Leading Ladies United

United Way’s Leading Ladies United was founded in 2015 by a diverse team of business women in Anderson County. These women are advocates for workplace equality and believe in empowering the next generation of women to continue to fight for equal  opportunities for all. Leading Ladies United has raised more than $250,000 to support programs for women and girls seeking assistance for domestic violence, workforce development, and education equality. Additionally, this group provides opportunities to network and be inspired by other female leaders in the community and nation.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the group as a donor, table host, speaker, or advocate. You have helped make a difference for women and girls in your community!

  

2021 Non-Event Event

Thank you all so much for all your continuing support!
While we all hoped that we would be back in person this year, we appreciate your support in shift to virtual. Please consider supporting these important programs and becoming a leading lady!

Leading Ladies Committee
  • Tracy Boatner – Chair

  • Naomi Asher

  • Bonnie Carroll

  • Sasha Benjamin

  • Barbara Ward

  • Anita Hazelwood

  • Ryan Overton

  • Becky Curry

Table Hosts
Our Leading Ladies

Anita Hazelwood

Naomi Asher

Bonnie Carroll

Tracy Boatner

Ryan Overton

Barbara Ward

Becky Curry

Karen George

Ashley Watkins

Amy Wilson

Katy Jett

Sheila Michael

Shannon Ochiltree

Sonya Johnson

Amber Roberts

Mary Palmer

Leading Ladies

Tracey Beckendorf-Edou

Lydia Birk

Tracy Boatner

Sherry Browder

Natalie Erb

Amanda Meixel

Ryan Overton

Samantha Pack

Mea Reeves

Sarah Roberts

Kathy Rollow

Michelle Solomon

Leslie England

Jennifer Enderson

Ashley Hartman

Emerging Leaders

Naomi Asher

Lorie Baker-Wallace

Marlene Bannon

Anita Hazelwood

Megan Houchin

Sue Anne Lewis

Meghan Lovelace

Brianna Sprunger

Supporting Donors

Judi Gray

Jennifer Walker

Janis Williams

Judy Wilson

Annie Cacheiro

Leading Initiatives

Girls face unique struggles during adolescence and in school that can make it difficult to succeed. ‘Career Pathways,’ a Leading Ladies Initiative, meets those students at a critical point in their lives. Students in the program are interviewed and employed at a local nonprofit for a semester, where they learn practical job skills, earn a paycheck, and make a difference in their community. These students are also paired with a mentor, many of them Leading Ladies, who offer advice, counseling, or a listening ear throughout the semester. This program has seen tremendous success, and many students have found new direction and passion for their education and their future.

This year, Leading Ladies has spearheaded a new initiative. #WTF bags are discreet bags that are being distributed to every preteen and teenage girl in Anderson County to help combat period poverty and the embarrassment that comes along with being caught unprepared. Meaning Wipes, Tampons and Feminine Products, #WTF bags are being distributed to area schools, starting with those that show the most need. Each discreet make up bag is being packed with a pad, tampon, feminine wipes, a panty liner, a pair of panties and a piece of chocolate, everything a young girl needs without the shame or embarrassment that can come with starting your period at school.

We need your help, either with donations of the above items, with packaging these bags or with the delivery to the area schools. These small bags may seem inconsequential to some, but mean so much to their recipient.

For more information on how to get involved in either of these initiatives, please email naomi@uwayac.org or call the office at 865-483-8431.

Our Sponsors

Thank you to our Sponsors

ORUD

Boston

Edgewater

CNS

ORNL (UT Battelle)

ORNL FCU

Huntington Ingalls

MIG

IB3

Mary Palmer

GEM tech

Photo Galleries

2016 Luncheon