News
Contact: |
Rebecca Finley 615.321.4939 rfinley@cfmt.org |
| Date: | November 21, 2005 |
Olympic Gold Medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee to Be Keynote Speaker at Area Fundraiser
Nashville, Tennessee – The Women’s Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee today announced that Jackie Joyner-Kersee, an Olympic gold medalist and one of the greatest athletes of our time, will be the keynote speaker February 14 at the Power of the Purse luncheon, benefiting The Women’s Fund.
The luncheon is an eagerly-anticipated annual fundraiser for The Women’s Fund, a charitable fund within The Community Foundation that benefits women and girls across Middle Tennessee. The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel in Nashville, 611 Commerce St. Tickets are $200 per person. For reservations call (615) 321-4939 or register online at www.cfmt.org.
“Not only is Jackie Joyner-Kersee world-renowned for her super-human athletic feats, but she is equally a star for her tremendous philanthropic contributions,” said honorary event co-chair Julie Boehm.
Sports Illustrated for Women named Jackie “Female Athlete of the 20th Century,” and ESPN has declared her one of North America’s “50 Greatest Athletes.” Joyner-Kersee won six Olympic medals in four consecutive Olympic games and was the first woman ever to win back-to-back gold medals in the heptathlon, both in 1988 and 1992. In 1998, she became the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the long jump.
Joyner-Kersee has used her charisma and international fame to increase public awareness of asthma and promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation raised more than $12 million to build the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center in East St. Louis, a safe haven for young people to learn about health and nutrition, receive after-school tutoring, join youth sports leagues, engage in community service, and become well-rounded young adults by learning the value of strong leadership, academics, athletics and social skills.
“Mrs. Joyner-Kersee is an excellent example to the people of Middle Tennessee how much difference one person can make,” said event co-chair Sherry Howell.
The Power of the Purse luncheonis being chaired this year by Sherry Howell and Linde Pflaum. Serving as honorary co-chairs are Julie Boehm and Trisha Elcan. At the luncheon, a silent auction will feature one-of-a-kind purses donated by several local and national retailers. The purse, a symbol of women’s capacity for philanthropy, has become an emblem central to this event. Auction proceeds will help further support The Women’s Fund mission to help women and girls in need.
Luncheon attendees will take home the 2006 A Celebration of Women pictorial tribute book, which is filled with tributes from individuals, organizations and businesses honoring their colleagues, friends, mothers, sisters and other women in their lives. Money raised from the sale of tribute pages in the book also benefits The Women’s Fund.
The deadline for submitting a tribute is December 15. For reservations and additional information call (615) 321-4939 or register online at www.cfmt.org.
The Women’s Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee provides grants to nonprofit organizations serving the interests of women and girls through the arts and cultural education, health and human services, victim’s support services, domestic violence intervention, drug rehabilitation and job training. Past recipient organizations include Renewal House, American Association of Refugee & Immigrant Women, and Domestic Violence Intervention Center, among others.
About The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee: www.cfmt.org
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee oversees more than 500 charitable funds. In the past fourteen years, The Community Foundation has distributed $226 million to community programs and institutions. Currently, The Community Foundation manages funds totaling $351 million. It is located at 3833 Cleghorn Avenue, #400 Nashville, Tennessee 37215. For more information, call 615-321-4939 or visit www.cfmt.org.
