WEST CHESTER, PA (May 9, 2019) – The Chester County Fund for Women and Girls (CCFWG) marked its over 20 years of serving local women and girls at the 14th Annual Making a Difference Luncheon on May 3 at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern. A lively crowd of 300 community leaders and individuals gathered to recognize the power of CCFWG’s impact, honor the advocacy of Cheryl Miles and lean into a bold future for local women and girls.
(L-R) CCFWG Board Member and Luncheon Chair Ingrid Tomlinson poses with Executive Director Michelle Legaspi Sánchez, Keynote Speaker Morgan Berman, and 2019 Kitchen Table Award winner Cheryl Miles.
The afternoon kicked off with networking and a silent auction that featured a selection of luxury trips for two, courtesy of The American Fundraising Foundation.
Luncheon Keynote Speaker Morgan Berman, Founder and CEO of MilkCrate, reflected on her many successes – and inevitable frustrations – as a woman in the male-dominated startup and tech industries. An accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor, Morgan spoke to the inspiration – and life lessons about resiliency and persistence against a formidable opponent – that she pulls from each time she is on the mat: “The same way we feel the rage and terror that comes with failure, we need to start to feel comfortable being brave in the face of extreme odds… throw off my balance? Block my way? I pivot. Knock me down? I get back up.”
Two of Cheryl’s nominators and colleagues Matrie Johnson (second from right) of Home of the Sparrow, and Joyce Lacy (far right) of North Star of Chester County, joined CCFWG ED Michelle Sánchez and Board Chair Tricia Lefkof (second from left) in presenting Cheryl with this year’s Kitchen Table Award.
CCFWG also presented Cheryl Miles, a connector and passionate advocate for the underserved in Chester County, with the 2019 Kitchen Table Award, named in celebration of the many conversations among founders held around kitchen, board and coffee tables. In a touching video tribute to Cheryl, some of her dearest friends and colleagues spoke to her selfless heart and guiding presence as a leader in Chester County. In her remarks, Cheryl emphasized the importance of community and how vital it is to the work we all do as partners throughout the county: “We need community. There is no significant learning without significant relationships.” She also reminded the crowd that we “are our sisters’ keepers” and serve as “drum majors for the vulnerable.”
Finally, the celebration came to a close with refreshments, networking and live entertainment courtesy of Gracenotes, West Chester University’s all-female acapella group.
Senator Bob Casey, US Senator from Pennsylvania, attended the Luncheon to congratulate Cheryl on her career-long efforts to uplift women and girls in our communities.
“The Luncheon was a proud day for the Fund. We brought together voices and experiences of amazing women while raising dollars to ensure a brighter, safer and healthier future for women and girls in Chester County. We are grateful to the many who made this event and our work possible,” said CCFWG Executive Director Michelle Legaspi Sánchez.
Since 1996, CCFWG has distributed $3.1 million in grants to 71 regional non-profit agencies to support women and girls. More than 20 years later, it remains a bold, strategic and creative leader in uniting community partners and individuals around a shared commitment to women, girls and their families.
Generous support for this event was provided by: Barbara M. Jordan; Anonymous; Chase Law Group, LLC; Land Services USA; West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.; Judi and Tim Bell; Exelon Corporation; Kleinbard LLC; Mill Creek Advisors; Mary Lou Sterge; Tolsdorf Oil Lube Express; Denise Wine, Financial Advisor, Wells Fargo Advisors LLC; WSFS Bank; Agnes Irwin Center for the Advancement of Girls; Franny and Franny Abbott; BBD, LLP; Brite Realty; Capacity for Change; Chesterbrook Academy; Countryside Consulting; Mike Diggin, RE/MAX Town and Country; First Resource Bank; Mary Beth Morrissey; Nobel Learning Communities; Michele Paiva; Lisa Passante; Pepper Hamilton; Poretta & Orr Inc.; Roberta Torian; Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr; and Cate and Tom Sennett.