssa Richardson provided incredible insight on their path to leadership.
Trident United Way Women United virtual Personal Care Kit Supply Drive surpassed the goal of collecting 200 personal care kits. Personal Care Kits were packed by Women United members at Poogans Southern Kitchen and were distributed through TUW Resource Connection Centers, East Cooper Community Outreach and My Sisters House.
Over 40 community members gathered at Edmunds Oast Brewing Co. for the Trident United Way Women United Fall Meet & Greet. Attendees connected over great food and drinks, getting to know other members and sharing opportunities for community involvement. We loved seeing new and familiar faces, thank you to all who attended!
The 2023 Women United Awards Luncheon Building Voices of Powerful Women was held on Tuesday, May 9th at the Crowne Plaza in North Charleston. The event recognized the 2023 Women United Awards recipients in addition to Keynote Speaker Monqiue Wilsondebriano, who shared her story and words of inspiration.
2023 Women United Awards Recipients
•Nonprofit Leader of the Year Stephanie Kelley, East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO)
•Hands on Hero of the Year Danielle Hardee, We Are Sharing Hope SC
•Role Model of the Year Theresa Prioleau, community leader, advocate and educator
Thank you to all who joined the event and celebrated the award recipients!
Trident United Way Women United hosted Lunch & Learn Broadband Possibilities: Opening doors - closing divides at Blackbaud Headquarters on February 23, 2023. Moderator Phyllis Martin, CEO of Tri-County Cradle to Career Collaborative, led the discussion around our State's opportunity to connect all homes to broadband and the challenge of equitable adoption of this new access. Panel participants Paola A. Gutíerrez, MHA (Director of External Engagement South Carolina Office of Rural Health), Gina Shuler (Vice President of Marketing Home Telecom) and Latoya Lewis (Trident United Way Berkeley & St. Stephen Resource Connection Center Manager) shared their insights and experiences within the community regarding broadband access.
Attendees had the opportunity to participate in roundtable discussions on digital inclusion and share questions and insights with the panelists.
On Saturday, March 19th, volunteers from Trident United Way Women United and their families volunteered at Fresh Future Farm to help with gardening and other farm tasks. Fresh Future Farm is a nonprofit urban farm and grocery store located in the Chicora/Cherokee neighborhood in North Charleston, SC.
On Thursday, February 24th Trident United Way Women United hosted a virtual Lunch and Learn discussion with Deon Jackson, Berkeley County School Superintendent. Mr. Jackson shared information on growth in schools, student support and ways to engage with schools.
Philanthropic female leaders throughout the Tri-County area gathered on Wednesday, October 7th for the 2021 Trident United Way Women United luncheon held at the Crown Plaza Charleston. This year's luncheon celebrated "The Power of Resilience" and featured keynote speaker Carolyn Hunter Heyward. 2021 Award honorees included Nonprofit Leader of the Year Lana Kleinman (Charleston Legal Access), Hands on Hero of the Year Reagan Smith (Humanities Foundation) and Role Model of the Year Dr. Cathy Almquist (Trident Technical College).
On Thursday, May 6th, Trident United Way Women United hosted a virtual lunch and learn conversation on the prevalence of domestic violence in our state and region. The conversation was moderated by Jennifer Berry Hawes (Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter at The Post and Courier) and featured panelists Tosha Connors (CEO, My Sister's House) and Christian Rainey (Founder and CEO, MAD USA and a captain with North Charleston Police Department).
On Saturday, March 6th, a group from the Trident United Way Women United volunteered at the Lowcountry Food Bank. Volunteers packed 900 boxes for the BackPack Buddies program. This program provides children who experience hunger at partner schools with nutritious food to enjoy over the weekend.
On Wednesday, February 26th, Trident United Way Women United hosted a Lunch and Learn focused on the opioid crisis at Life Cycle Engineering. Subject experts Julie Lawrence and Lisa Mitchell lead the discussion, sharing information on the current state of affairs, recent legislation passed in South Carolina and resources available.
On Thursday, November 7, the Trident United Way Women United hosted State of The State: A Lunch & Learn About Foster Care in South Carolina. The event featured Cathy Leeke, Lifeline Family Services South Carolina State Director, and attendees were offered the opportunity to tour the site after the presentation.
Approximately 125 female philanthropic leaders in the Tri-County turned out for Trident United Way Women United's annual awards luncheon, presented by Burr Forman McNair. Renee Linyard-Gary was named the Nonprofit Leader of the Year while Publix's Kelsey Palmer earned Changemaker of the Year and The Post & Courier's PJ Browning picked up Role Model of the Year accolades.
Trident United Way Women United held the second annual Legislative Outlook last night at Trident United Way. Topics included affordable housing, economic growth and education.
It's been a decade since Trident United Way formed the Women Leadership Council, the predecessor to Women United. Nearly 150 people gathered to celebrate at the annual luncheon and recognize three women who make a difference in the community.