ACTIVIST

Winter 2019 PHILANTHROPIST VOLUME 5 | ISSUE 1

IN THIS ISSUE Blueprint for Women Sanctuary and Donna Hylton Wants to Change Age 25-59: Investing Security in Sunset How the Judicial System Treats When it Matters Most Park: Meet Mixteca Victims of Abuse by Vivian Nixon by Humera Afridi by Mireya Navarro 2 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST Table of Contents WINTER 2019 I VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1

Grantee partner United We Dream

03 Welcome 21 Learning Circle Brings Development by Ana Oliveira Directors to the Forefront to Drive Nonprofit Success Blueprint for Women Age 25-59: By Siham Inshassi 04 Investing When it Matters Most by Vivian Nixon Flying on the Wings of Faith and 24 Feminism: Daisy Khan Creates a 08 Sanctuary and Security in Map for Innovative Social Change Sunset Park: Meet Mixteca By Humera Afridi by Humera Afridi 27 A Look Back at our Q & A with Afua Atta-Mensah, Esq Radical Generosity Gala 12 of Community Voices Heard By Nina Rodgers by Saba Sebhatu 30 We Are the Storm: Donna Hylton Wants to Change How the Neighborhood Dinner 2018 15 Judicial System Treats Victims of Abuse By Siham Inshassi by Mireya Navarro

18 Women for Afghan Women Bids Farewell to Longtime Executive Director, Manizha Naderi by Siham Inshassi

On the cover: Grantee partner IGNITE! WELCOME 3 SPRING/SUMMERJANUARY 2017 2017I ACTIVIST I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST PHILANTHROPIST

Dear Friend,

Welcome to the current issue of Activist Philanthropist. While women continue to make strides, there is still much work to be done to ensure that all women and families are able to prosper and live safe, healthy lives. In this issue, we are excited to showcase the work of our grantee partners and leaders working to advance economic, gender, and racial justice in New York City and beyond:

• Vivian Nixon, Executive Director of College and Community Fellowship, shares her personal connections to the final installment of ourBlueprint for Investing in Women Age 25-59 report. • Karla Alvarez, Executive Director of Mixteca, shares the organization’s work including programs that address issues ranging from intimate partner violence and adult education, to Know Your Rights campaigns that address the current political landscape. • Afua Atta-Mensah, Esq., Executive Director of Community Voices Heard, shares her work leading grassroots organizing efforts to build power with individuals and families of color in low-income communities throughout New York State. • Author Donna Hylton discusses A Little Piece of Light: A Memoir of Hope, Prison and a Life Unbound, her powerful memoir of her 27-year incarceration and journey to becoming a champion of criminal justice reform and women’s rights. • Manizha Naderi, outgoing Executive Director of Women for Afghan Women, reflects on her time leading this dynamic organization.

You’ll learn more about our unique partnership with Cause Effective and a program we co-designed to support the leadership of development directors—a key role in nonprofit organizations and a launching pad to executive director roles. You’ll also meet Daisy Khan of Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE). Daisy is a longtime activist and thought leader on Muslim women’s rights whose powerful journey is shared through her memoir Born With Wings. This issue also includes roundups of the Radical Generosity Gala and Neighborhood Dinner, The Foundation’s fall signature events.

Thank you for your continued engagement as an activist philanthropist, and for standing with us as we create community-based solutions alongside women and families in the heart of New York City and beyond!

Warm regards,

Ana Oliveira President and CEO 4 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

Blueprint for Women Age 25-59 Investing When it Matters Most OP-ED by Reverend Vivian Nixon, Executive Director of College and Community Fellowship

At the age of 14 I aspired that the right to live past age at the phone company. Twenty to be a writer. I vividly 50 was dependent on one’s years later, when she was remember writing a short financial security and ability able to hand off the care of story inspired by my mother. to be completely self-reliant. my brothers and the running The title of the story was Life of the household to me, she Begins at Fifty. I painstakingly My mother was 37 years set out to follow her own wrote my sci-fi fantasy of a old when I etched out my path. She enrolled in nursing middle-aged bad-ass heroine crude short story in number school at New York Institute based on the observations I 2 pencil. She’d begun to of Technology, she joined had made during my mother’s scorn the complicated mix several nonprofit boards, she reinvention of herself, which of caretaking roles she had took on leadership roles in the began when I became useful been forced to take on. With church, she ran for the school in the care of my younger three children aged 5-14, board, she ran for police brothers. The protagonist two aging parents, an ailing commissioner—all in quick of Life Begins at Fifty is a husband, a full-time job, succession as if she were prominent space scientist and a sense of obligation to making up for lost time. Sadly, living in a dystopian society in contribute time and resources she was not able to escape the which a worldwide mandatory to our community, my mother overwhelming responsibility euthanasia policy had been was stretched thin and that many women of color established. Euthanasia in unsupported. Mom also had bear. There was no assistance this society was meant not her personal aspirations to for her to finish school. She only to relieve suffering from contend with. She had been dropped out. My dad became grave illness but suffering accepted into nursing school in disabled from work-related from persistent poverty as 1955 when she graduated high injuries and cancers in his well. In short, the governing school but could not afford to early fifties. The unsuccessful powers of society had decided attend. Instead, she took a job legal fight for compensation 5 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

