Sharon Cox, who founded the Ladder Alliance to provide assistance to low-income women and women who are survivors of domestic abuse, will retire in April, the organization’s board of directors has announced.
She will be honored at the organization’s 7th Annual It’s In the Bag Luncheon April 26 where handbags are auctioned to benefit the victims of domestic violence
Cox founded the organization as a result of her experience as a high school business computer teacher in a low socio-economic area in El Paso where most of her students were living in poverty and were the children of migrant farm workers.
She recognized that computer skills were essential to working in a technological job market and that the skills her students were learning would assure they could secure employment after school graduation.
Cox moved to Fort Worth in 2001 and was able to realize her dream of opening a non-profit focusing on teaching computer skills to women victims of domestic violence and low-income women. In January of 2003, the Ladder Alliance held its first class consisting of seven students in donated space.
“Starting the Ladder Alliance is the accomplishment that I am most proud of in my life,” Cox said in the news release announcing her retirement.
“I, however, was just the ‘idea’ person. I feel so blessed for the many people and organizations who have given so much to help this organization become what it is today. I know we have impacted the lives of thousands of women and children,” she said.
During her tenure, the Ladder Alliance budget grew from $27,000 to $800,000 and currently employs nine people. It now serves 300 students annually.
“Sharon has touched thousands of lives in her time of service as a leader, motivator and educator with The Ladder Alliance,” said board president Chad Kerr. “The task to find someone suitable to continue her legacy will be a heavy challenge.”
The 7th Annual It’s In the Bag Luncheon will be held April 26 at Ridglea Country Club.
The luncheon will feature a raffle drawing plus both silent and live auctions. Some of the items include vacation destinations, tickets to a suite at the new Dickie’s arena for the Stock Show and Rodeo, a helicopter ride over Fort Worth and a sunset cruise on Eagle Mountain Lake in a 48 ft. Hatteras, not to mention an extraordinary selection of handbags donated by popular boutiques and local donors.
Many of the handbag packages include gift cards to restaurants and other retailers. All
proceeds will benefit the Ladder Alliance’s mission in helping women pursue successful futures.
Tickets are $100 each and include a seated lunch, champagne mimosa tickets and valet parking.
For tickets or sponsorships:
www.ladderalliance.org
– FWBP Staff