For generations, women have helped shape Jewish Baltimore through philanthropy, often quietly, always intentionally. Today, their influence is anything but quiet. According to the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, research shows that women give more frequently than men across income levels and are more likely to take the lead in household giving decisions. 

In honor of Women’s History Month, we sat down with three local donors who believe in The Associated’s mission to strengthen our Jewish community. Meet a legacy builder, a strategic changemaker and an emerging leader, who talk about what drives their giving and the values that guide their leadership.

Over the years, she has witnessed women’s roles evolve from auxiliary gatherings to true partnerships. “We’ve been given a seat at the table or should I say, seats at the table,” she says. “There’s such a power when women get together. We are a force.” 

Pam is quick to credit the women who shaped her own path. She points first to her mother who made Jewish life central in their home, instilling in her a deep sense of responsibility and pride. She also names mentors like her sister-in-law, Julie Platt, whose national leadership reflects the strength and influence women bring to Jewish communal life and Carol Sandler, who modeled confident, capable female leadership. 

Pam helped to launch Na’aleh: The Hub for Leadership Learning, an agency of The Associated, alongside her dear friend, Linda A. Hurwitz. “It was a great honor for me,” she says. “I love creating future leaders, and I love learning and leading alongside Linda.”

Pam’s own legacy includes connecting the next generations to the history and strength of those who came before.

“We’ve made it clear to our children that the Jewish people are our responsibility,” she says. 

In Pam’s world, women’s philanthropy is not simply about sustaining institutions it is about preserving memory, strengthening leadership and ensuring that the values that carried one generation forward are passed thoughtfully to the next.

Today, as a mother of three daughters, an attorney herself and a leader across multiple Associated initiatives, Stephanie approaches her giving with intention. After becoming a parent, she says, her philanthropy shifted from inherited value to a conscious example. 

“You realize how important it is not to just to tell your kids what matters, but to show them.” 

Whether serving on The Associated board or preparing to send her oldest daughter to college amid rising antisemitism, Stephanie sees her leadership as both communal responsibility and personal legacy. She is also helping lead the next cohort of the Inspired Women’s Project (IWP), a yearlong Associated program that brings together 20 women for monthly sessions focused on personal growth, spirituality, Israel engagement and giving back, culminating in a female-focused trip to Israel.

Stephanie’s volunteerism is intentional. It’s asking hard questions, aligning resources with values and stepping into leadership roles where decisions shape outcomes. Whether standing with Israel, strengthening Jewish identity for the next generation or mobilizing others to act, she approaches her role with the mindset of a strategist: thoughtful, collaborative and focused on long-term results.

An alum of The Associated’s Inspired Women’s Project, Leah found her place among like-minded women at a pivotal moment in her life. “My kids were in school full time and I was craving something for me, a way to feel connected,” she says. 

Today, as chair of The Associated’s Pomegranate Society, Leah encourages women to honor the impact of previous generations by carrying it forward. “When women come together in a meaningful way, we can do anything.”

In this moment, she believes women carry both opportunity and responsibility. “There are so many levels of need, here in Baltimore and beyond,” she says. “When more women come together for the greater good, we strengthen our entire community. It’s a huge responsibility, but it’s also a privilege.”

Learn about all of our women’s programs here – associated.org/getinvolved/women