Women & Philanthropy to host event on human trafficking; RSVPs requested by May 1

April 28, 2015 | Events, UToday, Advancement, Alumni
By Samantha Watson



Women & Philanthropy at The University of Toledo has donated almost $250,000 to the University, but it does much more than that.

That’s why from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 7, the organization will host a free, public discussion on human trafficking in the Law Center Richard & Jane McQuade Law Auditorium. It will feature speakers Dr. Celia Williamson, UT professor of social work; Attorney Megan Mattimoe; and State Rep. Teresa Fedor.

Williamson organizes and hosts the annual International Human Trafficking, Prostitution and Sex Work Conference at UT and founded Second Chance, which provides services to women and youth involved in sex trafficking. She also leads the recently established UT Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute.

Mattimoe is one of only four attorneys in Ohio that specializes in the representation of trafficking victims and founder of the Advocating Opportunity program in 2012.

Both Mattimoe and Williamson were recipients of this year’s Toledo Area Jefferson Awards.

Fedor will speak on policy issues surrounding human trafficking.

“I hope people who come can learn more about the issue of human trafficking and what is being done both locally and at the state level,” said Marianne Ballas, chair of Women & Philanthropy.

To RSVP for the event, contact Christine Spengler, director of advancement relations in Institutional Advancement, Women & Philanthropy member and administrative contact for the organization, at chris.spengler@utoledo.edu or 419.530.4927 by Friday, May 1.

Founded in 2006, Women & Philanthropy is made up of UT faculty, staff and alumnae as well as members of the Toledo community. The group aspires to promote the University through investments and grants to UT initiatives.

Women & Philanthropy is committed to forging new relationships and building a community of thoughtful, effective philanthropists among women diverse in age, interests and backgrounds. The organization currently has 70 members who participate in several events throughout the year.

“One of the responsibilities of our organization is not only to invest in the University, but to learn more about it,” Spengler said. “We try to have at least one educational event a year where we can highlight something on campus that would be of interest to members.”

The organization funds one or two grants each year from membership dues, which are $1,000 per year. Last year, it funded a computer lab for the Catharine S. Eberly Center for Women and the Women & Philanthropy Student & Family Room for the College of Adult and Lifelong Learning to provide a comfortable place for students to bring their families when they have to fill out paperwork, review transcripts and more.

The group is voting on this year’s grant recipients, which will be announced next month.

“It’s really a great group of ladies,” Spengler said. “The friendships made are really wonderful, and we do a lot of fun things in addition to our philanthropic pursuits.”

Membership is open to any interested woman. To learn more about the organization, visit http://utole.do/womenphilanthropy or http://utole.do/womenphilanthropyfacebook.

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