WomenCertified®, JM Lexus, Center for Medical Weight Loss and Direct Technology Innovations Sponsoring Women Helping Women "Pay it Forward" event benefiting Women In Distress during tough times.
 

[Fort Lauderdale, FL] (10 September 2008) - While everyone is feeling the pinch of today’s tough economy, some in our community are hurting more than others. That spurred three South Florida business women to create an event designed to motivate and support women through the concept of helping one another by “paying it forward.”

Barbara Theodosiou, Rosalind Sedacca and Christina Rowe, founders of Women Helping Women Mastermind.com, are holding a "Women Helping Women Pay it Forward" event on September 17th at 6:30 pm at the Signature Grand in Davie. The purpose is to lend a hand to women who are struggling financially and emotionally by providing services and financial support to the South Florida charity, Women In Distress.

JM Lexus, WomenCertified, the Center for Medical Weight Loss and Direct Technology Innovations are supporting the “pay it forward” concept through their sponsorship of this event.

“WomenCertified was created to empower women to make smarter consumer choices and to give businesses a competitive edge. There is no better time than now to demonstrate WomenCertified's commitment to supporting women in business,” says Delia Passi, founder of the Hollywood-based company. “And what better way than to co-sponsor the Women Helping Women Pay It Forward event with JM Lexus, a local WomenCertified company. We look forward to supporting this much valued program designed to empower women to succeed.”

“Every one of our customers is important to us, and JM Lexus has long recognized the power and influence of women in making buying decisions,” says Jim Dunn, vice president and general manager of JM Lexus in Margate. “We are happy to be a part of an event that aims to empower women trying to overcome obstacles in their lives and improve their situations.”

Gabriela Rosenthal at the Center for Medical Weight Loss says, "I am extremely excited to participate in this remarkable event to help women take care of their health so they can take control of their life."

“Direct Technology Innovations is delighted to be supporting Women In Distress at the Women Helping Women Pay It Forward event,” says Krissy McKeon, Director of Independent Sales Channels. “Because we are champions for women’s issues, our new national “Process Pink” program will also provide a portion of profits from processing fees to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.”

The event will feature five well known and respected women business entrepreneurs in the community: Heidi Richards Mooney, Mandy Bass, Kelly Kuecha, Gabriela Rosenthal and Amy Botwinick. Each woman will "pay it forward" by sharing her own personal story of how she overcame significant challenges, turned her own life around and now prospers both emotionally and financially. These women will mentor women selected by Women In Distress to help them start the process of getting back on their feet.

Every attendee will also be asked to think about a way they can "pay it forward" by donating a product, service or check to Women In Distress. Attendees will be encouraged to write down their specific donation on a leaf card and then hang it from the large "Pay It Forward" Wish Tree that will be featured on the stage.

“We are very proud that JM Lexus, WomenCertified, Direct Technology Innovations and the Center for Medical Weight Loss have chosen to support this event to benefit Women In Distress," says Mary Riedel, President and CEO of Women in Distress of Broward County, Inc. “Women Helping Women Mastermind.com sets a great example for our community about “paying forward” and offers role models and encouragement for the women who are participating in programs at Women In Distress.”

"No matter how little someone may have, they have something valuable to offer another person. A simple act of kindness, an offer to listen and support another woman going through a rough time, sharing business knowledge or expertise -- these are all examples of how an attendee can pay it forward," says Rowe.

Theodosiou, the founder of the Women's Business Mastermind Group with chapters throughout South Florida says," Our Pay It Forward event is all about touching the lives of women who need our help – be it physical, emotional or spiritual. We are excited to present this first-of-its-kind event to the women of South Florida and hope that the practice of "paying it forward" will be extended well past September 17th.”

"We are also honored to have acclaimed singer, song-writer and humorist Greg Tamblyn to entertain and inspire our attendees. We want to lift the spirits of women in South Florida and at the same time give them the support of other women who can guide and mentor them," says Sedacca.

Women In Distress of Broward County Inc.'s mission is to provide victims of domestic violence with safe shelter, crisis intervention and resources, and to educate the community in order to Stop Abuse For Everyone (SAFE) through Intervention, Education and Advocacy. Services include counseling, emergency shelter, respite care, advocacy/case management, 24-hour crisis line, referrals to emergency assistance, legal aid and other community resources, community and professional trainings, volunteer programs and a thrift store. Women In Distress, Inc. is a United Way of Broward County 2009-10 funded Community Impact Partner. For more information on Women In Distress of Broward County, Inc., call (954)332-3459 or visit www.womenindistress.org. 24 hour Crisis Line: (954) 761-1133.

Businesses interested in sponsoring this event or providing gift bag treats for attendees should contact Rowe at christinarowe1@gmail.com or call 954-309-0992.