Jessica Sabin immediately answered yes when the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas asked if she and her husband, Warwick, would chair the foundation’s Power of the Purse luncheon in September.

Then she told Warwick.

“I realized I had committed to the event even before asking him about it,” Jessica said, underscoring her admiration for the Women’s Foundation, the only statewide foundation focused solely on women and girls in Arkansas. Its mission is to help them reach their full potential, in part by engaging the community through events like Power of the Purse.

For his part, Warwick Sabin didn’t hesitate either. A state lawmaker who oversees the Innovation Hub as senior director for U.S. programs at Winrock International, he’s also a longtime fan of the foundation.

“We were eager to help an organization that does important work around the state in supporting increased opportunities for women and girls,” he said. “I’ve been involved in economic development for years, and the success and status of women in Arkansas should concern everyone, regardless of gender. Families have to realize that if a mother, wife or daughter isn’t reaching full potential in business, revenue or income, it affects everybody’s quality of life in Arkansas.”

He said he truly enjoyed his part in leading Power of the Purse, the signature fundraising event where the foundation announces its grant recipients, honors accomplished women — this year including Businesswoman of the Year Elise Mitchell and philanthropist Angela Moody — and highlights its programs.

Both Warwick and Jessica, a political analyst who is finishing her master’s degree at the Clinton School of Public Service, said they particularly admire the foundation’s Girls of Promise program, which introduces eighth-grade girls to careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

“Girls in our society are asked what they want to be when the grow up, often before they’ve been introduced to the possibility of these kinds of careers,” Jessica said. “Girls of Promise shows kids possibilities, not just hurdles. They also follow up with these girls after a year to make sure they are meeting their goals. Being a young girl is tough, so it’s good knowing there’s an external force out there rooting for you.”

The foundation also sponsors events like free computer coding instruction for Girls of Promise alumnae, the latest in July at the UALR College of Engineering and Information Technology. The Coding Summits, as they’re known, offer an introduction to coding with hands-on instruction.

Jessica praised the aggressive leadership of the foundation’s new executive director, Anna Beth Gorman, saying that she has “reached out to the community, partnering with groups that also want to make life better for our women and girls.”

Warwick Sabin urged all Arkansans to get to know the Women’s Foundation. “It has many programs and activities to help girls and adult women toward empowerment and success.”

For more information, visit WomensFoundationArkansas.org.