Liberation Means Equal Access

Dear Aisha,

Liberation means equal access: the freedom to live our lives without the burden of discriminatory systems or barriers created because of our identity or economic status. Today, the Boston Women’s Fund is disgusted by the Federal Court’s suspension of the Fearless Fund’s program funding Black women entrepreneurs. This is the latest in a series of stunts propelled by conservative groups determined to roll back years of diversity gains and disenfranchise Black women and their communities. 

The lawsuit leading to this suspension was brought by a group called the American Alliance for Equal Rights, claiming that the program’s focus on Black women contradicts the 1866 Civil Rights Act, which forbids race-based discrimination when making contracts. 

But ironically, the sole reason organizations like Fearless Fund exist is because even 159 years after the abolition of slavery, and 56 years after Jim Crow, there’s nothing equal about Black women’s lack of access to capital in the United States. For every dollar earned by white men, Black women make just 63.7 cents. In the philanthropic sector, organizations supporting Black women and girls receive a mere .5% of all charitable giving in the U.S. Is this what equal rights for all looks like? We at the Boston Women’s Fund think that America can do better and Black women deserve more.

These figures came to be while initiatives like Affirmative Action, and Diversity Equity and Inclusion programs were in play. Since Affirmative Action’s repeal, other private companies and institutions have watered down their diversity programs, fearing legal repercussions. What will the numbers look like when those who fear an empowered future for people of color have systematically attacked every attempt to level the playing field? 

The Boston Women’s Fund stands strong in our tireless support for Black women. We’re forever invested in the health of communities of color, and fund ideas penned by the leaders they’ve built. Our one-of-a-kind leadership development program helps women of color advance their professional journeys and navigate the challenges of white supremacy in the workplace. We honor the leadership of Black girls in our youth initiative, offering a supportive space for young people to share their challenges and take action toward justice in their communities. BWF will never stop fighting for a world where equal access truly exists for the persistently marginalized. With our partners, board, donors, and funders we will not waver. We will speak louder and be bolder in our collective goals. We will join local and national organizing efforts. We will. Until we all are liberated. I hope you will continue to show up, support, and walk with us on this journey to freedom.

In Solidarity,

-Natanja Craig Oquendo



In 1996, BWF launched a youth initiative that honored the power in young people’s hands in a way no other fund in Boston had before. It was one in only a handful of similar programs across the country, and we called it Young Sisters For Justice. 

The program welcomed about 10 girls, aged 14-21, to join a diverse, two-year cohort that met year-round to learn about social justice and philanthropy. But here’s where the program differed from most — the young people joined BWF’s Allocations Committee, working among adults to allocate thousands of grantmaking dollars to grassroots organizations in Greater Boston.

As a 16-year-old, Amanda Matos-Gonzalez (she/her) was a part of the very first cohort. Today, she’s Boston Women’s Fund's Board Treasurer. We spoke with Amanda to learn more about her experience, what it was like to have a youth seat at the grantmaking table, and the invaluable lasting impact of feeling genuinely seen and heard as a young person.

Asian American Women’s Political Initiative (AAWPI) is the country’s only political leadership organization for Asian American and Pacific Islander women. They work to ensure Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women have a voice in our democracy and have built an infrastructure to support low-income and immigrant AAPI women in Massachusetts interested in getting involved in government and politics.

We connected with AAWPI’s Chief Operating Officer, Darlene Vu (she/her), to learn about how AAWPI is boosting access to the political sphere for AAPI women and their plans to expand and engage 250,000 AAPI individuals nationwide by 2030!

We’re sending a little shine to Small House for launching their new Process+Pivot+Progress one-on-one coaching program in partnership with Boston

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)! The 10-22 week program supports youth and young adults who are aging out of the foster care system without a consistent adult figure in their lives. 

“The goal of our Process+Pivot+Progress coaching program is that every young

adult who participates will be prepared to live as an independent adult when they make the transition to permanent housing. Making this transition successfully is important for their personal health and well-being and also significantly reduces the likelihood of future episodes of homelessness.” — Asjah Monroe, Small House Executive Director

Last month, we concluded our 2024 Women of Color Leadership Circle Alumni Cohort sessions! Fifteen alumni from the first three seasons of the WOCLC program joined us to continue their leadership development, build relationships across cohorts, and contribute to the program’s redesign and creation of a robust alumni engagement plan. Alumni are walking away with a more expansive support network of women of color leaders as well as individual learning and development plans to continue their growth.

We are grateful for the incredible facilitation by Liz Najjar, Founder and Executive Director of Shadida Solutions, and Alex Auguste, Deputy Director of BWF! Special thanks to guest speakers Thabiti Brown of Shadida Solutions, Diana Hwang, Founder and Executive Director of Asian American Women's Political Initiative, and Thaly Germain, Chief Culture Officer of Orchestra! Stay tuned for more on how we’ve redesigned the program!

