Voices 2026 Annual Women’s Luncheon
https://www.wdef.com/voices-the-fifth-annual-womens-luncheon/
September 24, 2026
Lili Ford
CHATTTANOOGA, Tenn.– An annual women’s luncheon hopes to empower guests with the real life stories of others.
The Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga held its fifth annual “Voices” Luncheon, spotlighting trailblazers in our community.
This year’s focus was Advocates for Change, concentrating on women who have made large impacts thanks to their leadership and advocacy.
One woman was local attorney Cecilia Garrett, who changed her university’s policies for those who are pregnant and in school.
“So, I’m still hooked up to the IV in the hospital bed the next day when I get an email. You’ve run out of absences. I’ll fail the semester if I missed another class…. I decline medical intervention I would’ve otherwise had, and I fought to stay awake, and you know– I wanted to be released in time to be in class on Wednesday morning,” said Garrett.
“But then there was movement. And while I do not know Belmont’s exact policy right now, it is gratifying to know that students who give birth may attend class by Zoom afterwards…and I heard from another graduate recently that they now have pumping rooms for new mothers. And I hope no other women have to settle for pumping in the handicap bathroom…” Garrett continued.
According to event organizers, this luncheon is a new chapter for The Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga– one where they look towards diversity and greater acceptance of self in their group.
“One thing that we’re focusing on this year is the message that all women belong,” Executive Director for the Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga, Melody Shekari, stated. “They belong with our organization, whether they have different opinions, a different style– and we’re talking a lot about leadership in your own capacity and whatever it looks like in women being okay with who they are and how they lead.”
In the end, Voices highlights not only the stories of those who have created change in Chattanooga but empowers its audience to recognize their own potential.
As guest of honor Dr. Edna Varner said best: “This room is full- full of women, walking among us disguised as mere mortals when you’re actually superwomen.”
Letter to the Editor (Published Aug 9, 2026 in the Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Last summer, the Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga (WFGC) collected more than 500 survey responses and conducted 5 focus groups. Questions ranged from values that they cared about to issues that personally affected them and their families. As a non-profit organization that encourages advocacy, collaboration, and collective philanthropy to improve the lives of women and girls in our state, we thought it was time to ask women what they need to live better lives for themselves and their families.
The results were part predictable, part surprising (You can find our full report at https://tinyurl.com/WFGC-fullreport). It was no surprise that many women identified affordable and accessible healthcare as a top issue, as well as fair pay and employment options. But building community ranked as the second most important issue - an option that we did not expect to see in the top three. Sixty-seven percent of women across all groups ranked these three issues highly. It should not have been a surprise - the social, political, and economic landscape has changed significantly in the past 20 years. Advancements in technology, lack of paid leave, and wage stagnation contribute to people feeling disconnected, unable to achieve economic mobility and opportunity, and stuck behind big systemic issues - powerless and alone.
The women in the focus groups shared deeply private experiences around navigating local healthcare systems, pregnancy loss, financial and sexual abuse, housing, jobs, and more. These experiences can ften be isolating and cause embarrassment or shame because women feel they can’t share their story or that they are alone in their experience. With every story shared, the women felt more comfortable sharing their own experiences and supporting each other.
Women also told us their top social values: equity, the right to vote, and justice. These personal social values are deeply interconnected. Women want an even playing field with equity. We want our voices to be heard and considered with our right to vote. And we want justice, which can take various forms but for many, it means accountability when things go wrong.
A common theme throughout this initiative was women saying they needed a stronger community to celebrate successes, support challenges, and work towards the future. Together, they would be able to better advocate for a more just, safe, and equitable world for everyone.
So where do we go from here? WFGC was started locally in 2008 because Tennessee ranks among the worst states for women and girls in areas including maternal mortality, representation in elected office, and leadership in top companies. Today, we bring women together to connect and change these outcomes through advocacy, collective philanthropy, and providing leadership and networking opportunities.
We are in a unique moment in our history and community that calls for courageous leadership and proactive advocacy. With this feedback, we are going to dig deeper into policy areas including access to healthcare and fair pay to ensure we understand the main drivers of change and how we can impact them. We will provide opportunities for women to become empowered to create change, through building skills and knowledge, encouraging specific actions, and driving change at work, home, and everywhere in between. And we are going to work on developing community - through events, partnering with others, and connecting with women from all walks of life. It is our responsibility to ensure all women know they are welcome and their voice and participation are essential to build the kind of community and state that reflects their values for the future.
We are grateful to everyone that shared their lived experiences with us. We know there is much work to be done, and we invite you to join our community and make change happen together. Learn more about us at chattanoogawomensfund.org.
Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga Releases Community Input Report
Report produced with survey, focus groups data and findings
CHATTANOOGA––The Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga’s (WFGC) this month released the report from their community input campaign they conducted over several months in 2025. The organization sought input by collecting more than 500 survey responses and holding focus groups with about additional 40 women contributing their voices.
“We are so excited to share this report with the community. Across all groups of respondents, it’s clear that affordable healthcare, building community, and fair pay are the top concerns of women in our community. Two things we know are clear: women are eager to see systemic change and there is much work to be done,” said Melody Shekari, WFGC’s executive director. “The report findings give us insight into what women in our community are really experiencing and, in turn, that gives us the opportunity to do more research for policy and advocacy solutions that will help fulfill our mission to improve the lives of women and girls in Tennessee.”
Survey responses were anonymous and gave users an option to add comments if they wished. Focus groups were held to get a fuller picture with more perspectives and additional context around the survey data.
“The findings in this report will help inform the Women’s Fund’s future policy and advocacy work,” added Shekari. “ When our organization began in 2008, the work was informed by community input. It’s been almost 20 years since we officially solicited community feedback, and our country, state, and community are in a very different place economically, socially, and politically now.”
The topics of the survey and focus group centered around policy issues in three main categories the WFGC works in: safety, economic opportunity, and health. The organization has been involved in drafting and supporting legislation in these areas with the help of local state representatives. Participants were asked how certain issues personally affect them and what personal and social values they thought were most important.
“We are so grateful to everyone who participated in our community input campaign, especially those who shared vulnerable stories about jobs, housing, finances, healthcare access, pregnancy loss, and more,” said Shekari. “These stories give context, provide shared experiences, and, most importantly, are the catalyst for change we’d like to see in our community.”
For more information about the report, visit https://www.chattanoogawomensfund.org/2025-community-input or email melody@chattanoogawomensfund.org.
The Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga is a nonpartisan policy nonprofit that aims to make Tennessee a safer, more equitable state for women and girls. Together, with other advocates and with allied organizations across the region and state, we find ways to improve the lives of Tennessee women in the areas that matter most: economic opportunity, health, and safety. The Women’s Fund leverages advocacy, philanthropy, and a robust network of partners to diminish the root causes of inequity.
For more information on the Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga, please visit chattanoogawomensfund.org.
WFGC Annual Fundraiser "Voices" Set For Sept. 23
Chattanooga, TN. The Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga announces that Cecilia Garrett and LaTrice Currie will be the speakers at Voices, the organization’s annual luncheon fundraiser. The event is co-chaired by Leslie Smith and Lea Anne Wiles, board members and supporters of the organization. The event will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at The Chattanoogan Hotel.
“This year’s program focuses on Advocates of Change and highlights the powerful and personal stories of two inspirational women,” said Melody Shekari, WFGC’s executive director. “By sharing their journeys and the power of advocacy, they will inspire us to get involved in order to build a community where all women and girls thrive.”
Individual tickets are $78. Guests may host a table and purchase eight tickets for $624. Tickets are available to purchase at givebutter.com/voices-2026. The event typically sells out and draws 400 attendees with doors opening at 10:45 a.m and programming from 11:30 a.m.-1p.m.
“Voices is a fun and informative event that encourages connection and building community. The energy in the room is dynamic, as well as the opportunity to network with hundreds of women in our community. During the program, we will share stories of impactful local advocacy and the power of collective philanthropy” added Ms. Shekari.
We are also honoring Dr. Edna Varner, who has uplifted so many women and girls in our community through her work in education, philanthropy, leadership, and more. She has been a longtime supporter of the Women’s Fund and a number of organizations in Chattanooga, and she has been so impactful that there is a membership level of the Nightingale Network collective philanthropy program named after her. Nightingale Network membership donations go directly towards three grants WFGC awards to local nonprofits, and the 2026 winners will be announced at the event.
A limited number of corporate sponsorships are also still available. For more information about how to become an event sponsor, visit tinyurl.com/voices2026-sponsorships or email melody@chattanoogawomensfund.org.
About the speakers:
Cecilia Garrett is a local attorney and a Chattanooga native. She is a graduate of Notre Dame High School, UTC, and Belmont University College of Law. Outside of work, Cecilia enjoys spending time with her husband and their three young children.
LaTrice Currie is an award-winning local journalist, news anchor, author, and advocate. LaTrice co-anchors Local 3 News at Noon and 5:30pm. She is a native Tennessean who grew up in Nashville.
About the Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga
The Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga unites efforts for social change that improve life for women and girls across the region. Through advocacy and philanthropy, we catalyze movement toward a just society that is safe, nurturing, and full of opportunity for women. The Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga is made up of brave advocates and bold philanthropists. For more information, visit chattanoogawomensfund.org.
Melody Shekari Named "20 Under 40"
Congratulations to our own, Melody Shekari, for being named one of 2026’s “20 Under 40”!