Celia Dunn Sotheby's International Realty sponsors AWWIN, Inc. banquet to give more women opportunity for independence and advancement

L-r: Sarahlyn Argrow, CEO and founder of AWWIN, Inc. and Celia Dunn, president of Celia Dunn Sotheby's International Realty. (SAVANNAH, GA) - Women are really coming into their own as leaders in Savannah. Major organizations in town have women in leadership positions, ranging from the Chair-Elect of Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to the incoming chair of Buy Local Savannah to the chair of the chamber's Small Business Council.

Women have been making impressive strides in business as well according to national and state figures.

The Center for Women's Business Research analyzes data provided by the U.S. Bureau of the Census. It issues projected numbers based on economic census data about women in business, including businesses that have majority ownership by women (51 percent or more of the business is owned by women).

Businesses with a majority ownership by women accounted for 29.7 percent of all businesses in the U.S. as of 2006, generating $1.1 trillion in annual sales and employing 7.2 million people nationwide. Between 1997 and 2006, the percent growth in those firms was nearly twice that of all U.S. firms (42.3 percent vs. 23.3 percent).

Georgia ranked second in the growth in the number of privately-held, majority women-owned firms between 1997 and 2006. The state ranked ninth in the number of privately-held, majority women-owned firms in 2006, eleventh in employment and eighth in sales.

The figures are even more impressive when you consider it¿s been less than 100 years since women were given the right to vote -- national women's suffrage was granted in 1920 with the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

"We've come a long way," said "I think it's amazing." Organizations like Rotary, offering always-crucial networking opportunities, have gone from being all-male to having female officers.

"I can remember being the token woman, and now every organization has a broad representation of women, not only in membership but in leadership positions as well," Dunn said. "I think women are being given many opportunities they were not allowed in earlier times, in my lifetime. So much of the thinking about women has changed over the last 50 years."

Despite gains in the work world, there weren't many women corporate leaders in Savannah, Dunn said, but now several high-powered positions are held by women, including two local leaders of major banks-- Kay Ford with SunTrust and Jenny Gentry with Wachovia.

"All of a sudden it seems these opportunities came about for women to use their talent and skills and intelligence and ability to work with people," Dunn said.

"What is interesting is that women often approach a challenge from a different perspective than a man," Dunn said. "It's always interesting to see those ideas brought forward."

Diana Morrison is Chair-Elect of Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Madeleine Warren is the Chair of the Small Business Council for the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and is the president of Buy Local Savannah. Helen Downing is chairman of the board of SunTrust Bank in Savannah.

Paula Kreissler, the incoming president of Buy Local Savannah, says the mayor and many leaders in Savannah realize the importance of diversity and collab- oration.

In the big picture, when Savannah was founded in 1733 with Oglethorpe and Tomochichi, the city was meant to be collaborative and for people to work together -- Savannah has that spirit embodied in it," Kreissler said. "As women are becoming a part of its leadership, it¿s extending what was started."

Dunn hopes to give more women in the Savannah area the opportunity to succeed in business. Celia Dunn Sotheby's International Realty is sponsoring AWWIN, Inc.'s fundraising gala Sept. 19. AWWIN, Inc. offers struggling single mothers the tools and skills to help them have a successful career, and that in turn helps their children have better opportunities.

"AWWIN, Inc. gives women the opportunity, the knowledge and the capabilities to succeed," Dunn said. "It gives them the selfesteem to be able to speak on their own behalf and on behalf of their children. And then perhaps they will be able to help other struggling single mothers who don't feel capable of standing up for themselves. The only way to break the cycle is education."

Sarahlyn Argrow, CEO and founder of AWWIN, Inc., overcame hardship herself and then gave back to her community by helping other women.

AWWIN offers a 30- week computer and job readiness training for women. AWWIN also provides financial assistance for the women, realizing that it's hard to focus on learning if they¿re not able to pay a light bill. The organization also assists women who are going back to school.

Women helped by AWWIN have now become teachers, office managers, Department of Juvenile Justice workers, and more. Their children also have a more stable life and see how education brings more opportunities.

"Since founding AWWIN I have found there is a whole world of opportunities for women leadership," Argrow said. "The AWWIN, Inc Top Ten Working Women of the Year Awards is an example of what women can and have accomplished through the centuries.

For more information, call Celia Dunn Sotheby's International Realty at (912) 234-3323 or visit www.celiadunnsir.com . To contact the Bluffton office, call (843) 836-3900.