WEEKLY NEWS // MAY 9, 2024

// FROM THE DESK OF KATIA JONES, CEO, WOMEN'S FOUNDATION FOR THE STATE OF ARIZONA

The Precipice of Reproductive Justice

Dear Colleagues,

This past week, we watched as years of hard work finally paid off for our local reproductive justice advocates. Our Democratic State Legislators, joined by a few members of the Republican caucus, acted swiftly to respond to the Arizona State Supreme Court’s decision upholding an 1864 law that would have set us back 160 years to an era long before women’s suffrage.

We want to especially commend the actions of Senator Anna Hernandez and Representative Stephanie Stahl-Hamilton for bringing the bills forward and for working diligently within their caucus to get this repeal done smoothly. We also want to commend the efforts of our reproductive justice advocates like Athena Salman, current Executive Director of Reproductive Freedom for All, and former state representative who has been attempting to repeal this ban from our statutes since 2019.

Although we are celebratory, we acknowledge that this is just the beginning of the necessary steps to improve abortion access within Arizona. Throughout the legislative repeal, we heard the use of disconcerting language for public policy like inaccurate descriptions of abortion services, biblical terms, and a fetal heartbeat to describe why the legislature should have control over a pregnant person's body. Once the repeal is effective, abortion in Arizona will default to the existing 15-week restriction. Looking forward, there are ongoing discussions of attempts to confuse our voters in November with conflicting ballot initiatives that would steer them away from the Abortion ballot initiative. Arizona is on the precipice of pursuing real reproductive justice and we are looking forward to aiding our groups on the front lines to continue making that a reality.

Sincerely,

Katia Jones
Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona
Chief Executive Officer

News from WFN

Don't forget to register for the upcoming webinar about expanding the Child Tax Credit. Join Women’s Funding Network, Economic Opportunity Funders, Early Childhood Funders Collaborative, and Tax Equity Funders Network for a free, virtual event open to all.

May 20, 2024 | 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. EDT | Register here

News from WFN Members

MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

We look forward to welcoming Keenya Lambert who will begin in early June as Chicago Foundation for Women's new President and CEO. A Chicago native, Lambert comes with 20 years of successful non-profit experience in fundraising, advocacy, direct service, and executive leadership. Thank you to Sunny Fischer in her role as Interim President and CEO. Read the full announcement here.

The Women's Foundation of Boston's inaugural 2023 Impact Report showcases the empowering affect large, strategic, multi-year grants can have on women and girls. Since the first grant awarded in 2018, the Foundation has invested in the success of over 16,000 women and girls through $6.1M in committed grants and funded 86 programs in partnership with women and girls-serving nonprofit organizations in Greater Boston and across the Commonwealth. This report is focused on that impact and can serve as an inspiration to our colleagues and peer organizations.

Texas Women’s Foundation held #BESTSELF 2024 and the Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration on April 30, which featured ABC’s Deborah Roberts and Mavs Cynt Marshall. Read the press release here.

MEMBER EVENTS

Join Women’s Foundation California at their Legislative Reception to celebrate the Solís Policy Institute and feminist policy advocates shaping an intersectional feminist future for California.

May 15, 2024 | 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. PDT | Register here

If you could change the world for Black women, femmes and girls in just a few words, would you? I Be Black Girl invites you to their upcoming Town Hall Meeting where your voice will shape the future of the organization.

May 16, 2024 | 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. CDT | Register here

Job Openings

The Raikes Foundation is hiring a Director, National Education Strategy. Learn more and apply here.

The CAP Immigration Team is hiring a Policy Analyst in Washington, D.C. To learn more about the position, click here.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America is hiring a Major Gifts Officer in Las Cruces, NM. Learn more and apply here.

What We're Reading

Local leaders have the solutions: why aren’t we funding them? — Alliance

It Took Decades, but Japan’s Working Women Are Making Progress. — The New York Times

More women are working now than at any time in U.S. history. — Axios

Kim Godwin Exits ABC—Are Companies Setting Women Up To Fail? — Forbes

What We're Watching

MAGA extremists’ anti-abortion policies are leading to an eye-opening spike in sterilizations in the U.S. in the 2 years since Roe was overturned—and the data shows that ‘the burden of preventing pregnancy’ is disproportionately falling on women, not men.

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