Asheville Women Business Leaders convene to benefit Irma victims

In the growing wake of devastation left behind from Hurricane Irma, women entrepreneurs and professionals are joining forces to raise funds to support the future rebuilding efforts across the ravaged areas of Southern Florida. On Tuesday, September 12 from 3:00-5:00 PM, FemCity Asheville is hosting its monthly professional networking event for female business leaders and the group is using the event as an opportunity to collect donations for Habitat for Humanity.

A free event, held in the Century Room of Pack’s Tavern, the convergence of women professionals is aptly named “Tenacious Tuesdays” and presents an ideal environment for fundraising around a worthy cause. The event had been sold-out at 150 registrants, but thanks to the support of Pack’s Tavern and area partners like Junior League of Asheville, Western Women's Business Center, and the Asheville Chamber of Commerce’s WomanUP initiative, doors will open to an additional 75 women.

“With many of our members having a personal connection to those devastated by the recent hurricane, it made sense for us to come together to make a difference. Our event is aimed at celebrating the power of tenacious women, and cultivating that power also requires us to direct efforts towards community service. I am thrilled to share the stage with Habitat for Humanity and to make sure that the moment is marked by a willingness to serve our neighbors in need,” said FemCity Asheville President, Emily Breedlove.

The Habitat for Humanity is one of the most effective post-disaster relief agencies across the United States and it is already preparing to get to work in Florida. Just as they are already at work helping those who were hit hard by Hurricane Harvey, their Disaster Corp volunteers are gearing up to respond to those in the path of Irma.

"Habitat for Humanity has been responding to disasters since 1997 and to date has helped more than 230,000 families in 52 countries. In addition to long-term housing repair and construction, Habitat's response includes organizing volunteers and resources to help with the cleanup of homes damaged by wind and flood waters," notes Peggy Crowe, a member of the Women Build Advocacy Team for the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.

Ms. Crowe has been a passionate supporter of Habitat for many years, and is thrilled to help assist in the coordination of the fundraising effort, "the one thing that I kept noticing in the Habitat videos was the spirit of camaraderie between the volunteers and those whose homes were being repaired. There was not only a sense of relief but almost joy in knowing that there were so many there to help when they thought they were on their own." Peggy is also a long-time member of FemCity Asheville and will be on-hand at the Tuesday meeting.

To demonstrate their dedication to the cause, FemCity Asheville will be donating the funds they had originally allocated towards champagne to the Habitat for Humanity contribution. They have also worked closely with regional partners to spread the word across Western North Carolina to encourage participation at Tuesday’s event.

Ms. Breedlove noted that even though the event is offered at no cost to attendees, registration is still requested on the organizational website, “we welcome all women from across WNC to join us as we work to not only support one another, but also to answer the call to give back to those in need.”

Additional information can be found at www.FemCityAsheville.com