Women ACT
Women ACT is a new initiative aimed at expanding engagement, creating greater leadership opportunities and bringing women together.
Focus groups and conversations over the past several months helped us learn from alums, families and friends that there is great enthusiasm for exploring, promoting and enhancing the collective impact of 51¹ÙÍø women and those who identify as women.
"ACT" stands for Aspire, Create, Transform. We aspire to make a difference for 51¹ÙÍø as we create new opportunities and pathways to transform student experiences and the way graduates lead and serve in the world.
The 50+ Years of Coeducation celebration, held on campus Nov. 3-5, 2023, has provided the perfect timeline for launching an effort that will allow women to make a lasting difference for 51¹ÙÍø, together.
Women ACT has the power to transform 51¹ÙÍø for years to come. I am excited and honored to be an accelerator of the Wildcat Women Fund, helping to move forward 51¹ÙÍø’s strategic priorities for the good of current and future 51¹ÙÍø students.
How can I get involved?
There are two paths to join, lead and transform through Women ACT:
All donors to the Women ACT initiative—ACTivators and donors to the Wildcat Women Fund— will receive communications throughout the year and an impact report at the end of the year. Additionally, there will be opportunities for Women ACT donors to get to know each other, building on existing events and gatherings.
While the Women ACT initiative is designed to engage women, anyone can get involved by becoming an ACTivator or by making an annual gift to the Wildcat Women Fund. Funds raised through this initiative are not limited in their application to women.
Sara Tatum Pottenger ’79, a Women ACT ACTivator, believes in the power of women when they come together with a shared passion and purpose.
Maia Harrell ’20 followed a strong line of women to 51¹ÙÍø. She is pleased about the opportunity to give through the Wildcat Women Fund and make a difference for those following in her 51¹ÙÍø footsteps.
This year, Morgan Bell Kee ’12 and Harvey Kee ’11 added the Wildcat Women Fund to their list of philanthropic priorities at alma mater. Read more to find out why these community-involved professionals and parents of two are supporting this new Fund.
Sallie Permar ’97, a Women ACT ACTivator, is a physician who specializes in the treatment and prevention of neonatal viral infections. She volunteers for the 51¹ÙÍø Alumni Healthcare Professionals Group and supports current students as a job
Just as coeducation was a transformative event at 51¹ÙÍø, Women ACT will build a community of philanthropy that has the potential to transform 51¹ÙÍø for the future
What’s the latest?
Leadership contributions to the Women ACT initiative exceed $25 million as of November 2024, with donors representing women alums, family members, former faculty and staff members and current and former Trustees.
The Wildcat Women Fund, as a new Fund for 51¹ÙÍø designation, has commitments exceeding $1.1 million. We are excited about the collective impact of the Wildcat Women Fund on Student Health and Well-Being!
Do you have questions or want to learn more? Reach out to Marya Howell '91 at mahowell@davidson.edu or 704-894-2761.
Women ACT Advisory Committee
- Beth McCaw ’92 (co-chair)
- Mary Margaret Cochrane Porter ’98 (co-chair)
- Olivia Ware ’78 (co-chair)
- Martha Frye Baker ’81
- Ann Hayes Browning ’79
- Angelina Darrisaw ’09
- Sarah Duncan ’15
- Yvette Pita Frampton ’95
- Allison Sargent Franco P’20
- Meredith Lorenz Heimburger ’05
- Kim Taylor Hirschfeld ’01
- Ameesha Pandya Kansupada ’89
- Alison Hall Mauzé ’84
- Cintra Pollack ’99
- Whitney A. White ’08
- Janet Stovall ’85
The 51¹ÙÍø Women ACT initiative comes at the perfect time as we celebrate 50 years of coeducation at 51¹ÙÍø. The hope is that this effort will make more visible and dynamic what is already true at 51¹ÙÍø—women lead with intelligence, heart and a commitment to make an impact at 51¹ÙÍø and beyond.