This discussion explores how women’s foundations are advancing equality and justice through advocacy, philanthropy, and community-centered solutions. Although women represent more than half the population, they remain underrepresented in positions of power and decision-making. Leaders from women’s foundations shared how gender equity work intersects with issues like economic inequality, reproductive rights, and discrimination, and how investing in women and gender-expansive people creates stronger, more equitable societies.
Guests
Ana L. Oliveira, President & CEO, The New York Women’s Foundation
Surina Khan, CEO, Women’s Foundation California
Wendy D. Doyle, President & CEO, United WE
Key Points
- Despite decades of advocacy, women remain underrepresented in leadership, underpaid for their work, and underfunded by philanthropy—receiving less than 2% of all charitable dollars. These inequalities are amplified for women of color and gender-expansive individuals.
- Systemic underinvestment limits women’s participation in decision-making and economic life. The pandemic further widened these gaps, pushing women’s workforce participation back to levels seen in the 1980s.
- Reproductive rights, economic stability, and gender equality are interconnected. Restricting reproductive freedom deepens cycles of poverty and limits self-determination, especially for women of color and low-income families.
- Effective change comes from communities closest to the problems. By investing in women leaders and local organizations, women’s foundations strengthen grassroots innovation—transforming policy and practice from the ground up.
- Traditional hiring and leadership criteria often reinforce inequality. Removing degree requirements, diversifying search committees, and valuing lived experience expand access and create fairer pathways to leadership.
Other Points
Women’s foundations challenge outdated belief systems that sustain inequality. They emphasize that progress begins when philanthropy recognizes that communities already possess the knowledge and creativity to address their challenges.
Speakers highlighted successful models where women-led advocacy secured major policy wins—such as expanding childcare access, redirecting billions from jail construction to community programs, and guaranteeing reproductive health services at public universities.
Equity in the workplace, including flexible schedules, paid family leave, and banning salary history, is essential to rebuilding women’s economic power. Public-private partnerships are key to supporting affordable childcare and ensuring caregivers can rejoin the workforce.
Ultimately, empowering women strengthens entire communities. When women’s voices and lived experiences shape decision-making, society benefits from smarter, more inclusive solutions that promote justice, prosperity, and freedom for all.