Happy Women's History Month & International Women's Day!
We had a fabulous night on March 6 at WGC's 2024 Annual Celebration & Pink Party!
It was wonderful to have so many of us together exactly 48 hours ago at Howard Community College to discuss how philanthropy can, and is, supporting women's rights. View photos from the event here
WGC Chair Jennifer Bodensiek declared that the state of the WGC is strong, highlighted the role that WGC is playing nationally in growing the women's collective giving movement, and underscored our impact the last 22 years:
- $1.2 million in grants
- $1.1 million endowment
- 1,700+ donors
This, is the power of our giving circle.
Jennifer also reviewed the WGC's State of Women and Girls in Howard County, and how we continue to utilize the data to inform our grantmaking and partner in the community.
She highlighted basic statistics that drive our work, including that:
- Women make 82 cents for every dollar a man is paid.
- Women's reproductive health is being challenged every day.
- We lack affordable child care for women who work outside the home and women in school.
- We lack federal paid family leave for new mothers, and
- Half a million women and girls age 12 and over are the victims of sexual assault every year.
Despite all of this - less than 2% of all charitable giving goes to programs that support women and girls.
WGC Advisory Board Member Alison Canning provided an overview of our recent efforts to address this, and highlighted our long-standing partnership with Howard Community College, which included discussing 5 ways we have provided funding support:
- HCC Scholarships
- HCC Career Links
- HCC/CAC Partnership
- HCC Workforce Development and Skilled Trades Center
- HCC/WGC Feminine Hygiene Product Drive Partnership
You can learn more here
WGC Executive Director Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz highlighted 5 recent trends in women's philanthropy from the Women's Philanthropy Institute, that included:
- The Rise of Younger Women Donors
- Women Donors and Recipients in Conflict Zones
- Climate Change and the Environment
- Feminist Philanthropy and Gender Equity
- Politics, Democracy, and the Election Cycle
You can learn more here
And, she discussed how WGC is focusing on women's rights through collaboration with our donors, nonprofit, and community partners. She then introduced our Special Guest Speaker Tyeshia "Ty" Wilson of Philanthropy Together and the HERitage Giving Fund, who highlighted how giving circles across the country are supporting women's rights - you can listen to Ty's words of wisdom here.
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WGC Annual Celebration & Pink Party Special Guest Speaker Tyeshia "Ty" Wilson
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WGC Advisory Board Member Lee Draminski introduced our powerhouse panel and Advisory Board Member Laura Bacon did a wonderful job facilitating an inspirational and important conversation about how philanthropy can, and is supporting women's rights - with WGC Advisory Board Chair Jennifer Bodensiek, former Maryland Women's Commissioner Melissa Curtin, Howard County Women's Commissioner Kashonna Marrow, and Director of the Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity Yolanda Sonnier.
They provided insightful and inspirational commentary based on their personal, professional, and lived experiences, answering 3 key questions:
- What are you seeing regarding the challenges for women’s rights?
- What can we do today to support women’s rights?
- What makes you hopeful from a women’s right’s perspective?
And, we pledged to continue the conversation - stay tuned for additional opportunities.
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We honored past WGC Chair Alison Canning for Women's History Month, and we enjoyed delicious food from Chef Jamila, non-alcoholic drinks from Beth Harbinson and Sobar, and women-made wine from The Wine Bin.
WGC Advisory Board Member Kashonna Marrow ended the celebration with information on how to give and get involved in the WGC. After the Annual Celebration, many of you asked how you can get or remain involved in our collective work.
Here are 10 ways to engage in the coming months:
Many thanks to all of our sponsors so far this year, those who attended the event, and to everyone who supports the WGC and all that you do to support women's rights in Howard County.
While it is Women’s History Month, and International Women’s Day, there is not just one time to celebrate women’s successes and discuss solutions to ongoing challenges.
We must continue to do this each and every day, and the Women’s Giving Circle will be here to be your partner in supporting women and girls, and women's rights in Howard County.
We are truly stronger together!
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