Learn more about grassroots organizations in Greater Boston, and help the Boston Women’s Fund decide who to fund for the upcoming year. Join our Allocations Committee! Committee members read proposals, conduct site visits, and decide who gets funding. If you are interested, please contact Amy Leung, Program Officer, at amy@bostonwomensfund.org. The orientation is in March and committee meetings are in April and May.
Look for more about the allocations committee in our upcoming Our Voices newsletter.
The Boston Women’s Fund, on Thursday, held its first annual Holiday Open House, bringing together some of the hardest working members of the grassroots and social justice community.
Joyce King, Chair of BWF Board with Nancy Luc, the Teens Lead @ Work Youth Coordinator at MassCOSH
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
In Partnership with the Consortium on Gender, Security and Human Rights- UMASS- Boston
Are you concerned about the impact of war and militarization on women here at home?
How about gun violence in our communities…domestic violence…women and economic
disparity…environmental justice…elder and immigrant concerns…
Here is your opportunity to have input into the U.S. National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security.
Staff and grantees – Please click on the picture to read more information on our new blog
Staff and grantees gathered to receive pointers on Making The Case (MTC) reports, mingle with BWF donors, and learn more about the Massachusetts State Budget.
Ronita Nath, former executive assistant, shared a summary of the gathering: “Not only were we able to reach out to the BWF grantee community and provide them with tips on how to monitor and evaluate their programs effectively, but in turn, grantees provided BWF with feedback on how we could better support them. In addition, grantees and donors were able to connect at this event, strengthening their concept of the BWF family.”
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The Boston Women’s Fund held its second Men Take A Stand event, recognizing men who promote peace, equality and the leadership of women and girls. This year BWF honored local activist, statesman, MIT adjunct professor and community organizer Mel King. BWF granted him the “Social Justice in Action” award for his many years of dedication to community organizing, youth development, nonviolence and for Taking A Stand in supporting the leadership of women and girls.
For over 55 years, Mel King, the community activist and organizer, worked determinedly for social justice across race, class, gender and age in Boston. After being a State Representative for nearly 10 years, King was the first black mayoral candidate for the city of Boston in 1983. King founded the Community Fellows program at the Massachusetts Institute for Technology where he taught for 25 years and has since established the South End Technology Center to provide youth with access to technology.
The 150 people at the event included members of the BWF family, political figures, and fans and family of Mel King. Political figures included Governor Deval Patrick, who participated and shared in this memorable evening, State Representative Russell Holmes, District 2 City Council candidate Suzanne Lee, and District 7 City Council candidate, Tito Jackson.
Guests enjoyed the many, varied performances and the food provided by Seasoned with Soul caterer Rhonda Persip. Veronique-Anne Epiter, international performer and long-time friend of the Kings, sang “I want you to sing my song,” an original piece written and composed by Mel King. King’s inspiration for the song came from growing up in diverse South End neighborhood where he learned “a lot about getting along and understanding different people’s cultures.” Two young men from Project Hip-Hop performed before speeches began. A BWF grantee organization, Project Hip-Hop is a youth-led organization engaging and developing young people as activists and organizers. It was very meaningful to have young men thank Mel King for his work and to participate in Men Take A Stand.
Governor Deval Patrick spoke about the importance of Mel King’s activism and achievements. He was grateful to King for being a “first” and for running for Mayor, which paved the way for Patrick’s successful election. Patrick’s statement that “Mel King is a living example of how to be and what to do” resonated with the audience.
Josefina Vazquez, BWF executive director, was joined by Governor Patrick in presenting the “Social Justice in Action” award to Mel King for his many years of dedication to community organizing and youth development, and for Taking A Stand in supporting the leadership of women and girls. Josefina shared with the audience the time when she was an adolescent and in meeting Mel King, he jokingly shared how he admired her spunk. She in turn reminded the Governor that he should be accepting of all immigrants in the State of Massachusetts and to prevent any racial profiling, by not signing onto the federal project of “safe communities.”
In his acceptance speech, Mel King talked about the need to “stand up for women and immigrants,” especially in today’s political environment. He believes that there is “no such thing as an illegal person on this planet.” He explained that while social media is useful, “yea, tweet, tweet, tweet,” nothing is more significant than “feet in the
street.” King stressed how much there
still needs to be done, but encouraged the audience that change was possible through collaboration and hard work.
The evening ended with a performance by ENVY, a female step team from Tufts University. The young women expressed their appreciation for Mel King through their elegant movement, rhythmic beats, and powerful performance.
Overall, the second Men Take A Stand event was successful thanks to the performers, master of ceremonies, guests and honoree. The event reminded everyone of the importance of Taking A Stand to end violence against women, to support women and girls in leadership, and to create a better world.
BWF Men Take Stand Celebration awarding Mel King, `Social Justice in Action´. Pictured Mel King, Josefina Vázquez, Executive Director, and Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts.
The Greater Fall River Domestic Violence Coalition is a collaboration of agencies that provide education, awareness and support to reduce domestic violence.