financially crippled our family. something distinctive about women with children under Hopes of home ownership, us that demands attention. the age of six is 81 percent for college, and comfortable The expectation that we Black women and 64 percent retirement were destroyed. should be superwomen for Latina women—and only Dad died of liver and colon like the protagonist in my 50 percent for White women. cancer in 1990. At age 58 teenage dystopian fantasy The report also found that my mother took a retirement has driven women of color while “women earn less package from the phone to raise generations of men than white males across all company and took a part-time and women who exceed the job categories—the size of job to make ends meet. In accomplishments of their the wage differential varies retirement she continued to ancestors. This has come with greatly by race and ethnicity. use her political voice as an significant sacrifice. As in the advocate for racial equity, case of my mother, our own particularly as it relates to ambitions are often ambushed healthcare, policing, education in the process. Our role as and housing. She worked caregivers and beacons of Women of color until she died at 70 from support often eclipses the fact and immigrant heart disease and diabetes. that to nourish others without women hold depleting ourselves, we need The New York Women’s support from our community paid jobs— Foundation report, “Blueprint and our government. While and are the for Investing in Women all women stand to benefit Ages 25–59,” uses empirical from being supported in primary or sole evidence to articulate their role as caretakers, as providers for what I learned by watching this report shows, adequate the women in my family support looks different in their families— and community live their communities of color. significantly subsistent lives. Some see more frequently women younger than 25 as According to the report, full of possibility and promise. “Women of color and than white, U.S.- Investing in their health, immigrant women hold paid born women. safety, and professional and jobs—and are the primary personal success is an obvious or sole providers for their choice. On the other hand, families—significantly more women over 59 are often frequently than white, U.S.- assumed to have stopped born women.” My mother White women earn 84 cents to producing. Thus, services to entered the workforce every dollar earned by White the elderly are society’s way long before the women’s men; Asian women earn 63 of taking care of those who liberation movement, and in cents; Black women, 55 cents; can’t take care of themselves. the years since, employment and Latina women, 46 cents.” That is an investment that opportunities have risen for most Americans understand women overall. But the quality Women of color age 25-59 and support. But what about of those opportunities still juggle countless challenges women who live between reflects the limitations of as we attempt to reach those extremes? Black patriarchy, structural racism, our full potential. Black and brown women age 25 and xenophobia. Across and brown and immigrant through 59 are assumed to New York State, the rate of mothers bear the brunt of be at their peak. Still, there is workforce participation for policies that target and punish 6 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

their children from school and otherwise troubled the emergence of “work for to prison to the workplace. children, parents, and Medicaid” policies. “The We, at the age when many partners as well as extended majority of Medicaid recipients are wage earners, and of the rest, a plurality are either ill The majority of Medicaid recipients or disabled, or they perform necessary unpaid work in are wage earners, and of the rest, a families supported by other breadwinners, like taking plurality are either ill or disabled, care of children, and elderly or sick relatives.” Heaven or they perform necessary unpaid forbid we might get support for our care after decades of work in families supported by other taking care of others. All we breadwinners, like taking care of really want are the basics of a secure future. These are children, and elderly or sick relatives. things that others, whom we have carried, take for granted.

privileged women thrive, are family and community. All Vivian Nixon is Executive fighting for equal education, this while we ourselves Director of College and equal housing, affordable remain underemployed Community Fellowship (CCF), child care, reproductive and underpaid, working an organization committed rights and healthcare, behind the scenes as others to removing individual and protection from violence, and build empires around us. structural barriers to higher fairness in the courts and education for women with the workplace. The report The world view may be criminal record histories indicates that while women changing but remnants of a and their families. As a in our prime years still want world where women serve at formerly incarcerated woman to accomplish our dreams, the pleasure of men’s survival and prior CCF program there are preciously few and success persist. This participant, Rev. Nixon is supports to do so. “Despite plays out in unambiguous uniquely positioned to lead exceptionally high rates of ways in communities of color. the charge to help justice- workforce participation, Black, brown and immigrant involved women and their they are largely barred from women are tolerated when families have a better future. enjoying economic security, they function in support of safety, and health, due to: others. When we exercise (1) exploitative wages and our own judgment and untenable working conditions; authority to pursue our (2) lack of access to the basic goals, we’re often left to our tools of well-being that other own devices. Even when New Yorkers take for granted; programs do support women and (3) the degree to which coming into their own during they are regularly exposed this prime age, critics are to violence from a range of out there scrutinizing every sources.” Our resources are step, making sure we don’t spent caring for unemployed, get away with anything. This underemployed, imprisoned “gotcha” mindset in supporting people is demonstrated in 7 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

About the Blueprint for Investing in Women Age 25-59

New York City women—particularly women of such as family leave, equal pay, and fair color and immigrants—are hindered in what overtime pay; should be their prime years by challenges • calling on the nonprofit sector to continue its and barriers that limit their prospects and advocacy and provide programs and services keep them in poverty. The report finds that in that promote economic self-sufficiency; New York City, women of color and immigrant • and recommending that the philanthropic women aged 25-59 bear the main brunt of sector in New York actively support and responsibility for both raising and providing for prioritize those organizations addressing their own families; for furnishing the labor force the concerns of women of color and immigrant that undergirds the economy; and for leading women through multi-funder efforts designed the efforts that sustain their communities. to promote unified new infusions Compounding the core economic tolls created of resources. by inequitable wages, two main factors overwhelmingly contribute to the high rates of This report is the final installment of The poverty experienced by so many women of color New York Women’s Foundation’s Voices from and immigrant women and their families: the the Field series comprising four reports that lack of affordable housing and lack of access explore the position, needs, and strategies for to quality child care. In addition to calling for supporting the security and contributions of collaborative, accelerated actions to expand low-income New York City women during one access to affordable permanent housing and of four major developmental periods (ages 0-8, high-quality child care, the report includes other 9-24, 25-59, and 60+). Its goals are to broaden recommendations for dismantling the obstacles understanding of the key roles and issues of that women of color and immigrant women face. New York City’s low-income girls and women; These include: stimulate broad, productive discussion of how best to support those roles and address those • recommending that government further issues; and catalyze bold investment into the creation and enforcement of legislative promising strategies and solutions. Visit remedies that support economic protections www.nywf.org to read the full report. 8 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST Sanctuary and Security in Sunset Park: Meet Mixteca

by Humera Afridi

On any given Saturday, the bright, loft space of Mixteca in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, bustles with activity. Community members gather for health, literacy, and immigration rights workshops and Healthy Relationships support meetings. For many Spanish- speaking immigrants in New York City, Mixteca’s office is “a second living room.”

Saturday, January 26, was particularly busy—a volunteer orientation workshop was in progress with close to twenty new people in attendance. Mixteca’s Sunset Park location. Three to 4 times a year, Mixteca puts out a call for remove the cultural, linguistic, and at churches and community volunteers to fill a variety of social, and economic centers. “Back then in Sunset positions across its program barriers that can impede Park, there would be seven areas. Volunteers form the the ability of Mexican and to eight immigrant men backbone of this community Latin American immigrants living in very small one- and organization—up to 40 to thrive. It also offers a two-bedroom apartments volunteers each year serve critical lifeline to immigrants in townhouses—all working in various roles from yoga who are uncertain of their construction and manual labor instructors to computer and options—and the fate of their jobs. They’d hire sex workers adult literacy class teachers. families—under the current to service multiple men and political administration. HIV would spread very, very “We offer a variety of quickly,” Karla recounts. Since holistic services and all of In 2000, founding member then, the organization has them ultimately serve the Dr. Gabriel Rincon realized evolved to support a host of immigrant community,” the urgent need for sexual other needs among Spanish- explains Karla Alvarez, the health education—especially speaking immigrants. While in dynamic executive director on the topics of HIV/AIDS risk, its early days Mixteca focused at the helm of the venerable prevention, and treatment— on Mexican Americans, today nonprofit, which started in the among Spanish-speaking its membership includes people basement of a dentist’s office immigrants and began giving originating from Venezuela and 20 years ago. Mixteca aims to informal talks out of his office Central America, reflecting 9 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

frustration and anger, and unlearning conditioned ways of thinking about gender.

