Tag Archives: Women

Channeling Anger at the Gender Pay Gap

Doesn’t it infuriate you that women could be making thousands of dollars more each year?! Think of what you could do with extra money each year – pay off a debt, save for retirement, or donate more to your favorite nonprofit. Even though President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in 2009, American women in the United States who work full-time, year-round are paid only 77 cents for every dollar paid to white men (National Women’s Law Center.)

April 17th was equal pay day. Equal pay day is a symbolic marking of how much longer it takes (white) women to earn as much as white men in the previous year.  Continue reading Channeling Anger at the Gender Pay Gap

3rd Annual Men Take A Stand event a Resounding Success

Men Take A Stand awardees with Executive Director Josefina Vazquez
David Moy, Josefina Vazquez, Paul Marcus & Jarrett Barrios

Thank you to all who attended our event, Men Take A Stand on Wednesday, March 21, 2012.  It was a wonderful evening of performances, speeches and networking, all while celebrating the importance of men’s commitment to promoting nonviolence through women’s leadership within our struggle for a just society. Continue reading 3rd Annual Men Take A Stand event a Resounding Success

The Genki Spark Celebrates Women’s History Month!

Genki Spark Celebrates Women's History Month
Co-sponsored by: The Boston Women’s Fund, ASPIRE, and Simmons College
Saturday March 24, 2012, 6:00pm – 8:00pm (doors open at 5pm)
Everyone is warmly welcome to come honor and celebrate ALL women and girls GENKI-style! Join us as we celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day with a variety show, featuring original spoken word pieces, dynamic song and dance, and of course, powerful taiko drumming.

Komen/Planned Parenthood Controversy Shines Light on Women’s Health Inequality

The recent actions and reactions of the Susan G. Komen Foundation give us pause here at the Boston Women’s Fund. Certainly we were pleased when the Komen Foundation changed their stance on funding for Planned Parenthood, and more so by the extraordinary outpouring of support Planned Parenthood received from the masses. But this controversy really brought to light the politics that continue to infiltrate and impede access to and advancements in women’s health care. Breast cancer; reproductive health; heart disease; the list can go on– every woman’s personal health is at risk because of the politics that permeates the health care system, and women’s health care overall.

Continue reading Komen/Planned Parenthood Controversy Shines Light on Women’s Health Inequality

Congratulations to Nancy Luc from our grantee organization MassCOSH

Nancy Luc of MassCOSH wins award

Nancy is the recipient of the Massachusetts Promise Fellowship “Red Wagon” Award.  The Red Wagon Award is an award given annually by the Massachusetts Promise Fellowship in recognition of the individual who demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to the 5 Promises through their leadership and service to the youth of Massachusetts.

At the 4th Annual Pass the Wagon Alumni Celebration & Fundraiser on Friday, December 2nd, 2011, the Massachusetts Promise Fellowship will present the Annual Red Wagon Award to Nancy Luc, Class VII & VIII Fellow Alum, and current Fellow supervisor!

Congratulations from the Boston Women’s Fund as well.

Discussion on Women, Peace and Security – Sat 10/22

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.

Continue reading Discussion on Women, Peace and Security – Sat 10/22

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.