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International Women’s Day 2021

Raise Your Hand and Go Viral

This is International Women’s Day

Let’s go viral.

On International Women’s Day, a campaign by the United Nations, people all over the world celebrate the achievements of women. Additionally, the compassionate advocate for gender equality, and lobby for women’s equal access to equivalent influence. We strive for women’s empowerment, and for positions in leadership. The fortunate may choose to donate to causes that work towards that end. Others will simply help the campaign go viral.

This year the theme is #ChooseToChallenge. We challenge myths of inferiority. We challenge systems of oppression. We challenge ourselves to do better. We challenge barriers to equal opportunity. We challenge the forces that hold back, hold down and hold on to traditions of dismissal. We symbolically wear purple, white and green, we give what we can, and we raise a hand to say YES. We say YES, and we raise a hand to say, “I CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE” what was left unchallenged.

Why focus on women? Because society has spent itself to exhaustion focusing everywhere else. Cultural traditions of patriarchy are rooted in an ancient division of labor that has ignored the development of the collective modern existence, and the development of a modern human mind. As a result, the ascribed role of the woman is to be the worker and the child-rearer, and the steward of community and to comprise the human scaffolding that backbones a global economic elite. This subaltern position, fortunately, can be used by women and allies to an advantage. According to the world’s premier international development agency USAID, “the Investing in gender equality and women’s empowerment can unlock human potential on a transformational scale” (usaid.gov). This is because women, left to curate and cultivate the experiences and well-being of future generations have the potential power to do just that—to shape the future world! If we provide the resources and support necessary to empower women (and then get the heck out of their way), we not only benefit women, but we empower all of the global communities they steward. That is the work of charitable organizations such as the Women’s International Fund for Education, who provide no-strings attached (no ideological, religious, jingoistic manipulation attached) collegiate scholarships to women who reside in the global margin. These women will empower their communities with their education, and maybe escape their own impossible situations (indentured servitude, etc.). Check out W.I.F.E. at www.wifeducation.org.

If you are curious, unconvinced, or simply seeking inspiration, the UN has released their statistics and figures demonstrating the trickle-up powers of educating and liberating the global woman. https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/commission-on-the-status-of-women-2012/facts-and-figures Is that too much to read? The bottom line is that what you already know in your deepest consciousness is verified. Women are powerful. It isn’t that they are extra powerful, but rather that they are endowed with the same revolutionary, innovative, and complicated minds as any other human subset. It is a tragic necessity to argue for what should be such an obvious and inalienable truth as that. Still, the power of women has been untapped. You can change this.

Today, please raise one hand to say, “I choose to challenge” and post your photo to #ChooseToChallenge on social media. This is your commitment to do something today, on International Women’s Day. If you are without financial surplus, the photo and post is enough. If you have resources to share, we ask you to do so. What may seem to be a small amount for you can go a long way in someone else’s world. If you specifically want to make sure your donation is spent without supporting corrupt industries, I humbly offer wifeducation.org as a suggested charity.

I choose to challenge.

Who will join me?

Tony Lowe

Health Ambassador at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday

Did you know that an average consumer in the United States spends over $400 on #BlackFriday? This is close to HALF the amount of a college tuition for a full year. Give the most important gift of all this year, the gift of education.

For #GivingTuesday, WIFE’s team is starting their #TuitionTally Campaign. We will be tallying all of our spending to see how long it takes to spend what it takes for one of our scholarship recipients to attend college for a whole year. As each of us reaches our $800 tuition mark, we will be announcing how many days it has taken us to spend $800.

Learn how you can take part in the #TuitionTally Campaign on January 1st!

 

Soccer Tournament

WIFE’s First Annual Soccer Tournament on August 23rd, 2014 proved to be a huge success! We want to thank everyone who participated, came out to show your support, partnered with us, and donated.  We are also excited to announce that we exceeded our goal of raising $1,000 – by far our most successful fundraiser to date!

