Women United: Leading Change in Champaign County
Women United is a powerful network of local women driving lasting change through United Way of Champaign County. We unite passion, resources, and leadership to improve lives in the areas of education, health, and financial stability.
Focused on What Matters
We tackle the issues that matter most to our community. With 700+ members and $700,000+ invested, Women United has funded scholarships at Parkland College and supported the Emergency Shelter for Families. Our events—like Power of the Purse, Lunch and Learns, and Volunteer Days—connect women who care with ways to take action.
Our New Focus: Literacy
We're turning our attention to a growing crisis: student literacy. In 2024, fewer than one-third of Illinois fourth graders met reading standards. That means most kids are falling behind—before they even begin to dream about their future.
If a child can’t read by third grade, they struggle in every subject. Their opportunities shrink early—and often permanently.
Congratulations to the following schools and organizations making a measurable impact on youth literacy in Champaign County as recipients of our first Women United Literacy Grants.:
- Angel's Youth Center- Literacy Program
- Barkstall Elementary School- Dynamic Shelving for Early Learners
- Carrie Busey Elementary School- Browsable Book Shelves for Independent Readers
- Champaign County Regional Planning Commission-Early Childhood Education-Foundations for Lifelong Learning
- Champaign Public Library- Mother Goose on the Loose
- CU Early/Urbana Early Childhood School-Early Literacy Project
- Dr. Howard Elementary School- Library Improvement Plan
- Dr. Preston Williams Jr. Elementary School- Curriculum to Develop Lifelong Readers
- DREAAM Opportunity Center- After School Tutoring
- Urbana Neighborhood Connections Center- Black, Brown & Beautiful Family Literacy Program
- Urbana Park District- Read Across America
Signature Cause: Imagination Library
To fight this crisis, Women United supports Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, powered by United Way. This free program delivers monthly books to children from birth to age five—building early literacy and a love for reading.
Our goal: more children enrolled, more books in homes, more kids ready to learn.
Why Join Women United?
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Connect with local women leaders
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Volunteer to create real impact
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Learn about issues in our community
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Support local literacy and education
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Be part of the solution
How to Join
Women United is open to women whose households give $500+ annually to United Way of Champaign County.
Ready to lead change? Click here to email Emily Neal.