In addition, a local gallery will hold an exhibit of women artists, with a percentage of proceeds going to the Center for Women.

Having served area women in crucial ways, ranging from counseling for depression to financial consultations, the Center for Women will celebrate its anniversary with a "Women Having Fun" gala to be held at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Colonial Room at the Francis Marion Hotel.

Chanteuse Peggy Lewis will entertain with cabaret tunes followed by dancing to the local band Booty Call. Cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be catered by the Francis Marion Hotel, and All Occasions will provide a chocolate fountain. The festive event will be coordinated by Mitchell Crosby's JMC Charleston.

Getaway packages will be given away during the evening and have been provided by Wild Dunes Resort, Charleston Place and the Spa at Charleston Place, Saks Fifth Avenue and Tristan Restaurant.

Tickets are $100 for members of the Center for Women and $125 for nonmembers. To reserve, call 763-7333 or register at www.c4 women.org.

Proceeds will go to support the center's programs, including a variety of referrals, an entrepreneurial support program, a legal liaison project, networking events, art shows and workshops, among many other offerings.

"Our role is to educate women whether through dealing with domestic violence, taking care of aging parents or starting their own businesses," says Jennet Alterman, director of the Center for Women. "We want to educate women to be successful in their personal and professional lives, and find a balance in their lives."

Alterman said that one of the major programs is the Esther Ferguson Counseling Fellowship funded by Charleston resident Esther Ferguson, who was one of the co-founders of the center in 1990.

"And we have made such remarkable progress. We started in a small house on Mary Street and now are in a much better (converted home) at 531 Savannah Highway."

Ferguson said she decided to fund the counseling fellowship regarding depression because studies conducted several years ago showed that very often women who are in need and whose lives are in disarray also suffer from some type of depression.

"If we can get these women help, then they can go about solving their problems," says Ferguson.

Alterman said that those who need more than short-term counseling are referred to area medical institutions.

Also, a "Women Having Fun Art Show" and reception will be sponsored by the 53 Cannon Street Gallery, between Rutledge Avenue and Coming Street, from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday.

The exhibit will feature the artwork of more than 40 local women artists, including Linda Fantuzzo, Eva Carter, Karin Olah, Helen Rice, Susan Romaine, Lynn Riding and Kat Hastie. The artwork will be on display through Oct. 14. A percentage of the sales will benefit the Center for Women. The evening is free to the public.

The week's third event will be a "Women Having Fun" art workshop to be conducted by Julie Townsley from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the 53 Cannon Street Gallery.

All materials will be provided, and participants may create their own piece of three-dimensional artwork using canvas and paint. Tickets are $115 for Center for Women members and $125 for nonmembers.

A percentage of the proceeds will go to the Center for Women. To reserve, call 763-7333.