In The News

Percentage of Female State Legislators is Highest It Has Ever Been

A new record has been hit for the number of women across the United States that hold leadership roles in state legislatures.

Across the United States, there has been a significant rise in women leadership in state legislatures over the past few years.

(Associated Press, 2/24/21) Nevada state Sen. Pat Spearman, shown here at the 2016 Democratic convention, has led legislation to passage as the party’s chief majority whip. A record number of women have taken leadership roles in state legislatures, meaning they can not only add to the conversation, but in many cases control which conversation is being had.

Nevada state Sen. Pat Spearman, a Democrat and chief majority whip, successfully shepherded legislation in 2020 requiring pharmacists to honor 12-month doctors’ prescriptions for birth control pills, over the objections of some male lawmakers.

Women’s Week: New IRL Celebration of Int’l Women’s Day

IRL has created a new category to highlight events that advocate for gender equality through education and celebration.

Using IRL's newest category, Women's Week, it is easy to find events both online and in person that honor and celebrate women. (Image credit: IRL) — Using IRL’s newest category, Women’s Week, it is easy to find events both online and in person that honor and celebrate women. (Image credit: IRL)

As more and more women take positions of leadership across industries, their roles and responsibilities have paved a new path for young women everywhere to pursue their interests, career goals, dreams and aspirations. Thanks to women like Sarah Thomas, the first female to referee the Super Bowl, and other prominent female leaders such as Kamala Harris or Megan Thee Stallion, International Women’s Day will be a global day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements from women and how much more there is to be done for equality and inclusion.

Register Now! Critical Discussion on Abortion and Reproductive Justice

On March 3rd, Ipas, ARROW, SAfAIDS, and ASAP will join forces to present a webinar on the importance of a gender lens in healthcare.

Ipas, ARROW, SAfAIDS, and ASAP will discuss important topics concerning women's healthcare and COVID-19 on March 3rd. (Image credit: Ipas) — Ipas, ARROW, SAfAIDS, and ASAP will discuss important topics concerning women’s healthcare and COVID-19 on March 3rd. (Image credit: Ipas)

Building resilient reproductive health access
Why we must use a gender lens during the pandemic and after

Wednesday, March 3, 9:00 – 10:30am EST

As International Women’s Day approaches, please join us to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic and its disproportionate impact on women is driving innovation and new approaches to expand reproductive health access—right now and for the long term.

Presenters in this webinar will discuss how COVID-19 is impacting all facets of reproductive health and why a gender lens is necessary to overcome challenges and sustain change. And they’ll share examples of promising strategies and programs that can help build a more equitable reality for women and girls after the pandemic.

Elsevier Promotes Transparency By Publishing Editors’ Genders

In an effort to support diversity in scientific research, Elsevier has begun publishing data of the gender identities of their editors.

Data of the gender identity of every editor is now available on over 500 journals published by Elsevier. (Image credit: PR Newswire)

Elsevier, a global leader in research publishing and information analytics, is pleased to announce the first step of visualizing the gender balance of its scientific journals’ editors. Following a successful pilot project, over 500 journals will now display the self-reported data of their editors’ gender to support openness and increase inclusion and diversity (I&D) in this space.

February 11 also marks the United Nation’s “International Day of Women and Girls in Science“, which aims to promote that full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls is achieved. To demonstrate Elsevier’s participation, we are actively working to create a better gender balance and diversity amongst our editorial boards: The Lancet portfolio of journals has already achieved a 50-50 percent gender balance; while Cell Press has established an Inclusion & Diversity Statement and is charting a course to parity.

Generation USA Wins 125K to Create Women and POC Opportunities

On February 10th, Generation USA was awarded 125K as the winner of MIT Solve’s 2021 Reimagining Pathways to Employment in the US Challenge.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Solve, a marketplace for social impact innovation, announced Generation USA, a global workforce development nonprofit, as a winner of its 2021 Reimagining Pathways to Employment in the US Challenge and recipient of $125,000 in funding to launch pilot programs across the country in collaboration with US Workforce Boards. The initiative combats racial and gender injustices in the US that continue to hinder the education, employment, and earning potential of historically marginalized communities.

