You can still view the purses and visit the purse donor's websites:

It was an Extraordinary Evening. Thank you!

Check out the photos here!

United Way of Greater Duluth’s Women’s Leadership Council knows how to host an amazing night out! More than 150 women (and a couple of men) enjoyed wine tasting, savory appetizers, delectable dessert, an amazing speaker….and of course, purses!! 

Purses were donated by retailers, artists, businesses, schools, and donors from the Duluth area, north shore and all across the country. Styles include everything from the fanciful and functional to chic designer clutches, children’s totes and more! 

The event kicked off at 5:00 PM with the silent auction and wine tasting, followed by savory appetizers and dessert and one final opportunity to place a winning bid. Then, at 7:00 PM, attendees were entertained by our keynote speaker Kevin Kling!

Kling is a Minneapolis-based storyteller, playwright, and author who describes his Zodiac sign as "Minnesota with Iowa rising." Not held back by a congenital defect in his left arm, or the loss of the use of his right arm to a motorcycle accident, he has been awarded numerous arts grants and fellowships including the National Endowment for the Arts. 

His enchanting autobiographical tales include hopping freight trains, getting hit by lightning, performing his banned play in Czecholslovakia and eating things before knowing what they are. He is a frequent and popular commentator on National Public Radio's All Things Considered. 

Kevin has released a number of compact disc collection of his stories and has published three books, The Dog Says How, Holiday Inn, and his first children's book, Big Little Brother which includes whimsical drawings by Duluth's own Chris Monroe. We are thrilled to get such talent at our event! We hope you'll join us for a great evening that supports Imagination Library, a free montly book program that supports literacy in the Duluth area. 

Imagination Library is free to families and available to children ages 5 and under in Duluth, Proctor, Hermantown and up the North Shore. Each child receives a new, age-appropriate book sent to them at their home each month until their fifth birthday.  Find more information on the Imagination Library Fact Sheet.

This annual event is a great way to enjoy time with friends, mothers, grandmothers and whoever is thrilled about supporting early literacy by having a really fun time. We hope to see you there next year. Check back for details. 

Check back for more information!