Growing Number of Top Women Donors Support American Red Cross

WASHINGTON, June 8, 2009 — More than 350 leading women donors from across the country will gather at the American Red Cross national headquarters in Washington, D.C., on June 8 for a two-day summit on philanthropy and service.

The attendees are members of the American Red Cross Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders -- a network of women who donate $10,000 annually to support local Red Cross chapters in their community. Since its creation just three years ago, members of the Tiffany Circle have helped the Red Cross raise more than $13 million and the group has grown to more than 500 members.

"These women are part of a legacy of women leaders and innovators who have played a critical role within the Red Cross in helping to serve the American public," said Gail McGovern, President and CEO of the American Red Cross. "We are honored and inspired by the support and leadership of these women who are giving back to their community and the Red Cross through the Tiffany Circle."

More than ever, women are taking increasingly prominent roles in society and becoming 21st century economic powerhouses. About 3.4 million women make up 46.3 percent of the nation's top wealth holders, according to a 2005 IRS report on 2001 income. These women had a combined net worth of $6.291 trillion, an increase of nearly 50 percent previously reported in 1998.

Donations by members of the Tiffany Circle help ensure Red Cross chapters continue to have the ability to train volunteers to respond to disasters, help military families reach loved ones in an emergency, and enable chapters to teach individuals and families to prevent, prepare for and respond to everyday emergencies.

The Tiffany Circle program and the support from its members make a real difference. For example, the Red Cross Greater Miami & the Keys Chapter had a total of 15 donors who gave at the $10,000 level in 2006. In 2007, when the chapter joined the Tiffany Circle Program, the number of donors more than doubled to 31. As a result, the Tiffany Circle members help to fund items for 120 Disaster Team Responders, including gear, transportation, and training, all critical upgrades that help the chapter better respond to disasters.

"Today, we are humbled and honored that so many women have invested their talents, time and charity through the Tiffany Circle, to reach out to those most in need. Local Red Cross chapters rely on the generosity of their communities and we invite others to join us in these bold efforts," said Melanie Sabelhaus, National Chair, Tiffany Circle, and American Red Cross national board member.

The Tiffany Circle has a National Council of women from across the country that acts as the governing body for the Tiffany Circle and is comprised of 16 volunteers and four chapter representatives. National Council members help plan, execute and manage the Tiffany Circle Summit and coordinate the Day of Service.

The two-day, networking leadership summit is an opportunity to discuss how women can help to continue to shape the future of the Red Cross. Summit events will be held at the Red Cross national headquarters, the French Ambassador's Residency, the National Women's Memorial and the Supreme Court.

More information about the Tiffany Circle can be found at RedCross.org

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization -- not a government agency -- and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.