Portland, OR. More than 300 attendees came to the Hilton Downtown Portland for the inaugural Rose City Women’s Summit on May 11th. The Junior League of Portland hosted the event, a fundraiser for it’s community development fund, The 1910 Campaign. Sarah Burns, JLP President noted that this event “was an incredibly successful continuation of JLP’s legacy in our community to promote the development and potential of women. Organizers included Kristin Kilshaw, President Elect JLP, Sarah Burns, President JLP, Tarana Burke, Founder #MeToo, Danielle Caldwell, Fund Development VP, Fernanda Gwinner, Chair Rose Summit, Kim McNally, Co-Chair Rose Summit, Ashley Eil, Gretchen Corbett Award Recipient, KaDo Gorman, Past President -JLP
The attendees were inspired to be the change in their own world.” The Summit focused on diversity & inclusion which was woven into all aspects of the day including the keynote speech given by Tarana Burke, founder of the #MeToo Movement. It was also a time to honor women who have overcome tremendous adversity in order to change the course of their life. Ashley Eil, an instrumental part of launching this year’s Summit, received the first Gretchen Corbett Award for her outstanding service as a volunteer and advocate in Portland. The Rose City Women’s Summit raised around $30,000 for New Avenues for Youth, a Portland organization dedicated to the prevention and intervention of youth homelessness, and this year’s partner with the 1910 Campaign. (Photo credit, Helen Beavers; Firefly Photography.)
Tarana Burke with sponsors; Jim Carideo Branch Manager UBS Portland & Evelyn Jones, UBS Financial Services.
Tarana Burke Luncheon
Rose Summit Attendees at Closing Plenary
Attendees were able to enjoy engaging and inspiring talks from speakers around the country and around the region including Women’s Foundation of Oregon Executive Director, Emily Evans, who shared ways we can all support women at work, at home, and in the community. Jane Schwartzberg, Executive Director at UBS, shared her courageous story of life with metastatic cancer and how a change in perception can change your life. Keynote speaker, Tarana Burke, gave a heartfelt and engaging speech on how the seed for the #MeToo movement started over 10 years ago and how the focus needs to remain on the survivors and not the perpetrators.
Lunch was sponsored by the Junior League of Portland and UBS and included speakers Kristin Kilshaw, President-Elect of the Junior League of Portland; Jim Carrideo, Managing Director of UBS Portland; and Ashley Eil, Member Junior League of Portland who shared her story of overcoming childhood homelessness and the power of a relationship to change a life. The day featured a Marketplace which showcased local and regional vendors including Paper Epiphanies, Ground Up Nut Butters, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Accessory Junkie, and provided opportunity for attendees to support local women-owned businesses.
The Junior League of Portland is an organization of more than 600 women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.
Portland, OR. The Raphael House of Portland gala, “Destinations” raised over $240,000 to help fund vital domestic violence services including emergency shelter and permanent housing assistance. Three pair of yet-to-be-released Air Jordan sneakers donated by Gold Sponsor Jordan Brand had guests jumping out of their seats during the auction. More than 240 guests joined the celebration at the Exchange Ballroom on October 20th to support Raphael House of Portland’s mission. Destinations is named in honor of the domestic violence survivors served by Raphael House. For families fleeing abuse, getting to Raphael House is a key milestone in their journey, and this accomplishment is often a turning point in their lives.
The program’s highlight was undoubtedly hearing directly from guest speaker and survivor Tiffany Eggleton. Following a short video featuring her story, which can be viewed here:
Tiffany bravely took the stage to describe how connecting with Raphael House was the difference between life and death. “Because of Raphael House, I now have a place to call home, a chance to go back to school to pursue my dreams, and safety for the first time in many years. I am alive because people cared about me.” Following Tiffany’s impassioned speech, guests raised $132,635 during the special appeal.
Kelley Forseth and Kayla Forseth celebrate winning their first choice in the Dessert Dash: a beautiful Chocolate Fudge Dulce de Leche Cake from Citizen Baker.
Bronze Sponsor Cambia Health Solutions staff David Dandurand, Josh Marcellus and Hestian Stoica enjoy treats from Cupcake Jones following the Dessert Dash.
Emcee Brenda Braxton of KGW-TV gets caught up in the excitement of the live auction.
Oregon Representative Barbara Smith Warner poses with Raphael House volunteer Melissa Chernaik and guest Shauna Ballo.
Guests at Bid Card and Travel Sponsor First Tech Federal Credit Union gather for a photo in the beautiful Exchange Ballroom. Back row, from left: Heidi Hodges, Margaret Harvison, Justin Valley, and Scott Brascum. Front row, from left: Casey Maharg, Nicole Frisch, Meghan Valley, and Anne Milligan.
Raphael House of Portland staff Karla Viteri and Jordan Hernandez sell Golden Tickets that give buyers a 1/100 chance of winning the live auction package of their choice.
