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Dear Colleagues,
 As we prepare to celebrate women’s history month in the U.S. we join you not just by honoring the past, but also by helping forge a future that’s created through women-led solutions across the globe.
We recognize the groundbreaking work of women’s and girls’ funds and the heightened importance of your efforts during an unprecedented and historic time. It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a year since mass quarantine orders were issued. Over 500,000 people have died. At every turn, women and people of color have borne the brunt of the pandemic’s burden. But you were there from day one.
Despite the challenges, you’ve not only recovered — but you’ve thrived. In fact, our most recent data indicates that women’s funds in our network increased their financial stability markers by double digits last year. This is an incredible accomplishment that demonstrates the trust and value your communities place on your work.
And we know you’re not done. Listening to local wisdom, you’ve seized the opportunity to develop bold ideas including 1) promoting raising the federal minimum wage, universal childcare, and paid sick leave to support essential workers and getting women back on track, 2) centering racial equity when investing in economic mobility strategies for marginalized genders and their children 3) championing gender-inclusive reproductive health — including the right to safe, stigma-free contraception, pregnancy, birth, and abortion care — as an essential service during COVID-19 and beyond, and 4) advocating for green energy programs that revive the economy and decrease the impacts of climate change on at-risk communities.
I am proud to continue to partner with you as we build back better. With deep humility for all the barrier-breakers, advocates, storytellers, scientists, and public servants who came before to blaze a trail — I salute and celebrate each of you every day, and especially in March.
Happy Women’s History Month 2021.
Yours for equity and justice,
Elizabeth
Elizabeth Barajas-Román
Women’s Funding Network
President & CEO
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As we conclude our membership drive, we want to thank all of the members that renewed and wish a warm welcome to our new members in 2021. Our ever-growing community of gender justice funders and allies has grown to over 10 countries, across six continents, and has dramatically increased representation in the United States and territories. We look forward to sharing more about our plans for 2021 with you next week, including the development of new peer communities, opportunities for greater cross-network engagement, and of course, #WomenFunded2021!
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OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES
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The Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) has released the results of the "Women's Priorities and Economic Impact Survey," where they find that in the first 100 days and beyond of the Biden administration, affordable, high-quality healthcare, getting the economic recession under control, and job creation are top priorities for women for the new Administration and Congress.
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The Democratic Women's Caucus is looking for their first Communications Director. To view the job description, click here.
Please submit resume, cover letter, and 3 sample social media posts to [email protected] with “Communications Director” in the subject line by March 2nd.
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The McKinsey Global Institute has released a new report, "The future of work after COVID-19," which looks at the long-term impact of COVID-19 on labor demand, the mix of occupations, and workforce skills required. The McKinsey Global Institute will also be holding a discussion with the authors.
March 2, 2021
8:00am-9:00am PT
Register here.
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Join The Neighborhood Funders Group for a virtual webinar that will focus on Movement Portfolio Theory (MvPT), a social justice investment framework and portfolio management strategy in development by the Center for Economic Democracy (CED).
March 4, 2021
10:00am-11:30am
Register here.
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Join Race Forward for their third installment of their #RaceAnd The Movement Forward series: Organizing for Racial Justice After the Inauguration, a virtual online presentation that will center community power starting with the vote, then the development of movement strategy, and finally, organizing for policy change.
March 3, 2021
12PM PST
Register here.
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Join the Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity (PRE) for a training on Grantmaking with A Racial Justice Lens, a guide providing grantmakers with reflections, frameworks, and tools built from the direct experience of activists and funders for advancing racial justice in any philanthropic setting.
Moving To A Racial Justice Lens: What’s in the Guide & How to Use It for Change
March 10, 2021
3:00pm EST
Register here.
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The CHANGE network’s 2021 Unity Summit will be held either in person in Minneapolis, MN or virtually from October 25th to 28th.
Over 1,000 people will gather for the 2021 Unity Summit, making it an essential convening for those interested in shifting their philanthropic practice towards equity and inclusion with an intersectional lens. We know that our members are leaders in advancing philanthropic equity with an intersectional lens, and as such we want to encourage our members to submit to the Unity Summit call for sessions. You can find more information on the call for sessions here. CHANGE has extended the deadline for the call for sessions to March 3rd.
Submit your session idea or learn more about the 2021 Unity Summit here.
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Join Black Feminist Future for their advanced school offering, "Canon: Theorizing and Resisting in Black Feminisms." Black Feminist Future created Canon to provide an advanced, rigorous leadership development and movement space for Black feminist organizers, strategists, and thought leaders to both engage with 21st century Black feminist canonical thought, and connect Black feminists across sectors, movements, and geographies.
June 4-6, 2021
Deadline to apply is March 7, 2021.
Apply here.
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Throughout the global pandemic, nations with female leaders have had the best COVID-19 response. However, as of February 2021, women serve as elected heads of state in only 21 countries, and at this current rate, gender parity won't be reached for another 130 years. Read an opinion piece here.
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A new CNBC and Acorns Invest In You survey finds that black women bear the brunt of financial pain from the pandemic. - CNBC
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In the field of economics, gender bias is rampant. In a recent study, women received 12% more questions than men, and they were more likely to get questions that were patronizing or hostile. - New York Times
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Three longtime female Democratic strategists are launching their own political media firm, MZL Media, to shake-up a male dominated industry. - CNN
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Read an opinion piece on how imperfect girls make perfect role models.
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In 2020, the percentage of VC deals that went to female-led startups declined to 2.3%., which comes as women are leaving the U.S. workforce in droves. - Harvard Business Review
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Read an opinion piece from Mara Wilson about being a female child actor in Hollywood. "I was never sexually harassed on a film set. My sexual harassment always came at the hands of the media and the public."
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WATCH: Hosted by Black Millennials 4 Flint, NowThis, and Climate Power, check out a panel discussion on the link between environmental justice and black maternal health.
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Browse the New WFN Website!
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If you have a story to share, email Ellen at
[email protected]
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