“We didn’t think there’d be enough interest, but we have around 40 men who come every week! It’s bigger than our women’s group,” Karla exclaims. “It’s because no one offers this to men … If we really want to break the gender inequality cycle, we have to include work with men. We see there’s a lot of work to be done and there is Mixteca’s Know Your Rights workshop. a real need. We’ve seen the importance of peer support Recognizing that many women were not for men and of having a space going to leave their abusive partners for in which they’re allowed to be vulnerable—which several complex reasons, we decided it is not, at least in Latinx culture, allowed. Another was very important that we talk to the interesting dynamic is that other side of the issue—talk to men amongst compañeros, they call each other out if they see about how to have healthy relationships. something that perpetuates gender inequality.” the diverse Spanish-speaking hosts Healthy Relationship population from recent workshops— a men’s group News of the success of the waves of immigration. meets in the morning and a men’s Healthy Relationship separate group for women groups has reached the legal Four main areas of meets in the afternoon. system. Courts requiring programming form the offenders to seek behavior bedrock of Mixteca’s “Recognizing that many modification refer them to services: general health women were not going to Mixteca’s workshops, which education (health screenings, leave their abusive partners are free and offered in nutrition, wellness); mental for several complex reasons, Spanish—a unique diversion health; adult education; we decided it was very solution in New York City. and immigration rights. important that we talk to the other side of the issue—talk “Our main goal is to The New York Women’s to men about how to have support families as they Foundation supports healthy relationships,” says navigate their situations. programming in the Karla. Topics of discussion We’re here to give them the second focus area of and contemplation include tools. If they want to stay mental health. In this area, emotional intelligence, together and are willing to Mixteca works to address effective communication learn, we are here to provide intimate partner violence. between partners, finding the support,” Karla explains, Every Saturday, Mixteca healthy outlets for pent-up 10 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

sharing that there are men that Mixteca has worked on who come back months, even from its earliest days—an years, later to thank Mixteca immigration rights program for having given them an that conducts “Know Your opportunity to address their Rights” outreach and provides behavior, saving them from informational workshops on being stripped away from their immigration issues. In the families without a chance. aftermath of the presidential election of 2016, outreach Mixteca’s third area from a trusted source was of programming, adult particularly essential as education, provides English fear and uncertainty rippled classes of various levels, through the community amid as well as literacy classes questions and misinformation. in Spanish that cater to Mixteca conducts preventive community members who did education outreach to arm not receive formal education community members against the predators and legal fraud Karla Alvarez, Executive Director of Mixteca. that are rampant. In addition, it connects constituents to pro “There is a lot of myth Our main goal bono immigration attorneys busting, a lot of regaining trust. and legal services. Six times We make it explicit that we is to support a year, in collaboration with serve everybody regardless families as they the Consulate General of of status,” Karla explains. “It’s Mexico, Mixteca hosts the hard enough to ask for help. navigate their Consulate on Wheels program It’s even more complicated situations. We’re in its office, helping hundreds when you fear disclosing such here to give of community members to sensitive information about access vital documentation. yourself.” Fear and uncertainty them the tools. about immigration policy has Partially supported by a resulted in self-withdrawal grant from The Foundation’s from public services, especially Resilience NYC initiative—a amongst those who are response to changes in the undocumented and concerned in their countries of origin. national political landscape that any information they give “Before they can even begin and the impact of federal might be used against them. to learn a new language, they policy changes on women Meanwhile, the expiration of need to learn the basics of and other disadvantaged the Violence Against Women reading and writing in their communities—Mixteca Act (VAWA) in December 2018 native tongue,” explains piloted an initiative to train has complicated matters for Karla. While public libraries local women leaders, women seeking asylum who offer literacy programs, or promodoras, to carry are experiencing violence by they are in English, making out “Know Your Rights” a partner. Many of Mixteca’s them inaccessible to many workshops in the community. community members were of Mixteca’s constituents. The promodoras build once eligible to apply for solidarity as an antidote to asylum through the U Visa, The fourth area of fear and connect members to but things are not so clear cut programming is fairly new a variety of services available any more, especially for those in implementation, but one from trusted sources. 11 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

fleeing such circumstances in their countries of origin. Shifting the Paradigm: The separation of children from parents is not a direct Violence Against Women issue that Mixteca has had to deal with, but on occasion, For 32 years, The New York Women’s Foundation has been it has facilitated the reunion investing in women-led, community-based solutions to of unaccompanied minors ending the epidemic of violence against women. From with family members in New economic empowerment for women leaving domestic York City. Mixteca cautions violence situations, to specialized services for immigrant relatives who are stepping women escaping abuse, The Foundation has supported a forward to take guardianship wide range of advocacy and direct response services for of minors to first consult survivors and their families. with a trusted attorney and ensure that their own status is secure before contacting To accelerate change in this area, officials. Circumstances like The Foundation made a paradigm shift. these have been used as a snare tactic, making legal Violence against women has largely been framed as a support all the more crucial. women’s issue, but that violence is largely carried out by men. The Foundation invests in men who are eager to disrupt “For me it’s more cultural norms that marginalize and devalue others. We important than ever that the began in 2015 by supporting A Call to Men, an organization community has an intimate that promotes healthy, respectful manhood, and engages relationship with us and that we open our doors to men in taking a leadership role in combatting violence against continue to be there for them, women. We continue to provide funding to help strengthen to be the antithesis of what their programs and those like Mixteca’s, which address the they hear in the news, which learned disrespect, mistreatment, and abuse of women as is daunting and negative. part of the socialization process of boys and young men. Every day, I see community members come in and refuse Through our investment, The Foundation is helping build to lose hope,” says Karla. a base of male leaders and allies working towards the eradication of violence and discrimination against women, Before joining Mixteca, girls, and LGBTQI individuals. Karla Alvarez, a peace- building and human rights practitioner from the Bay Area, was a deputy country tools to the community for Each morning as she director in Mexico, running them to replicate and use. emerges from the subway gender, labor, and youth They are the ones who tell us and walks to the office, Karla violence prevention programs how we need to phrase things has a direct view of the Statue across the country. She firmly and when we should talk to of Liberty, a symbol that believes in the power of people. Every day, I witness has come to represent what building local leadership to be the work ethic and dedication she works for with Mixteca the voice for immigrant justice. of the immigrant community every day. “I see the statue “I see Mixteca as becoming and how much they contribute and remind myself why I’m a place where we are giving to the United States,” she says. here!” she says with a smile. 12 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

