Dear Colleagues,
The discovery of dozens of migrants – including children – who died in an uncooled semi-truck in San Antonio, Texas just days after pregnant people in the U.S. lost the right to bodily autonomy, has made me think about something Audre Lorde once said: Life is very short and what we have to do must be done in the now.
The nature of our work is maddening. It’s about long-term change, but we don’t have the luxury of time. As we polish our infographics and test our logic models, we must never forget what’s at stake. Progress that is too slow kills.
That’s why, like you, I’m digging deeper each day to find the strength to do what must be done now. After connecting with WFN staff and our members, I feel heartened by the passion in this community and the brilliance of your ideas. I’m also inspired by the hardening of our collective commitment to resource independent feminist movements across the globe.
Thank you for joining us on a journey we may not see finished in our lifetimes. Thank you for doing what you can do now.
Read more about the effort in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, and in our op-ed in Inside Philanthropy. And if you haven’t already, please sign this bold new philanthropic pledge to protect abortion access and reproductive justice. Nearly 200 organizations have signed on, and this is just the start. We will not stop until we reach freedom for all.
Yours with respect and gratitude,
Elizabeth
Elizabeth Barajas-Román
Women’s Funding Network
President & CEO