San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed today commemorated Women’s History Month with her annual ceremony honoring local women for their contributions to San Francisco. This year’s event celebrated the theme “Women in Philanthropy: The Givers and The Doers,” and was co-hosted with the Department on the Status of Women.

The four women that Mayor Breed recognized at this event are: Brenda Wright, former Senior Vice President of Corporate Philanthropy and Community Relations at Wells Fargo; Maryam Muduroglu, philanthropist; Diane Buchanan Wilsey, philanthropist; and Susie Tompkins Buell, philanthropist and Co-Founder of Esprit de Corp.

“We would not be able to create as large of an impact in our communities without the support of our philanthropic partners, and the four women we recognize today have been tremendous leaders in those efforts,” said Mayor Breed. “These women exemplify what it means to give of one’s self, open doors of opportunity for others, and build on the progress that our past women leaders have pushed for over the course of our city’s history. As we commemorate Women’s History Month, we celebrate that progress while committing to supporting women, girls, and families in San Francisco and ensuring they have the opportunity to thrive.”

The annual celebration of Women’s History Month also serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting programs and resources that assist women, families, children, and the most marginalized. Throughout her time in office, Mayor Breed has ensured women are represented in government, and has nominated, appointed, or reappointed 194 women to San Francisco commissions. Mayor Breed is also spearheading the Women and Families First Initiative, which provides workforce training opportunities and financial and childcare assistance to San Francisco women, an effort rooted in the Mayor’s goal to break down the barriers that too often prevent women from obtaining and pursuing success in the workplace.

“From its Barbary Coast roots to today, phenomenal women have forged San Francisco’s foundations in art, culture and civic life, and this Women’s History Month, we honor four exceptional women who have been vital to this legacy of generosity, grit and grace,” said Kimberly Ellis, Director of the Department on the Status of Women. “It is with exceptional pride that San Francisco gets to acknowledge the contributions of these trailblazers and change makers who help to keep the beacon of equity and gender equality shining bright right here in the City by the Bay.”

Brenda Wright worked for more than two decades for Wells Fargo, serving in community development and corporate philanthropy roles where she oversaw the direction of millions of dollars to local community-based organizations and non-profits. For example, in 2018 alone, Wright worked to facilitate $61 million through more than 2,500 grants to local non-profits, schools, and organizations. Wright began her career in community service and social justice, and has also served the public in various capacities as an active leader and founding member of numerous organizations throughout the Bay Area. She also serves on the Board of the Women’s Foundation of California.

Maryam Muduroglu was born and raised in San Francisco and currently serves on the Board of the Center for Youth Wellness, the Bay School of San Francisco, and as President of the San Francisco Opera Guild. Further, Muduroglu has served on the Board of Children of Shelters, whose mission is to provide enrichment and educational opportunities for children and families living in transitional housing shelters in San Francisco. She is a member of the Tipping Point Community’s Leadership Council, which supports the Rising Up initiative to combat youth homelessness. Muduroglu spent 12 years working in healthcare information technology prior to immersing herself in community service.

Diane Buchanan “Dede” Wilsey has been a staple of San Francisco’s philanthropic efforts for decades, and is deeply involved in supporting the City’s world-class arts and cultural institutions. She served as President of the Board of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco for 21 years, and has raised millions for local causes like rebuilding the earthquake-damaged de Young Museum, the renovation of Grace Cathedral, the non-profit organization Shanti Project, and establishing numerous trusts for organizations such as the San Francisco Ballet and the San Francisco Opera. Wilsey has been lauded for her efforts to expand charitable efforts in
San Francisco and engage new philanthropic partners.

Susie Tompkins Buell is a co-founder of the global lifestyle company Esprit de Corp, and has leveraged her success as an entrepreneur to support numerous philanthropic efforts with a focus on women’s rights and the environment. In 2002, she seed-funded Emerge America, an organization now in 25 states dedicated to training women to run for public office, an effort that has led to historic levels of women serving at the local, state, and federal levels. Born and raised in San Francisco, Buell established the Susie Tompkins Buell Foundation to inspire women and youth to environmental activism and support women in the political arena. The Foundation supports grantees including the Climate Emergency Fund, Mothering Justice, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, and The 19^th.

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