Tag Archives: Executive Director

Executive Director’s Letter from Winter/Spring 2012 Newsletter

Dear Community,

As a people from diverse cultural backgrounds mostly identifying as part of the 99%, we historically find ourselves witnessing unimagined poignant times. Across this country we witnessed how those of us, trained in watching and waiting, decided to take a stand and created a movement from coast to coast on our own terms. The Boston Women’s Fund maintained a close look at Occupy Boston, from day one up to December 10 and beyond, by seeking information as to where our grantee community of activists’ stood: where were those organizations and groups led by women and girls in relation to Occupy? How were they now envisioning their grassroots efforts in relation to Occupy, if at all? In our lead article, Beth Levanthal of The Network, La Red grappled with the issues of a movement still seeking to understand its common ground.

Chelsea Tenants Association at Occupy Boston
Chelsea Tenants Association at Occupy Boston

Continue reading Executive Director’s Letter from Winter/Spring 2012 Newsletter

Boston Women’s Fund Brings Social Justice Community Together at Holiday Open House

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 board chair and Nancy Luc MassCOSH
Joyce King, Chair of BWF Board with Nancy Luc, the Teens Lead @ Work Youth Coordinator at MassCOSH

 

Continue reading Boston Women’s Fund Brings Social Justice Community Together at Holiday Open House

Message from the Executive Director

Dear Friends and Community Members,

Our success within the world of philanthropy hinges on our founders’ initial commitment to strengthen the leadership of women’s and girls’ grassroots organizing and advocacy efforts. Their vision to reach out primarily to women philanthropists for capital as leverage in realizing racial, economic and social justice drives us to be the best in whatever we can achieve. It remains our firm belief that women’s struggles for social change historically impacts the whole community: family, friends, neighborhood, and society in general. Our recent grants to twenty community-based women’s and girls’ organizations sets in motion this belief. Continue reading Message from the Executive Director

Executive Director Addresses the Influence of Women in Philanthropy

Josefina Vázquez, the Boston Women’s Fund’s Executive Director recently returned from New York City where she was invited to participate in the Miss Hall’s School’s 16th Annual Philanthropic Roundtable discussion on The Changing Face of Philanthropy: The Emerging Influence of Women Donors.

Head of School Jeannie Norris commented on Josefina’s participation, “Thank you, Josefina.  People loved what you said, and we are very grateful to you!”

Josefina served as one of five panelists participating in the discussion (and the only grassroots, social justice representative!).  The other panelists included: Jennifer Buffett, Philanthropist and President/Co-Chair of the NoVo Foundation; Karen Osborne, President of The Osborne Group and former Trinity College Vice President; Catherine B. Reynolds, Chair and CEO of the Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation; and Christine Zachai, Principal of Forward Philanthropy.

The Philanthropic Roundtable has been meeting annually since it was established in 1997 to raise the level of discourse on women and philanthropy.  This is not the first time Vázquez has been invited. Each year a small group of women and men, with both extensive and profound experience in philanthropy, come together to share their beliefs and insights. The conversation is subsequently published and mailed to thousands each year, thus generating robust response and dialogue.