United Way of the Coastal Empire’s Women Who Rule Event Features Woman of the Year Carol Bell and Dynamic Panelists
United Way of the Coastal Empire’s Women Who Rule Event Features Woman of the Year Carol Bell and Dynamic Panelists
United Way of the Coastal Empire is proud to announce that this year’s Women Who Rule event—presented by Step One Automotive Group—honored community leader and United Way supporter Carol Bell as the 2024 United Way “Woman of the Year.”
The annual luncheon—chaired this year by Diana Morrison of Ad Specialty—was held Tuesday, March 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Savannah Convention Center.
Championed by United Way’s WOMEN UNITED®, this popular annual event raises funds for the Women United Transportation Fund, which supports residents across our region who need dependable transportation.
“Each year, an average of 2,000 women and caregivers in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty counties receive support in the form of gas cards, bus passes, and even minor car repairs thanks to this effort,” said Diana Morrison, Women Who Rule Chair. “More than 30 women have volunteered their time and talents for the 2024 Women Who Rule Committee, and I am thankful for every one of them!”
𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥: 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫
Carol Bell, a Savannah trailblazer, as honored for her long history of dedicated service to United Way as she was the first African American board chair in 1998 and has continued to give, advocate, and volunteer to support the organization ever since.
She broke barriers in 1976 as the first African American female manager for the City of Savannah, retiring in 2011 as Central Services Director and transitioning to become a City Councilwoman.
Carol’s extensive community involvement spans leadership roles in various organizations, including the Governor’s Children and Youth Coordinating Council, the United Negro College Fund’s telethon, and esteemed groups like Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Links, Savannah Chapter. The Woman of the Year award was presented by SERVPRO of Savannah.
𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧: 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫
Diana Morrison is a dedicated local business leader who has devoted 36 years to helping businesses create customized promotional products through her firm, Ad Specialty Services.
Along with her business responsibilities, Diana is dedicated to community service. She has been involved with United Way for decades, having served on the board of directors for nine years. She was a founding member of the Women United Committee and Women Who Rule event and remains actively engaged today by serving on the organization’s Marketing Committee.
Diana is a member of many area organizations and is a proud Rotarian. She is also a graduate of Leadership Savannah and Leadership Southeast Georgia.
𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭
This year’s event also featured three outstanding community leaders as panelists. Guests enjoyed a conversation with Chatham Area Transit Authority Chief Executive Officer Faye DiMassimo, State Transportation Board of Georgia Vice Chairman Ann Purcell, and United Way of the Coastal Empire 211 Director Ariane Wallace.
For more information, visit www.uwce.org/women-who-rule.
𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞
The mission of United Way of the Coastal Empire is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community.
United Way is a volunteer-driven organization serving Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty counties that involves hundreds of community leaders, professionals, and other volunteers in every aspect of our business including fundraising, marketing, and funding decisions, to ensure that donations are truly making a difference.
Thanks to the Herschel V. Jenkins Trust Fund and other income, most of the operating expenses of the organization are covered, allowing more donor contributions to go where they’re most needed in service to the community.
For more information, please visit www.uwce.org.
