Liberation Means Opportunity

Dear Aisha,

To us, a core part of liberation is opportunity, an equal chance. It means being able to pursue the lives we dream of living. That’s why we support organizations that are dedicated to changing unjust systems and furthering justice for women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals. It’s also why we are passionate about doing philanthropy differently and breaking down barriers that have excluded too many innovative leaders from institutional funding. There is no hope for real opportunity for all without equity.

As Dr. D.L. Stewart said, while diversity asks “Who is in the room?” Equity takes it further and replies, “What conditions have we created that maintain certain groups as the perpetual majority here?” The Boston Women’s Fund exists to make sure that grassroots leaders from communities that have been perpetually sidelined — LGBTQIA+ individuals, people of color, immigrants, refugees, disabled people, elderly people, and young people — have the funding they need to carry out their solutions for change. This has been our purpose since day one, 40 years ago.

Below, you’ll meet two of our grantee partners working hard to expand opportunities for the women and gender-expansive folks in their communities. You’ll also hear from one of BWF’s early leaders, Hayat Imam, who was the mastermind behind an innovative fundraising method that built a million-dollar endowment straight from the grassroots. We’re also looking to ensure that phenomenal social justice leaders in Boston get the recognition they deserve, and there’s a way you can help with that. As always, thank you for your continued support.

In Solidarity,

-Natanja Craig Oquendo

Boston Women’s Fund was born out of a desire to do philanthropy differently. That ethos inspired a radical exercise in redefining who could be a donor. Philanthropy wasn’t just for the wealthy and white to take part in. BWF’s early leaders knew that we were all philanthropists. In 1991, our then Executive Director, Hayat Imam, developed a new fundraising model that leveled the playing field and offered everyone an opportunity to take part in local philanthropy. It was called the 2000 Club.

We sat down with Hayat to learn more about the groundbreaking practice she established. We are honored to share Hayat’s story, in her own words.

Women Encouraging Empowerment (WEE) strives to educate, advocate, protect, and advance the rights of low-income immigrant and refugee women and their families through organizing, leadership development, and service delivery.

We had a chat with the WEE team about the immigrant women who founded the organization and how they’re breaking down barriers to success for all in their community.

Essex County Community Organization (ECCO) is a multifaith network of 59 congregations and the North Shore Labor Council that works to create a world where everyone belongs, where we all can thrive, and where we all have a say in the decisions that shape our lives. ECCO works to address the root causes of injustice through policy change and uniting people across lines of difference to build power.  

Rabbi Margie Klein Ronkin, Executive Director at ECCO, spoke with us about how ECCO immigrant women leaders successfully campaigned to increase funding for affordable housing in Salem and what’s next for ECCO in 2024.

The Boston Women’s Fund will publicly honor 40 Liberation Leaders who have contributed outstanding work toward racial, gender, economic, and social justice in Greater Boston! To us, Liberation Leaders are people who are leading and engaging in movements that resist oppressive systems and are striving to create new systems.

These leaders will be commemorated at our 40th Anniversary Community Celebration in September 2024 — But we need your help.

Who are the innovative changemakers who have touched your life and the lives of your community? Who are the women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals who have fought for their communities and have yet to receive their flowers?

Boston Women’s Fund has invested $7.6 million in grassroots activism tackling some of Greater Boston’s greatest challenges while remaining dedicated to transcending a traditional funder’s role. We always aim to work in true partnership with our grantee partners and let them take the lead. Every year through our programming, we go beyond funding to build skills, power, and connections among today’s and tomorrow’s progressive movement leaders. 

We’re building a radically better world, full of opportunity for women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals. Whether you give $10, $100, or $1,000, we invite you to join us.

Calling all event planners, marketers, and sponsorship managers!

BWF has an exciting opportunity for you to get involved in our 40th Anniversary Community Celebration event. We are putting together a Working Committee of dedicated volunteers who are interested in helping out with our celebration event. We’ve always worked in partnership with our community, and we’re excited to extend this invitation to you in this special moment as BWF celebrates 40 years of radical giving!

Attend MTPC’s Name Change Clinic

Join us on Wednesday, December 6th at 6:00 pm for the final MTPC Name Change Clinic of 2023! We'll be gathering at The Meeting Point in JP to help with navigating the legal name and gender marker change process in MA! As always this clinic is totally free and you can sign up for the Namesake platform to get personalized guidance through this process! Register at this link.

Attend Propa City Community Outreach’s Remembering Simeon Gala

The Remembering Simeon Gala on Saturday, February 3 at 6:00 pm, allows us to honor our babies as we raise money to continue our work with families around loss, grief, healing, and mental health. Remembering Simeon is a time of appreciation and recognition for those who have sponsored and supported us in our mission and continue to help make our work possible. We want to also honor the families we have worked with in our #TeamSimeon Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support program. This is a formal event with a plated dinner included. Location details are private and will be sent along with your ticket purchase at this link.

Sign Neighborhood Birth Center’s Petition (Roxbury Residents only)

Roxbury residents, join us in shaping our community! Sign our zoning petition to support the Neighborhood Birth Center and our community partners. Help us bring a vital community birth center to life, fostering a nurturing space for families. Your signature makes a difference in shaping a healthier future for all. Sign our petition at this link.

Join Abilities Dance in Supporting the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act

Supplemental Security Income provides a basic standard of living for 7.5 million low-income earning seniors and people with disabilities. SSI along with Social Security lift more people above the poverty line than any other program. In September, the bipartisan SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act was introduced in the Senate. The act would increase the asset limit for individuals and couples and exclude retirement savings from the countable assets. This is a critical first step towards lifting SSI beneficiaries out of poverty. ⁠We hope that our supporters can join this cause and let your voice be heard on this legislation!⁠ Send a message to Congress voicing your support of this bill by following this link. Let your voice be heard!⁠

WE'RE READING

“The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine” by Rashid Khalidi

“Freedom is a Constant Struggle” by Angela Davis

WE'RE WATCHING

“Found” drama series on NBC/Peacock

“Black Cake” drama series on Hulu

“Minari” film on Netflix

WE'RE LISTENING TO

“Feel complete” by PinkPantheress

“There Will Be No Crying” by Cleo Sol

“I Don’t Love Nobody” by Elizabeth Cotten

*Disclaimer: The above media do not reflect the views of Boston Women's Fund and are not endorsed by Boston Women's Fund. These are the items our board and staff are currently engaging with to further their learning and/or rest and find joy.