Philanthropy
When Oprah herself admits on national TV that SHE — who knows all — doesn’t know the name of one woman in the service, it’s time to do something to change that! That’s why this Memorial Day weekend, women in the military are being sent on a makeover mission by the “Real Cougar Woman” herself, Linda Franklin. Coining them her “Combat Cougars,” Franklin has partnered with jewelry designer Patty Tobin and others to give Fleet Week a pro-women tweak by empowering women and celebrating the role of WOMEN in the service – a role that is too often forgotten.
The Combat Cougar Makeovers will be a way to thank military sisters-in-arms for their shining service. Participants will be treated to a head-to-toe makeover, including new do’s, makeup and wardrobe at the Patrick Melville Salon in NYC, a complimentary Combat Cougar BraceletTM, donated for the event by designer, Patty Tobin; plus, free “Adrenal Fatigue” testing complete with a private medical consultation, courtesy of Jennifer Landa MD, hormone expert and Chief Medical Officer of BodyLogicMD. To top off the day, an “after” photo shoot will follow with celebrity photographer and reality TV star Mike Ruiz at the Top of the Rock.
The Combat Cougar BraceletTM is a beautiful black and crystal bracelet, designed by Patty Tobin, and made right her in the USA. Franklin and Tobin have partnered to create the bracelet as part of the Combat Cougars campaign to raise awareness and support for women in the military. It is a fashionable symbol that can be worn as a show of solidarity and support for our brave service women. A portion of sales proceeds go directly to benefit programs that support our women veterans. To find out more about these bracelets or to purchase one today for only $19.99, click here.
The event will begin at 8:00AM on Friday, May 27th at the Patrick Melville Salon, located at 45 Rockefeller Center (between 5th & 6th Avenues and 50th & 51st Streets; directly across from the Associated Press and next to the Sports Club LA.)
Event sponsors include: The Real Cougar Woman, blogger, and author of Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am, Linda Franklin; fine fashion jewelry designer, Patty Tobin; celebrity stylist, Patrick Melville, of Patrick Melville Salon; fashion e-tailer, PeppermintPark; and wellness giant, BodyLogicMD.
Emmy and Tony Award winner David Hyde Pierce photographed above with Howe Caverns Owner, Pat Galasso (left), jewelry designer, Patty Tobin (center), and Vera Dordick (right), seen here wearing a stunning new Carnelian Lariat Necklace from Patty Tobin's new Howe Caverns Collection. (Photo by Joan Heffler)
Jewelry designer Patty Tobin unveiled her new Howe Caverns Collection last week at the annual Alzheimer’s Association spring gala and fundraiser. Tobin has been an avid, long-time supporter of the Association’s Northeastern New York Chapter, and was thrilled to join Honorary National Board Member and distinguished celebrity guest, David Hyde Pierce, at this year’s event hosted at the historic Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs, NY. Through the Looking Glass; An Evening to End Alzheimer’s is a special evening chaired by the Clinton Family of Troy, NY, featuring a large silent auction to raise funds to benefit the programs and services across 17 counties in Northeastern NY that provide help and support to individuals and families facing the challenges of the Nation’s 6th leading cause of death.
Mary Ann McGinn places her bid on a Patty Tobin necklace at this year's silent auction. (Photo by Joan Heffler)
Supporters like Tobin and Mr. Hyde Pierce are dedicated to raising awareness and to changing the face of Alzheimer’s by helping both our local and national communities to understand that Alzheimer’s is an illness that will soon reach epidemic levels if a cure is not found. After being honored with the Woman of Distinction Award at last year’s Flowers that Empower benefit luncheon, Tobin decided to go a step further this year and donate a sneak preview from her new exclusive Howe Caverns Collection. The designer’s new collection will soon grace the main lodge at Howe Caverns prior to Tobin’s new boutique opening in the newly constructed Gemstone & Mining Building later this fall.
Patty Tobin and Vera Dordick with husbands Jim Lupo and Jon Dordick. (Photo by Joan Heffler)
(From left to right) Howe Caverns Owner, Pat Galasso, Patty Tobin and Vera Dordick show their support at this year's Evening to End Alzheimer's Event in Saratoga Springs. Dordick and Tobin sport two new designs from Tobin's new Howe Caverns Collection, which will go on sale at the lodge at Howe Caverns in the coming weeks, prior to the designer's new boutique opening in the new Gemstone & Mining Building at Howe Caverns this fall. (Photo by Joan Heffler)
Combat Cougar Bracelets are making a difference at home and oversees. Pictured above from left to right: Two U.S. soldiers happily show off their new Combat Cougar Bracelets; Miss USA shows her support with The Real Cougar Woman, Linda Franklin, at USO event in NYC.
Women everywhere are showing their support for women in the military by wearing our Combat Cougar BraceletsTM. Designed by Patty Tobin, these beautiful black and clear crystal bracelets are made in America, by Americans, for America. The Combat Cougars campaign, founded by The Real Cougar Woman, Linda Franklin, is a unique and important initiative that offers each of us a chance to give this lovely and meaningful bracelet as a gift to one of our brave women currently serving in the armed forces.
Sending a bracelet to a women serving in the military is a small token that serves as a reminder to them and to us that even though they are far away, these women are always in our thoughts. Buy one for yourself or for a friend or family member with a loved one currently serving – whether she’s a wife of, daughter of, sister of – and wear it to show your recognition and support for our brave soldiers. “The bracelet is beautiful and I will wear it with pride for all the women in the military, on the top of the list, my beautiful granddaughter, Brooke,” says Marilynn Krause, a proud supporter of Combat Cougars.
Franklin and Tobin are extremely proud to be a part of such an important campaign that continues to pay tribute to our soldiers serving oversees while still managing to direct a portion of sales proceeds to benefit programs serving our women veterans. Miss USA, Rima Fakih, was among those to recently pledge her support and don her new Combat Cougar BraceletTM at the USO Woman of the Year Event in April at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City (pictured above with Linda Franklin).
It’s easy to get involved! All it takes is a couple minutes of your time and a quick visit to the Combat Cougars website. Purchase a bracelet today for only $19.99. Every bracelet makes a difference, so go ahead — it’s one purchase you know you can feel really good about.
Patty Tobin joined co-organizers, Sheri Best and Lisa Ricciardi, and First Lady of New York State Michelle Paige Patterson, last week at the Women in Construction & Real Estate Networking Event held at the Haworth building in New York City. The purpose of the night: to celebrate and empower women pursuing careers in nontraditional employment fields such as construction, real estate, transportation, facilities maintenance, green and energy industries. These women are an important part of this dynamic effort to help women lead and succeed in this challenging economy.
As a woman who worked for more than a decade leading her own private contracting firm before turning to pursue her passion for jewelry design, Tobin was asked to say a few words about her experience running her own construction company in such a male-dominated industry. Tobin spent the night speaking to guests about the critical importance of creating better business opportunities for women. To help boost proceeds for the event, Tobin also donated a lovely bronze shell pearl necklace, which will go to benefit NEW: Nontraditional Employment for Women. You can check it out along with other pictures from the night here!
