Women in Mercer County are banding together to make a difference in the community.

About 150 women met Monday for the inaugural Women's Leadership Initiative Breakfast through the United Way of Mercer County.

One goal of the initiative is to help the United Way and local service agencies recognize and understand women's and children's issues more fully, said James Micsky, executive director of the United Way of Mercer County.

Caren Renz, the initiative's chairwoman, said 15.7 percent of Mercer County families are headed by a woman with no husband involved, and there are many grandparents who are raising grandchildren younger than 18.

Rebecca Payne, executive director of the Mercer County Chapter of the American Red Cross, said the Women's Initiative is important. "I think it's imperative to the growth and success of the United Way campaign that women take a leading role in the positive progression of the United Way," she said.

Mrs. Payne said she thinks many women's and children's needs have been identified in the community but there is a lack of money to properly address the issues.

Angela Lenzi, site administrator for the Mercer County Careerlink in Sharon, said, "Having all of these different, diverse ladies coming here this morning shows a commitment to the community."

Mrs. Lenzi said she's certain the initiative will be successful. "The focus and creativity of this group is very special," she said.

"I got involved (in the Women's Initiative) because I do see a need for women leaders in the community to come together in a collaborative effort," said Kim Lombardi, director of the UPMC WomanCare Center in Hermitage.

Mrs. Lombardi said there are already women doing good work in the community but by working together, women have the capacity to do more. "I just get so inspired by events like this," she said.

U.S. Rep. Melissa Hart, Bradford Woods, R-4th District, was the speaker for the breakfast at the Radisson Hotel of Sharon in Shenango Township. She told the women they are the "moms, managers and motivators of Mercer County."

Ms. Hart said there is a nationwide need for volunteers in the fields of health and human resources. She said that on a local level the United Way makes a difference in the community and ensures that all donated money stays in the county. The United Way is an organization run by the community, located in the community for the community, she said.

Campaign Chairman Rex Knisley said he got the idea for a Women's Initiative within the United Way of Mercer County when he saw an article about the Women's Initiative in Allegheny County and realized there was a "great untapped resource" in the community.