Smart Party 2012
“SMART PARTY” CELEBRATES THE CITY’S BRIGHTEST
On 10/11/12 at WorkPlay, the Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham
will showcase smart technology to honor 12 local women who think big
BIRMINGHAM – On Oct. 11, 2012, at WorkPlay, the Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham will host its inaugural “SMART Party,” honoring a dozen women involved in innovative work that aligns with the mission of the Women’s Fund. Through innovative use of the latest social media technology, guests from around the world will be able to “join the party,” which will include food by Kathy G and an auction of “a behind the scenes tour” of Google headquarters in California. The party runs 5:30-8 p.m. Tickets cost $50 and are available in advance at www.smartparty.org/birmingham.
Presented by Alabama Power, the SMART Party is a fundraiser for The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham, the only local foundation that solely supports programs for women and girls. During the party, The Women’s Fund will honor a dozen Birmingham-based women doing innovative work in their respective fields. Organizers hope the event will go global through tweets, tags, pins and check-ins, while the smart women — and men! — partying in person at WorkPlay will enjoy a real and virtual experience of connectivity.
“The SMART Party will incorporate technology before, during and after the event,” says event co-chair Brooke Battle. “Virtual guests will be able to watch the party live from computers or handheld devices anywhere in the world. They can check in using various social media sites, and those who donate will have their name and donation amounts appear on the screen during the event.”
The special evening will feature guest appearances by emcees Sherri Jackson from CBS42 and Scott Register of “Reg’s Coffee House” on Birmingham Mountain Radio, as well as Guin Robinson, Brett Shaffer and Karen Shepherd. The SMART Party entertainment will also include a strong social media component showcasing the work of smart women. Ten of the 12 honorees have already been announced. They are:
Allison Black Cornelius – Principal, Blackfish Strategies
Renee Blalock – Director, Birmingham Public Library
Javacia Harris Bowser – Founder, See Jane Write
Rachel Estes – Director of Outreach & Missions, Canterbury United Methodist Church
Ann Huckstep – Partner, Adams and Resse, LLP
Cheryl Morgan – Professor and Director, Urban Studio
Sarah Parcak – Space Archaeologist, UAB Laboratory for Global Health Observation
Amanda Storey – Assistant Vice President for Community Health & Wellness, United Way
Phyllis Weinstein – Chairman, Alabama Holocaust Commission
Bonika Wilson – President & CEO, Wilson Capital Management
Two additional honorees will be announced during the event.
Major corporate sponsors for the SMART Party include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, Brookwood Medical Center, UAB Medicine Women & Infant Center and HealthSouth Corporation.
Planning the SMART Party are Susie Abbott, Brooke Battle, Katherine Berdy, Wendy Bozelli, Martha Bozeman, Laura Brooks Bright, Glenny Brock, Meredith Ray Calhoun, Karen Carroll, Cindy Crawford, Hannon Davidson, Natalie Davis, Cathy Friedman, Brantley Fry, Marcia Hart, Chris Hawkins, JP Hemmingway, Marjorie Johnston, Phyllis McCombs, Ellen Sharley Melville, Lauren Pearson, Debra Weston Pickens, Meredith Shah, and Shannon Stewart.
What Makes The Women’s Fund So Smart
100 percent of proceeds from SMART Party ticket sales will benefit the programs of The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham. Through community support, The Women’s Fund has made grants totaling more than $1.5 million to assist women experiencing domestic violence, being held as victims of sex trafficking or limited personally by financial illiteracy. The work of The Women’s Fund is vital a state where
• 1 in 4 girls live in poverty
• women earn 74% of what men earn
• women are victims the 3rd highest number of domestic violence homicides nationwide