The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas (WFA) hosted its 27th annual Power of the Purse luncheon Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.
The sold-out event raised $260,000 to help build economic security and opportunity for women and girls in the state. The event also recognized women who are making an impact in public service, business and philanthropy.
Recognized as the Woman of the Year in Business was Elizabeth Burns Anderson, senior vice president of Farmers Bank & Trust and executive director of the Farmers Bank Foundation. She is a fifth-generation banker and Magnolia native and works toward rural development advocacy, education and civic leadership.
Elizabeth Burns Anderson
The Woman of the Year in Public Service is Gayatri Agnew. She is the senior director and head of Walmart Accessibility Center of Excellence. Also, as a Bentonville City Council member, Agnew is recognized for her work building inclusive communities and expanding access to opportunity.
Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury, president and CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, was awarded the Woman of the Year in Philanthropy. West-Scantlebury spent her career leading philanthropic work to build a stronger, more equitable Arkansas.
Cori Keller and Ebony Mitchell, Miss Arkansas 2023 and 2022, respectively, served as event co-chairs.
Ebony Mitchell, Anna Beth Gorman, Cori Keller
“We are incredibly proud to recognize this year’s honorees, who each lead with vision, compassion and purpose,” CEO of WFA Anna Beth Gorman said. “They, along with our co-chairs, embody this year’s theme, ‘First, But Not Last,’ showing what’s possible when women claim their seat at the table and pave the way for others to follow. At a time when some organizations are reducing support for women-led and women-serving efforts, WFA is profoundly grateful for the individuals and partners who continue to show up for this mission. Together, we are ensuring the leadership we celebrate today becomes the legacy of tomorrow.”
The event also featured an opening spoken-word performance, “Give a Woman a Dollar,” by Miss Ouachita River 2026, Bailey Nicole Gibson, and a roundtable “Circle of Impact” discussion moderated by Mandy Richardson, publisher of Little Rock Soirée.
Proceeds from the event go toward Girls of Promise Conference, the Tijuana Byrd Summer Internship Program and the Women’s Economic Mobility (WEM) Hub.
Feature Photo: Gayatri Agnew
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