Women United and Cape and Islands United Way to honor her work in the community
Trish Kennedy, co-founder and COO of Zudy and local philanthropist, will be honored as this year’s Woman of Impact at the September Power of the Purse gala, an event hosted by Women United of the Cape and Islands United Way.
This award is given annually to women leaders who do extraordinary work to positively impact the lives of others in the community, business or cultural sectors.
Kennedy, along with her husband Tom, co-founded Zudy, a software company in Harwich, and are well known for their philanthropy on the Cape and beyond. She will be recognized at the gala on September 21 at the Hyannisport Club. Previous recipients were Doreen Bilezikian, who with her husband Chuck created the Christmas Tree Shops, and Dorothy Savarese, former CEO and chair of the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank.
Kennedy supports numerous causes on the Cape, including the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, Outer Cape Health Services, and the Cape and Islands United Way, to name a few. Donna Morris, owner of RPM Carpets & Floor Coverings, noted what a source of help Kennedy was during her time as chair of the Cape and Islands United Way Board of Directors.
“Trish was such a great help and supporter to me during my tenure as chair, as she always has been for the organization,” Morris noted. “As one of the people who started Women United on the Cape, I can’t think of a more worthy recipient.”
This is the fifth annual Power of the Purse, which raises funds and awareness for causes supported by Women United. The event features a lively reception and silent auction, presentation of awards to Kennedy and Cindy Horgan of Cape Cod Children’s Place, who will be receiving the Community Spirit award. There will also be a special appeal this year in collaboration with WE CAN.
Kennedy noted what an honor it is to receive the award. “Receiving this year’s Woman of Impact award is truly appreciated and humbling,” she said. “As a young girl growing up in a tenuous financial condition, I have first-hand knowledge of the fear and confusion caused by income instability. My options were limited and the constraints faced posed significant impediments to moving forward with a career, a home and a meaningful life. We all need educated, confident women to move our society forward. Women United deserves all our support in this critical mission to provide vital programs and support to women and families at risk.”
To learn more about Women United and Power of the Purse, visit capeandislandsuw.org/pop
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