Women's Giving Circle Awards $70,000 in Third Year

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas Women’s Giving Circle awarded $70,000 in grants to support programs on the UA campus, focusing on those that enhance the lives of women. The third annual grant awards were presented April 9 at a symposium and brunch featuring retired gymnast Mary Lou Retton.

The grant recipients are:

•  Improving Resources in Child Protection — School of Social Work, J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences: The Academic Partnership in Social Welfare, a part of the UA School of Social Work, has been working with the Division of Children and Family Services to address ways to enhance services to at-risk children and families in Northwest Arkansas. One of these needs is for on-call tote bags, which include diapers, baby wipes, toys, books and flashlights, to help the caseworker foster trust and rapport with children who have been traumatized, or help the children prepare for foster care. This proposal will develop a survey and supply fully stocked, durable tote bags and supplies to 200 caseworkers. Amount of award: $5,000. 

•  Opening the Circle: Mentoring New Hispanic Female Residents — Sam M. Walton College of Business and School of Social Work, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences: This project will create a mentoring outreach program with the purpose of enriching the lives of new international bilingual residents of Northwest Arkansas. Using a combination of workshops and electronic mentoring, this proposal will provide information to new Hispanic women and empower them to pursue personal goals such as obtaining a general equivalency diploma, enrolling in college, getting a job, learning about finances, and interacting with other women. A bilingual “Opening the Circle” Web site will also be created. Amount of award: $10,000. 

•  Microwave Imaging for Early Detection of Breast Cancer — Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering: Current imaging methods for detecting breast cancer include X-ray mammography. A new method, known as microwave imaging, has shown potential to complement or even supersede this method. The objective of this project is to continue the development of a new imaging technique capable of capturing tumors smaller than 5 mm for early detection. This could offer a more economical and less painful option for women and save many lives. In addition, this detection method may be administered more frequently than the current methods, which are only safe to use on an annual basis.  Amount of award: $30,000. 

•  A History of Women in the Arkansas General Assembly, 1923-2005 — Fulbright College: This project will research women who have served in the Arkansas General Assembly. The information gathered will provide insight into the lives of these women and their decision to run and serve the state of Arkansas. The project will also provide young women with essential information for becoming involved in the electoral process that they could, in turn, use to guide them through the process, should they decide to serve. This project also involves the creation of a Web site with photographs and biographical information, a CD-Rom for libraries and a plan for integration into curriculum in Arkansas public schools and the construction of a portable exhibit. As a result of the WGC funding received, this program will also receive funding from the Diane Blair Center of Southern Politics and Society.  Amount of award: $10,000.

•  Camp Aldersgate Design/Build Program, Amphitheater and Stage — School of Architecture: Each summer, hundreds of children from Arkansas living with chronic disabilities participate in the Med Camps programs at Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock. Concurrently, the U of A School of Architecture selects a design and build project for first-year architecture students to gain hands-on experience in the process of designing and building a facility. This real-world experience couples the future architects need to incorporate the uniqueness of a project’s environment with the special needs of those who will use the structure. The intent of the camp is to provide a place for children to engage in activities their everyday lives do not allow. Funding for this project will provide for the completion of an amphitheater and stage to be used by the participants of Camp Aldersgate. Amount of award: $15,000. 

 
The Women’s Giving Circle was created in 2002 by the founding members of the Women and Philanthropy Committee of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century. The purpose of the group is to create a substantial pool of new money from women in support of the University of Arkansas while, at the same time, encouraging women as philanthropic leaders. Membership in Women’s Giving Circle is open to all alumni and friends who make a $1,000 annual gift commitment to the organization. The Circle considers funding proposals from campus projects on an annual basis and every member of the Circle votes on which project or projects will receive funding for the current year.

There are currently 95 members of the Women's Giving Circle. The founding members are Pat Cooper of Bella Vista, Mary Trimble Maier of Fayetteville, Julia Peck Mobley of Texarkana, Harriett Phillips of Little Rock, Debbie Walker of Fayetteville, Lynne Walton of Bentonville, Mary Lib White of Fayetteville and Donna Axum Whitworth of Fort Worth, Texas. To date, the Women’s Giving Circle has contributed more than $160,000 to the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century.

For more information about the Women’s Giving Circle, contact Susan Neyman, director of Annual Giving, (479) 575-3238 or visit annualfund.uark.edu.