ln 1963 the Equal Pay Law was ratified by President John F. Kennedy, the first national legislation to pass concerning women and wages. National Equal Pay Day was established in 1996 to raise awareness of continuing wage disparity and demonstrate its effects on women. ln 2009, President Barack Obama signed that Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, helping reinforce some of the rights previously granted to female employees against discrimination and wage disparity. While the reasons are many, 60 years have passed, and wage disparity is still having a real impact on women's lives. One fact we have learned; education makes a positive difference in pay as well as all aspects of a woman's life.

 

To promote this remarkable reality, Middle Tennessee Fund for Women and Girls (MTFWG) hosts an annual EqualiTEA event. MTFWG is the charitable arm of the American Association of University Women, AAUW Murfreesboro Branch. This fundraising, high tea, hats optional event funds scholarships and programming for women and girls in Middle Tennessee. The 2024 TEA will take place on Tuesday, April 16th, doors open at 4:45 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom of the Student Union Building on Middle Tennessee State University’s campus.

 

MTFWG and AAUW-Murfreesboro cordially invite you to sponsor EqualiTEA 2024. Your sponsorship will allow us to continue funding scholarships benefiting MTSU women students returning to complete their degrees.

 

Sponsorship opportunities are available at various levels:

• Ruth M. Houston Sponsorship: $300

Grants 2 reserved seats and acknowledgment in the program.

 

• Butler-Fouts Sponsorship: $500

Grants 2 reserved seats and acknowledgment in the program.

 

• Anne Dallas Dudley Sponsorship: $1,000

Grants 2 reserved VIP seats, appearance in marketing materials, and inclusion in press releases.

 

• Ida B Wells Sponsorship: $1,500

Grants 4 VIP seats, inclusion of logo on marketing materials, and mention in press releases.

 

• Equity Sponsorship: $2,000

 

Grants 8 VIP seats, top placement of logo on marketing materials and press releases.

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Sponsorships assist in covering event expenses, ensuring that all proceeds directly support scholarships and programming. We also welcome match grants and in-kind donations for sponsorship. Our aspiration is for attendees to match our sponsorship amount through donations, maximizing the impact of our scholarships and programs.

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Since 1913, AAUW Murfreesboro has been leveling the playing field for women and girls. The MTFWG, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, supports the work of AAUW Murfreesboro in funding scholarships and programs. AAUW has been providing scholarships for women at MTSU for over 60 years.

 

Currently, each scholarship provides $1,200 per semester for each scholarship recipient through to graduation. The Ruth M Houston Memorial scholarship has supported women returning to finish an undergraduate degree at MTSU since 1983. The Butler-Fouts Memorial Graduate Scholarship, launched in 2017, supports women of color in graduate programs at MTSU. We would love to be able to increase the number of scholarships beyond the two we currently award each year. With your support, we will be able to accomplish this goal! Generous funding has also supported salary negotiation workshops for college students (StartSmart) and professionals in the community (WorkSmart). lt was also the seed money for the STEM Program, started at MTSU 25 years ago.

 

Your tax-deductible donation will help females move forward in all aspects of our society, continuing the work started 110 years ago!

 

You may donate via check or Square at EqualiTEA Sponsorship - Mid-TN Fund for Women and Girls. The deadline to sponsor the EqualiTEA is April 8th, and March 31st is the final day for inclusion in press releases.

To donate by check, or if you have questions or need further information, please contact Dr. Bethany Wrye, President of the Middle Tennessee Fund for Women and Girls at midtnfundforwomenandgirls@gmail.com or Bethany.Wrye@mtsu.edu

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