Members of the Junior League of Portland gather with event emcee Brenda Braxton. Back row, from left: Gina Ambrose, Sarah Burns, Raphael House of Portland Development Manager Amanda Ives, Brenda Braxton of KGW News Channel 8, and KaDo Gorman. Front row, from left: Sophie Bayard, Kristin Kilshaw, Leanna Petrone, Jason Warkentin, and Tina Penman.
Guests throughout the room give generously during the special appeal.
Raphael House of Portland longtime supporter Lisa Watson, owner of Cupcake Jones, poses with the nonprofit’s Executive Director Teri Lorenzen.
The evening’s program included dinner, a spirited live auction and a special appeal. Custom cocktails by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, live music, a dessert dash featuring treats from 15 local bakeries, and a nightcap of Pip’s Mobile Donuts and Chai added to the fun and celebratory atmosphere that drew hundreds of guests to this unique event.
This year’s Destinations theme centered around the critical need for access to affordable housing, and how Portland’s housing crisis is impacting domestic violence survivors. Emcee Brenda Braxton of KGW News Channel 8 set the stage for guests with a personal reflection, sharing: “I’ve been living and working in this city for many years—and that longevity has given me a window into one of the toughest problems survivors face in Portland right now: affordable housing…Many must make the impossible decision of choosing between homelessness and staying with an abusive partner. This is a very real problem.”
As Executive Director Teri Lorenzen further explained, Raphael House is committed to helping all survivors find safety, self-sufficiency and permanent housing, despite local challenges. “We work hand-in-hand with survivors to ensure they have a permanent place to call home.” Lorenzen also proudly shared that Raphael House has evolved their programs and approach in response to Portland’s housing crisis. Theirs is the only local domestic violence agency with a full-time Housing Coordinator and other staff dedicated to helping survivors find a permanent place to call home. These programs assist more than 400 adults and children annually.
This fundraising effort was made possible thanks to generous supporters and guests. Jordan Brand served as the evening’s Gold Sponsor with additional major support from Bronze Sponsors Brown & Brown Northwest, Cambia Health Solutions, Hamilton Construction, and Wells Fargo Bank; Bid Card Sponsor First Tech Federal Credit Union; Dessert Dash and Nightcap Sponsors Green Box and Smuggle Portland; Dinner Wine Sponsor Z’IVO Wines; Exclusive Vodka Sponsor Tito’s Handmade Vodka; and Wall of Wine Sponsor JD Fulwiler & Company Insurance. Challenge Match Sponsors included the Collins Foundation, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the Junior League of Portland, and Meyer Memorial Trust.
From Raphael House of Portland:
As the largest domestic violence shelter in Multnomah County, our agency has been providing life-saving services to families for more than 39 years. Annually, we provide 130 adults and children with emergency shelter; support more than 1,200 callers on a 24-hour access line; and offer ongoing self-sufficiency programming and housing assistance to an additional 400 survivors.
Portland, December 21 2015. It’s a time for reflection for members of the Junior League as members gear up for their New Year’s Eve Charity Ball December 31, 2015 at the Gerding Theater at the Armory. Highlights of 2015 have included the seventh annual JLP CARES event in October where board members, Regina Wheeler, Sarah Burns, Courtney Flood, Kristin Kilshaw, and KaDo Gorman were all smiles. (photo credit, Erica Ann Photography)
Devin and Leslie Nevius spent time marking their bids for the silent auction.
The JLP CAREs Committee members were true to their red dress theme.
Dozens of bottles wines were on display for the wine grab.
Guests enjoy the beautiful cityscape from atop the Portland EcoTrust building.
2015 also saw members involved with a “Gingerbread Jamboree” which is A Junior League of Portland’s Fundraiser Gingerbread House decorating for families on December 5th.
The Gingerbread Jamboree 2015 was held at Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI).
The league also welcomed 117 Provisional members following a remarkable recruitment season.
From Junior League:
Women building better communities. That’s the Junior League. The Junior League has been the driving force behind the kinds of initiatives and institutions that make our community a healthier, more vital places to live.
Junior League members, reflecting a wide range of backgrounds, interests, and professional pursuits work together to identify unmet needs, forge effective coalitions, and work for change. Time and time again, the Junior League is among the first organizations to step up to the plate and tackle a community’s biggest challenges.
Membership
Junior League of Portland is successful because of our outstanding group of committed, trained volunteers. Our members create new initiatives, drive current community programs, and manage fund development efforts to support our efforts. Membership requirements include dues, committee assignments, attendance and volunteer requirements, and fund development efforts. Membership requirements are flexible to accommodate a variety of work and personal schedules.
Our membership tiers include:Provisional Members
Members in their first year, learning about JLP’s programs, fund development efforts and membership requirements.To learn more about becoming a Provisional Member, click here.Active Members
Committee members, Chairs and Board members leading the day-to-day activities of JLP.Sustainers
After several active years, Sustainers continue their support of JLP, without the active requirements.For more information on how to become a member, email
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