Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation’s International Humanitarian Symposium and awards ceremony. The event this year was themed, "The Changing Face of Philanthropy: Evolution or Revolution?"
I couldn’t help but be pleased to note that throughout the symposium and dinner discussions–formal and informal–that there was an important subtext.
That it seems that practitioners of community development, of philanthropy, of effective giving and nonprofit work are coming around to the idea that yes, philanthropy and development are evolving, and that women are very much at the heart of this evolution.
And that they’re talking about it no longer like it’s new, or different or a maybe-this-is-something-to-think-about sort of idea on the margins.
That they’re talking about it like an accepted tenet, a truth, that has finally arrived.
That the revolution will, most likely, begin with women.
Rock on.
Just a few tidbits and examples to get hopeful about:
The winner of this year’s Hilton prize was Tostan, an NGO working throughout Africa to promote human rights, and by extension women’s rights, and is revolutionizing issues around early marriage and female genital mutilation and changing the way women, and people throughout Africa, think about themselves.
Dr. Helene Gayle, president and CEO of CARE, spoke earlier in the day about CARE’s new I am Powerful campaign, and its acknowledgement of the role of women in building stronger communities around the world. And about how CARE has restructured its work to place women and girls front and center in their efforts. Because they know that empowering women and girls works to empower entire communities.
The keynote speaker, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, addressed the role of women in development, citing them as a backbone of their communities, as the force of change. His exact words will be available here, soon.
Indeed, the revolution–to reduce poverty and improve our communities and the lives of its children–will begin with women.
It already has.
And this isn’t just true in Africa or Asia or the Middle East. It’s true here, too. To find out how we’re bringing the revolution home, just Ask Us How. Because for nearly 10 years, we’ve been improving the Washington metropolitan area by investing in women and girls.
Because whether in Angola or Anacostia, Sri Lanka or Silver Spring, the revolution, and true change, will, inevitably, begin with women.
Join us to help bring the revolution home.