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Soccer balls and bibs provided by Senda Athletics

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Members of SLO Kings and Team Kicks pre-tournament

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Wiz KaFIFA

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SLO Kings

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Team Kicks

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Volunteer Center

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Carolyn, Mia, and Mel from WIFE!

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Rescue Squad

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Hannah explaining the rules

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WIFE’s table

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Team Kicks vs. Panthers

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Running for the ball!

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Volunteer Center vs. SLO Kings

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Tournament Champions: Rescue Squad!

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We raised over $1000! Thank you to the teams and all who donated! Can’t wait to see you all next year!

T-Shirts!

WIFE is excited to announce the sale of Women’s T-shirts coming soon! We love the design and will be wearing them at our Soccer Tournament!  Check them out at the tournament or we will put them up for sale on our website when they arrive.

Stay tuned!

Shirts are proudly printed by ooshirts!

 

OOshirts logo

UPDATE on what our shirts look like:

WIFE Shirt

 

They turned our great, thanks Ooshirts!

Thank You!!

WIFE wants to thank all of those who contributed to our Indiegogo Campaign.  Altogether, we raised a total of $598, we only have about $900 to go until our Basketball Tournament August 23rd.

Here is a list of those who contributed over $50:

  • Leslie Werosh
  • Robert Boies
  • Shannon Cason
  • Sue Smith
  • Shana Lehar
  • Larry Franz

We appreciate each and every one of these generous contributions. $598 is only $400 away from one entire scholarship.  We are excited at the possibility of having 3 full scholarships for the year 2015!

If you would like to donate to WIFE, simply visit the donate part of our website!

Celebrating Sacrifices and Honoring Heroes

By: Hannah Franz

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

– Martin Luther King Jr. 

Today we remember and celebrate those who fought and sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of a greater good. People, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. were enlightened and strongly aware of the inequalities that existed during their time. They were likewise mindful of the long path it would take to find a panacea for these wrongs.  It is because of the path that these heroes paved that many are able to pursue their dreams and goals; able to start new paths towards the never ending struggle for true equality for all people.  Despite pockets of ignorance that exist throughout the country, the United States, as a whole, has improved drastically.  Yet, there still exists many places across this globe that are watching various inequalities play out daily; people that are waiting for the changes that many brave people fought for decades ago, and looking to the many brave individuals of our day to continue to carry the torch.  There are many places all over the world where lives are lost fighting for the needed changes that we seem to take for granted here at home.

Just last week 21 people were killed in a suicide bombing and shootout at a restaurant in Kabul.  Among these people was a  young woman, Lexie Kamerman, from Chicago, Illinois.  She was in Kabul working as a student development specialist at the American University of Afghanistan.  Her family stated proudly that she was helping women “get an education and take their rightful place as leaders in Afghan society.”

Where would we be without brave people such as Lexie Kamerman?  Without icons and activists such as Martin Luther King, Jr; without people whose mission is making a change?  I believe that without such altruistic and pure heroes the array of inequalities that our world has developed over time would linger and would become stagnant.  Luckily this is not the case, as their are countless people whose lives have been devoted to continuing on the path towards change and progression, a path that people like Martin Luther King, Jr. sacrificed his life for.

Though many lives end too soon, the legacy they leave will live on to inspire countless others.  Today, not only do we honor the great Martin Luther King Jr., but all those who have stood up for their beliefs, those who would not give up despite those who said it may be dangerous, and those who knew change must occur.  I would like to say “thank you” on behalf of The Women’s International Fund for Education to all the brave people who have prioritized their cause and dedicated their lives to something greater than themselves, especially if the cause be for the equality of all people.

A New Year Brings New Excitement

By: Hannah Franz

The year of 2013 brought many great moments for The Women’s International Fund for Education.  A few of the highlights included sending out our second scholarship to Tena Mahanyu, obtaining official 501 (c)-3 non-profit status, and holding a fundraiser at Shine Cafe in Sacramento, California.  These accomplishments would not be possible without the great support we have witnessed and continue to witness.

