	The Women's Forum of North Carolina, Inc.

Gala Fundraiser, May 18, 2005

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BEVERLY E. PERDUE

SPEAKER AT

WOMEN’S FORUM OF NORTH CAROLINA AND PEACE COLLEGE FUNDRAISER FOR NORTH CAROLINA CENTER FOR WOMEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE

Former State House Representative Ruth M. Easterling Honored

CARY, N.C. – Over 130 people -- including Legislators, statewide elected officials, and Women’s Forum members and friends from across North Carolina -- attended the First Annual Gala Fundraiser to benefit the North Carolina Center for Women in Public Service at the Embassy Suites in Cary on Friday, March 18, 2005.

The NC Center for Women in Public Service (http://www.nccwps.org/) is a non-partisan organization that prepares women to seek and serve in public office. The Center, founded in June 2003 and housed at Peace College, is the first organization in the state to address the urgent need for women-specific recruitment, training, and mentoring to increase the number of women in appointed and elected office.

Former State House Representative Ruth M. Easterling was the guest of honor at the event where she was praised for her lifelong record of dedication and accomplishment in public service. The irrepressible Easterling, now 95 years old, was happy to be with the crowd of her old friends, colleagues and admirers at the reception before dinner. And, the feeling was clearly mutual, as witnessed by all the hugs and handshakes she received. After dinner, the Women’s Forum of NC paid homage to this great woman by establishing a scholarship in her name to the NC Center for Women in Public Service Summer Institute “to be awarded when earned, to one who shows best potential to reflect the qualities Ruth Easterling embodies.” Easterling told the audience that all was not right with the world and that they “…need to start marching again.” She also had a “to-do” list for the incumbent Legislators present to make positive changes for women, children and families in North Carolina. [Text of citation.]

Keynote Speaker Lt. Governor Beverly E. Perdue said, “Women need to be at the table of every board and commission -- and not just because their presence is required by statute.” Perdue said North Carolina needed to move ahead to achieve pay equity for women in the workplace. And, she admonished women to be supportive of other women who run for public office. Women need money to run these campaigns and women must learn to write checks as well as do other work in political races, she said.

For reference only: Invitation to the Gala

The Women's Forum is an invitational, non-partisan organization of diverse women leaders of proven influence dedicated to working together to achieve equality and maintain social, economic and political power for women.

Last modified:
23-May-2005