NEWS

Welcome to Washington Area Women’s Foundation's electronic media center, your one-stop destination for our latest press releases, media coverage, updates, and more.
For media or other communication inquiries, please contact:

Sarah Weatherby
Director of Communications

PRESS RELEASES

Washington Area Women’s Foundation Announces New Board Members

New Report: “Thrive as They Lead: Advancing the Infrastructure to Support Black Women Leaders in the D.C. Metro Area Nonprofit Sector”

DC-Area Residents Named 2023 Visionary Award Honorees as The Women’s Foundation Celebrates its 25th Anniversary

Dr. Tamara Wilds Lawson Named President and CEO of Washington Area Women’s Foundation

Washington Area Women’s Foundation Announces Six New Board Members

Washington Area Women’s Foundation Awards Over $100,000 in Grants to DC-Area Survivor-Focused Organizations

Washington Area Women’s Foundation Awards Over $130,000 in Grants to DC-Area Care Workers

Washington Area Women’s Foundation Awards $100,000 in First Round of Stand Together Fund Grants

Washington Area Women’s Foundation Announces New 2019-2020 Young Women’s Advisory Council (YWAC) Cohort

Washington Area Women’s Foundation Announces New Board Members

MEDIA COVERAGE

Black Women In Leadership Is Still A Slippery Slope: Here's Why

Black Enterprise covers Washington Area Women's Foundation's latest report entitled, "Thrive As They Lead: Advancing the Infrastructure to Support Black Women Leaders in the D.C. Metro Area Nonprofit Sector."

The State of Black Women Leadership Is In Danger

Nonprofit Quarterly Magazine covers Washington Area Women's Foundation's latest report entitled, "Thrive As They Lead: Advancing the Infrastructure to Support Black Women Leaders in the D.C. Metro Area Nonprofit Sector."

Local Nonprofit Honors Two Visionaries Making a Difference

Washington Area Women’s Foundation honors Doreen Gentzler and Carol Thompson Cole with “Visionary Awards,” for its 25th anniversary reception.

New Washington Area Women’s Foundation CEO Tamara Wilds Lawson knows what it's like to live in two worlds

Dr. Tamara Wilds Lawson discusses her journey to Washington Area Women's Foundation.

Washington Area Women’s Foundation taps Tamara Wilds Lawson as its next CEO

Dr. Tamara Wilds Lawson was named President and CEO of Washington Area Women's Foundation.

iHeartRadio

Our Vice President Martine Sadarangani Gordon joined iHeartRadio for a Women's History Month spotlight on The Women's Foundation. She discussed the mission, vision and impact of the organization and its partners.

Yahoo!: Here's why 'Black women are so unprotected'

Yahoo! explores the history of Black women being unprotected after rapper Megan Thee Stallion was shot, then ridiculed.

Washington Business Journal: The Time Is Now

The region’s business leaders, including President and CEO Jennifer Lockwood-Shabat, reflect on the racial inequity that led to George Floyd’s death — and talk about what it would take to come together and make real change

Washington Business Journal: Viewpoint: With privilege should come some perspective

President and CEO Jennifer Lockwood-Shabat writes an op-ed discussing low-wage earners and COVID-19.

WPI: Leveraging WPI research: A conversation with leaders of two women’s foundations

President & CEO Jennifer Lockwood-Shabat spoke with Women's Philanthropy Institute about their latest report, which offers new insight on how women’s foundations and funds create change for women and girls and the broader community.

DCist: 13 Things To Do Around D.C. This Week

DCist includes us on their event roundup list in December: Just in time for the charitable holiday season, the Washington Area Women’s Foundation will host a timely conversation about women’s philanthropy.

Pres. McGuire Honored by Women’s Foundation

More than 1,000 people gathered for the Washington Area Women’s Foundation annual luncheon as Trinity President Pat McGuire received the Foundation’s Visionary Award for opening doors for thousands of women and girls in the Washington region.

The Washington Informer: Young Activist Shines at Annual Luncheon for D.C. Women’s Group

The Washington Informer attended the 20th Anniversary Luncheon, and spoke with honoree Naomi Wadler about activism, voting, and the importance of The Women's Foundation.

The AFRO: Naomi Wadler Uses Her Platform and Shaved Head to Remind People to Vote

The AFRO attended The Women's Foundation's 20th Anniversary Luncheon, and took a moment to speak with honoree and youth activist, Naomi Wadler about the importance of the Foundation and why voting matters.