Each year we are growing which likewise affects the amount of resources we have to use towards our mission.  We are very excited for the New Year and have some great things in store.  Our Director of Outreach now lives in Chicago and is planning a fundraiser there in the Spring.  In March we will be accepting a new round of applications, and we are excited to have the ability to help more women realize their dream of a college education.  We will also preparing to launch our first annual 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament Fundraiser in the Bay Area of California in May of this year.  There are so many exciting events and decisions about to unfold and we hope that supporters, both new and old, are ready to celebrate these great events along each step of the way.

Come Together

BY: Hannah Franz

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is a success.”

– Henry Ford 

Getting a group of passionate, talented people can be a feat in and of itself.  Once you have found those people, you have to make sure they are all committed and moving in the same direction.  Commitment can be shown by following through with what one says, making an effort without being asked, and being present and available when called.  Through a good friendship or relationship, you may have experienced these or similar behaviors.  This is the first step to making the relationship last.

The next step is figuring out how to get passionate individuals who come from completely different backgrounds working together successfully.  A good place to start is making sure you all have patience, are understanding, and have an open mind.  Each person must listen to one another’s ideas even though they may be drastically different from what each person had in mind.  Each person will disagree on many things.  Having these disagreements will lead to many productive conversations and meetings.

The five women of WIFE all have very different personalities and thoughts on how things should be done. All members are respected and given a chance to voice any concerns or opinions.  Bringing together this diverse group of women has lead to much success and some really great ideas.  The way we are able to work together along with our underlying passion, mission, and vision have kept WIFE progressing.

Another part of success is having the right amount of people working together.  For WIFE, five is a good number.  When we need to vote on something, there are enough to have a majority.  Five different perspectives can be a lot, but not too many to become unmanageable.  Looking at an issue, idea, or subject with our five minds can provide insight that two or three people may not be able to access.

Maintaining our working relationship with each member will always be something we have to make an effort to do. We have built and will continue to build a successful organization that continues to work toward providing women access to education worldwide.

First Fundraiser!  Photo Credit: Viceral Media

First Fundraiser!
Photo Credit: Viceral Media

A Virtue to Gain… Patience

By: Hannah Franz 

“Always remember that the future comes one day at a time.”

– Dean Acheson

When I read about one of my causes or learn about a new issue, a very emotional reaction often follows.  Emotional reactions have gotten a bad rap as people will attribute spontaneous actions to these reactions.  These reactions are what motivate people to take action and not settle for the present state.  They tell us what is wrong and then push us to brainstorm on ways to improve the situation.

It was through various travels, along with an increasing awareness of the inequalities women in developing countries face on a daily basis, that The Women’s International Fund for Education became an idea. The founders and board members all have an emotional tie and passion for the change education can make in one’s life.  We know that education is an extremely powerful tool and want access to be an opportunity everyone is afforded.

Sometimes we can have an initial reaction that evokes something inside us, but that sole reaction will not be enough to make a real difference.  The spark that keeps the fire ignited is a constant pursuit of research while seeking out, building, and joining networks, and continually advocating for your cause. That initial lightening bolt is all you need to make a difference; however, all talk and no action will lead to a complainer that will fall upon deaf and bored ears.  You can know all the facts and have researched your cause endlessly, but if you are just wanting to be a know-it-all dwelling in the negative of the world, people aren’t going to care or take you seriously.

I often think of all the wonderful things I want to do for the world and how easy it will be to accomplish them.  I also fail to acknowledge all the steps that must be taken and the hoops one has to jump through to simply get the ball rolling.  W.I.F.E. was not established in a month, a year, or even two.  It took three years for us to become an official tax exempt 501(c)-3 nonprofit. While waiting for our status to be approved we would hold meetings, events, and fundraisers as if we were a non-profit to sustain momentum.  While we waited, our passion would not allow us to be stagnant.  The confidence that we would one day gain non-profit status kept us going even though there was no guarantee that we would meet our goals.

Be solution focused.  Be patient.  Don’t give up.

If you know you were meant to make a change and you know what you truly care about, you will be unstoppable.  Nothing is going to happen quickly, but every inch will accumulate – and eventually you will be making a difference on some scale.  Persist.