“You have to practice success. Success doesn’t just show up. If you aren’t practicing success today, you won’t wake up in 20 years and be successful, because you won’t have developed the habits of success,” said Michelle Obama, accomplished author, inspirational speaker, and former First Lady of the United States. Mrs. Obama further states, “Find people who will make you better.”
Such is the case for the two current Co-Presidents of The Women’s Fund of Essex County: Wendy Roworth and Trish Moore. Those who know The Women’s Fund of Essex County (TWF) know the resilient and successful organization these two female powerhouses are running – this is a quick glance into their story of working together and finding success.
With deep-rooted passions for women’s issues and the need to give back, Wendy and Trish came to the Women’s Fund from very different paths. Wendy’s background in retail led to her first exposures to the group through helping out at her best friend’s gift shop in North Beverly, and her 15+ years of volunteering at the Magic Hat Thrift Shop in Marblehead. In both ‘jobs’ she grew close with the women’s circle engaged with The Women’s Fund who were focused on the commitment to women and girls – a cause she was very committed to as well. She volunteered where she could with the annual appeal mailings and fund-raising events, all while helping to increase Magic Hat’s yearly allocations to the public school’s PTOs from $20,000 to $200,000 during her tenure.
Trish grew up in a politically active family supporting both civil and women’s rights. She entered college as a member of the first co-ed class of the school’s existence, and subsequently started a feminist leaning newsletter. She moved to Marblehead, worked in healthcare, and joined the board of RAW Artworks in Lynn. It was at a RAW luncheon that Trish was tapped to ‘make the ask’ to secure potential new donors – and she realized she was good at it!
Through their circuitous journeys, both women bonded with many of the volunteers and board members of The Women’s Fund of Essex County. Wendy was the first to be recruited for Executive Leadership. She ascended to a Vice President’s role, then eventually to President and suggested that the Advisory Board agree to a Co-President Model. Trish chaired the Governance Committee, she agreed to become a Co-President with Wendy. The two worked tirelessly to create a seamless transition. Their close working relationship highlighted their very different styles and strengths, yet showed just how compatible and successful they could be together.
The Women’s Fund is proud that through the pandemic they never stopped raising funds and making grants to support making life better for the women and girls in Essex County. In 2022 TWF hosted its first post-pandemic live event – Power of the Purse – and was immediately back on track funding 11 three-year grants in 2023. In 20 years, TWF has donated more than $3.2 million to Essex County organizations offering gender-specific programs for women and girls.
When asked about the future, Wendy and Trish can only talk about opportunity. They are proud to have secured a Cummings Foundation Grant to support the creation of The Essex County Resilient Girls’ Project, an exciting journey for the entire organization over the next three years. They are also proud of the high-touch personality The Women’s Fund has now undertaken – improving engagement between donors and grantees, introducing our grantees through our marketing efforts, and creating opportunities for grantees to meet and engage directly with our Advisory Board on a monthly basis.
It's true that culture comes from the top, and the leadership of The Women’s Fund of Essex County is no exception. With Wendy and Trish at the helm, we continue to work toward a better future for women and girls. Listen, learn and please give generously!