Pat Petznick gift to advance Fresh Start Women’s Foundation pursuit
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
From its humble beginnings in 1992, providing makeovers to women in the back of Rolf’s Salon, Pat Petznick and her late sister Beverly Stewart built Fresh Start Women’s Foundation into a symbol of hope and transformation.
To honor those beginnings and the enduring legacy of co-founder Pat Petznick, Fresh Start officials celebrated Ms. Petznick on May 16 with the naming of its education center and the release of the book, “The Fresh Start Story.”
During the event, Ms. Petznick made a generous announcement pledging $1 million to name the Petznick Education Center at Fresh Start.
“I am deeply grateful to everyone who has been a part of this journey, from our dedicated volunteers, donors, and staff to our community partners and the women whose lives we’ve touched. Together, we are all building a brighter future,” Ms. Petznick said in a prepared statement.
“As we look ahead, I am filled with hope, knowing that the incredible women in my family will continue to champion the mission of women’s empowerment through education, ensuring that Fresh Start’s transformative impact endures for generations to come.”
To date, Fresh Start has empowered over 60,000 women on their journeys to build brighter futures for themselves and their children, the release states.
“Studies show that as women achieve higher levels of education, they improve their families’ living standards. Education and in-demand hard and soft job skills are fundamental to women’s ability to overcome adverse circumstances and lift themselves out of poverty,” said Kim McWaters, president and CEO of Fresh Start Women’s Foundation.
“The naming of the Petznick Education Center at Fresh Start reflects our commitment to evolving education practices to meet the changing needs of women in their pursuit of self-sufficiency and success.”
