In 1999, BGCGW board member Patty Perkins Andringa, saw a need to engage more women in the work of the Clubs – establishing the Women’s Leadership Group (WLG) .  Since its inception, this group has netted $6.4 million in support of our Club programming with an emphasis on the arts.

The WLG has provided thousands of our kids the opportunity to discover their often hidden talents with many going on to perform at the Kennedy Center and Broadway!  Others have had their artwork displayed and memorialized in the WLG note card series.  Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington is so grateful for all Patty and this incredible group of ladies have done to keep the arts alive in our Club.

On December 15, 2021, one of our busiest and most active art rooms was named in honor of Patty and in recognition of the incredible efforts of the WLG.  The newly named “Patty Perkins Andringa Creative Center” is located in Ward 7 at our Richard England Clubhouse 14 in northeast Washington, DC.

As a special surprise, an anonymous donor made a $25k gift in support of BGCGW arts programming across all of our Clubs in the greater Washington region!  These funds will enhance and supplement our current programs enabling us to offer a variety of creative experiences to even more kids.

As Patty would say, “It’s all about the kids!”