Women’s Foundation of Arkansas raises $249,000 at annual luncheon

The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas (WFA) celebrated Arkansas women making an impact in public service, business and philanthropy at Thursday’s 26th annual Power of the Purse luncheon, held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

Presented by Arkansas Children’s, the event raised $249,000 to support WFA’s mission of advancing economic security and opportunity for women and girls across the state.

This year’s luncheon honored three extraordinary women for their contributions:

Woman of the Year in Public Service: Dr. Nirvana Manning, professor and chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine. Dr. Manning has been a tireless advocate for women’s health, particularly in addressing Arkansas’s maternal mortality crisis.

Woman of the Year in Business: Lenore Trammell, chief administrative officer, chief compliance officer and general counsel, Big River Steel. Trammell is recognized for her leadership in the STEAM field and commitment to mentoring young women in business.

Woman of the Year in Philanthropy: Cathy Tuggle, CAM, NALP, owner and principal broker, Apartment Hunters and Arkansas Suites. Tuggle’s dedication to Arkansas’s nonprofit community, particularly her work with AR Kids Read and the UA Little Rock Advisory Board, has made a lasting impact.

“We were incredibly proud to recognize this year’s honorees, who have each made significant strides in their respective fields,” said Anna Beth Gorman, CEO of WFA. “Each year, the Power of the Purse luncheon is a celebration of the progress we’ve made toward gender equity, and today’s event underscores how critical it is to continue this work, with the support of our community.”

WFA’s Power of the Purse luncheon is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser. Proceeds support programs like the Tjuana Byrd Summer Internship Program and the Women’s Economic Mobility Hub (WEM Hub), which provide resources and opportunities for women and girls throughout Arkansas.

Founded in 1998, the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas is the only statewide foundation focused solely on ensuring economic security for women and girls in Arkansas.