Meet Billie Townsend
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity (IVHFH) is thrilled to announce Billie Townsend as the 2024 Women Build Honoree. IVHFH’s Women Build exists to empower and celebrate women who are too often underrecognized for their accomplishments. Women of color face even greater challenges in receiving recognition for their achievements. IVHFH is committed to better celebrating and uplifting the many diverse women of our community and acknowledges that naming Billie Townsend as Women Build’s first Black honoree is an important step towards fulfilling that commitment.
Billie dedicated over 25 years to the University of Iowa, making a significant impact in various departments including Affirmative Action, College of Dentistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and College of Public Health for the National Alliance for Doctoral Studies in the Math and Sciences. During her time at the University of Iowa, Billie was a leader in fostering diversity and inclusion throughout the campus. She was actively involved in numerous committees, including the Staff Diversity Committee, Staff Council, African American Council, Recruitment Ambassadors, Advisory Board for Women in Science and Engineering, Diversity Dialogue Group, and Associated University Women. Today, Billie is an active member of the University of Iowa Retirement Association.
Billie has taken on many mentorship roles advising and encouraging student groups to promote social justice and equality at the University of Iowa and throughout the community. She was an advisor to student organizations like Voices of Soul and the Black Student Union (BSU). She also chaired the University January Convocation program honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Currently Billie is involved in the University of Iowa Athletic Mentoring Group and is a member of the Iowa Black Alumni Association (IBAA) Board of Directors for which she chairs the Scholarship Committee.
Throughout her 34 years in Iowa City, Billie has demonstrated a passion for serving others and a commitment to creating positive change in our community. In addition to work at the University of Iowa, Billie has served on the Human Rights Commission and currently serves on the Black Voices Project and the City of Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission.
As an active member of Bethel AME Church, Billie plays a pivotal role in organizing community events such as the Slightly Used Christmas Decoration Sale and the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in partnership with the East Union Mennonite Church in Kalona.
In her free time, Billie enjoys spending quality time with her husband Orville and their blended family of children, Michelle, Bert, and Debbie. Together they continue to celebrate the life of their late son Orville, Jr. who passed away in 2023. Billie and Orville also love cherishing moments with their 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Billie enjoys hobbies that showcase her creativity and love for craftsmanship including puzzling, jewelry making, and gardening.
Billie Townsend will lead Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build Committee to raise funds and recruit volunteers for local families in need of safe, affordable housing. Her achievements and dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion are truly inspiring. We are grateful for her unwavering commitment to creating a better world for all. Congratulations, Billie, on this well-deserved honor!
Click the DONATE button to support the Billie Townsend Women Build with a financial contribution.
Billie dedicated over 25 years to the University of Iowa, making a significant impact in various departments including Affirmative Action, College of Dentistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and College of Public Health for the National Alliance for Doctoral Studies in the Math and Sciences. During her time at the University of Iowa, Billie was a leader in fostering diversity and inclusion throughout the campus. She was actively involved in numerous committees, including the Staff Diversity Committee, Staff Council, African American Council, Recruitment Ambassadors, Advisory Board for Women in Science and Engineering, Diversity Dialogue Group, and Associated University Women. Today, Billie is an active member of the University of Iowa Retirement Association.
Billie has taken on many mentorship roles advising and encouraging student groups to promote social justice and equality at the University of Iowa and throughout the community. She was an advisor to student organizations like Voices of Soul and the Black Student Union (BSU). She also chaired the University January Convocation program honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Currently Billie is involved in the University of Iowa Athletic Mentoring Group and is a member of the Iowa Black Alumni Association (IBAA) Board of Directors for which she chairs the Scholarship Committee.
Throughout her 34 years in Iowa City, Billie has demonstrated a passion for serving others and a commitment to creating positive change in our community. In addition to work at the University of Iowa, Billie has served on the Human Rights Commission and currently serves on the Black Voices Project and the City of Iowa City Planning and Zoning Commission.
As an active member of Bethel AME Church, Billie plays a pivotal role in organizing community events such as the Slightly Used Christmas Decoration Sale and the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in partnership with the East Union Mennonite Church in Kalona.
In her free time, Billie enjoys spending quality time with her husband Orville and their blended family of children, Michelle, Bert, and Debbie. Together they continue to celebrate the life of their late son Orville, Jr. who passed away in 2023. Billie and Orville also love cherishing moments with their 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Billie enjoys hobbies that showcase her creativity and love for craftsmanship including puzzling, jewelry making, and gardening.
