(Image source from: Park Cities People)

The Dallas Women's Foundation has raised $42.7 million of a $50 million campaign to assist its programs that aim to encourage the financial security and professional advancement of North Texas women.  

"Women make up an extremely disproportionate share of households living in poverty," Ashlee Kleinert of the foundation pointed out.

Women head 34 per cent of all households and 54 per cent of households living in poverty in Dallas country. In addition, women hold 52 per cent of professional jobs but only 14.6 per cent of executive positions, she explained.

Ashlee and Chris Kleinert, Paula and Ron Parker and Trea and Richard Yip served as co-chairs of the Unlocking Leadership Campaign, which was started in 2013. More than 40 women have established the Village Giving Circle at Dallas Women's Foundation.

The group that will fundraise for organizations and initiatives that serve African American community in North Texas, collected donations exceeding $106,000 at a kickoff reception at the home of founding chair Shonn Brown.

"Through the Village, we empower our members to combine resources so that we are able to award larger, more impactful grants to benefit African-American women, men, girls and boys, and our communities overall," Brown said.

By Sowmya Sangam