Merrimack Valley

Investing in the future of girls


Published: October 3, 2008

ANDOVER — The Merrimack Valley's top business leaders and female philanthropists came together at the United Way's second annual Women's Leadership Breakfast yesterday to celebrate receiving grants to help young women.

Featured speakers were: Anna Colton, executive vice president of Bank of America; Congresswoman Niki Tsongas; and Maureen Kelliher, senior vice president of Citizens Bank.

State Sen. Susan Tucker presented awards to Tsongas and philanthropist Nancy Donahue, a board member of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley.

Two of the five agencies to receive grants from "Today's Girls ... Tomorrow's Leaders," a $110,000 initiative to support programs for girls, were: Family Service Inc. and the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence. Family Service hosts an after-school development program for middle-school girls at risk of failing school. The Boys & Girls Club provides 75 girls with the opportunity to excel in academics and sports.

The breakfast was at the Wyndham Andover Hotel.