Endowments
We would like to acknowledge and thank those who have chosen to start endowment funds with us.
One of the most generous ways one can support Women Walking West (W3) is by creating an endowment fund in honor or memory of someone. An endowment fund is a long-term commitment.
The minimum endowment fund is $25,000. The endowment will be funded through annual gifts (amount is determined by the fund donor) until the minimum is reached. The fund is to be a perpetual fund only dispersing dividends and interest income. The principal amount, $25,000, will remain intact and be invested for long-term growth. All funding allocation will be recommended by the Scholarship Committee and approved by the Women Walking West Board of Directors.
If you are interested in starting an endowment fund with Women Walking West, please contact info@womenwalkingwest.org.
Mary Alice and George Leasure Endowment
Many college professors and educators in the United States want learning to be a collaborative experience and expect participation from students. Most colleges and universities require students to take general education classes, regardless of their major, to expose them to a wide variety of subjects. This can come as a surprise to international students who expect to take only courses related to their major. Through the mentoring program, W3 will assist female students to overcome their academic barriers.
The Kathleen Porter Stolle Scholarship Endowment Fund
Kathleen is a philanthropist that is supportive of many non-profit organizations in the area. One area of interest to her is diversity in the workforce. She believes that contributing to Women Walking West will allow for a more diverse population of women to be educated and enter the workforce. Ms. Stolle is a resident of Lebanon, OH.
Dr. Abbaas Hatamzadeh Fund
Dr. Hatamzadeh’s family started this endowment to honor their father’s vision to always be kind to humanity, always seek knowledge and share that knowledge, and to use language as a tool rather than a barrier to achieving these goals. He believed that regardless of nationality, gender, or socioeconomic status, education is essential to success and promotion of the well-being of mankind. The Hatamzadeh family are residents of Cincinnati, OH.
Mr. and Mrs. Yadwinder S. Chehil Fund
Mr. Singh believes that “As many claim, investing in a girl’s education is investing in a nation. And here, by supporting Women Walking West, we are all investing in our nation to be brighter and better. Education is proven as the most effective way to empower women for lifelong success. Not only does education open the door to better employment opportunities, it also teaches a woman to make positive choices that will help her and her children.” The Singhs are residents of Mason, OH.
Minka Fund
Ms. Noack started this endowment in honor of her mother. She says, “My mother Milena Sestakova (Minka) always believed in me and my sisters. She gave up her own education to be a mom, but she made sure all three of us obtained education to better ourselves. She also encouraged us to believe in ourselves, never to give up, and to help others. This fund is to honor the greatest woman I’ve known as my mother and as a grandmother to my daughter. This fund is for all the women who want to better themselves.” Ms. Noack is a resident of Florence, KY.
The Hurtado Family Endowment
The Hurtado family started this endowment to their grandmother. This is what they had to share about her. “Our grandmother arrived to America from Mexico in the 1920’s with little access to help and no financial resources. It was a struggle for her to raise her children in a new country, but she persevered and those children have been instrumental to the success of their own communities. It is our family’s goal to financially and emotionally support women as they become productive American citizens and to build their lives and families in a new part of the world. We have personally experienced the benefits of a strong family and community support system that has enabled each of us to reach our personal and professional goals, and we’d like to help other women reach their own goals. We believe that mentorship and education are crucial to success; through our endowment we hope to provide this foundational support through Women Walking West.” The Hurtado family resides in Springboro, Ohio.
The Said Eyada Endowment Fund
Mrs. Eyada started this endowment in honor of her dad. She says, “My dad has been my greatest empowerment throughout my life, ever since I was a little girl. His acts of kindness were not random, they were frequent and faithful. He has been my backbone and support throughout each and every step of the way to get to where I am and to be whom I’ve become. I can stand up and be absolutely proud of myself. His provision, trust and faith were boundless. I know that making him the center of attention like this would not be his idea of fun but his years of hard work, love and dedication must be credited back. He has always been quietly supporting me and my siblings and helping us all in the background with huge affection and a kind, gentle humor that is still there today. I was always assured that if one day I would fall, he would be the first hand to reach out and pick me up. Even now as a grown woman with kids of my own, his tender care has never lessened. As a matter of fact, I feel it keeps growing as time goes by. This is why I have chosen to honor my Dad with an endowment to Women Walking West.” Mrs. Eyada is a resident of Mason, Ohio.
