Tarrant County United Way's new Women’s Leadership Society (WLS) has been established to inspire and challenge women to give, advocate and volunteer in Tarrant County. The society consists of diverse and talented women who are uniting to play a more powerful role as local philanthropists.

Women who contribute $1,000 or more annually to United Way through the society (the equivalent of $83 a month) know that their donation will address some of the community's toughest problems. They also enjoy opportunities to meet other Tarrant County women who are leaders in the business, community and volunteer arenas.

Charter members and their guests officially launched the Women's Leadership Society at a reception held March 11 at the Modern Art Museum in Fort Worth. Guest speaker at the event was Lynne Lancaster, co-author of the business best-seller “When Generations Collide.”

More than a dozen WLS “core founders” have been working behind the scenes to establish the new society. They are Louise Appleman, Viney Chandler, Mary Margaret Clay, Leah King, Sharon Leite, Rosa Navejar, Susan Nix, Stephanie Oelkers, Karen Parsinen, Alice Puente, Ginny Tigue, Linda Timmons, Kristin Vandergriff and Tonya Veasey.

To join the Women's Leadership Society or to learn more about it, contact Debbie McGee at 817-258-8047 or debbie.mcgee@unitedwaytarrant.org.