Women Moving Millions

Silvia Vasquez-Lavado, author of In the Shadow of the Mountain and a speaker at our 2024 Annual Summit, joined us yesterday for our first-ever #WMMBookClub! ??? Her deeply moving story explores resilience, trauma, and the power of sisterhood as she recounts leading a group of survivors to the base of Mount Everest and then continuing on to the summit herself. For our community at Women Moving Millions, this narrative holds profound significance. It highlights the vital importance of supporting and uplifting women who have faced unimaginable challenges, empowering them to rise above. This book club was an incredibly emotional and powerful experience, sparking meaningful conversations about courage, vulnerability, and transformation. We encourage you to pick up In the Shadow of the Mountain and learn more about Silvia's incredible work with Courageous Girls by visiting her site: silviavasla.com. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined, and especially to Silvia for inspiring us with her story.

Exciting news! WMM Board Member Karen Keating Ansara and WMM Member Sapphira Goradia Shaw will be speaking at the Dasra Philanthropy Forum later this month in NYC. This year’s theme, Beyond Recovery: Reimagining an Inclusive and Equitable World, brings together global leaders to discuss bold, transformative approaches to philanthropy. Learn more and see the full agenda:

?? Mark your calendars for September 18th! We're excited to spotlight Layla Zaidane, CEO of Future Caucus (formerly Millennial Action Project), as she joins The Commons in Conversation series hosted by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Layla, who’s working to bridge political divides with young leaders, will discuss how Gen Z and millennials can help end partisan warfare. Layla has been a powerful voice at Women Moving Millions events and will join us again at our upcoming WMM NextGen Gathering to inspire the next generation of women philanthropists and investors. Don’t miss out on this important conversation! ?? Register here https://buff.ly/47jP8Ew

The newly released 2024 SDG Gender Index from Equal Measures 2030 showcases a stark reality: no country is on track to achieve gender equality by 2030. Critical areas such as education, health, and economic empowerment are still deeply unequal, and the data highlights 8 looming crises affecting women and girls globally. ?? The report underscores: ? Rising threats to women’s political participation and leadership ? Gender-based violence showing minimal signs of decline ? Widening gaps in education and healthcare access ? Growing economic inequality and labor force participation disparities ? The disproportionate impacts of climate change ? Persistent barriers to sexual and reproductive rights ? Rising challenges in peace and security for women ? Systemic data gaps undermining progress on gender equality At Women Moving Millions, these unprecedented times fuel our ambition to do more. We must work relentlessly, unapologetically, and collaboratively to move capital faster, and more effectively, to the most urgent issue areas that affect women and girls. Now, more than ever, we must challenge entrenched systems of inequality and work collaboratively for transformative change. Join us in mobilizing resources and driving impact. The time to act is now.

To those in the Bay Area, join WMM Board Member and film producer Jennifer Rainin for a special event on Sunday, September 29 at the Sebastiani Theatre in Sonoma, CA! ?? The evening kicks off with a live performance by Women's March Anthem creator MILCK, whose powerful song "Quiet" galvanized women across the country. Next up, catch a screening of OUTCRY: Alchemists of Rage, followed by an inspiring panel discussion with the filmmakers, Whitney Bradshaw, and MILCK, moderated by Tricia Rissmann. ??? Read more about the film and buy your tickets:

New resources are now available on The Lens, our hub for research & insights to support gender lens giving. ?? She Should Run: Research shows many women are stepping back from political news and are less likely to run for office due to toxic politics. ??Gender Equity Policy Institute: Discover the gendered impacts of climate change in California and strategies to integrate a gender perspective into climate action. ??? Lynn Zovighian in Arab News: Learn why philanthropy must work hand-in-hand with communities for sustainable impact, especially in the Middle East. Head to https://lnkd.in/e-_-2ZM9 to dig in!

This powerful read by Jess Tomlin of Equality Fund highlights the vital link between gender equality and thriving democracies across the globe. It calls on us all to recognize that defending democracy means addressing gender-based inequalities at every turn—and that philanthropic support is crucial to driving this change.

Interested in learning about feminist crisis response? Our friends at Global Fund for Women are hosting a can't-miss webinar on the topic next Thursday, September 5. Join them to explore the vital role feminist funders play in crisis situations and discover actionable ways to integrate feminist crisis response practices into your work. ?? Register now to secure your spot:

#WomensEqualityDay is a powerful reminder of the long journey to advance women’s rights, from securing the vote in 1920 to breaking down the racial and gender barriers that still exist today. Today, we are witnessing a pivotal moment as women's voices are leading the way in philanthropy, steering the future of wealth, and challenging the status quo—all with the potential to shatter the highest glass ceilings. At Women Moving Millions, we know that true equality demands bold action. Let’s use our voices and resources to drive the change we need and build a fairer world for everyone. Together, we can be the engine that supercharges the movement for gender equality.

?? Congratulations to the visionary authors behind "The Uprising of Women in Philanthropy"! This groundbreaking book showcases the power of women-led philanthropy and the enduring legacy we're building together. We’re especially proud that Helen LaKelly Hunt and Chris Grumm are among the authors of this important work. Their leadership and vision were instrumental in the early days of Women Moving Millions and our original campaign. Our CEO, Sarah Haacke Byrd, whose quote is featured in the book, sums it up perfectly: the success of communities like WMM “shows what happens when you combine the power of feminist leadership and community; the impossible becomes possible.” The journey is far from over, and we invite everyone to join us in pushing for lasting change. Together, we can be the engine that supercharges the movement for gender equality. Order the book in print or read online: https://lnkd.in/e9aKwDXq