The Dovich Family Scholarship Endowment Fund
The Dovich Family Endowment was created to help women. In today’s world there are still many occasions in which women are discriminated against and in some cases even persecuted. The fund is used to recognize these inequities and provide women a safe platform to achieve their goals, provide a platform to encourage and feed their confidence and an opportunity to succeed. Mr. Dovich is a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Mary Glancy Endowment Fund
Marian Glancy started this endowment to honor the life of her mother. Mary Glancy was born in County Donegal, Ireland in 1918. Her education consisted of a one room school house until the age of 15. She left Ireland in her 20’s looking for work and met her husband in Edinburgh, Scotland. They married and had six children in nine years! Mary instilled in her children the empowering force of education. Education was a priority in the household and all of the siblings grew to understand how education created opportunity – and they have as a family all derived great benefit from the opportunities through their individual life journeys. Sadly, Mary passed away in March 2019 just shy of her 102nd birthday. Mary was a powerful influence in her children’s lives and her profound belief in education is something the entire family has carried with them throughout their lives. Ms. Glancy is a resident of Yellow Springs, Ohio.
The Yong Chang + P&G Endowment Fund
My family’s story is an American Dream story. It’s one common of immigrant families who chose to leave everything and everyone familiar for the chance of a better life and future for their children. In 1969, my father came to the United States from our home in South Korea to find a place where we could make a start. There was real struggle and great uncertainty, but to look inside our home you would have only seen the determination and commitment to learn by the women of my family and, specifically, by my mother Yong Chang. Decades later, I would graduate magna cum laude with a Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering and Mathematics and have contributed to a myriad of innovations in the STEM space and the growth across 9 of Procter & Gamble’s billion dollar brands in the global market. Every achievement in my life always blows my mind, and with every one I feel responsible to pay it forward in gratitude for what others and my mother have done for my family and for me. As I came across Women Walking West, I was called to serve. My mother Yong carried me on the plane in 1973 and still carries me in my life to this day. Without her I would not be the leader and person I am.
The Cincinnati Muslim Women Fund Endowment Fund
Cincinnati Muslim Women believes the group’s collective giving to local charities allows members to connect with their city and the surrounding region in meaningful ways. The group was founded in 2008 and has given over $186,000 in its 14 years to diverse causes—from medical research initiatives to food banks to women’s shelters. “CMW’s consistent contribution to authentic community needs forms a natural synergy with the goals of Women Walking West,” says founding member Shabana Shakir Ahmed. “By establishing this endowment, CMW expresses its support of W3’s mission to provide women with the resources they need to succeed in school and professional life.” Ahmed, along with cofounders Sufia Sultan and Zakia Hyder Hasan, has a clear vision of what drives the group’s 80+ members: “We are Muslim. Women. Professional. Compassionate. Cincinnatian.” Collaborating with W3 through an endowment fund is one way that CMW members will reach a larger group of women beyond their own membership to make a difference that will matter to women and to Cincinnati.
PALS Fund
The Association of Pakistani-American Ladies for Social Welfare (PALS) was started by a group of Pakistani-American ladies in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2012. PALS believe that women have a great ability to be peacemakers. Their common interest in the well-being of their families, particularly their children, allows them to transcend boundaries of race, ethnicity, and religion to collaborate with each other to create a peaceful world. PALS is a nonprofit, tax-exempt volunteer organization which has been established to mobilize individuals with an interest in the welfare of disadvantaged people of Pakistan and the United States. Since 2012, PALS have donated nearly $200,000 to projects promoting peace, education, and coexistence.
Houshang and Sedigheh Attari Endowment Fund
Established in the honor of Mr. and Mrs. Houshang Attari for their commitment to education and women's rights.
