Georgia Women in Philanthropy

Written by Mary Welch Wednesday, October 07 2009

It’s never been unusual or even notable to find women working in philanthropy. Traditionally, of course, men roosted at the top while women toiled in the ranks.

A few Georgia women, however, assumed leadership roles years ago. Among her many civic contributions, Anne Cox Chambers, chair of Atlanta Newspapers, donated the money for a new wing at Atlanta’s High Museum of Art.

Dorothy Fuqua is the inspiration as well as the financial force behind the conservatory named for her at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

The Doris Shaheen Breast Health Center at Atlanta’s Piedmont Hospital came about through the determination and backing of its namesake.

Alana Shepherd famously co-founded Shepherd Center, which treats more spinal cord injuries than any other rehabilitation center in the nation.

These are women whose names will forever shine among the most powerful forces in local, state, and national philanthropy.

Today, though, as more Georgia women recognize problems then create foundations to address and hopefully solve the problems, fresh new names are emerging.

Here are five women whose names may not yet be as familiar as those of Chambers, Fuqua, Shaheen, and Shepherd, but who are, nevertheless, equally committed to making the world a better place.

Kayrita M. Anderson

CEO

Harold & Kayrita Anderson Family Foundation

When it comes to child sexual exploitation, Kayrita Anderson has zero-tolerance. Since 2002, Anderson and her husband, Harold, have dedicated their time and money to halting child prostitution in Georgia, especially Atlanta.

Anderson was involved in Angela’s House, a sanctuary for girls rescued from the streets, but then she decided to go after the root causes. With a $1 million donation to the Atlanta Women’s Foundation, the Andersons started Future not a Past, whose aim is to build a barrier between children and those who seek to harm them through commercial sexual exploitation.

The campaign addresses the issue through a strategy of research, prevention, intervention, and education.

Anderson, who grew up in poor in Lawrenceville, Ga., told Town & Country magazine that she could have been one of those girls “in a heartbeat. All you need is that voice. . .promising to buy you things. . .saying you’re beautiful. I would have bought into it hook, line, and sinker.” Fortunately, a caring grandfather guided her, and she went to beauty school.