Women’s Foundation of Alabama announces “Unleashed” event with Barbara Pierce Bush

Women’s Foundation of Alabama announces that Barbara Pierce Bush, daughter of the 43rd President and granddaughter of the 41st President of the United States, will headline its signature event, Unleashed, on September 26 at Red Mountain Theatre. As a leading advocate for global health equity and social responsibility, Bush will engage in an intimate fireside chat, offering her unique perspective on driving change and inspiring collective action towards equity and justice.

Barbara Pierce Bush has made significant contributions as the Head of Social Responsibility for the National Basketball Association (NBA), where she spearheads global initiatives focused on sustainability, civic engagement, and social justice. Her dedication to advancing health equity and her leadership in social responsibility make her a compelling voice for this year’s Unleashed event.

“Barbara Pierce Bush’s proactive leadership and dedication align perfectly with our mission to create more economic opportunities benefiting women across Alabama,” said Lajuana Bradford, Board Chair of Women’s Foundation of Alabama. “The Foundation is working year-round to connect women with opportunities in the workforce, as well as taking new steps to help remove economic barriers to success. The insights and experiences of Ms. Bush will serve as a valuable inspiration in our efforts to reach ambitious goals in the years to come.”

This year’s Unleashed event comes on the heels of a major legislative victory for Women’s Foundation of Alabama, which successfully championed the passage of the Child Care Tax Credit with bipartisan support. This win is part of the Foundation’s broader efforts to dismantle economic barriers for women, particularly as Alabama grapples with significant workforce shortages that disproportionately impact women.

“Building a gender inclusive workforce and economy is a must for our state to fulfill its full promise and potential,” said Melanie R. Bridgeforth, President and CEO of Women’s Foundation of Alabama. “This is indeed a watershed moment. With the support of our community, we have made tremendous strides in advancing pro-women policy and investing in women-led initiatives that directly address social ills while boosting local economies. But there’s so much more to do, and Unleashed is a key part of rallying the community around this mission.”

Through grantmaking, the foundation has invested over $8.5 million in 44 counties, supporting organizations on the frontlines of change and launching initiatives that have empowered women to break through economic barriers, including investing in a dozen women-owned child care centers in communities in dire need of increased access to quality, affordable child care. The Foundation’s research, including the groundbreaking Status of Women in Alabama and Clearing the Path reports, continues to inform strategic investments and policy advocacy.

Looking ahead, Women’s Foundation of Alabama has embarked on a transformative capital project, aiming to move 10,000 women into the workforce by 2027. This ambitious goal underscores the foundation’s commitment to going even bigger in the face of recent successes.

Unleashed, presented by Renasant Bank, will take place on Thursday, September 26, at 5:30 p.m. at Red Mountain Theatre. The event will feature a lively cocktail party with signature drinks and tasty bites, an insightful and inspiring conversation with Barbara Pierce Bush, and swag bag for all attendees. General and VIP tickets are available for purchase at https://unleashed.swell.gives/, where opportunities to donate and volunteer with Women’s Foundation of Alabama are also available.

Every dollar raised will be reinvested to create pathways to economic opportunity for women across Alabama.

About Women’s Foundation of Alabama: Women’s Foundation of Alabama is the state’s only public foundation focused exclusively on economic empowerment for women. Through research, advocacy, and strategic grantmaking, the foundation is committed to advancing gender equity and creating a more inclusive and equitable economy for all.