Independence Blue Cross executive Lorina Marshall-Blake Named 2015 United Way Women's Initiative Honoree

PHILADELPHIA, March 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lorina Marshall-Blake, president of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation and vice president of Community Affairs for Independence Blue Cross, will receive the 2015 Women's Initiative Award during United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey's (UWGPSNJ) Women's Initiative Gala on March 25 at the Crystal Tea Room. The gala is the major fundraiser for Girls Today, Leaders Tomorrow, the signature program of UWGPSNJ's Women's Initiative in southeastern Pennsylvania, a leadership network committed to philanthropy and volunteerism by increasing the impact of women donors and strengthening programs for underserved women and girls.

Marshall-Blake's commitment to philanthropy and volunteerism made her an obvious choice to receive the Women's Initiative Award, said Jim Cawley, president & CEO of United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. 

"For many years, Lorina has been a great champion for United Way, using her influence to help advance our work in the areas of Education, Income and Health, within Independence Blue Cross and throughout the region," Cawley said. "Lorina embodies what it means to be a woman in leadership. She is hard-working, highly-respected and willing to give her time to ensure others have access to opportunities that will improve their lives. She is a wonderful role model for any woman who strives to succeed in her personal and professional endeavors."

A native of West Philadelphia, Marshall-Blake is a true advocate for empowering women, inspiring change and improving lives. She is a member of more than 30 professional and civic organizations, including the United Negro College Fund, Urban Affairs Coalition and the Governor's Patient Safety Authority. She is also affiliated with 2000 African American Women, the Community College of Philadelphia Foundation, Albright College, National Coalition of 100 Black Women and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she is basileus of the sorority's Omega Omega Chapter.  In addition to her corporate and community responsibilities, she serves as an associate minister at the Vine Memorial Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pa.

"I am truly honored and humbled to receive this award, especially considering the fact that a select group of dynamic women whom I admire have been previous recipients," Marshall-Blake said. "I have always admired the tremendous impact that has been made in the lives of young ladies who are a part of the Girls Today, Leaders Tomorrow program, so I am deeply thankful that United Way would think I am deserving of this award, but I am also excited to help raise awareness of the organization's work in helping young ladies and women in greatest need."

Girls Today, Leaders Tomorrow (GTLT) assists junior high and high school-aged girls from underserved communities, providing them with access to resources and services designed to help them succeed in school and stay on track to graduate from high school. The program's ultimate goal is to ensure its participants are prepared for college and career. Throughout the course of the program year, participants receive valuable mentoring and tutoring, make college visits and gain a greater understanding of the importance of goal-setting.

Over the past 12 years, the Women's Initiative has raised more than $3.5 million in support of GTLT and other programs that improve the lives of underserved women and girls.

Each year, professionals from throughout the region come together to celebrate and recognize women in leadership, philanthropy and volunteerism at the Women's Initiative Gala. Marshall-Blake is the 12^th individual to receive the Women's Initiative Award, which is annually presented to a female leader who has given her time, talent and energy to support the work of United Way and the communities it serves. Past recipients include Karen Dougherty Buchholz, Comcast Corporation senior vice president of Administration; Tierney President & CEO Mary Stengel Austen; Charisse Lillie, vice president of Community Investment for Comcast Corporation and president of the Comcast Foundation;  The Leader's Edge/Leaders By Design President Molly D. Shepard; and CRW Graphics President & CEO Harriet G. Weiss.

Marshall-Blake said she is looking forward to the event and receiving an award that stresses the importance of professional women giving back.

More than 800 guests are expected to attend the 2015 Women's Initiative Gala, presented by Independence Blue Cross. The event will begin with a networking reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the award presentation at 6:30 p.m. Additional sponsors of the 2015 Women's Initiative Gala include PwC, Enterprise Holdings, Pfizer, 1847 Financial, Tierney, Vanguard, Amerisource Bergen, Comcast Corporation/NBC10, CRW Graphics, Deloitte, Eisner Amper, Hollister Creative, The Leader's Edge/Leaders by Design, Morgan Lewis, PNC and UPS. For sponsorship opportunities or to purchase seats for the 2015 Women's Initiative Gala, please contact Michelle Martinez at 215-665-2487 or [email protected].

About United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, serving communities in Pennsylvania's Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, and New Jersey's Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May  and Cumberland counties , is part of a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and in people's lives. United Way engages the community to identify the underlying causes of the most significant local issues, develops strategies and pulls together financial and human resources to address them, and measures the results. United Way is advancing the common good in Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey by positively impacting the lives of people throughout the region in the areas of education, income, and health.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150302/178770

SOURCE United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey