Arkansas Women's Foundation Will Host 27th Annual Luncheon
Business and community leaders will gather to fund economic security programs for women and girls.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Women's Foundation of Arkansas will host its 27th annual Power of the Purse luncheon on October 1, 2026, at the North Little Rock Event Center. This event raises funds for initiatives aimed at improving economic security and capital access for women and girls across the state.
Why it matters
The foundation supports long-term economic stability by funding asset-building initiatives and professional development programs. By removing systemic barriers for women, the organization aims to expand the state's talent pipeline and support future workforce participants.
The 27th annual Power of the Purse luncheon builds on a history of advocacy and programming dating back to the foundation's establishment in 1998. The organization's ongoing work includes the 12-week Tjuana Byrd Summer Internship.
The players
Women's Foundation of Arkansas
A state-based organization focused on economic security and capital access for women and girls.
Lottie Shackelford
An honoree recognized for her contributions to public service who previously served as mayor of Little Rock.
Marsha Martin
An honoree recognized for her contributions to business.
Mandy Macke
An honoree recognized for her contributions to philanthropy.
The details
The luncheon serves as a key funding mechanism for the foundation's research, advocacy, and direct support programs. Initiatives like the Girls of Promise conference utilize hands-on mentorship to prepare eighth-grade students for future careers. Other programs, such as Women Empowered, specifically target asset building and capital access to foster economic independence.
Timeline
The luncheon is scheduled for October 1, 2026, at 11 a.m.
The foundation has held this annual event since its founding in 1998.
Market Landscape
The luncheon follows a tradition of recognizing significant contributions, such as the 2018 honoring of Ellon Cockrill and the 2019 recognition of Alisha Curtis as Woman of the Year. This event serves as a central hub for professional networking and institutional funding within the state.
Operators should monitor the foundation's Women Empowered initiative as a signal for shifting trends in capital access and economic development for women in Arkansas. Networking at such events remains a primary avenue for identifying local workforce pipeline programs and community investment opportunities.
The takeaway
The foundation's work highlights the importance of sustained investment in professional development programs like the Tjuana Byrd Summer Internship. Business owners should track the foundation's research outputs to better understand potential shifts in the local labor market and economic security metrics.
Further reading
For more on the role of state-based grantmaking and advocacy, see the Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ArkansasOnline.
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