GRANTEE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Afua Atta-Mensah, Esq Q & A with Executive Director of Community Voices Heard By Saba Sebhatu, The New School/IGNITE Fellow

Community Voices Heard (CVH) is a member-led, multi-racial up practicing for a little more organization principally comprising women of color and low-income than 10 years under the civil families in New York State. CVH tackles tough issues and builds legal services and learned a lot about power analysis. power to secure racial, social, and economic justice for all New Still, something wasn’t Yorkers. Through grassroots organizing, leadership development, complete. It felt as if there policy changes, and creating new models of direct democracy, CVH was a pocket missing and is creating a truly equitable New York State. what needed to go hand in glove was the idea of strong community organizing... Law 1. Where did you begin of our family members who is very transactional in nature. or what prompted your suffered from the disease of You know my evolution from initial interest in advocacy addiction. I remember the litigation to organizing is or law? Was there a seminal racial inequality dynamics one in which I wanted to be moment as a young woman of litigants in the courtroom. part of something that was that inspired you? I said at that moment that I unapologetic about building wanted to be a lawyer. I later power for brown and black I would say my interest in saw an episode of Law and folk. What would that look law started when I was very Order loosely based on the like if we were together young, maybe 10. Our family Central Park 5 case and it building something that went to court to support one resonated with me. I ended tangibly improves people’s 13 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

lives? I wanted to move relationships with people. results. You need to have to the transformational Sometimes where my well- room for incubation if you and that is why I came to intentioned colleagues go off are either going to win big, Community Voices Heard. course is moving campaigns fail big, or you are going to without a base. I think some learn. That is a radical notion, 2. How can we encourage of us, all of us on the left, that we are going to take women to take up leadership have not spent time building a chances on each other. That roles in their communities base of engaged folks instead is how we are going to make or encourage confidence of talking to our friends. the system better. I think in the ability that they can philanthropic organizations transform their communities? 4. How does that work like The New York Women’s then if you don’t have a Foundation should push their Women who are currently constituency in mind? comrades in philanthropy to in positions like myself and be more radical about how others have to bet on other I think part of one-on-one they do their giving. That will women. And it is unfair in meetings is to help you decide engender organizations to one sense but as a Black what it could be. Let’s say you be more candid about what woman, I am clear that I need are interested in reproductive works and what doesn’t. And to make space for women rights issues—you should also engender some folks and particularly other women be out there talking to folks to be bolder in some of the of color. We don’t want to who may or may not have an pilot work they are doing. stereotype but women are interest in reproductive health more likely to second guess justice. Clearly women of all 6. Any progress to social themselves compared to our types of demographics, and change requires inclusivity. male counterparts. If I could hopefully within there using How do you foster that as a go back to my former self, some intentional analysis, leader in your community? I would say trust yourself you then start asking, where And do you have advice more, trust your gut more is the value add? Who can for other organizers? because you were right. I have better relationships with in that constituency? I would say that the way 3. You mentioned “base- we provide a space where building” in one of your 5. When you hear the inclusivity is seen as a value previous talks. Do you term radical generosity, means we have to speak to have advice for emerging what comes to mind? In everybody. Not everybody is community advocates and what ways can organizers going to buy into what you organizers on how to develop practice radical generosity? are saying. The goal is to get this base, and maintain it? a better understanding and Radical generosity various points of view. That Base-building is treated talks to a different kind of is going to help us as we too much like an afterthought. philanthropy. One that takes build power, and learn, and It is a contact sport. It is risks, that understands that analyze how to win. You would not something you do from movement and movement be surprised as to who is a your office. If you want to building doesn’t fit in one kindred spirit on ideology and do something radical, you package. There are ebbs and winning. As an organization, have to have a face-to-face flows and the radical has the we run a premium on talking— conversation. To me, the idea of its own sustainability going to these meetings and importance of base-building in mind. We see the same trying to figure out what is just giving yourself the thing being done over and they do, why they do it, the time and space to build over and expecting the same manner in which they do it. 14 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

Why does this developer use this financing scheme? Why does this government agency have the policy the way they do? We have to wholesale engage. I think it has to do with engagement, so we aren’t just saying, “no, we have to only speak to these people.” That doesn’t mean we don’t engage with them. We have some values that are not malleable but we still have to engage them.

7. How has CVH galvanized women building solutions in their communities?

We were able to push for the end of the Work a starting wage with benefits. Experience Program Within a year they could be 8. If there are young administratively in New York part of the union. We can women who do not know City. If you were receiving say that is a life change, a where to become informed public assistance, New York generational change based on how to start their City government would make on women who founded this journeys in community you go do something like go organization. Similarly, in organizing, where would pick up garbage or be cleaners our Westchester chapter, we you suggest they begin? at the MTA. If you couldn’t go started Ban the Box—a bill to school, you would have to in Yonkers that would allow Come to CVH and talk to go into the Work Experience folks, who had been previously someone. They should also Program. CVH started this in the criminal justice system, talk to people they respect radical idea that people could access to jobs to take care of or think are interesting. The make policies that affect their themselves and their families. schools are a microcosm lives better than people in unto themselves. We have ivory towers. The idea that How do we do something young women now who punishing women, especially different? We also had a are bold and unapologetic. women with children, for being council member on the When you look at the work poor is not the way to help Yonkers City Council who did a organizers do, it is because it people out of poverty. Living campaign on behalf of then- is deeply personal to them. wages get them out of poverty. candidate 25-year-old Corazon Pineda, who campaigned and As opposed to getting free won. She was the only woman services from people, NYC on the Yonkers City Council government would have to and she brought our bill to the hire people. So we had over floor and was able to get it 200 members who have been passed. This is what happens hired by the MTA—who were when women work together. on public assistance—getting 15 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

she was one of them.

