In honor of Western’s remarkable legacy, alumnae established Western High School Foundation, Inc. (WHSF). Western High School alumnae volunteers seek to raise $175,000 through the Western 175 Years of Light campaign. Cumulative donations will be used for important new initiatives to enhance Western’s academic progress, build a system for sustainable private funding and upgrade the school’s facility.
The original Western 175 Years of Light campaign committee included: Delshan Baker, Constance Baker, Akilah Boston, Belinda Conaway, Monique Cox, Ashley Day, Amy Burke Friedman, Luwanda Jenkins, Monteece Jones, Dionne Joyner-Weems, Lee Kappelman, Anne King, Elena Langrill, Traci Mathena, Chris McKee, Tracy Miller, Carla Neely, Carolyn O’Keefe, Valerie Opher, Jean Richie, Julie Seely and Barbara Stricklin.
Organizers chose to the Fund for Educational Excellence (The Fund) as fiscal sponsor for WHSF due to its exemplary reputation and experience. The Fund, a Section 501C(3) non-profit charitable organization will ensure secure processing, accountability and proper reporting of all donations. All donations should be made payable to Fund for Educational Excellence-WHSF. The Fund provides the structure and expertise to manage the funds raised by WHSF to support initiatives and projects to benefit Western.
“For literally decades, Poly, City and School for the Arts have gotten substantial private funding to help maintain their facilities and academic progress. Western has been neglected,” says Carolyn O’Keefe, ('74). Her classmate Julie Seely, MD and author of the new book Skinny House was the first to join the committee and make the first donation to WHSF.
According to Roger Schulman, president of the Fund, “We are honored to work with Western whose legacy and current leadership give us great confidence that supporters will be enthusiastic and generous, leading to important enhancements for its students’ futures.” For more information on the Fund, visit www.FFEE.org.
In March 2020, Western High School Foundation Inc. was incorporated as a Maryland non-stock, non-profit corporation with officers Carolyn O’Keefe (’74) president; Luwanda Jenkins (’80) vice president; Carla Nealy (’82) treasurer; and Christine McKee (’74) secretary. Since its founding, Lee Kappelman (’72) and Maria L. Reyes De Buzaitis, Laureate VP/Senior Counsel have joined the WHSF Board. Constance Baker, Esq. (’65) serves as legal advisor.
All donations and contributions to the Fund for Educational Excellence-WHSF are tax deductible.
Western High School has tremendous aspirations, challenges and needs. Please contribute generously to keep our legacy strong and to enhance the future of today's Western girls!
Please DONATE today! You can donate online via the button below or make checks payable to Fund for Educational Excellence-WHSF and mail to:
Fund for Educational Excellence 800 North Charles Street #400 Baltimore, MD 21201