Feminist News and Information
WEEKLY NEWS // AUGUST 14, 2025
// FROM THE DESK OF MIRENDA MEGHELLI, DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND PROGRAMS, WOMEN'S FUNDING NETWORK
Reflections from JUNTAS por la Restauración de Nuestra Dignidad: A Celebration of the International Day of Women & Girls of African Descent
Dear Colleagues,
Last month, I had the profound honor of representing the Women's Funding Network at the International Gathering, "Together for the Restoration of Our Dignity," hosted by Colombia's Vice President, Francia Márquez Mina, in commemoration of the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent. It's hard to articulate just how meaningful this experience was and the immense joy present in the gathering space in Cali, Colombia. The atmosphere was breathtaking. It also provided an important opportunity to learn and exchange ideas on key themes for our network, including gender justice, racial justice, and climate justice.
During the event, I participated in a panel discussion focused on economic justice for Black women, girls, and gender expansive people. A recurring theme throughout this session and the panels of the day was that in order to achieve economic justice, we must first ensure that basic needs—including housing, nutrition, healthcare, and employment—are within reach. Sadly, many people still lack access to food, clean water, shelter, and medical care. On a positive note, we also heard inspiring stories of Black women achieving economic success despite structural barriers, including entrepreneurship in Brazil and community-led ecotourism in Colombia.
I left the gathering feeling inspired by this remarkable group of feminist leaders, and it has re-energized me as I work alongside the WFN team to prepare for Feminist Funded '25. If you haven't already done so, we encourage you to register by Friday, August 15 at 11:59 p.m. PDT and join us.
Sincerely,
Mirenda Meghelli, Esq.
Women's Funding Network
Director of Policy and Programs
Join us at Feminist Funded '25!
Celebrate this milestone year with us as we mark 40 years of inspiration, connection, and the acceleration of ideas and collaborations for the public good.
À la carte gala tickets and conference tickets are still available. Registration closes on August 15, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.
September 10-11, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
Pre-Conference Policy Action Day on September 9, 2025
40th Anniversary Gala on September 10, 2025
Hotel rooms are still available in our exclusive block at Salamander Washington DC. Book your room now!
Are you coming to Feminist Funded ’25 preconference Policy Action Day and interested in visiting with your Congressional representatives? Sign up here to schedule a call for one-on-one support to help you get the most out of your Congressional office visits.
What We’ll Provide
- Policy Training & Prep
- Talking points, one-pagers, and outreach support
- Staffer contact lists + customizable email templates
- Capitol Hill maps + logistics guide
- Policy team support (on-site + by text)
- Post-briefing reception to connect and reflect
News from WFN
NEW MEMBERS & 2025 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Our network thrives on the strength and diversity of our members. Please join us in welcoming to the network new WFN members:
- Angie Jean-Marie
- Cities for CEDAW History and Futures Project
- Leya Elias
- Optio
- Rachael Mizuno
Please also join us in appreciating a WFN member who has renewed their membership:
- Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock
If you have questions about membership, please contact us. WFN members enjoy exclusive access to discounted member pricing for Feminist Funded ’25, so join or renew today.
News from WFN Members
MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
We welcome Dr. Kirsten Abernethy as the new Executive Director of the Victorian Women’s Trust, who brings a deep commitment to justice, equity, and systems change. Our deep thanks goes to Mary Crooks AO, whose visionary leadership over nearly three decades has shaped the Trust into a powerful force for gender equity in Australia and beyond.
Please join us in welcoming Linda Yarden as the new President at Elluminate, succeeding Stephanie Garry. As a seasoned nonprofit leader, she brings fresh vision and expertise to grow and scale the organization’s resources to its next phase.
PeiYao Chen, President & CEO of Global Fund for Women, spoke with Feminist about the urgent need for gender justice funding, the power of unrestricted grants, and how real-time data is shaping feminist funding. Read the interview here.
The Chicago Foundation for Women is hiring a Senior Major Gifts Officer. Learn more here.
The Metrowest Women’s Fund has completed a needs assessment of Safety from Violence organizations in Metrowest, MA, in partnership with Market Street Research. Read an executive summary here.
In 2024, the Washington Area Women’s Foundation made powerful strides in advancing equity for women and girls of color across the region through strategic grantmaking and advocacy. Explore their full impact by reading their 2024 Community Investment Report.
Last year marked a powerful milestone for the Women's Foundation of Montana (WFM)—25 years as a resource for gender equity in Montana. Read their 2024 Impact Report—a celebration of the hope, vision, and persistence behind WFM's work.
See the Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts' Annual Snapshot for fiscal year 2024. Read the highlights of their brightest accomplishments during the 2023-2024 period.
Explore Women Win's 2024 Annual Report, reflecting on a year in which they continued leaning into listening deeply, adapting thoughtfully, and acting collectively. Amid a shifting and often difficult funding landscape, their focus remains on getting resources to where they are most needed and supporting grassroots groups at the forefront.
Read Working for Women’s 2024 Impact Report, which showcases how they are expanding access to economic opportunity for women from marginalized communities by partnering with businesses to fund programs, provide skill-based volunteering, and drive systemic change.
MEMBER EVENTS
Join Ms. Foundation President and CEO, Teresa C. Younger and Hali Lee, founder of the Asian Women’s Giving Circle and the Donors of Color Network and recent author of The Big We, for this year’s annual Ms. on Martha’s. Teresa and Hali will be in conversation on the role each person plays in meeting this moment and driving collective impact.
August 19, 2025 | 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. EDT | Register here
Join Women's Foundation California and Libra Foundation for the Bay Area launch of Choosing to Lead Against the Current, the powerful new book from award-winning movement leader and executive strategist, Eveline Shen. The evening will feature a heart-opening conversation between Ev and Malkia Devich-Cyril, founder of Radical Loss.
August 19, 2025 | 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. PDT | Register here
Join Women's Foundation of the South on Women’s Equality Day as they share the results of their review of this year’s legislative sessions in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Alabama. Their Shift the South Legislative Scan gives an overview of the policy wins and blows with respect to the health, wealth, and power of women, families, and gender expansive people in these Southern states.
August 26, 2025 | 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. CDT | Register here
Women Leading Change is the Women's Fund of Rhode Island's annual gala to celebrate, connect, fundraise, and honor local businesses and community leaders. This party is open to everyone who is interested in leveling the playing field for women and girls in Rhode Island.
September 25, 2025 | 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. EDT | Register here
Join the Chicago Foundation for Women for their 40th Anniversary Luncheon as they honor their founders, celebrate their collective legacy, and rally the community to meet this moment. This year will feature Olympic champion, entrepreneur, and gender equity advocate, Allyson Felix.
September 25, 2025 | 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. CDT | Register here
Join the Women's Fund of Omaha at their annual Lead the Change event, featuring Ashley Judd. Celebrate the past 35 years of progress toward gender equity, award grants to local programs, and highlight the work in the community.
October 23, 2025 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. CDT | Register here
Opportunities and Resources
Reproductive health justice is about more than access to care; it also shapes economic opportunity, workplace equity, and basic human rights. This piece from Zevin Asset Management highlights why reproductive autonomy is a critical factor in corporate sustainability, workforce development and well-being, how reproductive health plays a role in corporate accountability and economic justice, and how this shows up in investment portfolios.
What We're Reading
Fatima Goss Graves | Office Hours — Argent
Gates Foundation to spend $2.5 billion on ‘ignored, underfunded’ women’s health — CNN
What We're Watching
Ms. Foundation recently hosted an Instagram Live discussing infertility in America, and the racial, ethnic, gender, ability, and class-based disparities that fertility challenges bring.
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