Achmoody to receive Women’s Endowment Fund Outrageous Award
AKRON, Ohio (Sept. 15, 2009) – The Women’s Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation will honor Dottie Achmoody, CEO of Opportunity Parish Ecumenical Neighborhood Ministry (OPEN M), with the Marie Covington Outrageous Acts for Social Justice Award at the “Outrageous Acts for Social Justice Party” on Sept. 24, 2009. The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Happy Days Lodge, located in the scenic Cuyahoga Valley National Park off state Route 303 in Peninsula.
Achmoody will be honored for her outstanding leadership and service to the community. As the CEO of OPEN M, Achmoody has transformed a little-known ministry focusing primarily on feeding the hungry into a thriving multi-dimensional agency that serves thousands of people, helping them work towards self-sufficiency. In addition to fulfilling its original mission to feed the hungry, OPEN M also offers free medical services; after-school and summer programs for youth; and Diamond Girls, a leadership-development program designed especially for young women.
“Dottie Achmoody exemplifies everything an outrageous woman and leader should be in her community, and we are thrilled … to celebrate her service and dedication to social justice causes,” said Tracy Carter, president of the Women’s Endowment Fund advisory board and Outrageous Acts chair.
Achmoody will be the first recipient of the award, which was named for Marie Covington, the visionary leader behind the Women’s Endowment Fund.
The Outrageous Acts event will honor Gloria Steinem’s 75th birthday and celebrate women who have positively impacted the lives of others by dedicating themselves to equality and social justice causes. The event is being held in partnership with the Medina County Women’s Endowment Fund. Women from both counties will present awards.
Event attendees are encouraged to wear an outrageous hat for a chance to win a People’s Choice Award, which will be presented to the individual with the most original hat design.
The event is sponsored by CommonGood Consulting Inc., Pam Kiltau, Rhonda Davis Esq., Zuckerman Consulting Group, The Brennan Family Foundation, Superior Beverage, Minx Design and Sweet Mary’s Bakery. The event cost of $25 per person covers food by Moe’s Restaurant, drinks and entertainment; $5 per ticket is tax-deductible and will benefit the Women’s Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation, the Medina County Women’s Endowment Fund and the Ms. Foundation for Women.
The event is open to the public. To RSVP, please call 330-376-8522 by Monday, Sept. 21.
About the Women’s Endowment Fund
The Women’s Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation was established in 1993 as a permanent endowment committed to improving the lives of women and girls in Summit County and assisting them in their growth as philanthropists. Its grant-making supports the educational, physical, emotional, social, artistic and personal growth of women and girls. To date, the fund has awarded $345,502 in grants. Contributions of any amount are welcome and can be sent to the Women’s Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation, 345 W. Cedar St., Akron, OH, 44307. For more information, call 330-376-8522 or visit www.akroncommunityfdn.org/wef.
For more information contact:
Jennifer Graham
330-725-8247
jennifergraham@jgrahamconsulting.com