ESSENCE: Naomi Wadler Wants You To Vote

ESSENCE attend the 2018 Leadership Luncheon and interviewed keynote speaker and youth activist, 12-year-old Naomi Wadler regarding her thoughts on voting and how youth of color can be more involved.

iHeartRadio: Washington Area Women's Foundation 20th Anniversary

Look back at the 20-year history of this local group, whose mission is to help women go from poverty to economic security. Their Communications Manager Mercy Chikowore tells iHeart’s Bernie Lucas about future plans and gives details about the upcoming Leadership Luncheon.

The Chronicle Of Philanthropy: 10 Steps Nonprofits Can Take to Close the Pay Gap for Women

The Chronicle Of Philanthropy interviews Washington Area Women's Foundation President and CEO Jennifer Lockwood-Shabat on her thoughts on closing the pay gap for women in the nonprofit sector.

Philanthropy Women: New Initiatives Launch for Women and Girls of Color in DC and Beyond

Philanthropy Women covers Washington Area Women's Foundation's Young Women's Initiative Launch and discusses the organization's goals with the Initiative in DC.

ESSENCE.com: How One Organization In Washington Is Ensuring The Bright Future Of African-American Women

ESSENCE.com attended the 2016 Leadership Luncheon and detailed the afternoon of inspiration the Women's Foundation's commitment to women and girls of color.

The Huffington Post: A Public Commitment To Advancing Equity for Women and Girls of Color

Washington Area Women's Foundation President & CEO, Jennifer Lockwood-Shabat, made a public commitment to advancing equity for women and girls of color during the 2016 Leadership Luncheon. Read her remarks on The Huffington Post!

WUSA9: Women's Leadership Luncheon

WUSA9 gave a recap on the 2016 Leadership Luncheon, which raised funds to support low income and underserved women and girls.

WUSA9: Uplifting DC's women: Washington's Area Women Foundation

Great Day Washington did a special spotlight on our grantee partner Goodwill of Greater Washington's superstar Juanita King. Our Board Member Karen Wawrzaszek, Managing Director, Rockefeller and Company was on hand to talk about the 2016 Leadership Luncheon and of course the Luncheon's emcee WUSA9 anchor Lesli Foster!

Inside Philanthropy: Inside the Growing Funder Push to Accelerate Social Change for Young Women of Color

Inside Philanthropy speaks with Washington Area Women's Foundation, New York Women's Foundation and Women’s Foundation of Minnesota about the Young Women's Initiative.

The Huffington Post: It’s Time To Stand Up For Women And Girls Of Color

Jennifer Lockwood-Shabat, President & CEO of the Washington Area Women's Foundation and Tamara A. Smith, CEO of the YWCA National Capital Area wrote a joint article on the importance of young women and girls of color in the Washington region and beyond.

Inside Philanthropy: Obama Summit Delivers Good News on Gender, and Women's Funds Step Up Again

Inside Philanthropy reports the announcement from Prosperity Together during the United State of Women Summit. Washington Area Women's Foundation joined 7 fellow women's foundations on stage to announce the Young Women’s Initiative, which will fund efforts to improve the lives of young women across the U.S., with a particular focus on young women of color.

Bowser Seeks Ways to Improve Early Childhood Education in D.C.

The AFRO attended the “Mayor’s Convening on Early Childhood” that took place at the Shannon Place Center in Ward 8. Washington Area Women's Foundation's Lauren Stillwell Patterson participated in table discussions and received a mention in the article after participating in a lively discussion about early childcare in the region.

Inside Philanthropy: How This Women's Foundation Plans to Amp Things Up

Inside Philanthropy speaks with The Women's Foundation's President & CEO about the challenges facing women and girls in the Washington Region and the Foundation's bold strategic plan to improve their lives.

WAMU: Women Make Up Two-Thirds Of Low Wage Workers In D.C. Region

WAMU speaks with The Women's Foundation's President & CEO about the barriers facing low-income women in the Washington region's labor force.

The AFRO: New Report Details Status of Women in the D.C. Region’s Workforce

The AFRO takes an in depth look at the issue brief "Investing in Change: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities for Women in the Washington Region’s Labor Force" and the Foundation's partnerships to improve workforce development efforts in the region.