Barbara Pierce Bush to headline Alabama Women’s Foundation event in Birmingham

The Alabama Women’s Foundation will host its signature event, Unleashed, on September 26 at the Red Mountain Theatre, with Barbara Pierce Bush as keynote speaker. The daughter of the 43rd president and granddaughter of the 41st president of the United States, Bush advocates for global health equity and social responsibility.

Bush, who currently serves as the Director of Social Responsibility for the National Basketball Association (NBA), will participate in a fireside chat at the event. Bush brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective on how to drive change.

“Barbara Pierce Bush’s proactive leadership and dedication align perfectly with our mission to create more economic opportunities that benefit Alabama women,” said Lajuana Bradford, chair of the Alabama Women’s Foundation board of directors.

“The Foundation works year-round to connect women with opportunities in the workforce, while also taking new steps to help eliminate economic barriers to success. Mrs. Bush’s insights and experiences will serve as valuable inspiration as we strive to achieve ambitious goals in the years ahead.”

This year’s Unleashed event follows a significant legislative achievement for the Alabama Women’s Foundation, which successfully advocated for passage of the Child Care Tax Credit with bipartisan support.

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“Creating a workforce and economy that includes women is essential for our state to reach its full potential,” said Melanie R. Bridgeforth, president and CEO of the Alabama Women’s Foundation. “This is, without a doubt, a defining moment. With the support of our community, we have made tremendous strides in advancing pro-women policies and investing in women-led initiatives that directly address social ills while boosting local economies. But there is much more to do, and Unleashed is a key part of uniting the community around this mission.”

According to the foundation, they have invested more than $8.5 million across 44 counties through their grantmaking initiatives, supporting organizations that are at the forefront of change and launching initiatives that empower women to overcome economic challenges. These initiatives include funding a dozen women-owned child care centers in underserved communities, helping to increase access to affordable, quality child care services.

Looking ahead, the Alabama Women’s Foundation has committed to a new capital project with the goal of activating 10,000 women in the workforce by 2027.

Unleashed, presented by Renasant Bank, will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 26. The event will feature a lively cocktail reception, an engaging conversation with Barbara Pierce Bush, and a gift bag for all attendees.

General and VIP tickets are available for purchase here.