The all-female Fine Arts Study Club meets once a month for different programs, but it decided to reserve September for a fundraising event supporting women’s causes.

“We decided to contribute to WomenSource, to put money into the community,” club member Suzan Breedlove said.

WomenSource is a Gainesville-based organization striving to empower and support women, as a way to raise funds for their educational programs and other events.

More than 300 women packed into the Chattahoochee Country Club on Tuesday night for the eighth annual Power of the Purse fashion show, which highlights women who have made an impact in the community with their philanthropy.

“It recognizes our unsung heroes in the community,” said Valerie Simmons-Walston, chairwoman of the 2015 WomenSource Board of Directors. “It’s their time to shine.”

More than that, “it’s a networking event, an opportunity for women to fellowship together, make some new friends and build some relationships — kind of kick off their heels and have a girls’ night out.”
The fashion show certainly drew laughter and applause from the audience, as participants modeled fashions from area retailers. The emcee was Lydia Sartain.

The event featured its youngest model ever, Addi Bales, who has been declared cancer-free after 32 chemo infusions, 18 blood transfusions, seven tube placements and four surgeries.

Also, guests could buy items and raffle tickets before the event at the vendor marketplace and enjoy a dinner buffet. Tickets were $50 per person.

“This is all about women helping women,” said Breedlove, who won a couple of raffle prizes herself.