In case you missed it, we recapped our 2024 Reproductive Justice Symposium on the BWF blog. Catch photos from the day and high-level takeaways from a day of learning, connection, and key insights from leaders in the movement!

Evelyne Martial is a Senior Associate with Cambridge Hill Partners, taking time off to take care for her granddaughter. She’s been giving to BWF for about 7 years, and began her support just after the 2016 election. Here’s what’s kept her supporting BWF through the years:

“Beyond funding grassroots organizations, BWF looks for ways to collaborate with these organizations to sustain their work, staff, and community. Grassroots organizations that work in the community need financial resources and recognition that they have exceptional talent and skills that need to be nurtured. BWF looks for ways to finance and support these incredible organizations."

“Creating a world where womxn and girls are free to explore all possibilities of their being without fear will ultimately create a better world for everyone and everything on this planet,” she adds.

Help us break down barriers for women, girls, and gender-expansive folks.

Join Abilities Dance Boston’s Team

Abilities Dance is hiring two new roles: Community Engagement Director and Marketing Director! More information on the job descriptions can be found on their website at abilitiesdanceboston.org/workwithus. To apply, send your portfolio (for the Marketing Director position), resume, and cover letter to abilitiesdanceboston@gmail.com. 

Attend MTPC’s Pride Month Virtual Name Change Clinic

MTPC is honored to co-sponsor MTPC's upcoming Name Change Clinic! Need help with your legal name change? Don’t know where to start? Want to learn more about Namesake? Join MTPC on Wednesday, June 12 from 6:00 - 7:30pm for a free name change clinic, and they can provide 1:1 support with the process for both adults and youth! Register now at bit.ly/Pride24-NCC. 

Celebrate International Domestic Workers Day with MCDW

The Massachusetts Coalition of Domestic Workers and the National Domestic Workers Alliance are excited to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the MA Domestic Workers Bill of Rights and International Domestic Workers Day with domestic workers, domestic employers, legislators, and allies of the domestic worker movement. Join us on Tuesday, June 18th, at 10:00 a.m. at the Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA (Room 222). Register at this link. Massachusetts was one of the first states to pass a comprehensive Domestic Worker Bill of Rights, guaranteeing domestic workers the right to the state minimum wage, overtime protections, mandatory written agreements with employers, rest breaks and sick leave, notice of termination, and protection against harassment and discrimination. As MCDW celebrates these important victories in the last decade, they also acknowledge that there's still a long way to go to ensure all domestic workers in MA fully enjoy their rights in the workplace.

Attend Propa City Community Outreach’s Family Restoration Day 2024

Join Propa City Community Outreach on Saturday June 22nd at 11am at Dr. Loesch Family Park at 20 Wainwright St. in Dorchester to bridge the gap between Boston community members and the organizations that can serve them while we enjoy a day of Family Fun and Community Unity! Propa City Community Outreach, is dedicated to advocating for awareness around pregnancy and infant loss. Dealing with this type of loss is by no means an easy feat, but through personal connection and community resources they believe they can encourage families to find the voice they need to speak up and honor their child. Propa City holds healing and educational workshops and invites families of all walks of life to join their healing community. They also facilitate trainings for healthcare professionals. Tickets can be found at https://givebutter.com/FRD24. If you would like to be a vendor, reach out to admin@propacityco.org. 

Attend Melanin Mass Moms’ Family Fun Day

Join the Melanin Mass Moms Family Fun Day at Davis Farmland on Saturday, June 29 from 10:00am - 4:00pm! This exciting event is open to the entire family, offering a wonderful opportunity to meet and connect with other MMM families. Enjoy a day filled with fun activities, laughter, and memorable moments. Get your tickets here!

Attend Asian Women for Health’s Whale-ness Season Event

Join Asian Women for Health at their Whale-ness Season: Wave Goodbye to Stress event! Dive into tranquility at Carson Beach, South Boston on Sunday, July 28th from 1 to 5 PM for an afternoon of relaxation and rejuvenation! Bring your families for a day filled with fun activities including art and crafts and a soothing yoga session by the shore. Let's bid farewell to stress and embrace the joy of summer! Register now at awfh.org/WhalenessSeason!



WE'RE READING

“Time is a Mother” by Ocean Vuong

“How to Live Free in a Dangerous World: A Decolonial Memoir” by Shayla Lawson

WE'RE WATCHING

“Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show” on Max

“Queer Planet” on Peacock

WE'RE LISTENING TO

“Good Luck Babe” by Chappell Roan

“Michigan” by Tasha

“We Can Do Hard Things” podcast episode, “74. ALOK: What makes us beautiful? What makes us free?” featuring ALOK

*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.