2020 Women United Breakfast Raises $40,000 to Support Education

The Women United Council was honored to virtually host more than 230 community members on September 30 to celebrate our Women United Philanthropy Award recipient, Fabiola Hamdan, and to invest in Education in Dane County. This year’s generous presenting sponsor, BMO Harris Bank, matched all gifts during the event up to $10,000!

$40,000 was raised and will go to the greatest needs for our students – making sure they can succeed academically during an uncertain and constantly changing time. Thank you to our generous sponsors and everyone who made a contribution! There is still time to join The Power of Many. Working for All: Give online and help support more students in our community.

The Breakfast also featured a panel focused on education and the additional challenges brought by the pandemic. Supporting our community’s youth, especially those experiencing barriers such as poverty, is imperative to their academic success. Our expert panelists, including Erin Arango-Escalante, Administrator for the Division of Early Care and Education, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, Dr. Carlton Jenkins, Superintendent of Schools, Madison Metropolitan School District, Karen Menéndez Coller, Executive Director, Centro Hispano and Ginger Zimmerman, President of Murphy Desmond S.C., shared how community partners are working with students and their families and how we can help. Thank you to our panelists! Learn more and watch the recording.

Each year, the Women United Philanthropy Award celebrates a woman who is committed to helping make our community a better place to live, for all. The award also honors a woman’s achievements in educating, empowering and inspiring women and young girls to be philanthropic leaders in Dane County. Fabiola Hamdan’s service to this community demonstrates just that, and attendees had the opportunity to be inspired by her story. Our community is stronger because of her dedication. Learn more about Fabiola’s contributions.

“I would like to thank United Way and Women United for this great honor. I am humbled to receive this prestigious recognition. And I am so very fortunate to have the daily opportunity to help people who are very vulnerable. Now more than ever, it is imperative for us to be there for those in need. And I’m proud to work with United Way and Women United, who are dedicated to fighting for these families in Dane County.”

– Fabiola Hamdan