The Beta Rho Chapter of Gamma Phi Beta at CU held its first annual Women of the Year Philanthropy Banquet, Sunday at its sorority house to raise money and honor women that have made a difference in the members’ lives.
The women of the sorority gathered together with their guests including moms, sisters, professors and friends. A mid-morning tea was followed by speeches from a few of the members who shared how women in their life had inspired and encouraged them.
Proceeds from this event, as well as their annual Caramel Apple Bar, will go to the Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center to help obtain the Gardasil vaccine which protects against human papillomavirus (HPV).
The vaccine is intended for women ages 9 to 26 and consists of three shots. Each shot costs $200. There are 20 million women in the United States with HPV and 50 percent of sexually active women will eventually contract HPV, said a representative from the Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center.
“This has been a moving event with a lot of tears. It’s nice to have our moms here and give back to them while supporting a good cause,” said Sarah Levy, the Gamma Phi Beta financial vice president and a junior Spanish and business major.
“The Women of the Year Banquet raised over $600 through pre-registration and we hope more donations will come in,” said Elizabeth Wolf, the Gamma Phi Beta philanthropy chair and a senior business administration major.
Wolf had the idea to use the banquet as an opportunity to raise money for the Gardasil vaccine after Terri Rosenbaum, a doctor at Foothills Gynecology, spoke to their sorority about sexual health in September. Rosenbaum suggested the Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center as a recipient for the money.
The sorority dedicated the event to all women, especially those close to the chapter.
“Our main focus was to show the women who are important to us how much we appreciate them,” said Lynsey Gilchrist, the Gamma Phi Beta public relations vice president and a current campus editor for The Campus Press.
The Women of the Year Banquet is one of three philanthropies sponsored by the Beta Rho Chapter and Wolf said they plan to see this event continue.
“We want to make the Women of the Year Banquet an annual event,” Wolf said. “My biggest hope is that it would be a touching time to recognize the need for women to support one another and that it will grow in years to come.”