Just a few years before passionately addressing this crowd, Hylton had been released from prison, where she spent almost three decades on charges of murder and kidnapping. But her story began long before that. As a little girl, she had endured years of abuse and molestation in the darkness of a closet, her eyes fixed on the sliver of light coming in under the door. That image prompted the title of her new book, A Little Piece of Light: A Memoir of Hope, Prison and a Life Unbound (Hachette Books, 2018), a powerful read that explores the victimization that often precedes crime.

Co-authored with writer Kristine Gasbarre, this book Donna Hylton comes at an important moment for women. In the midst of the #MeToo movement, Hylton, Wants to Change now 54, and a consultant who speaks on prison issues and women’s rights, is giving a How the Judicial voice to women who remain invisible even in this period of heightened sensitivity.

System Treats Many women in prison have experienced sexual assault, and Hylton, who served nearly Victims of Abuse 27 years, argues that it drives bad decision making, drug By Mireya Navarro use and mental illness. Yet sexual assault is not taken into consideration when women are “My name is Donna Hylton, moment, in this movement, sentenced. “My biggest thing and I’m formerly known as I’m here to talk about those is to get people to understand inmate 86G0206,” Hylton women and those girls that incarceration cannot be shouted into the microphone that society refuses to talk the response,” Hylton said over the roaring crowd at about.” She was referring to when we met at a cafe near the 2017 Women’s March survivors of violence, abuse, her home in Brooklyn. “We in Washington. “But in this and marginalization—because 16 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

[Hylton’s] story stands as a harrowing, yet powerful, picture of what’s possible when women escape brutality and encounter hope, even in the most unlikely of places. —Associated Press

have punished everything that Repeated sexual assaults food and beaten, newspapers we find wrong in a society by her “father,” and later by reported at the time. Hylton of people, not realizing a teacher, pushed Hylton to and most of the other that we’ve perpetuated or run away with a neighbor accomplices were found guilty forced those wrongs.” who offered protection—but and sentenced to 25 years to instead raped her and got life in prison for kidnapping A Little Piece of Light tells her pregnant. Hylton was and second-degree murder. Hylton’s own tragic story. only 16 when her daughter Born in Jamaica, Hylton was Adrienne was born. “I never She was 21. sold by her mentally unstable had a childhood,” she said mother to a New York couple over coffee. “I never saw In her book and in person, of Jamaican descent who were that light within me.” Hylton is adamant that she did known for luring children to the not know beforehand about United States with the promise Hylton eventually returned the kidnapping. She said the of an education. To get her on to the couple in the Bronx, ringleader of the scheme, the plane, Hylton’s mother told who took care of her child an associate of the victim her then 7-year-old daughter while she moved in with two whom prosecutors said was she was going to Disneyland. girlfriends and found a job. a major loan shark, coerced A short marriage to a rapper her by threatening her and her “I was waiting to see followed. Hylton hoped that a daughter’s life. Hylton says Mickey and Minnie Mouse,” modeling career would help her the death of the victim still Hylton remembers. “That’s all start a new life, but she needed haunts her. She starts her I knew.” The couple brought $1,500 for a photo portfolio. A book with an apology: “I am so Hylton to their apartment in coworker offered a solution: sorry that I didn’t help you.” the Bronx and enrolled her in participate in a bizarre debt school, where she excelled collection scheme involving her During her years at Bedford as a student and athlete. But and six others. It turned out to Hills Correctional Facility in the man she was told to call involve the kidnapping of a Long Westchester County, Hylton “father” started molesting Island real estate executive. got into some fights and faced her after she turned nine. sexual assault once again—this When Hylton told his wife and The victim later died of time by a correctional officer. a school counselor about the asphyxiation under the group’s But she also found opportunity. abuse, no one believed her. watch after being deprived of Over her three decades of 17 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

incarceration, she became an In addition, she has her incarceration for women. “We HIV counselor, an organizer in a own initiative, “From Life strived to be as inclusive as domestic violence program, and to Life,” which supports women are diverse, and it was an ordained Christian minister. women’s reentry to society important that we included those She also took writing classes after prison. In 2019, Hylton who’ve spent time in the clutches and completed her Bachelor’s plans to form a nonprofit of our justice system, as well and Master’s degrees. called “A Little Piece of Light” as those who have reached the to focus on providing safe pinnacle of success in their Perhaps even more housing options for women relative fields,” Perez said. importantly, her fellow inmates upon release from prison. became the family she had Since the march, Hylton’s longed for. Many of them And Hylton hasn’t forgotten public appearances have shared the trauma of sexual about the women who are inspired many—but have also violence, and she realized that still behind bars. Through drawn threats and criticism on violence often leads— directly tears, she tells me she is social media. Last May, she was or indirectly—to the crimes lobbying for a bill pending invited to a White House summit for which many women are in the New York legislature on prison reform with Jared Kushner, only to be denied “There’s a link between rates of brutal admittance when she showed up. Despite obstacles, she domestic violence and a prison full of remains committed to her work and to strengthening her own wounded, broken, silenced, crying, relationships. She still visits the women she befriended at desperate women.” Bedford Hills and sends them packages of food and clothing. convicted, including killing that would allow judges to She’s in a relationship with a their abusers. Studies have consider prior abuse as a man she calls “a great friend,” found that most women in New mitigating factor in sentencing and she’s trying to repair the York prisons are survivors of in cases where the crime is bond with her daughter, now physical and sexual abuse. related to the abuse. The law 37, who grew up in her father’s “The fact is undeniable,” Hylton allows judges to consider custody and has struggled with writes. “There’s a link between community-based programs drugs. “My relationship with rates of brutal domestic as an alternative to prison for my daughter is a process,” violence and a prison full of some women, and also allows Hylton says. “She blames me wounded, broken, silenced, women already in prison to for stuff that happened to her crying, desperate women.” apply for re-sentencing. (The because I wasn’t there.” law was passed before the Hylton is now the director publication of this issue.) Perhaps most importantly, of the Women and Girls Hylton continues to work on Project at the Katal Center for Carmen Perez, co-founder of her relationship with herself Health, Equity and Justice in the momentous 2017 Women’s and with the vulnerable Brooklyn, which fights mass March and executive director child she once was. “I talk incarceration. She also works of The Gathering for Justice, to that little girl: ‘It’s okay, as a consultant for Exodus which works on juvenile justice honey. I love you,’” she Transitional Community, issues, said she invited Hylton says. “And I’m going to which offers programs for to speak at the march because take you to Disneyland.” adults and youth affected of Hylton’s deep understanding by the justice system. of the causes and effects of 18 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

