Feminist News and Information
WEEKLY NEWS // AUGUST 10, 2023
// A LETTER FROM THE DESK OF DR. SUSAN M. BLAUSTEIN
Time for a Transformative Feminist Economic Agenda
Dear Colleagues,
What will finally move the needle on truly empowering women?
Traditional investments in women’s economic empowerment across the globe – in savings groups, crafts and food production, small business development, training in financial literacy and tech – are not sufficient to build women’s assets or influence. Instead, funders need to double down on bold approaches to building women’s collective assets and power, to embrace strategies that will ensure women’s autonomy and freedom from violence and fear.
My organization, WomenStrong International, recently announced new grants, with additional support for capacity strengthening, convening, and visibility opportunities, for veteran women-run labor rights organizations in India, Bangladesh, Uganda, and El Salvador. Our new partners are experts in mobilizing women, whether concentrated in factories or scattered as domestic workers, and in engaging male labor leaders, factory managers, and public officials in combating sexual violence in the workplace and understanding what women need in order to thrive.
Dr. Susan M. Blaustein
Founder & Executive Director of WomenStrong International
FEMINIST FUNDED '23: RISING - MAIN STAGE SOLD OUT
Feminist Funded ’23 is SOLD OUT for main stage tickets on Sept. 13th & 14th. However, we’ve opened a limited number of seats in a satellite room at the conference hotel. Attendees in the satellite room on Sept. 13th & 14th will enjoy all the same breakout sessions, meals, and receptions as everyone else – except, for a discounted price, will view all main stage speakers from a live broadcast screen located on the first floor of the conference hotel. Learn more about Feminist Funded '23: RISING on our new conference website.
WFN News & Events
In case you missed it, WFN hosted a birth equity webinar co-created in partnership with I Be Black Girl, New Jersey Birth Equity Funders Alliance, Community Health Acceleration Partnership, Pritzker Children’s Initiative, Cambia Health Foundation, Afton Bloom, and Boldly Go Philanthropy. You can watch the recording of the webinar here and view the slide deck shared during the webinar here.
WFN Member News & Events
WFN MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL & NEW MEMBERS
Our network is only as strong as the people and organizations who are a part of it. Join us in appreciating Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona who has renewed their WFN membership for 2023.
Please join us in welcoming new WFN members Purposeful, Aleeka Morgan, and Jeannette Pai-Espinosa.
If you have questions about WFN membership or would like additional information, please contact us.
MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Women’s Fund Miami-Dade released the policy paper, Women’s Economic Mobility: Opportunities and Barriers. The policy paper offers an in-depth understanding and analysis of the individual metrics and the methodology used to determine the Gender Equity Index (GEI) score as well as the barriers to women’s economic freedom.
How Women Lead is launching Women Leaders for the World's 2023 Abortion and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice cohort this fall.
Women Leaders for the World is a year-long leadership training program for social impact leaders from across the world. WLW provides coaching, training and customized support to accomplished women leaders in nonprofits, social enterprises and other areas such as academia, social media, philanthropy and politics. Applications are due August 31.
For more information, please contact the fellowship coordinator at [email protected].
Earlier this year, the Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation released its latest report Pay Transparency Measures in the United States. The Women’s Fund developed this report to more thoroughly understand the impacts and arguments for and against pay transparency policies. Employers, policymakers, community leaders, and wage earners will find this information beneficial in providing a more complete picture of the impact of pay transparency. Download the report here.
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation is seeking a Digital Strategist. Read the job description and apply here.
The New York Women’s Foundation is seeking a Coordinator, Events and Corporate Sponsorships who will help plan and execute their fundraising events and assist with corporate fundraising.
MEMBER WEBINARS & WORKSHOPS
I Be Black Girl announced renowned activist, author and professor Angela Davis as keynote speaker for their Reproductive Justice Summit. This year’s in-person summit, Coming Back Into Our Bodies, is open to all advocates, allies and community members who want to invest in reproductive justice in the Nebraska.
October 27, 2023 at 8 AM-5 PM EDT | Register here
How Women Lead invites you to Our Bodies, Our Power: Taking Action in Today’s Climate. Join funders and practitioners who will share their thoughts on the landscape one year after the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the trends to safeguard women’s rights, and action steps we can take individually and as a collective.
August 22, 2023 at 8 AM-9:30 AM PDT | Register here
Join Women's Foundation of Greater Saint Louis and Dr. Kimberly Jade Norwood for the Seeking Solutions Symposium. Dr. Norwood will share data on gains women have made in the workforce and discuss the miles we have to go. Dr. Norwood will discuss our two steps forward one step back ascension and the complicity women have in allowing women and girls to be confined by their gender and push women to [re]commit to gender equity.
August 18, 2023 at 8 AM-9:30 AM CDT | Register here
Opportunities & Resources
The Freedom Fund recently launched Funding Frontline Impact, a new resource for donors who believe in the power of funding frontline organisations. The site draws from the Freedom Fund’s experience funding over 170 frontline organisations around the world and features a set of principles for frontline funding alongside guidance, case studies, and downloadable resources. Visit www.fundingfrontlineimpact.org.
Northern California Grantmakers is hiring a Director of Climate and Disaster Resilience. To learn more about the position, click here.
The application period for the Spring session of the White House Internship Program is open through Friday, August 18. Interested candidates can find the Program’s online application at WH.gov/intern. The website also features additional information about the Program, including a “Frequently Asked Questions” section. Email [email protected] with questions.
What We're Reading
The Protests Inside Iran’s Girls’ Schools — The New Yorker
The world must unite now to halt the Taliban’s repression of Afghan women and girls. — The Guardian
'Barbie' is the only billion-dollar blockbuster solely directed by a woman. — NPR
Ohio Vote Shows Abortion’s Potency to Reshape Elections. — The New York Times
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