YVONNE COOK

“There’s power in bringing women together to support other women.”

For Yvonne Cook, her involvement with United Way began at age 17. “At my very first job with Mellon Bank, I signed up to volunteer and support United Way during our workplace orientation,” Yvonne said.

As a longtime volunteer, Yvonne’s exposure to the causes United Way serves and gaining an understanding of how to address systematic issues has helped her refine and evolve her support over the years. With an interest in human welfare, and seeing the importance of women as change-makers, Yvonne joined United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) in 2004.

The WLC’s signature initiative, United for Women, helps women facing a short-term crisis get back on their feet. Yvonne served on the United for Women Investment Strategy Committee and got an even closer look into this life-changing work.

“I got to see first-hand the diligent work that United Way does to determine where need is greatest and which agency partners and programs are best equipped to have the biggest impact,” she said. “I had the opportunity to be a part of making those decisions and as a result, I am confident that my United Way donation is the most powerful way to make a difference in my community.”

Yvonne was a speaker at the 17^th Annual WLC Breakfast, where she discussed the impact of United for Women and the growing need among women who are experiencing first-time crisis.

“The WLC Breakfast is a great opportunity to showcase the recipients of the work done by the WLC and United for Women. This year, meeting Shalisa and seeing the video with her story of how United for Women transformed her life was priceless,” Yvonne reflected.

Yvonne sees her dollars and time are making an impact on her community and encourages other women to raise their hand. “By supporting United for Women, I have the opportunity to contribute and have a positive impact on society,” Yvonne shared. “Everyone can be a philanthropist. Everyone can contribute in some way.”

To learn more about United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council, contact Lynne Popash at lynne.popash@unitedwayswpa.org in Allegheny County, Alyssa Cholodofsky at Alyssa.Cholodofsky@unitedwayswpa.org in Westmoreland County, or Amy Franz at Amy.Franz@unitedwayswpa.org in Butler County.