COEUR d'ALENE — The first women to break cultural and corporate barriers have made it possible for more women to follow in their footsteps.

That sentiment was at the heart of the speech delivered Tuesday evening by Avista President and COO Heather Rosentrater, who will be Avista's first female CEO when she steps into the role Jan. 1. Rosentrater was the keynote speaker of the Women's Gift Alliance's 20th-anniversary celebration at the Hagadone Event Center. 

"You are the ones kicking down those doors so that others can walk through," Rosentrater said, addressing the many Women's Gift Alliance members in the room. "I'm excited tonight to just be a part of this."

Rosentrater said she recently signed up to be a member of the philanthropic organization and found the work the group has done in the past two decades to be absolutely incredible, from the number and breadth of organizations its members have supported to the overall impact on the community.

"I see perfect alignment with what I describe in terms of those barrier breakers and what all of you are doing through this Women's Gift Alliance," she said. "It's pretty incredible."

For two decades, members of the Women's Gift Alliance nonprofit have allocated pooled grants and individual gifts to boost the efforts of local nonprofits, such as Newby-ginnings of North Idaho, which serves veterans and military families; Camp Fire USA Inland Northwest Council, an organization that promotes youth leadership and offers after-school groups, camping and environmental education; the National Alliance on Mental Illness Coeur d'Alene, a nonprofit that provides support, education and advocacy on behalf of those affected by mental illness; and the Coeur d'Alene Symphony Orchestra, bringing music to North Idaho since 1980, to name just a few.

Earlier this year, the organization gifted $30,000 to Kootenai County Volunteer Search and Rescue to purchase drones to assist volunteers on rescue missions, $30,000 to Lake City Playhouse to replace decades-old light and sound equipment and another $30,000 to St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho for roof repairs. Charity Reimagined and Shared Harvest Community Garden were also awarded $5,000 each. 

The Women’s Gift Alliance of Kootenai County was founded in March 2004 by Janice Baldwin and seven visionary women with the goal of teaching women about giving and developing skills as engaged and informed philanthropists. Since 2005, the organization has given over $1.7 million to Kootenai County nonprofits. 

"I've been a member probably for 10 years," said JoAnne Baldwin, Janice's daughter. "I've just been able to learn by watching and just understanding what's going on in our community. It's been inspirational for me to think strategically about how to give in my own community, and just meet some wonderful, like-minded people."

Info: womensgiftalliance.org

    Avista President and COO Heather Rosentrater, who will be Avista's first female CEO when she steps into the role Jan. 1, delivers the keynote speech Tuesday at the Women's Gift Alliance's 20th anniversary dinner at the Hagadone Event Center.
  

    The Women's Gift Alliance of Kootenai County was founded in March 2004 by Janice Baldwin, seen here Tuesday evening, and seven visionary women with the goal of teaching women about giving and developing skills as engaged and informed philanthropists. The benevolent organization is celebrating 20 years of community impact.