The Nettie Irene Van Der Veer Wagy Fund was established in 1998 from a bequest of long-time AAUW-KC member Irene Wagy to further AAUW’s mission and purpose of promoting education, intellectual growth, individual worth and development opportunities for women and girls.
The annual grants made through the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation are funded through the Wagy Fund as well as member donations. At the holiday luncheon, grants totaling $10,500 were awarded for the following projects:
KCMO Public Library – Girls Night Out at the Library – $3,000
Opportunity for 10 to 15 participants aged 13–16 to meet monthly at the Irene Ruiz Branch of the library to strengthen their reading skills, explore literature, improve writing skills and develop a stronger sense of self and relationships with peers.
Sheffield Place – Developing Financial Literacy, Computer & Employment Skills – $1,500
The Take Charge! Program will provide up to 50 homeless mothers with the computer, employment and personal finance skills needed to become self-sufficient through 27 hours of classroom training over 18 weeks.
UMKC – Women in STEM First Year Interest Group – $2,700
In partnership with the UMKC Women’s Center, Residential Life, and the School of Computing and Engineering, this interest group will support college women by engaging and enhancing their interest in a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathmatics) career, as well as encouraging younger female students to enter STEM careers.
Wildwood Outdoor Education Center, Inc. – WOW Women of Wildwood – $3,300
Opportunity for 10 girls from Kansas City’s urban core to attend a five-day residential camp where they will develop skills in Nature & Science, Problem Solving & Conflict Resolution, Teamwork & Cooperation and Respect for Self, Others & Nature.
For 2012, which will be our 15th year of giving grants from the Wagy Fund and our inaugural year of the Leadership Memorial Fund, we have a goal of giving $15,000 and receiving enough memorial donations to give our first leadership grant. Please consider a contribution: Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, c/o LaVon Colhour for AAUW Wagy Fund, 1055 Broadway, Suite 130, Kansas City, MO 64105 or donate online at: https://gkccfonlinedonations.org/donations/donation.asp. (Checks should be made payable to AAUW Wagy Fund/Amer01. Please note in the memo line if this is a Leadership Memorial contribution. See below for more information on the Leadership Memorial.)
AAUW’s latest research report, Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School, presents comprehensive new data on the prevalence of sexual harassment in grades 7–12 and its effect on students’ education. Please help us share this research with your community. Download the full report or order hard copies from the AAUW website: