ABOUT US

Our Mission

To connect emerging professional women from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds with seasoned executives for career mentoring and college-level experiences, and to provide college scholarships and college Wishlist support that aid their freshman journeys and foster the development of future leaders in communications, journalism and the nonprofit sector.

Founded December 2015

The Evolution of the Bobcat Initiative

The Bobcat International Women’s Career Mentoring & Scholarship Initiative was founded in 2015 by Barbara Washington in honor of her mentor, Marriott hospitality executive Alice Spivey. The inaugural “TeaBags of Love” Career Mentoring Forum, held at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark and emceed by former KMOV‑TV news anchor Vicki Newton, brought together 500 mentor‑mentee pairings and honored high‑profile women from across the country with the prestigious “TeaBags of Love” Award. An official Mascot “TeaGirl” welcomed guests, and journalism and communications interns from Maryville University, St. Louis University and Webster University received a $1,500 scholarship. Washington later introduced the HotTopic TeaTalk at the London Tea House, hosting national tea‑style mentor‑mentee conversations with participants from 21 major U.S. cities. The initiative eventually evolved into its signature event, the International Women’s Day “TeaBags of Love” College Trunk Party. The gathering was first held at West Chase and later at Benjamin F. Edwards & Company before moving to its current home at the Marriott St. Louis Airport Hotel, where Leah Hill, meteorologist for KMOX‑TV First Alert 4, serves as emcee. The College Trunk Party Class of 2026 includes students from Hazelwood, Jennings, McCluer, Pattonville, Ritenour and Riverview Gardens, who will be recognized as School Partner Mentor Memorial Honorees. Ambassadors adopt each student and rally friends and associates to fulfill their Amazon wish lists. National businesswomen deliver virtual motivational send‑off remarks, while parents and school partners decorate tables to showcase school pride. Guided by its theme of “loving, caring and sharing,” the initiative encourages young women to build confidence and discover their God‑given talents for personal and professional success.

About the Founder & Principal

Barbara A. Washington, CSEP

From the heart of the hot Delta of Bourbon, Mississippi, and the gold cache of the Blue Grass state, Fort Knox, Kentucky, and fresh from an extended stay in Nuremberg, Germany, Barbara Washington stepped into the Gateway City three decades ago. With a heaping helping of Southern hospitality and a dash of European flair, Washington has unique ingredients for success in public relations, fund-raising, and special events. She is also an accomplished motivational speaker and Gospel vocalist. The event management and public relations expert was affiliated with the St. Louis-based, non-profit Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club for more than 30 years, where she honed her expertise and caring spirit for helping and mentoring others. Washington emphasizes honesty, integrity and accountability in all her work; and her motto is:
“My word is my bond.”

Our Activities

Bobcat’s annual International Women’s Day “TeaBags of Love” Gathering features the following in-person and virtual activities:

Annual College Trunk Party: Coordination by Ambassadors and school representatives to collect and organize the presentation of Wish List items for college-bound seniors from Hazelwood East, Jennings, McCluer, Pattonville, Ritenour, and Riverview Gardens.

HotTopic Career-Collegiate-Mentoring TeaTalk: Career panelists from Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Las Vegas, NV; New York, NY; Phoenix, AZ; and St. Louis.

Introduction and Explanation of Bobcat’s Career Mentorship Principles: Career experts will discuss cooperation, dependability, loyalty, respect, trust, patience, and understanding.

Recognition of an Outstanding Corporate-Community Leader: Honoring a leader of diverse ethnic or socioeconomic background from St. Louis, a major U.S. city, or internationally.

Bobcat Founder & Principal Mentorship Statement

Mentoring is in my DNA. It’s about reaching out and connecting with others to enhance their personal and business lives. Sometimes you are asked for help and sometimes you just do it. Being truthful and honest opens the relationship and creates a family bond. The Bobcat Initiative is all about encouraging women to become change-agents in their communities by lending their expertise and God-given talent to help others in a loving, caring and sharing manner.”

Testimonials

“The International Women’s Day ‘TeaBags of Love’ Career Mentoring Forum is a wonderful event. I am so honored to be a friend of Barbara Washington, and I am inspired by her efforts to provide a positive experience for women.”

“The inaugural ‘TeaBags of Love’ gathering was PHENOMENAL. So are all the honorees and so are YOU!!! Congratulations on pulling off such a powerful first time out-of-the gate event.”

The “TeaBags of Love No.2” event was beautiful. I could see in the faces of the guests how engaged everyone was and how much they all respect and admire what you do. Bobcat is a labor of love and shines through in that manner. Your efforts were clearly visible from the beautiful flowers to the delicious food but most of all from the smiling faces in the audience. I was honored to be a part of it.”

“The ability to inspire dozens of accomplished women to assemble for a celebration of their brilliance and leverage their power to lift other women speaks to Barbara’s great gift as a leader. Through her leadership with the “TeaBags of Love” she motivates others to reach beyond perceived barriers and roadblocks, encouraging them in their journey. As the inaugural emcee, from the podium emceeing and standing alongside observing, I am amazed by Barbara’s gracious determination to harness the unity of sisterhood.”

“Once again, you knocked it out of the park! The ‘TeaBags of Love’ was so very special for all of us; and you are to thank for it. Your friendship and mentorship have meant the WORLD to me over the years. Bravo! Bravo! And, I will never forget how very special you made me feel today and how very proud I am to be a woman - especially among the group of women in attendance, established, talented, generous, beautiful, and influential. Wow. Blown away. All day long. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

“The TeaBags of Love” was a spectacular event. Everything was in order over and above.”