Philanthropic leaders gathered today at the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers Annual Meeting had many different opinions and thoughts on issues of local and national poverty, but they all seemed to agree that The Women’s Foundation’s Stepping Stones program is to be lauded as an effective, innovative leader in transforming lives.

In a discussion on sustainable, meaningful efforts to address poverty, Ralph Smith, Senior Vice President of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, called Stepping Stones an "amazing effort" and stated, "Those supporting that effort should be congratulated, because you’re pointing the way."

Patricia McGuire, President of Trinity (Washington) University and one of The Washingtonian’s "100 Most Powerful Women of Washington," thanked The Women’s Foundation for its work on building the financial skills of area women, a primary component of Stepping Stones. She noted that the Stepping Stones approach is an important and effective one because it addresses poverty by moving from charity to investments that empower people to sustain change in their own lives.

To learn more about why Stepping Stones is viewed as a leading model in addressing poverty and empowering women and their families, check out the program’s latest report, Stepping Stones 2006: Paving Women’s Pathways to Economic Security. It explains how 5,500 women saved nearly $3 million while shedding more than $72,000 in personal debt, and more!

This is my first blog to introduce myself as the Communications and Marketing Officer of the Washington Area Women’s Foundation.

Whether in the United Arab Emirates or the United States of America, Windhoek or Washington,DC,it is undeniable that where women thrive, so do families, communities and countries.

One of my earliest introductions to this reality came during my service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Benin, where I heard repeatedly, “To educate a woman is to educate a nation.”

To empower a woman is to empower a community. A nation. Future generations.

To grow. To thrive. To dream. To achieve.

In the years following this introduction—through my work in international development with a focus on African women, girls and community development—I came to internalize this idea as a foundational principle of my work.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am therefore thrilled (and thankful!) to be starting a new adventure applying the experience I gained in Africa to the work of the Washington Area Women’s Foundation—work that so deeply impacts my local community.

As I begin my work as The Women Foundation’s Communications and Marketing Officer and take in the history and stories of its unique approaches and successes, I am struck by the similarities that bridge women in communities across all continents.

And while I am sometimes frustrated by the challenges and the on-going inequities and injustices faced by women, I continue to be motivated, rejuvenated and energized by the power of women to come together to change their lives and improve their communities.

I can therefore imagine no more rewarding place to be than The Women’s Foundation! I look forward to meeting and working with you. Please feel free to drop me a line at lkays@wawf.org.

Marjorie forwarded an article entitled “Women’s Philanthropy Group Goes Public with Causes; Menlo-based Network Enters Political Fray With Ad” that got me thinking; what is the difference between the power of philanthropy and the power of openly, PUBLICLY, using money?

The Women Donors Network (WDN), profiled in the article, decided to find out with a first-time public endeavor, a voting rights campaign characterized as “a national coming-out party” for the 175 women members who give a total of $100 million dollars a year. A party indeed!

These women know that voting, like giving, is a demonstration of one’s values, both acts speak to who we are and provide us each with a powerful way to shape the society we live in. They also know that both are often private acts. What makes this first-time foray for the WDN so striking is the collective decision of these women to publicly demonstrate the power of money. They are moving beyond a power of philanthropy, even the power of the purse and choosing to do it publicly, even OUT LOUD. Why?

We know the power of philanthropy; The Women’s Foundation has 101 stories of donors, grantee partners and clients whose lives have changed because of philanthropy.

We know the power of giving together; The Women’s Foundation is, in itself, a testimony to the difference giving together makes.

But the power of openly, publicly, using money?

How do we all talk about that?!

Philanthropy can be private and powerful. But what about philanthropy that is public and powerful? What do we, as women donors of all shapes, sizes and incomes, understand the difference to be? As individuals, the desire, indeed the need, to be anonymous can make sense. Going public is scary, uncomfortable, even threatening. But together, as a collective, as a shared voice, the public use of our money can say so much. Putting big money and names to our work can speak to what we share as women, what we want as women and the society we want to shape as women.

It is new territory, this public and powerful use of money, that is for sure, but like the frontiers of any new terrain, essential to exploring together.

In the “can-do-right-now” spirit of the Women’s Foundation, I offer my first blog in my first week as Director of Communications and Philanthropic Programs!

I am Siobhán O’Riordan and I am delighted to both be joining the Foundation and bringing all my communications and programmatic expertise from eight years in Boston-area philanthropies. My work in philanthropy is fueled by the thrill of connecting; nothing brings me greater satisfaction than bringing people and ideas together on a path of discovery and learning. There are many ways to navigate the worlds in which we all live and pass between, yet the paths most traveled are ones of friendship, community and hope.

I believe that philanthropy – both the act of giving and receiving for the greater good – provides just the right place for meaningful connection, real community building and the rooting and growing of hope that together, we can make the difference. I look forward to meeting and learning from you all! Feel free to say hello at soriordan@wawf.org.

Oprah’s latest gift to her ever enraptured audience was a feeling, not a Ferrari. She has challenged 300 people to accept $1,000 with the condition that they give it away. Since the show’s airing there has been much commentary and speculation on the popularity of this forced philanthropy, especially how it ranks amongst her previous benevolence.

I think it is brilliant. The only giving medium more powerful than philanthropy itself is teaching others how to get engaged. Thank you Oprah, for providing 300 people, who may or may not have been previously charitable, with the first step of getting the giving feeling.