WEN Celebrates 20th Anniversary
By Julie Headley with Thellman Financial Corporation and Jenny Hopelain
with Midwest Mechanical Service, Inc.
The Women’s Employment Network (WEN) celebrated 20 years of transforming lives with a black-tie Gala on October 21, 2006, with over 600 guests attending the elegant dinner and participating in the silent and live auctions to raise funds for WEN’s programs. The jewel-themed anniversary event was held in the Imperial Ballroom of the Muehlebach Tower, Downtown Kansas City Marriott honoring WEN co-founders Beth K. Smith and the late Marjorie Powell Allen, as well as the thousands of women who have graduated from and benefited from WEN’s employment-readiness programs over the past 20 years. The evening was highlighted with a performance by Oleta Adams.
This one-time event raised significant funds through corporate sponsors, the live and silent auctions as well as the “Continue the Legacy” donations. KC CREW members participated in many ways. From the planning of the event, a donation of a “Transform your home” gift basket to on-hand helpers at the event for the registration process, the silent and live auctions.