The first annual luncheon celebration for the newly created Women’s Fund of East Tennessee was a sell-out earlier this month — even though no invitations actually went out. In fact, a group of female movers and shakers has quietly been rattling the money trees around town and, by the end of last year, already had raised $1.3 million for the new fund. And then they sold out the luncheon! The fund’s purpose? Providing grants to “transform the lives of low-income women and girls in East Tennessee,” according to its mission statement.
Tables for the luncheon at Cherokee Country Club cost $1,500 each — if you could get one. And, with more than 300 in attendance and additional support from 11 generous sponsors, well, you can see what a success it was. Keynote speaker was journalist Lisa Ling, a former host of the ABC show “The View” who now has her own program on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Ling also is known as the sister of journalist Laura Ling, who was released in August 2009 after being detained for five months by the government of North Korea for allegedly crossing into the country from China while reporting on North Korean refugees. Lisa Ling told the audience at Cherokee Country Club that her sister actually was dragged across the border by government forces in an effort to frame her.
Lisa Ling herself has made a career centered largely on covering women’s issues around the world, from bride burning in India to gang rape in the Congo. But some of the most horrific stories she has covered, she said, have occurred in the United States. “Sometimes when covering these stories, I have felt like I was in a foreign country,” she said. “But I was in America.”
Ling has been very committed to covering the forced prostitution of girls in this country and said she was “surprised to hear that sex trafficking is rampant in East Tennessee.” She said that the girls involved often are as young as 12. “When American girls are involved, it’s called prostitution,” she said. “But if you don’t call this slavery, I don’t know what is.”
Interestingly, Ling got her start at Whittle Communications’ Channel One News, which was headquartered here in Knoxville. “I love Knoxville,” Ling said prior to her speech. “I wouldn’t have the career I have today if not for Chris Whittle and Ed Winter and Channel One.” Winter, a former Whittle executive, introduced Ling at the luncheon.
The Women’s Fund, under the umbrella of the East Tennessee Foundation, provides grants to organizations that improve the lives of women and girls in East Tennessee. “By helping women build assets, our goal is to create self-sufficiency as we try to make a difference in our region,” the program for the luncheon explains.
Kay Clayton was chair of the committee that produced the lunch. I was blown away by the table decorations which consisted of beautiful glass birds created by Marble City Glassworks and individualized tablescapes created by Blooming Earth Flowers. Moxley Carmichael was happy to provide pro bono graphic design services for the program books, which were printed courtesy of Cindi BeBusk. Presenting sponsors were Pilot Flying J and the Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation. Gold sponsors were Ann Bailey, Bobbie Congleton, Clayton Bank and Trust, Clayton Homes, Cornerstone Foundation of Knoxville, Home Federal Bank, Miller 64, Scripps Networks and Tennessee Insurance Services.
Opening music was provided by The Joyful Noise River Choir, a group of homeless women from Johnson City who discovered a love for song while participating in a program called The River. The River, in conjunction with First Presbyterian Church in Johnson City, provides women in transition with a location to meet to “listen, learn, laugh and wash clothes,” according to the program.
Here are some of the folks at the luncheon — and also some pictures of those stunning birds created by Chris Szaton of Marble City Glassworks.
Want to see more? Click here for a link to the WBIR story about the event. Click here to read Terry Morrow’s interview for the News Sentinel and see Amy Smotherman Burgess’ video for the paper. Click here to see the Joyful Noise River Choir’s blog post and their photo with Lisa Ling. Click here to see more photos posted by the East Tennessee Foundation.
What a packed house and inspiring speaker it was. Thanks to Mary Ellen for inviting me to sit at the Miller 64 table. How’s Rexi getting along with that bird.
It was fun sitting with you. Rexie not sure what to make of the bird!
Pingback:Women’s Fund in Blue Streak | East Tennessee Foundation Forum
This superbly written article compliments the
outstanding luncheon and wonderful organizations, Women’s Fund of East Tennessee
I feel after reading this article and seeing the great pictures, I have vividly relived the luncheon. Lisa would be proud.
I only hope this article can be read by at least everyone in all 16 counties in East Tennessee.
About the Author
What You’re Saying
What’s Hot
My Favorite Blogs
Archives