On a residential street in Fresh Meadows, Queens, between buildings 18 and 20, I stood baffled at the sliver of alleyway that should theoretically be Unit 19, where the headquarters of the non-profit organization, Women for Afghan Women (WAW), is located. It took me a bit of maneuvering and New York-savvy to finally find the sparkling new facility across the street, but I was glad when I did. While a little hidden, this gem in the community is no secret; for 17 years it has been a haven the female Afghan community in Queens has known they can turn to for services like ESL, driving lessons, citizenship classes, vocational training, children’s leadership programs, and case management. WAW’s New York Community Center has been a staple in the neighborhood since 2001 when it began with 10 volunteers coming together just months before 9/11, eager to support Afghan women who were struggling and torn between the issues Women for prevalent within their community, and the fear of being “Othered” as immigrants in a foreign land. Now WAW Afghan Women has over 750 employees in New York and Afghanistan working tirelessly to improve Bids Farewell to the lives and prospects of Longtime Executive Afghan women indefinitely. At the helm for the last 16 of those 17 years was Women Director, Manizha Naderi for Afghan Women’s Executive Director, Manizha Naderi. She By Siham Inshassi, The New School/IGNITE Fellow joined the organization as a 19 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

volunteer in 2002 while still marriage, forced marriage, the organization in Afghanistan in college studying political or rape, and there were no from the ground up—designing science, because she was resources or support. Many the programs, fundraising, passionate about finding a even had their children with and hiring staff—as well way to improve the lives of them. Naderi worked closely as expanding their work in Afghan women. But times with the Ministry for Women’s New York. Today, WAW has were changing—rapidly. Mere Affairs, as well as the Human 33 facilities in 14 provinces months after WAW opened Rights Commission, the in Afghanistan, employing their doors, the United States Ministry of the Interior, and the over 750 local women and invaded Afghanistan and Ministry of Religious Affairs, supporting over 25,000. ousted the Taliban. Suddenly the country was given a chance at rebirth—and WAW was given With Islamophobia on the rise and a chance to expand their reach. Change was in the air. New immigrant rights being threatened, government in Afghanistan was being erected, and for WAW had to once again think about the first time women had a seat at the table during the their next step. With the help of creation of a new constitution. A Ministry for Women’s Affairs funds from The New York Women’s was created, but there was Foundation’s Resilience NYC still a long way to go. Naderi’s drive and spirit at this critical initiative—a response to changes in point in history catapulted her career, making her the the national political landscape and leader WAW needed at a time when an entire people were the impact of federal policy changes being turned upside down. on women and other disadvantaged In 2003, Naderi went to Afghanistan for a year on communities—WAW worked to build behalf of WAW, where she did a needs assessment, talking out more citizenship training to help to Afghan women all over get community members naturalized. the country to identify the challenges they were facing to gain the government and They are the first and only and the kind of support WAW religious support she needed to organization to work with the could provide them. Women build out WAW in Afghanistan. government to get children and girls in Afghanistan were 5 and older out of the prison frequently subjected to gender In 2006, WAW launched system, providing schooling, discrimination and domestic their first support center healthcare, tutoring, and violence, and literacy rates in Afghanistan, providing caretakers. As a result, they among adult women were family guidance, shelters with are the largest women’s staggeringly low. One of the hidden addresses, and life organization in Afghanistan. first things Naderi did was visit skills training. During this the women’s prisons. Almost time, Naderi was appointed In New York, WAW has every woman she met there Executive Director, building up expanded beyond ESL classes. had run away from an abusive 20 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

They provide leadership training policy changes on women others to the airport, leaving for young girls and—most and other disadvantaged behind family, kids, and other recently—young boys, teaching communities—WAW worked commitments, simply because them about women’s rights and to build out more citizenship someone needed to be there. creating generational change. training to help get community It was this impetus that told They’ve managed cases for members naturalized. Bahram and Naderi that they over 4,600 clients, helping with are stronger together. Most housing, Medicaid, family court, WAW also launched recently, Coalition X hosted and workforce development. Coalition X, a mission to weeks of voter registration Their advocacy and outreach join together 17 women-led, drives among their shared have reached over 20,000 Muslim-led, and immigrant- communities, leading up to Afghans in New York, thanks led partner organizations the midterm elections. to the tireless work of Manizha in New York, to make their Naderi and her dedicated team. collective voices count more. After 16 years, and veritably a lifetime of work, Naderi is stepping down as Executive Director of Women for Afghan Women in order to spend some time with her family—but her legacy will remain. Her successor, the former Country Director in Afghanistan, was hired by her, as was everyone else currently working at Women for Afghan Women. She will stay on as advisor and hand the reins to a powerful group of women she and her entire community trust completely. A year after it was founded, Naderi took this organization from a fledgling idea with a small seed fund When the federal Coalition X is about creating a provided by The Foundation administration changed larger galvanized community, in 2001, to a self-sustaining in 2016, it posed new sharing resources and support, $6.8 million organization. threats to Afghan women and uniting toward common Talking to the staff at the and the organization. With goals. It started in response New York Community Center, Islamophobia on the rise to the Muslim Ban in January it’s clear she leaves behind and immigrant rights being 2017 when volunteers at plenty of hope and energy. threatened, WAW had to WAW, including the current There is still much work to once again think about their New York Program Director be done, both in the relatively next step. With the help of Naheed Samadi Bahram, young new Afghanistan funds from The New York went to JFK Airport to help and in New York—where a Women’s Foundation’s translate for those being new federal administration Resilience NYC initiative—a detained. Afghanistan was not threatens everything they’ve response to changes in the on the list of banned countries, built—but the team Naderi national political landscape but the shared language created is ready to take it on. and the impact of federal of Farsi drove Bahram and 21 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

Grantee partner Chhaya Community Development Corporation

SUPPORTING LEADERSHIP

Learning Circle Brings Development Directors to the Forefront to Drive Nonprofit Success

