In the Washington metropolitan region, nearly half a million women and girls are living in or near poverty. We all have a stake in building the economic security of our region’s women and girls. The Women’s Foundation works to mobilize our community and provide solutions to eliminate the persistent barriers that disproportionately hinder women and girls from achieving economic security.
Washington Area Women's Foundation
It is with a heavy but joyful heart today that I share with you my decision to step down as President and CEO of Washington Area Women’s Foundation this summer. To say this has been my life’s work is an understatement. The work of the Foundation has been very personal for me and will always […] Read More
Washington Area Women's Foundation
When the novel coronavirus hit last year, we barely knew then how much our work and the work of our grantees would change. During those first months we were sheltering at home from the global contagion, we saw a shadow pandemic growing — violence against women and girls. We heard our longtime partners flag a […] Read More
Washington Area Women's Foundation
Our #AskHer series is an interview with our partners, community members and supporters who work tirelessly for women and girls. This interview is with Malinda Langford, Senior Vice President of Child, Family and Youth Services for Northern Virginia Family Service. The interview was conducted by our Communications Manager, Mercy Chikowore. Mercy Chikowore: Thank you for taking the time […] Read More
Washington Area Women's Foundation
On February 9th, we discussed the “shecession” – the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on women and girls of color and how this affects childcare and paid leave. Our special guest was Dr. C. Nicole Mason, President and CEO of Institute for Women’s Policy Research, who was interviewed by Martine Sadarangani Gordon, Vice President of Programs, Washington […] Read More
Washington Area Women's Foundation
In 2016, Washington Area Women’s Foundation began what will be a forever journey. At the time, we were both clear and intentional in how our mission pursued gender justice, but we were not as clear, nor were we intentional, about how racial justice intersected with that mission. And so began our organizational journey with a […] Read More
Washington Area Women's Foundation
Growing up, I wanted to be president. It was more than a childhood dream. In elementary school, I wrote anti-war, environmentalist letters to then President Bill Clinton. In middle school, my best friend gifted me a “future president” t-shirt as a joke, but I wore it earnestly. I would practice speeches in the bathroom mirror, […] Read More
Washington Area Women's Foundation
As the staff of The Women’s Foundation continue to process the traumatic and violent assault on the Capitol, we have struggled to find the words to adequately express our thoughts. For us, Washington, DC is home. It is not a tourist attraction. It is the place where we live, work and play. Yes, it is the […] Read More
Early Care & Education
After the latest grant round for the Early Care and Education Funders Collaborative, I received an email from the President of one of our new Grantee Partners. It was right before Thanksgiving, and she wrote, “I have so much to be thankful for. You, especially, and The Women’s Foundation will be on my Thanksgiving list […] Read More
Washington Area Women's Foundation
On December 10th Cara Page, Black Queer Feminist cultural/memory worker, curator, and organizer and Richael Faithful (they/them), a multi/interdisciplinary folk healing artist, healing culture strategist, conflict worker, radical lawyer, complex conversation facilitator and visionary creative joined us for #AskThem. Attendees listened to a poignant discussion on healing justice and how it can benefit women, girls […] Read More
