The Chester County Fund for Women and Girls recently marked its more than 20 years of serving local women and girls at the 14th Annual Making a Difference Luncheon at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern.

A lively crowd of 300 community leaders and individuals gathered to recognize the power of CCFWG’s impact, honor the advocacy of Cheryl Miles, and lean into a bold future for local women and girls.

The afternoon kicked off with networking and a silent auction that featured a selection of luxury trips for two, courtesy of The American Fundraising Foundation.

Keynote speaker Morgan Berman, the founder and CEO of MilkCrate, reflected on her many successes – and inevitable frustrations – as a woman in the male-dominated startup and tech industries.

An accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor, Berman spoke to the inspiration – and life lessons about resiliency and persistence against a formidable opponent – that she pulls from each time she is on the mat: “The same way we feel the rage and terror that comes with failure, we need to start to feel comfortable being brave in the face of extreme odds … throw off my balance? Block my way? I pivot. Knock me down? I get back up.”

Click here to read the full transcript of her speech.

CCFWG also presented Cheryl Miles, a connector and passionate advocate for the underserved in Chester County, with the 2019 Kitchen Table Award, named in celebration of the many conversations among founders held around kitchen, board, and coffee tables.

In a touching video tribute to Miles, which can be viewed below, some of her dearest friends and colleagues spoke to her selfless heart and guiding presence as a leader in Chester County. In her remarks, Miles emphasized the importance of community and how vital it is to the work we all do as partners throughout the county: “We need community. There is no significant learning without significant relationships.” She also reminded the crowd that “we are our sisters’ keepers” and serve as “drum majors for the vulnerable.”

Finally, the celebration came to a close with refreshments, networking, and live entertainment courtesy of Gracenotes, West Chester University’s all-female a capella group.

“The Luncheon was a proud day for the Fund,” said CCFWG Executive Director Michelle Legaspi Sánchez. “We brought together voices and experiences of amazing women while raising dollars to ensure a brighter, safer, and healthier future for women and girls in Chester County. We are grateful to the many who made this event and our work possible.”

Since 1996, CCFWG has distributed $3.1 million in grants to 71 regional nonprofit agencies to support women and girls. More than 20 years later, it remains a bold, strategic, and creative leader in uniting community partners and individuals around a shared commitment to women, girls, and their families.

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