We spiffed up a Community Foundation staffer before this month’s fundraising luncheon, Power of the Purse.

by Mick Kelly . photo by Matt Rose

Beth Maczka wears three colors: black, white and brown. Occasionally, she steps out in lime green, but that’s rare. Even more rare is an occasion that calls for her fanciest black dress. Take the inauguration of a president, for example. Maczka, a 47-year-old mother of two, remembers she pulled out the black dress for Bill Clinton’s second inauguration, and again for a Biltmore Estate fundraiser. “I always wear slacks,” she says. “I wear a ball gown once every four years.”

Maczka is a program officer at the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, which holds one of its biggest and buzziest fundraising events this month, the Power of the Purse. Past speakers at the luncheon, which draws more than 1,000 women, have included writer Anna Quindlen and, last year, longtime NPR journalist Cokie Roberts. This year, it’s Jennifer Buffett, a powerful women-focused philanthropist who’s the daughter of Warren Buffett. Money raised at the luncheon goes to the Community Foundation’s Women for Women fund, which helps organizations like Asheville’s YWCA and Planned Parenthood. The crowd is a who’s who of Asheville-area female leaders, and in some ways, it’s a culmination of Maczka’s work, since she works with Women for Women volunteers and philanthropists all year.

Maczka’s daughters, 13-year-old Kenzie and 10-year-old Gaven, are always encouraging her to spice up her look. But truth be told, the North Asheville mom says she feels pretty comfortable with herself. She wants to feel attractive, yes. But she also wants to dress sensibly and encourage her daughters to have a healthy body image.

With that in mind, and with an eye toward the Power of the Purse, we wanted a look for Maczka that was classy but dazzling. Marta Marcopulos and Donna Wright of the Grove Arcade’s Jazzy Giraffe suited her up in a versatile silver Beluva jacket and skirt combo. Guadalupe Chavarria gave Maczka’s hair highlights and low-lights, which sparkled with the metallic pattern in her jacket. With makeup by Mendy Hoffman, Maczka looked ready to take the stage—or be the star at any table—at this year’s fundraiser.

For more details on Power of the Purses on May 23, check out www.cfwnc.org.