New Hub for Gender Equality Strategizing Established in Kerala

On February 14th, 2021, The Gender Park Campus was established in Kerala, following the 2nd International Conference on Gender Equality.

The Gender Park Campus will serve as a hub for all things gender equality. (Image credit: Indian Eagle)

The Gender Campus in Kozhikode, Kerala was inaugurated by Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan on Feb 14^th. The ceremony marked the functional launch of projects, programmes and completed facilities at the campus, where the second edition of the International Conference on Gender Equality (ICGE II) was held from 11-13 Feb, 2021.

Working under the Department of Women & Child Development of the Government of Kerala, The Gender Park aims to become a premier convergence point for all gender-related activities. With UN Women as equal partners, it will be developed into a South Asian hub for gender equality.

Serena Williams Funds Opportunities for Black Small-Business Owners

For Black History month, Serena Williams Jewelry will be donating a portion of proceeds to Opportunity Fund’s Small Business Relief Fund.

Serena Williams Jewelry seeks to support black women and black small-business owners by donating proceeds to Opportunity Fund. (Image credit: Business Wire)

Tennis icon, fashion and jewelry designer Serena Williams is extending her support of Opportunity Fund. Throughout February, a portion of proceeds from Serena Williams Jewelry will benefit Opportunity Fund’s Small Business Relief Fund, directly supporting Black small-business owners.

With the creation of jewelry that reflects Serena’s positivity, determination and generosity comes a renewed commitment to the community, emblematic of her unstoppable desire to support others in a meaningful way. Purchasing a necklace or bracelet from Serena Williams Jewelry Unstoppable collection not only enhances a woman’s accessory wardrobe, but also gives her a sense of empowerment by helping others.

Female Entrepreneurs Get a Jumpstart from Visa’s New Grant Program

Visa has partnered with IFundWomen to create a new global grant program which will support three women-owned businesses in India this year.

Visa and IFundWomen's new India Grant Program will support small businesses owned and led by women in India. (Image credit: IFundWomen) — Visa and IFundWomen’s new India Grant Program will support small businesses owned and led by women in India. (Image credit: IFundWomen)

Visa (NYSE: V) today announced the recipients of its grant program in India to boost women entrepreneurship globally and empower budding businesswomen. As part of Visa’s first global grant program in partnership with IFundWomen, Bunko Junko, My Chapter One and MoWo Social Initiatives each received a INR 7,00,000 (approximately 9,575.85 USD) grant from Visa and resources from Instamojo to grow their businesses digitally, in a continued effort to offer better services to their communities.

Announcing Margaret Atwood as Keynote Speaker of “Unite and Rise”

Margaret Atwood, a leader in modern feminism, will be the keynote speaker for the annual celebration for the Fund for Women & Girls.

Margaret Atwood will speak on feminism and power at "Unite & Rise: A Virtual Celebration for the Fund for Women and Girls". (Image credit: Hamlet Hub) — Margaret Atwood will speak on feminism and power at “Unite & Rise: A Virtual Celebration for the Fund for Women and Girls”. (Image credit: Hamlet Hub)

Award-winning author of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments, Margaret Atwood, will be the keynote speaker for the Fairfield County’s Community Foundation’s (FCCF) annual celebration for its Fund for Women & Girls in April. “Unite & Rise: A Virtual Celebration for the Fund for Women & Girls,” will begin at 5:30 p.m. on April 16^th. Individual tickets and sponsorship packages are available for purchase here.

New Branding to Launch as Dining For Women Celebrates Success

Dining for Women plans to rebrand in the new year while celebrating the addition of many new donors to its Founder’s Circle.

Editor’s Note: The following letter is from Beth Ellen Holimon, Dining For Women President and CEO, 2/1/2021)

Most of us welcomed 2021 with high hopes and an eagerness to leave the uncertainty of last year behind us. COVID-19 has certainly changed the way Dining for Women works, at least for now, and we will continue to assess how the pandemic has changed the world around us. In 2020, we asked our grantees to patiently wait until this year to receive their full grants as we experienced uncertain cash flow; we asked our members to transition to meeting virtually; and we asked our staff to work remotely. Every week seemed to bring a new challenge! We heard the drumbeat that one-third of US nonprofits would close in 2020 and carefully made decisions to ensure DFW would still be standing here now.

Author: Gender Equality Funding News