Billie Townsend will lead Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build Committee to raise funds and recruit volunteers for local families in need of safe, affordable housing. Her achievements and dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion are truly inspiring. We are grateful for her unwavering commitment to creating a better world for all. Congratulations, Billie, on this well-deserved honor!
Click the DONATE button to support the Billie Townsend Women Build with a financial contribution.
Please note that construction of the Billie Townsend Women Build home will not take place until late August or early September 2024. No volunteer shifts are scheduled at this time. If you are interested in other ways to be involved in Billie's project, email [email protected].
About Women Build
Women Build is an annual program of Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity (IVHFH) bringing together women to help the organization create affordable housing solutions in the community. While the program does not exclude men, its primary objective is to foster a supportive environment for women to learn about and engage in construction. Additionally, Women Build recognizes and celebrates the contributions of women in the community.
Habitat affiliates across the country have sponsored Women Builds since the early 1990s. The initial IVHFH Women Build was accomplished by a group of volunteers in 2004. The second Women Build was also completed by a committee of volunteers in 2006. However, it was not until 2011 that the affiliate decided to make Women Build an annual project. Since then, it has become a tradition for IVHFH to recognize an influential woman by naming the Women Build project in their honor. The honoree leads a committee of women to raise $55,000 in local donations and recruit volunteers to help a local family build an affordable home and to help an existing homeowner make affordable repairs or accessibility modifications to their home.
Billie Townsend and the Women Build committee encourage everyone, regardless of gender, to take part in any way they can. We need supporters to swing a hammer on the construction site, provide food for volunteers, make in kind donations or financial donations and attend fundraising events.
Habitat affiliates across the country have sponsored Women Builds since the early 1990s. The initial IVHFH Women Build was accomplished by a group of volunteers in 2004. The second Women Build was also completed by a committee of volunteers in 2006. However, it was not until 2011 that the affiliate decided to make Women Build an annual project. Since then, it has become a tradition for IVHFH to recognize an influential woman by naming the Women Build project in their honor. The honoree leads a committee of women to raise $55,000 in local donations and recruit volunteers to help a local family build an affordable home and to help an existing homeowner make affordable repairs or accessibility modifications to their home.
Billie Townsend and the Women Build committee encourage everyone, regardless of gender, to take part in any way they can. We need supporters to swing a hammer on the construction site, provide food for volunteers, make in kind donations or financial donations and attend fundraising events.
Billie Townsend Women Build Fundraising Campaign
The Billie Townsend Fundraising Campaign Page allows you to track our fundraising progress, make online donations, and create your own fundraising page to help Billie and the Women Build committee collect donations for the Women Build home. Click the button below to access our Fundraising Campaign Page.
Support the Billie Townsend Women Build
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Provide a Donation
Monetary gifts or in-kind gifts will directly support construction of the Women Build home. Needs for gift-in-kind donations include food, construction services and materials, and items for our silent auction.
Make donations online and visit our fundraising campaign page to help Billie and the Women Build committee collect donations. Email [email protected] for more information. |
Become a Sponsor
Demonstrate your social awareness and support of our community by sponsoring the Women Build home or one of our fundraising events. As a benefit, your group or organization increases brand awareness by receiving recognition in marketing materials and during events.
Email [email protected] for more information. |
Attend an Event
Join Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity and the Women Build committee for an auction benefiting the Billie Townsend Women Build. Proceeds from this event will allow IVHFH to build a Habitat home in Iowa City and will also fund a critical home repair for a local homeowner. Come back soon for more details on our auction fundraiser!
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Volunteer
Volunteers are needed to help construct the Billie Townsend Women Build home (construction to begin in Fall 2024), serve on the Women Build committee, take photographs, and assist staff at our events.
Be a Team Build sponsor by making a contribution to the Billie Townsend Women Build and coordinating volunteers to build the home. Email [email protected] for more information. |
Past Women Build Honorees
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All of our Women Build honorees have made an extraordinary impact on our organization and played a huge part in our success. We are grateful for their contributions.
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Volunteer
Every volunteer makes a difference. Whether you are an experienced carpenter or a novice, you are welcome. |
Donate
Every donation provides an opportunity to build a stronger, more stable, self-reliant future. |
ReStore
Every customer, donor and volunteer helps us build. Income from the ReStore supports our affordable housing efforts. |
