Gretchen Carlson will be the keynote at the Sole Sisters 2017 Luncheon. Sole Sisters is a Greenwich United Way women’s initiative.
The fundraiser is set for Tuesday, April 25, at Greenwich Country Club and includes a vendor boutique.
“From a young age, Gretchen Carlson was reaching for the stars,” said Diane Viton. “From her academic career at Stanford, to being crowned Miss America as a classic violinist and her rise through the competitive world of news media, Gretchen has excelled and thrived.”
Viton is co-chairing this year’s luncheon with Jamie Eisenberg.
Carlson’s message focuses on promoting safe working environments for women resonates with Sole Sisters supporters and the programs supported by the Greenwich United Way.
“Her strong determination for all working women is both encouraging and inspiring,” said Eisenberg. “Boosting the self-esteem and confidence of young women will have a lasting impact in their communities.”
Carlson has mentored dozens of young women throughout her career and in 2017 she created the Gift of Courage Fund to empower young girls.
An honors graduate of Stanford University, Carlson was valedictorian of her high school class and studied at Oxford University in England.
She grew up as a child prodigy on the violin, performed as a soloist with the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra at age 13, and, in 1989, became the first classical violinist ever to win the Miss America crown.
“For 12 consecutive years Sole Sisters has celebrated women who inspire all of us. We are all really looking forward to this year’s event with Gretchen and we are happy to support her work,” said David Rabin, Greenwich United Way CEO. “The Sole Sisters mission of stepping up to help others step forward dovetails perfectly with Carlson’s philanthropic beliefs and we’re grateful for the opportunity to support the Gift of Courage Fund.”
As a thank you for being this year’s Luncheon Keynote the Greenwich United Way has made a donation in Gretchen’s name to the Gift of Courage Fund.
Carlson serves as a national Trustee for the March of Dimes, is a member of the Board of Directors for the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary in Newtown, Connecticut, and is a Trustee of Greenwich Academy, an all-girls preparatory day school in Greenwich, Connecticut. She is an active volunteer and teacher at her church and, in 2016, hosted the “Miss You Can Do It” pageant in Illinois to celebrate the achievements of courageous girls and young women with disabilities. Carlson is married to sports agent Casey Close and mom to their two children, 11 and 13.
To purchase tickets visit Greenwich United Way online.
For sponsorship and underwriting opportunities please email Director of Development, Jeremy Nappi, at Greenwich United Way [email protected].
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