By Siham Inshassi, The New School/IGNITE Fellow

As part of a continued skills, galvanize their staff, (DoD) together was key to commitment to fostering the cultivate their donor base, its success. Often, DoDs growth of grantee partner and ultimately actualize their can be a forgotten or leadership in the form of dreams for the organization disenfranchised group within capacity-building support, and for themselves as leaders. the nonprofit sector, though grants, and initiatives, The their role of liaising between New York Women’s Foundation The Learning Circle was Executive Directors, donors, partnered with Cause Effective open to grantee partners and program directors is to launch the Development of The Foundation through invaluable. As such, many feel Directors’ Learning Circle. an application process. The isolated in their professional Cause Effective is a New first cohort of 10 people was journeys. The Learning York-based nonprofit with 35 selected based on shared Circle allowed for a safe years of experience helping goals and experiences, and space for DoDs to discuss community-based nonprofits ability to commit to the full their goals and personal plan and implement effective breadth of the program, challenges, compare notes, resource development which included six monthly and share insights that help strategies. This six-month peer sessions and six private each other better serve their program combines peer coaching sessions with respective organizations. support, leadership training, a Cause Effective senior and customized coaching to consultant. While primarily The success of this initiative help new development staff— a professional growth is clear. Participants reported who have anywhere from three opportunity, the Learning gaining new fundraising wins, days to three years in their Circle’s mission to bring successfully executing new current position—build their directors of development events and campaigns, and 22 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

renewing confidence in their abilities to effectively fundraise. As a result, many have advanced in their careers at their respective organizations, and some even advanced into new opportunities in the nonprofit sector. One great success story of this first cohort is that of Aniqa Nawabi, who not only created substantial fundraising growth for Chhaya CDC (where she served as Director of Development), but has since started a new job as the Executive Director of Muslim Community Network Chhaya Community Development Corporation (MCN) in New York. a great way to gain practical, tips and support. It is a model Nawabi started her career realistic insights by talking to a not found anywhere else in as a manager of resource group of peers who were dealing the nonprofit sector, Nawabi development with Chhaya—a with the same issues she was. realizes upon reflection, which nonprofit that works with makes her that much more New Yorkers of South Asian When the program began, grateful for the experience. origin to advocate for and she was amazed to realize build economically stable, that all the women in the Another key component of sustainable, and thriving cohort were in her age group the Learning Circle was the communities. Like many others, and all were working at small private coaching sessions. she was eventually thrust into nonprofits. They were all Nawabi’s experience with the role of Development Director pursuing the same goals and her coach, Greg Cohen after a couple years. When she’d making the same mistakes. (Cause Effective’s Associate started, she originally wanted She was inspired by their Director), built her confidence to be in Programs, but as she collective passion and how in fundraising and taking on a grew she began to realize the much they truly cared about greater leadership role within vital role of development within their organizations. At first, she the organization. While she’d an organization. She was eager took a step back and listened, worked with him prior to the to learn as much as she could eager to learn from their Circle, learning methods of in order to perform her role to experiences and styles. But fundraising, her time during the best of her ability. When as time went on—and with the the Learning Circle was she heard about the Learning additional support of trainings, focused on strategies to build Circle, she was attracted by the speakers, and educational up greater sponsorships duration of the program and, materials provided by Cause and run successful events. most importantly, by the idea Effective—she engaged actively During that time, Chhaya was of a peer network. She’d done and turned to the group as preparing for their annual Gala, a number of one- and two-day more of a shared resource than which she’d been given the training workshops in the past, a learning group. Nearly a year opportunity to lead. With Greg’s and found that after a while later, they are a network, who guidance and encouragement, they became redundant. The still communicate regularly and she gained renewed Learning Circle promised to be meet once a month to exchange confidence in her ability to 23 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

run this event, resulting in an evening that exceeded the Camille Emeagwali, organization’s expectations. Vice President of Programs at The New York It was thanks to this experience that she felt Women’s Foundation, on the origins of The ready to take on an Executive Foundation’s partnership with Cause Effective Director role at a small organization, when the and the purpose of the Learning Circle: opportunity presented itself. The Muslim Community “We’ve had a collaborative partnership with Cause Effective, Network’s (MCN) vision is to and for this program we really wanted to focus on a particular help facilitate the emergence of a Muslim American identity group of leaders. Oftentimes, leadership programs focus on the that transcends generational, executive director or board members—but nothing specific to the ethnic, gender, racial, and development role. What’s interesting about that role is that it can class-based boundaries. With be a great launching pad for the next leap to an executive level. newfound confidence and the opportunity to lead a mission If you’re a good fundraiser and you know the programmatic side, she felt passionate about as you are really the person folks turn to. a Muslim woman herself, she accepted the role of Executive Director of MCN in October “With this program, we wanted to offer tools and training, but 2018. Currently, she manages a also focus on leadership—particularly how to be a leader in the team of four building out MCN’s development role and work in partnership with other positions in platform from the ground up the organization, and help participants build their professional and planning new programs to support the Muslim American network. The team at Cause Effective are experts. But there’s community in New York. nothing like talking to your peers to know different strategies and tips on how to be effective in your role. Cause Effective did As a smaller organization, MCN does not currently employ a great job designing the program and the first year was very a director of development, so successful. It was transformative for participants professionally. Nawabi is doubly grateful for everything she’s learned. She The program fits squarely in line with what The Foundation values the importance of the Development Director role, values: fostering women’s leadership, supporting and and now has the thirst to do strengthening sustainability for organizations, and then the work in a way she never having them be able to think bigger about all of the different did before. “You cannot be an effective Executive Director opportunities available for them to grow their work and if you don’t have the skills their organization. of a Development Director,” Nawabi asserts. And it is her “The Foundation as a value has always invested in long term hope that, knowing what she now knows, she can manage organizational sustainability just as much as we support the her team and her organization work they do. You have to invest in people. Organizations are in a way that is infectious, people. We invest in people. We invest in leaders.” inspiring, and momentous. 24 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

Flying on the Wings of Faith and Feminism Daisy Khan Creates a Map for Innovative Social Change

