Women’s History MonthRecognizing Five Trailblazing Women and their Contributions to our Community

2 | Disaster Responder Partnership Opportunity

Charity Edna Earley:“When I talk to students, they say, ‘How did it feel to know youwere making history?’ But you don’t know you’re making historywhen it’s happening. I just wanted to do my job.”

What about this donor makes her a trailblazer?After leaving a career in education to enlist in the Women’s ArmyAuxiliary Corps (WAAC) in 1942, Charity Edna Earley becamea pioneer for women and African-Americans in the U.S. military,serving as one of WAAC’s first black officers and attaining the rank ofmajor. When Charity and her husband moved to Dayton in the 1950sto raise a family, she transitioned from being a military trailblazerto an avid community volunteer and a strong advocate for highereducation. She served in a number of volunteer leadership roles withorganizations such as the United Way, Black Leadership Development Program, American Red Cross, UNCF, Urban Leagueand YWCA. In 2002, the Dr. Stanley A. Earley, Jr., & Charity EdnaEarley Fund was established The Dayton Foundation to honor hermemory by supporting higher education and artistic causes in ourcommunity.

3 | Disaster Responder Partnership Opportunity

Judy McCormick:“The arts are blue sky and sunshine for the soul – and a lastinggift to children.”

What about this donor makes her a trailblazer?Judy McCormick may not have grown up in Greater Dayton, butit’s where she made her home and her impact. In 2004, Judybecame the first female Governing Board Chair for The DaytonFoundation, leading several groundbreaking community initiativesand helping to address key issues in Greater Dayton. Includedamong them was the Neighborhood School Centers project to helprebuild neighborhoods in Dayton and assist families.

Over the years, Judy McCormick has served in prominent leadershippositions throughout the Greater Dayton community, as well as onnational and statewide boards. At heart, Judy is a woman ofthe arts. Today, her Dayton Foundation funds support multiplephilanthropic causes, with a special interest in growing the arts.

4 | Disaster Responder Partnership Opportunity

Anita Moore:“Everyone can do something; our community is challenged withmany needs, so there’s no shortage of work to be done.”

What about this donor makes her a trailblazer?From a successful career in human resources to helping othersthrough leadership and mentoring, Anita Moore has made her life’swork out of enhancing our community’s greatest asset, its people.Over the years, Anita has leant her time and talents to causes thatpromote self-sufficiency. Additionally, she has served in multipleleadership roles, including The Dayton Foundation’s GoverningBoard, chairing the Foundation’s Marketing Committee, chairing theBoard of Trustees for Premier Health and serving on theMontgomery County Workforce Investment Board.

Through her Dayton Foundation fund, Anita supports theFoundation’s efforts to meet the changing needs of our community.

5 | Disaster Responder Partnership Opportunity

Barbara O’Hara:“I firmly believe that when you live in a city and partake of all that ithas to offer, it’s your obligation to help make it a good place to live.That includes giving your time, and whenever possible your financialsupport.”

What about this donor makes her a trailblazer?Well known in the community as a passionate advocate and fundraising guru for numerous Greater Dayton not-for-profits, BarbaraO’Hara enjoys being a cheerleader for enterprising efforts andinspiring others to become involved. She is one of the founders of theGreater Dayton Rowing Association, a board member of DaytonHistory and the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, and a volunteeryouth mentor for Montgomery County Ohio College Promise.

Through her funds with The Dayton Foundation and the OakwoodSchools Foundation, Barbara supports scholarships for young athletes and community needs that are close to her heart.

6 | Disaster Responder Partnership Opportunity

Amanda Wright Lane:“With regard to the Wright Brothers’ legacy, there is hardly anythingthat flies today that doesn't have a component made in Dayton or theState of Ohio. When people use the negative connotation of Ohiobeing merely a "fly-over" state, I remind them that they wouldn't beflying over anything if it weren't for two Daytonians and many brilliantOhio engineers, pilots and scientists who followed them.”

What about this donor makes her a trailblazer?For Amanda Wright Lane, great grand-niece of Wilbur and OrvilleWright, preserving the history of these two flying descendantshas become a part of her life’s work. As a community volunteer, shehas not only continued to share the story of her family’s contribution toaviation history, but she has made it her mission to advance theDayton Region’s rich aviation heritage. The Wright Brothers FamilyFoundation supports Amanda and her family’s work by fundingresearch and publication of aviation history, scholarships, therestoration and display of aviation artifacts, and the development oflandmarks related to the Wright Brothers’ story, including their historicOakwood home, Hawthorn Hill.

Disaster Responder

Thank you to all of the womenwho are growing and improving

our community. For more examples of how individuals are helping others and

growing our community, visit daytonfoundation.org.