The Atlanta Women’s Foundation is the only public foundation in Georgia focused solely on increasing self sufficiency among women and girls, and accomplishing positive social change. Proceeds from Numbers enhance the Foundation’s grant-making initiatives and women’s leadership programs. Since its inception, AWF has granted almost $8 million to more than 250 nonprofit organizations serving women and girls in a 15-county metropolitan area. As part of the Numbers celebration, Jones will present her signature one-woman-show and use her frank voice to explore ethnic, gender, economic and health disparities, and highlight the Foundation’s passion to enhance opportunities for women and girls in this community.

At this year’s event, The Atlanta Women’s Foundation will present the first Sue Wieland Embracing Possibility Award. Named for Atlanta philanthropist and former AWF board member Sue Wieland, the award is given to both an outstanding woman or girl and an organization. This year’s winners are Laura Mora and the International Women’s House (IWH). Ms. Mora is a survivor of domestic violence. As a mother of three young children, she found the courage to leave her abusive husband while faced with limited English proficiency, unemployment and non-documentation status. She has worked at the International Women’s House for eight years, providing support for women who find themselves in similar circumstances. Today Ms. Mora is continuing her formal education and her children are “A” students in their schools. She says: “As both a resident and an employee here, I’ve seen hundreds of women like me come through these doors, and get the help I once got, so they can make their dreams come true and not hurt anymore.”

The International Women’s House serves immigrant and refugee women and their children impacted by domestic violence. In addition to providing a hotline for women in crisis, the organization also offers emergency shelter and ongoing support. IWH case managers speak many languages including Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Greek, German, French, Polish, Urdu and Yiddish. “Our role regarding Laura was simple,” says Executive Director Anna Blau, “because Laura did all the hard work. A lot of effort goes into working with victims, but when someone like Laura comes along who is unwilling to ever be victimized again, we give her the credit for all she’s accomplished.”

According to Deborah Richardson, CEO of The Atlanta Women’s Foundation, “this year’s tenth anniversary will provide three examples of The Atlanta Women’s Foundation’s powerful work in the community. We are telling the stories of our successes, honoring a woman and an organization that are changing lives, and showing what’s possible with the strength of women’s philanthropy.” Commenting on the award that bears her name, Sue Wieland adds “I am honored by my long term association with The Atlanta Women’s Foundation. We all know that women are entitled to have the same opportunities as men. Women are in the workplace, represented in every professional field, raising children and bringing along the next generation. We must keep providing the resources to strengthen their lives.”

To purchase tickets for Numbers Too Big To Ignore, call 404-577-5000 ext. 146 or visit www.atlantawomen.org.

About The Sue Wieland Embracing Possibility Award
The Sue Wieland Embracing Possibility Award is given to an individual woman or girl and a nonprofit organization that has received a competitive grant from The Atlanta Women’s Foundation within the past five years. The organization’s work with the individual must have resulted in significant change in her life over the past few years, in at least one of the following areas: general conditions, attitude, knowledge, skills or behavior. The award is named in honor of philanthropists John and Sue Wieland, and their support of The Atlanta Women’s Foundation through the Wieland Family Foundation.

About Sarah Jones
Sarah Jones is a Tony Award®-winning playwright, actor, and poet. Her multi-character solo shows include Bridge & Tunnel, originally produced Off-Broadway by Meryl Streep, which went on to become a critically acclaimed, long-running hit on Broadway. Jones’ career has taken her from a sold-out run at The Kennedy Center to tours of India, Europe and South Africa, to performances for such audiences as the United Nations, members of the U.S. Congress and the Supreme Court of Nepal. Most recently, Jones has been commissioned by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation for a piece entitled A Right to Care, which tackles themes of inequality in health. Sarah Jones has made numerous TV appearances including HBO, NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS and CNN. She lives in New York with her creative partner and husband Steve Colman.