Community News: Highlighting Our Members
September 25, 2020

Elizabeth Headshot

Dear Colleagues,

This week brought with it two painful blows. One, the world had lost a true feminist icon, a fighter for equality, and a steward of justice with the death of the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsberg. The political battle over filling her seat began almost immediately, with the fate of reproductive freedom, gender equality, voting rights and so much more hanging in the balance in the United States.

Then, while still immersed in grief, we learned there would be no justice for Breonna Taylor, as a grand jury in Kentucky failed to indict any police officers on charges directly related to killing her. Not one person will face criminal charges for killing Beonna Taylor, an innocent Black woman who was gunned down in her own home.

Justice Ginsberg’s legacy and the outcome of the Breonna Taylor grand jury reminded us that our laws exist at the limits of our collective imagination. Justice is an idea that pushes those limits because its measure is fairness. How can the administration of law be fair without dismantling the deeply unfair systems that Breonna and other Black and Brown women live under every day?

Ms. Foundation for Women President and CEO Teresa C. Younger expressed what so many of us are feeling, when she said ([link removed]) : “Breonna Taylor’s life mattered, and this blatant disregard for her life is just another example of the injustice that Black women face in this country, and the continuing failure of our justice system to protect Black lives . . . Now, more than ever, we must listen to leaders calling to transform a system that does not serve or protect Black lives.”

Alexander Hamilton argued in Essay 35 of The Federalist Papers that the U.S. Constitution did not need to ensure that the House of Representatives was made up people from every social class. He believed that even if only merchants, landowners, and educated white men were in elected office, they would understand – and safeguard - the deep interdependent interests of all people in society. Further, that the power of the vote would hold elected men accountable.

Injustice puts U.S. democracy at risk. We have to do more.

We know women’s funds and foundations are a global chorus working to expand our collective imagination by supporting grassroots advocacy groups, challenging lawmakers, and demanding accountability from public officials at all levels of government all over the world.

For Ruth, for Breonna — let us continue to honor their memories through our unwavering fight for justice. Thank you for all you do, and for continuing to hold a new vision for our communities that is truly fair and just for all.

Yours for equity and justice,

Elizabeth Barajas-Román
Women’s Funding Network
President & CEO
WFN MEMBER INITIATIVES
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In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been supporting non-profit organizations, including WFN and the Response, Recovery, and Resilience Collaborative Fund (RRRCF). Check out the Barrons' story ([link removed]) , and our blog post ([link removed]) !
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Working For Women honored our President & CEO, Elizabeth Barajas-Román, as their Women Crush Wednesday! Check out the post here ([link removed]) .

"For more than twenty years, she has been dedicating her work to gender equity and justice by leading progressive movements and initiatives. Her work has helped to impact millions of women and families, and she continues to lead initiatives to continue the movement!"

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The California Wellness Foundation is committing an additional $10 million in grants in 2020 ([link removed]) to meet urgent needs in California’s communities. The new funds will support nonprofit organizations boldly championing health equity and racial justice, COVID-19 recovery work, and increasing civic engagement.

OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES
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GZERO Media presents "Ending the COVID-19 Pandemic," ([link removed]) a livestream event, in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Eurasia Group. The panel will discuss the global hunt for a COVID-19 vaccine, and the latest treatments to lower mortality rates.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020
11 am - 12 noon ET

Register here ([link removed]) !
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Women Deliver has launched its new Generation Equality Microsite ([link removed]) intended for policymakers and private sector leaders to learn how they can drive solutions for girls and women by making bigger, bolder contributions to a more gender-equal world.

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Dalberg Advisors, Council on Foundations, and Philanthropy California have released a new report, " ([link removed]) Shifting Practices, Sharing Power?," ([link removed]) which outlines how the US philanthropic sector is responding to the 2020 crises — and the opportunities to shift practices and share power to enable communities and the industry to build an equitable future.

WEEKLY READ
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"Her Fight is Ours to Continue." Esteemed women leaders honor the life and legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg with their stories, including Hillary Clinton, Kimberlé Crenshaw, and Valerie Jarrett. - Forbes ([link removed])
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Both Trump and Biden have promised a fifth woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court as Justice Ginsburg's replacement. However, while some voters are inspired, others view the proclamations as political posturing. - New York Times ([link removed])

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An interview ([link removed]) with CNN and C. Nicole Mason, president and CEO of the Institute for Women's Policy Research on the economic recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the U.S., women of color are hit the hardest.

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New research finds that women in the Trump White House earn 69 cents for every dollar to male staffers. - USA Today ([link removed])

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A scene from a state-sponsored TV show in China is receiving backlash on Chinese social media, calling the clip "a flagrant example of sexism in Chinese society and an attempt to erase women’s contributions to the fight against the virus." - New York Times ([link removed])

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Amnesty International ([link removed]) finds that Twitter is still not doing enough to protect women from online violence and abuse.

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Read an opinion piece ([link removed]) on Disney's live-action remake of Mulan. "it was a missed opportunity to create a strong Asian woman on screen."

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The Root has released their annual list ([link removed]) of the most influential African Americans, ages 25 to 45. "This year’s list of honorees is a reminder of the beauty and brilliance of Blackness, at a time when the political and cultural landscape has grown even more hostile to the idea of Black achievement."

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Maya Gabeira surfed the biggest wave in the 2019-20 winter season, a first for women in professional surfing. - New York Times ([link removed])

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WATCH: New York Time's Tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. "Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Supreme Court’s feminist icon, not only changed the law, she also transformed the roles of men and women in society."
If you have a story to share, please email Megan at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
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