3. $tand By Me®
American Diabetes Association
Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort
Big Brothers Big Sisters SEPA
Be Positive Foundation
The Boys & Girls Clubs Great of Delaware
Canine Partners for Life
Dames Fund
Chester County Arts Association
Children & Families First
made more than
Christina Cultural Arts Center
Clothing Bank of Delaware
Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition
Delaware Center for Homeless Vets
Delaware Center for Justice
Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition
Delaware Girls Initiative
Delaware Theatre Company
Dining for Women
Dress for Success Delaware
Faithful Friends
Fatima House of Light (Healey Family Foundation)
Fill the Need
First Person Arts
Forgotten Cats
Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation
Fund for Women
Gambia Women's Initiative
Girls Scouts of Chesapeake Bay
Girls, Inc. of Delaware
Goodwill of Delaware
Grand Opera House
Haiti Family Initiative
Home of the Sparrow
Hope Presbyterian Church
Hopeworks 'N Camden
IM40™ Young Health Program
Jefferson Awards
Just BE
Kind to Kids Foundation
Kuumba Academy
Mary Ryan Foundation
Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League
Ministry of Caring
MEG Women in Action Mentoring Program
One Village Alliance
Peacework, Ltd
Pettinaro Family Foundation
Philadelphia Mural Arts Program
Power Up Gambia
Prevent Child Abuse Delaware
Serviam Girls Academy
Shoes2Share
SIAS University
STAR Kids, Inc
STEHM, Inc
The Friendship House
The Kutz Home
The Michael J. Fox Fdn for Parkinson's Research
Triskeles Foundation
Ulster Project of Delaware
United Way of Delaware
Wilmington Senior Center
Wings for Success
World Academy for the Future of Women
donations to nonprofits
Wounded Warrior Project
Young@Art
YWCA of Delaware
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority
4. we donated more than
$500,000
in direct, pro bono
and in-kind contributions*
*does not include indirect contributions from members of the Great Dames community.
12. We were honored to nominate
Seven Smart Talk Delaware Heroes
Caroline Jones, Kind to Kids Foundation
Mary Dupont, $tand By Me®
Priscilla Rakestraw, Ministry of Caring
Sue Getman, Wilmington Senior Center
Tracy Polk, Delaware Center for Homeless Vets
Chris & Ali McDonough, B+ Foundation
Mary Maloney, Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation
18. “It’s all about women connecting: it whips up the fun, spurs ideas, makes
things happen, and ignites the engine on future ideas.
I connected with old friends, met new friends, re-connected with
previous acquaintances, made business contacts, my friend Phyllis got a
job, my daughter Jacquie's internship was kicked off in a big way, I won
a 100 bucks to my favorite charity which is founded by a client so I
looked like a million bucks, got Sharon to speak at Merion Mercy
Academy which prompted the largest amount of attendees at a Merion
Alum Association meeting in years, which sparked the start of new
traditions in the association going forward including the induction of
current students for the first time in its history. And had lunch, dinner,
drinks and lots of laughs during all of it.
And that's just in the last few months, I can't wait to see what happens
next.”
Claire Sereni
25. “After listening to Jane Golden speak on the Mural
Project, revealing the many young people she had
kept off the streets and out of jail through art, I
was so energized and inspired! I went to Philly the
next day, hunted down the murals, and visited the
Mural Project on display at one of the museums.
I've never felt so motivated to look at my own
projects to see if I could add ‘community’ to what I
do.”
Karen Jessee
34. Our Fascinating Speakers
Ellen Kullman, CEO, DuPont
Jill Biden, Second Lady of United States
Ashley Biden, DE Center for Justice, Nonprofit Leader
Carla Markell, Delaware First Lady
Michelle Taylor, CEO and President, United Way of Delaware
Maria Hess, Editor in Chief, Delaware Today
Nancy Karibjanian, Broadcaster & VP of Delaware First Media
Carol Cunningham, Founder, Gambia Women’s Initiative
Pettinaro Sisters: Cindy Wilkinson, Tracy Crowley & Vicky Martelli
Candida Toccia Seasock, CEO CTS Associates
Margaret Aitken, Media Strategist & Public Relations Expert
Sharon Baker, Co-Founder & Senior Producer of Teleduction
Amy Cherry, WDEL News Reporter & Anchor
Annmarie Kelly, Author
Betsy Teutsch, Author & Women’s Rights Advocate
35. DuPont CEO, Ellen Kullman, describes the importance of mentoring
Paul Pruitt Photography
38. Our Fascinating Speakers
Jane Golden, Founder, Mural Arts Program of Philadelphia
Vicki Solot, Founder First Person Arts
Bebe Coker and her three daughters, Joan, Julie, Laurie
Carol Fitzgerald, Founder, BreastCare DTS™
Jamye Cooper, Executive Director, Dining for Women
Daneya Jacobs, Just BE and her mother, Alonia Douglas
Chandra Pitts, One Village Alliance, and her mother, Genny Pitts
Dianna Marder, Award-winning reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer
Peggy Smith, Coach, Educator, and Training Consultant
Mary Pat Knauss, Board President, Wings for Success
Carole Downs, Co-Founder, Haiti Family Initiative
Jojami Tyler, certified image consultant
Mitch Lyons, Artist
Tina Betz, Vocalist & Cultural Affairs Director
Anne Coleman, Author
Ann Hayden, Artist
42. “On the occasion of the 5th anniversary, long strolls on the Chestnut
Run walking paths with Sharon as she explored what Great Dame
might be, come to mind. I remember how very sure she was about
the mission for Great Dames but was unsure about its actual form.
Today, we say that Sharon was building with the end in mind, which
is one of the strongest approaches an innovator can take. She was
focused on the community she hoped to build and how she would
serve them. Her courage to act on her convictions and take that
proverbial leap of faith has certainly paid off. Great Dames, guided
by Sharon's vision, energy and strong principles has now touched
and enhanced many lives.
Congratulations and all my wishes for Great Dames and the strong
community that it has built.”
Debbra Johnson
56. we’ve engaged nearly
200
Women Leaders in Powerful
Mentoring Relationships
Muriel E. GilmanWomen in Action Mentoring Program
sponsored by United Way of Delaware
61. “I am so happy this opportunity has presented itself! Sharon
Hake is an amazing woman, and Great Dame. It has been a
true privilege and honor to know her. Since being introduced
to Sharon over 3 years ago I have had the chance to see her as
a true advocate and supporter of all women and girls. As a
member of the Women in Action Mentoring Community and a
presenter at her 2013 Great Dames Speakers Series she has
always made me feel welcomed, valued and appreciated.
Sharon has helped me acknowledge and own my strengths, in
spite of times I may have felt too young in my career to
significantly contribute. Women like Sharon truly model what it
means to be your sister’s keeper.”
Daneya Jacobs
62. DuPont CEO, Ellen Kullman connects with aspiring Dames
Paul Pruitt Photography
69. Thank you to our
talented Contributors!
Maria Hess, Program Moderator
Paul Pruitt Photography
Margaret Aitken, PR
Roxanne Cain, Social Media Guru
70. Launched Remarkable Ideas Pitch
Competition &
Remarkable Entrepreneurs
Community!
41 women entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas
5 finalists pitched their ideas
1 winner emerged
ALL 41 were Remarkable!
