Debbi Steele has been honored as AAUW’s 2012 Woman of Excellence for her support of local women and girls in Jefferson County.

“She incorporated inventive and extraordinary concepts in fundraising that proved highly successful, building, in only two years, an endowment fund of $70,000 – the Fund for Women & Girls – under the direction of the Jefferson County Community Foundation [JCCF],” wrote Ilona Bell, Woman of Excellence chair.

“Moreover, her idea of bringing women and girls together – high school girls, teachers, moms, retired women, young working women, artists, scientists, fashion designers, community activists, philanthropists and educators – to start them on the path to understanding strategic philanthropy was also creative,” she said.

“I have never seen a woman merge artists and scientists, women and girls of all ages and socio-economic levels, to work together for the good of the women and girls in our area,” said sponsor Anne Schneider.

Through the JCCF, conversations from these groups determine community needs. Each year, the cause to be supported is determined based on the input from 100 women in the community.

The initial grant from the Fund for Women & Girls was awarded to the Port Townsend Marine Science Center for the GIRLS project (Girls in Real-Life Science). It involved six middle and high school girls in relevant, hands-on scientific research under the mentorship of two young female AmeriCorps members.

Visit jccfgives.org.