WE ARE WOMEN UNITED.
As an integral part of United Way, Women United® fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community. We are a diverse, vibrant community, bound together by a powerful sense of belonging — to each other, to the organization’s mission, and to the communities we call home. Our powerful, global network of women leaders, over 70,000 strong, lives united against the most critical issues facing more than 165 communities in six countries.
WE IGNITE CHANGE.
In each community we serve, Women United tackles the issues that matter most to the people who call it home. We empower each other to use our passions, our ideas, our expertise and resources to transform the very conditions in which people live. With more than $1.5 billion invested in local solutions and a worldwide footprint, we’re able to positively impact our hometown while also being part of the bigger picture and broader cause.
WHY ENGAGE? 
• You’ll be a part of a community of like-minded women who contribute their
personal passions, best ideas, and unique strengths to the mission of building
stronger communities.
• Volunteer within your community alongside others looking to create change.
• Network and collaborate with key business and community leaders at exclusive
events.
• Learn more about critical issues impacting our community.
• Advocate for key community issues at the local and state levels.
LOCAL CALENDAR.
LEARN.
WOMEN UNITED FOOD FOR THOUGHT SERIES
During lunch, listen to expert speakers as they share information on current issues facing women and their families. Learn how you can make a difference. Sessions are held at the Petroleum Club on the second Monday of the month. $20 per person. Limited to 40 attendees.
August 14: Human Trafficking in Our Backyard Register now!
In 2016, human trafficking in the United States rose 35.7 percent from the previous year, according to data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline. A total of 4,890 reported cases involved adults and 2,387 involved minors. Human trafficking can be defined as “a form of modern-day slavery in which traffickers use force, fraud or coercion to control victims for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or labor services against his/her will.” Lisa LeBlanc, of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, has done extensive research about human trafficking and will share her knowledge about its reach into Louisiana.
September 11: 5 Awake: 5 Women Who Changed Domestic Violence Laws in Louisiana
Meet some of the five tenacious steel magnolias who stormed the Louisiana Legislature in 2014 to demand domestic violence gun reforms from lawmakers — and got their way! These women are from New Orleans’ Women United and will share how they made a difference in the lives of women across our state.
October 9: Pay Equity — Louisiana Policy Women’s Office
Dr. Shanta Proctor has a lifetime mission of being a catalyst for change and positively affecting people’s lives. She was the Top Graduate of Political Science for the Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Southern University and obtained a master’s and doctorate degree in Vocational Education and Human Resource Education and Workforce Development, respectively, from Louisiana State University (LSU). She has worked extensively with community development organizations, nonprofit leadership and women’s organizations. She now leads Gov. John Bel Edwards’ Louisiana Policy Women’s Office and helps him lead the charge for pay equity in Louisiana.
November 13: Louisiana Women Who Influenced History
Dr. Mary Farmer-Kaiser, Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, will share stories of Louisiana women that underscore the cultural, social, and political distinctiveness of the state as well as showcases the actions and activities of women who greatly affected the history of Louisiana in profound and interesting ways. Farmer-Kaiser edited two volumes of Louisiana Women: Their Lives and Times.
January 9: Birth to 5 Education Challenges and Successes
Melanie Bronfin is President/CEO of the non-partisan Policy Institute for Children which advance policies to ensure that Louisiana’s young children are ready for success in school and in life. Learn about her successful efforts this past legislative session to actually achieve increased funding for school readiness tax credits and for the creation of a Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund. She will also share what you can do to become a powerful voice for young children in the 2018 legislative session.
CONNECT.
October 2017 - Charter Member Reception
November 2017 - Winter Social - Member Recruitment Event
Spring 2018 - Women United Luncheon
VOLUNTEER.
EARLY HEAD START ROCK-N-READ
Volunteer to “rock and read” to our infants and toddlers 1 to 2 hours a month.
DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY BOOK DRIVE
Help collect and sort gently used DPIL books and share your love of reading with local children in child care centers throughout
Acadiana.
TEDDY BEAR TEA
Assist with our first ever holiday fundraising event December 2 and 3, 2017. Help needed before, during or after this special memory-making Christmas gathering.
Questions? Please contact Keler Mitchell at keler.williams@unitedwayofacadiana.org or (337) 706-1234.
