The Women United initiative of United Way of Greater Topeka is dedicated to inspiring, educating and encouraging women to effect change in their community through philanthropy and leadership. The specific intent and goals are to address the unmet needs of women and children by mobilizing the power of women in the Topeka area, to increase awareness and availability of services for women and children (under the age of 18) in our community and finally to increase the positive impact women make on the health and well-being of our community.

It is the intent of the Women United Fund to award grants to assist women and children. The grants will focus on emergency help for women and children that cannot access the requested service through another program and may otherwise fall through the cracks. The grants are also intended to help those who are trying to make a life-altering change, such as achieve advanced job skills through training. An applicant may receive multiple grants over time, but the total amount of their award cannot exceed $500. Immediate family members of the steering committee are not eligible to receive a grant. The organization is willing to consider requests that benefit large groups of women and children as well.

Women United enjoys a diverse membership across the community.  Members may join at any time with a contribution of $100 per year.  Checks should be made out to Women United and can be directed to the United Way of Greater Topeka office. Volunteer opportunities are available for members who seek to contribute personally with their time.

To be a Women United member, select here to fill out a form and receive a membership invoice.

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Quick Facts About Women United

• Who will the funds help? Women and children - individuals, not agencies. Relatives of Steering Committee may not receive a grant.
• How will requests be submitted? Women can be referred by a United Way agency or one of its partners.
• What will the grants do? The funds will be for emergency help for people who might otherwise "fall through the cracks," because they can't get help anywhere else. Women United will avoid duplication of services available elsewhere.
• How will the money be distributed? A grant committee made up of Women United members will make the determination.
• The amount? Up to $500, can be through several smaller grants. Checks will be made to the service provider, not the individual person.
• When did we start? Women United made its first grant in  December, 2005.  By 2010, the initiative had distributed more than $40,000 in grant monies to women and children in the Topeka vicinity.

Women United Steering Committee

Chairperson:  Jeri Hansen 
Membership/Events:  Brenda Gomez
Grants:  Kathy Toelkes
Marketing/Public Relations:  Janie Rutherford
Members:  Sue Lockett, Nancy Perry, Martha Piland, Linda Ramirez-Gonzalez, Marsha Sheahan
United Way Staff:  Miriam Krehbiel, Brenda Guilfoyle

 How Women United helps...

A single mom with grown children is currently a CNA. She would like to advance to a CMA so that she can work more hours at a better pay rate. She has been saving money for school but her hours at work have been cut. The training costs $420 and she can pay $120, leaving a request to Women United for $300, which was granted.

A 42-year-old married woman suffered from a lengthy history of physical pain caused by obesity and anxiety panic disorder. Her primary care physician requested a special knee brace to assist her with walking and daily activities. The knee brace would reduce and relieve pain she struggles with daily. Women United provided $135 to pay for the brace.

A 53-year-old single woman was born with only one kidney, which is now failing. Her primary care physician at Marian Clinic has requested compression hose to support her vascular system time. Women United provided the $151 needed to pay for the compression stockings.

Philip is a young man with potential--a 6 ft., 6 in. high school student, athlete and participant in extra curricular activities. For him, nice clothes for dress up on game days and other activities were non-existent at local clothes banks.  Women United invested in Philip’s future with the purchase of a few key wardrobe pieces from a big & tall shop.