Purse & Passion
White Wine & Tea Party

The YWCA celebrated the power of individual philanthropy at the fourth annual Purse & Passion White Wine and Tea Party (and Old Bag Auction) on November 12th, 4:00 pm at St. Thomas Preservation Hall. This event encourages philanthropy among women and provides an opportunity to network with others from diverse social, ethnic, economic, educational and cultural backgrounds.

Hurricane Ida didn't turn guests away from Wilmington's event of the year!  Over 200 guests braved the wind to gather with friends and bid on fun, funky and functional purses by local artists.  Bidders quieted down as YWCA Program Participant Katrina Wynn shared her story of overcoming hardship with the help of the New Choices Program.  "I feel like a woman who is on her way to becoming something great", said Katrina, "I now have confidence that I can go as far as my dreams will take me."  With the help of the New Choices program, Katrina has fulfilled her dream of becoming a small business owner.  "I am now the proud owner of Divine Royalty event coordinating/planning company. I found the tools needed to step out on faith and try to grow even more.  I have one year left of school and I feel great!  None of this was in my thought process before meeting the women at the YWCA."

The Purse & Passion event wouldn't be possible without the support of this year's "Alices" who invited all of their friends to the Tea Party! 

Lawless Bean, Mary Ellen Bonczek, Terri Clapp, Michelle Clark Kristy Hubard Lisa Isenhour Mitzi Kincaid Megan Kopka Kirsti Kreutzer, Dee McGlone-Webb, Eileen McConville Marilyn Meares, Maggie Miller, Kay Morgan, Sabina Newman, Khalilah Olokunola, Pam Palanza, Kim Ratcliff, Lillian Salcinas-Bright, Alane Savod, Michelle Scatton-Tessier, Eleanor Snell Johnston, Lois Steele, Suesan Sullivan, Karen Traina,
Anna Van Wagoner, Lindsay Waltz, Katrina Wynn

And to the artists who participated and created one of a kind works of art for this year's First Annual Old Bag Auction:

Lorna Boa, Kristin Gibson, Louise Giordano, Linda Anne Hartman, Barbara Jamison, Carol Langer, Dory Maier, Dianne Masi, Pauline Purdum, Barbara Scalia, Gayle Tustin, Jaimie Walton, Sybil West, Jan Wutkowski,
Nicki Hildebrand, Teresa Rogers, Clair Hartmann

The YWCA is grateful to this year's sponsors A Boxed Event, Kimberley Cheatham and Rita’s (2804 S. College Road) and for the wonderful gifts from Lisa Isenhour, Island Passage, Mutual Distributing Company, Perry’s Fine Jewelry, Tidal Creek and Karen Traina.

Thank you to YWCA Board and Purse & Passion Committee Member Kim Ratcliff for serving as the Mistress of Ceremonies, to Purse & Passion Committee Members Eleanor Snell Johnston (Chair), Ashley Hearne-Miller, Lisa Isenhour, Dee McGlone-Webb, Karen Traina, and (new member!) Katrin Wynn.  A big thank you to the Old Bag Auction coordinators Alane Savod and Dawn Scudella who worked tirelessly gathering purses, talking with artists and putting it all together!   

Purse & Passion 2009