As I’m going to be out tomorrow morning for the 2007 Stepping Stones Research Briefing, this week’s News and Views of Note will be published a tad early. Enjoy!
See below for a round-up of what was news this week in the world of philanthropy, social change and women and girls in the Washington metropolitan region and beyond:
In Our Region
On Tuesday, the Washington Post featured an article by Pamela Constable called "For Some Muslim Wives, Abuse Knows No Borders" which documented how domestic violence is impacting some Muslim women in our region and provided information about organizations working to assist them. Among those quoted was Mazna Hussain of the Tahirih Justice Center in Falls Church, a Grantee Partner. For an additional perspective, Amal, who blogs at Improvisations: Arab Woman Progressive Voice, provided a post called "When the Battered Women are Muslim" and shared her views on how Islam has also been used as a tool to curb domestic violence.
A worker’s center near Gaithersburg run by one of our Grantee Partners, CASA of Maryland, was the victim of arson last Friday. Investigators have not yet assessed the motive behind this act, but CASA suspects that it is an act of backlash against the immigrant populations with whom CASA works. "We see this as a natural consequence to the ongoing debate over immigration,” said Christy Swanson, program director for Casa of Maryland, in the Washington Post. "We also consider it a hate crime.” The fire and CASA were also discussed in an AlterNet article that described the event in the context of two other recent hate crimes against immigrants in Alabama and Washington, D.C. The Women’s Foundation is proud to partner with CASA on their work on behalf of immigrant women in Maryland and extend our support as they work to repair the damage caused by the fire and continue with their important work.
Capital Community News recently featured Grantee Partner Lydia’s House in an article, "Living in the Zone: Divine Inspiration Propels Ward 8 into Transformation," which describes the efforts of founder Patrice Sheppard and her husband, Pastor Eugene Sheppard, to bring additional business development and affordable housing to Ward 8 through the development of Trinity Plaza. The article states: “When we first got here it was like the OK corral!” says Patrice. "Today it’s obvious that the Sheppards’ efforts are transforming the appearance of the once infamous lot. The Zone is a highly visible building that adds a fresh, clean look against a strip of rundown store fronts and liquor marts."
On Philanthropy
Dollar Philanthropy’s Carol Kirshner spoke this week with Dr. Keith Taylor of the Modest Needs Foundation, raising a number of interesting issues and points around the meaning, potential and purpose of philanthropy, giving and compassion. Taylor, who founded Modest Needs to provide small grants to individuals and families to prevent the downward spirol into poverty, discussed his perspectives on the cycle of poverty, economic security, donor involvement in philanthropy and re-defining the way people think about giving. "Philanthropy is not just about empowering the individuals in need of compassion. It’s about empowering each of us to demonstrate meaningful compassion, as we can, with whatever we can afford to share. And to me, that kind of empowerment, which tangibly affects both the donor and the recipient, is the only kind of power worth having."
TIME magazine released its TIME 100–"the 100 men and women whose power, talent or moral example is transforming the world," and a special section of 12 Power Givers, which are summarized for easy reading by OnPhilanthropy, which also asks the fun question, who is missing and who shouldn’t have been included? Prompting me to note, simply, that Oprah Winfrey seems an interesting omission from the power givers section, particularly this year when she opened her school and caused such a buzz. What do you think?
Hispanic Business‘s article, "Building the Foundation" documents the deliberate movement behind the Destino Hispanic Legacy Fund and, by default, the rise of philanthropy "among Hispanics for Hispanics." Locally, a similar effort is underway through the Washington, D.C. Hispanics in Philanthropy collaborative, of which The Women’s Foundation is a founding supporter.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s Give and Take is hosting a number of interesting discussions, including one asking whether diversity isn’t enough of a priority for foundations and another questioning the value of giving circles. Then there is advice on the three quick steps to attract young people to charities. I’ve no doubt that members of our community have a great deal to contribute to these ongoing debates and dialogues, and hope you’ll stop by and leave your two cents. If you do, be sure to let us know!
On Women and Work
The Huffington Post this week featured two interesting posts on the issue of women and work, including Jill Miller’s "Working Women Under Attack, Again," which documents her perspective on recent concerns about the future of the Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau and harkens back to those wage-gap issues that have been so oft-discussed of late. Additionally, Maria Kefalas takes on Single Mama Drama and discusses the economic factors behind the "non-marital childbearing trend."
And that’s it for this week! Don’t forget to drop us a line about your take on the news, the views or something we missed!
See you next week, and happy Mother’s Day!
