Portland, October 8th, 2015. Nearly 500 business and community leaders decked out in red attended the 11th Annual Greater Portland Go Red For Women Luncheon on October 8th at the Nines Luxury Hotel in downtown Portland. In the crowd were Survivor Terri O’Neill and her Adventist Health friends including Linda Stelzenmueller, Jessica Scherler-Hyman, Taryn Honey, Melissa Hosey and Diana Erdmann. Due to the generous support of Go Red For Women Luncheon guests and sponsors, the American Heart Association raised more than $226,000, funding life-saving research, education and outreach in our community.
First Lady of Portland, Nancy Hales and Go Red For Women Chairwoman, Tracy Curtis, Executive Vice President, Oregon Region President, Wells Fargo, show off their red at the Luncheon.
Go Red For Women Luncheon Emcee, Shauna Parsons of FOX 12 Oregon.
The Go Red For Women Luncheon Executive Leadership Team honored the nonprofit and the color red!
The annual Go Red for Women Luncheon is aimed at raising funds and public awareness to fight heart disease, which causes 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every minute.
Chairwoman Tracy Curtis of Wells Fargo kicked off the inspirational event featuring cardiac arrest survivor April Frezza of Tigard. April suffered a cardiac arrest at the age of 50 and is alive today only because of the help of bystander CPR. They were joined by keynote Lori Tam, M.D., who educated women about their risk of heart disease and stroke, how to recognize the signs and how to prevent our No. 1 killer.
From the American Heart Association:
The top local sponsors of the Go Red For Women Luncheon are Wells Fargo, Oregonian Media Group, Bi-Mart, Adventist Health, Kaiser Permanente, OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Providence Health & Services and the Trail Blazers.
Portland, March 6th, 2015. Power of the Purse 2015 featured 15 local celebrities (“Purse-o-nalities”) who were matched with 15 hand-picked local designers to create one-of-a-kind purses that were auctioned off during the event. The unique designs helped to tell the stories of each strong, smart and bold Purse-o-nality and how their purse-everance lead them to where they are today. Presented by LifeMap, the Power of the Purse benefit for Girl’s Inc. took place on at the Portland Hilton. Girls Council member, Salma, walked the runway with Nike Bags Team purse for Vanessa Garcia-Brito, Senior Director, Partnerships & Strategic Communications for the Nike Foundation and 2015 Purse-o-nality. (Photo credit: Jennifer Alyse Photography)
Each year, Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest invites local women and men to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Power of the Purse, a fundraiser to benefit Girls Inc. programs created from research-based curricula that equip girls with the confidence and self-esteem to drive toward a bright and economically-independent future.
The gala included both a live auction and silent auction, boutique shopping, a fashion show featuring Girls Inc. girls modeling specially-designed purses, and dinner and drinks.
Some of the Purse-o-nalities included: the von Trapps, musical group; Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Oregon’s 1st Congressional District; Chris McGowan, President and CEO of Portland Trail Blazers; Mike Golub and his wife Sam Shelhorse, President of Portland Timbers and Thorns; Tracy Curtis, Regional Vice President of Wells Fargo; and Heather Killough, philanthropist and owner of Lucky Limousine, along with 9 other inspiring women and men.
Girls Inc. girl, Alexis, shows off the purse designed by Christina Castillo Designs for Purse-o-nality Aneshka Dickson.
Tracy Curtis, Regional VP for Wells Fargo and one of the 2015 Purse-o-nalities, poses with Timber Joey.
Rukaiyah Adams, Chief Investment Officer at Meyer Memorial Trust and 2015 Purse-o-nality, poses with her guests.
The 2015 Power of the Purse designers tasked with representing the remarkable Purse-o-nalities included the Ellington Handbags, Spooltown, the Nike Bags team, Christina Castillo Designs, E. Jerome Piece, Minou-Minou, and others.
Ellington Handbags designed for Helen Raptis, co-host of AM Northwest on KATU and 2015 Purse-o-nality.
Girls Council members take the runway to the delight of the crowd.
Beth Andersen, President & CEO of LifeMap, stops for applause with designer Ahmed Abidine of Elkarti and Girls Inc. girl Litea.
Girls Council member, Salma, walks the runway with Nike Bags Team purse for Vanessa Garcia-Brito, Senior Director, Partnerships & Strategic Communications for the Nike Foundation and 2015 Purse-o-nality.
Girls Inc. girl, Rowan, sings with the von Trapps (2015 Purse-o-nalities).
The Purse-o-nalities were each matched with one Girls Council girl, providing a unique opportunity to expand her world, learn about various careers, and develop relationships with successful women and men in the community. This mentor relationship allows the Girls Council girl to further develop her leadership skills and build confidence in her bright future.
Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest would like to thank its 2015 Power of the Purse sponsors: LifeMap, Wells Fargo, The Standard, Heather Killough, Knowledge Universe, Comcast, Ernst & Young, Hanna Andersson, Kaiser, Walsh Construction, Trail Blazers, Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, TBIB Creative, Cindy Thompson Event Productions and Portland Monthly.
Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest offers programs for girls 6-18 around the greater Portland area. Girls Inc. programs focus on developing healthy behaviors, adopting new life skills, and encouraging girls to reach higher. Our proven curriculum provides age-appropriate, research-based, and culturally relevant content for girls to explore. Girls have the opportunity to develop the following skills:
Create meaningful, supportive peer groups that encourage female solidarity
Grow self-esteem that carries over to home, school, and the community
Develop sound decision-making and communication skills
Assert themselves as confident individuals throughout their lives
Build key leadership skills and strong work ethics
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