Photographer Anne Geddes to speak at Greenville Power of the Purse luncheon May 3

A photographer known internationally for her whimsical images of infants will speak in Greenville May 3 at Women for Women of Pitt County's 12th annual Power of the Purse Luncheon. Anne Geddes, a self-taught photographer from Australia, uses customized props and costumes to create fanciful settings for the infants she photographs. Her images have been used for greeting cards and calendars and in best-selling books. "Small World," her first book is seven years, is set for release April 21, She created The Geddes Philanthropic Trust, which has raised nearly $6 million to help prevent and raise awareness of child abuse and neglect. She also is an ambassador volunteer for March of Dimes and the United Nation's Every Woman Every Child Initiative. The Power of the Purse Luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. May 3 at the Greenville Convention Center, 303 S.W. Greenville Blvd. The annual event raises money for an endowment that provides grants to local organizations and agencies specializing in services for women and young girls.

Women for Women of Pitt County is a nonprofit organization of local women committed to pooling their resources to become effective philanthropists. The organization provided nearly $75,000 in funds to its 2016-17 grant recipients who support the group's mission of providing "hope, change and a brighter future for the women and girls of Pitt County." Tickets are $100 per person, available online or by calling 252-355-7550. Seating is limited, and reservations are recommended by April 25.