From an early age, I came to understand both the immense value of education and the many obstacles that exist—particularly for women—in our part of the world.
When I learned about WWW, it felt as if a long-standing hope had been answered. I shared the idea with my parents, and they were both deeply enthusiastic—especially since they were close friends of Dr. Sehi and admired his passion for this cause. With their blessing, and with my own deep desire to support education for those in need, we made the decision to establish this endowment.
I know firsthand how many barriers still stand in the way of education for women around the world. I also firmly believe that a society can only truly thrive when women are valued, empowered, and well-educated. For this reason, I believe there is no cause more worthy than helping to open doors for women and girls through education. This is even more true for those who come to this country in hope of a better life for themselves and their loved ones.
I hope this endowment will help WWW in supporting an increasing number of women in their journey to reach their potentials .
Dr. and Mrs. William Faulkner Family Endowment Fund
Established in the honor of Mr. and Mrs. J. Stanley Faulkner for their commitment to education and women's rights.
This endowment is to honor my parents who inspired me and my two brothers to follow in my father’s footsteps as we all became physicians. My dad believed education was the key as he overcame his humble beginnings in southeastern Kentucky and was a family doctor in Bellevue, Ky., for over 50 years. Helping others, giving back, and improving lives are all shared goals of Women Walking West which Carol and I wholeheartedly endorse. Also, this is to support Dr. Sehi, who has been my patient and friend for nearly 40 years.
Dr. Javad Salajegheh Family Endowment Fund
Established in the honor of Dr. Javad Salajegheh for his commitment to education and human rights.
My father, Dr. Javad Salajegheh was born in Kerman, Iran. He has been my role model and inspiration throughout my life. His invaluable advice and wisdom have been the main pillars of support that have guided me and my family.
My father obtained a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from University of Science and Technology in Tehran. Throughout his career both as an engineer and professor, his strong beliefs in the value of education, work-ethics and philanthropy were the reasons for him to become one of the co-founders of the University of Kerman. As a college professor with senior management positions for over 40 years he advocated for education as a tool that would change the world.
Beyond his professional achievements, he was deeply committed to giving back to his community. He is the author of four engineering textbooks and more than 100’s of ISA journal papers that are still being taught at University of Kerman. He generously provided financial support to companies, families and individuals in need. My father's commitment to his community coupled with his passion for education has and will continue to significantly impact the lives of many people in his homeland.
His teachings instilled in me and my sister the conviction that our purpose in life transcends individual triumphs and calls for making positive impacts on the lives of others through the spread of knowledge. He taught me the invaluable lesson that our actions have a ripple effect, and by helping others, we ultimately help ourselves. I am forever grateful to my father for his wisdom, love and guidance. His core values and beliefs are fully aligned with Women Walking West's mission. It is my privilege to establish the Dr. Javad Salajegheh Family Endowment in his honor.
The Hajihosseini Family Endowment Fund
Established by Dr. Fatemeh Hajihosseini & Mr. Mehdi Baladi.
Drs. Hisham & Kathy Arar Family Endowment Fund
Established by Drs. Hisham & Kathy Arar, in their honor for their commitment to education and women's rights.
The Boutwell Family Endowment Fund
The Boutwell Family Endowment was established by Brett and Yanthi Boutwell in honor of Yanthi’s parents, Nico and Nelly Wirawan, to recognize their unwavering commitment to higher education and the pursuit of greater opportunities for their children. Nico and Nelly made the significant decision to leave their pharmacy careers in Indonesia and immigrate to the United States, overcoming considerable challenges to provide their family with new prospects. Unfortunately, Nico passed away shortly after Yanthi completed her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Nelly then continued to be the anchor of the family. Nelly was so dedicated to her family that she moved to Ohio to live with Yanthi and her family shortly before the birth of Yanthi’s first daughter. For over twenty years, Nelly provided caring for her two granddaughters while Yanthi advanced her professional career. Nelly passed in 2023, having witnessed her granddaughters graduate high school and both begin their college education.