By Humera Afridi

Daisy Khan is a woman of it her mission, too, to amplify already heavily involved in the multiple missions and many the voices of Muslim women work of her husband, a religious talents. Founder and Executive leaders at the forefront of social leader.” She quit her corporate Director of Women’s Islamic change. Faith and feminism career as an architect and Initiative in Spirituality and are entwined in her work. devoted herself to community Equality (WISE), Khan is also building and “to developing the author of the remarkable One of Khan’s exemplars a blueprint for change,” memoir Born with Wings is Lalla Dad—the female rebel focusing on Muslim women. (Spiegel and Grau, 2018). saint of fourteenth-century The book describes Khan’s Kashmir—who was a “spiritual The rich diversity of riveting journey from an idyllic strategist.” She fused the American Muslims had resulted childhood in Kashmir that traditions of Hinduism and in “balkanized structures that becomes shadowed by war to Islam by blending core values hindered our ability to work her evolution as a bold activist and de-emphasizing conflicts with one another. To rectify and thought leader of Muslim and differences. From unity, this, we needed high-level women’s rights and Islam in Lalla promised, came strength thinking from which innovation America. Khan brims with a and power. Like her early could spring,” she states. Khan restless energy to achieve, and compatriot, Khan is a spiritual immersed herself in a year of to achieve yet more. Committed and cultural bridge-builder. In research and fact-finding to to collaborating across faith the aftermath of 9/11, Khan felt learn about women’s rights and and gender lines to achieve the increasing responsibility leadership. A pivotal turning justice, equality, and peace- of what it meant to be “an point was meeting Helen building across the world, Khan educated Muslim woman…who La Kelly Hunt, whose book is inspired and fortified by her had been empowered by all Faith and Feminism: A Holy deep spirituality. She has made the men in her family and was Alliance illuminated for Khan 25 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

the impact of the faith-based Khan’s work contributed Khan set to work arguments for equality that the to a ban on female genital suffragettes had employed. mutilation in Gambia—no small brainstorming Until then, Khan had struggled feat. Between 2008 and 2015, to reconcile feminism with in partnership with scholar and ways in which to Islam. Now, a path opened up activist Jamila Afghani, she build solidarity before her. Gender equality is enabled the training of 6000 guaranteed in Islam but, over imams (religious clerics) in between the centuries, women’s rights Afghanistan, who would go on to had been stripped away. With become champions of women’s fragmented bold determination, Khan set rights and advocates against groups of Muslim out to rectify the damage. She child marriage. She has been shared her vision with La Kelly instrumental, too, in creating women who were Hunt, who said, “I believe in equitable prayer spaces you and your vision and I will for women in mosques in divided along be the first one to give you Afghanistan and America. “The twenty-five thousand dollars!” mosque is a place that should geographic, And so, in 2006, WISE was welcome women. We keep ideological, and conceived as an initiative. talking about how great we are, how Islam freed women, how socioeconomic Khan set to work we’ve given rights to women brainstorming ways in which over the centuries. But we need lines. to build solidarity between to live these ideals, normalize Khan describes the manual, fragmented groups of Muslim them in our place of worship.” which includes the work of 72 women who were divided along global experts, as her “most geographic, ideological, and A natural multi-tasker, Khan ambitious” project to date: socioeconomic lines. “This admits she wrote her memoir “One of the smallest women’s meant we had to be inclusive at the same time as she was organizations has created the of women with perspectives compiling a hefty research and largest response to terrorism! ranging from traditionalist to evidence-based manual—the This should excite women!” secular feminist to spiritualist very first of its kind—that offers to revivalist to progressive to expertise on practical ways Daisy Khan is deep into literalist.” She turned to the to counter extremism, hate her latest project—a “Know ancient Islamic tradition of crimes, and islamophobia. Your Rights” guide for young shura councils—a social and The 375-page publication, Muslim women in the United religious advisory body— and Wise UP: Knowledge Ends States. “It’s so essential, it’s formed the very first women’s Extremism, was published last so needed that it’s kind of shura council in history, made fall. It is a crucial educational insane no one’s done it yet,” up of female spiritual leaders, tool designed for a broad Khan said, explaining that academics, and activists. audience ranging from marine several of the issues she was Together they created a body officers to mayors, parents, contending with globally were of expertly researched work teachers, attorney generals, actually issues right here in that spoke collectively for and more. It draws attention to the United States—forced women on the critical issues the vulnerability factors that marriage, child marriage, lack of female genital mutilation, enable extremists to recruit of education, female genital women’s leadership, domestic youth and highlights patterns mutilation. “The girls dealing violence, terrorism, adoption, of extremism that repeat with these issues are desperate and the right to education. in different contexts, from because there’s no information ISIS to white supremacists. 26 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

anywhere. There’s no support The work ahead is complex. a community is under attack, group. They think it’s only The Muslim community is identity politics kicks in. People happening to them, but it’s diverse with uniquely varying feel they can’t reveal issues happening community-wide.” issues across cultural lines. happening in the community Child marriage, for instance, is because that’s like airing Khan feels a personal a big issue in some immigrant your dirty laundry—as if it’s sense of responsibility communities. “Some of whom somehow going to contribute towards helping the young want to get their kids married to more islamophobia. The women who, she says, at age 13 or 14. These things ambiance is missing for people come from “very challenged happen over the summer to think critically about this communities” of newly arrived vacation when they take the issue. If we address it as an organization, we can help others because they’re looking for guidance,” explained Khan. Khan feels a personal sense of While Khan has made it responsibility towards helping the young her mandate to be a facilitator, women who, she says, come from “very a remover of obstacles in the lives of women, her own challenged communities” of newly arrived path has not been without challenges. Her relationship immigrants and refugees with little to no with Islam was not always smooth. “How could I resources, where the mother is usually accommodate the dictates of uneducated and where intergenerational Islam and still have a modern life?” she asked herself, setting and cultural conflicts quickly arise. off on a quest that has defined her life’s work. After a period of rebellion, she returned to her faith with a clearer, deeper immigrants and refugees children overseas. The kids understanding while opening with little to no resources, have no recourse. One girl the way for collaboration and where the mother is usually ran away from home and connection with women of uneducated and where came to our office after she faith across the world. Like intergenerational and cultural found us online,” said Khan. Lalla Dad, Daisy Khan is conflicts quickly arise. WISE is convinced of the power and conducting extensive research Parents feel their religion, strength inherent in unity: on how to address the issues traditions, and identity are “When women join together as and to offer help. To have the under attack while the children a united force, we can create a greatest reach and impact, who’ve acclimated to American seismic shift. That’s what I’m the findings will be digitized public school culture feel doing, calling women to unite and easily searchable online. alienated from their elders. All around a common purpose, and “It’s not only about their too often, girls aren’t allowed advance a holistic approach.” rights,” said Khan. “I want to study beyond high school them to feel empowered, I and are forced into domestic want them to educate others roles at home or married because what’s our future immediately after graduation. going to be if we don’t?” Complicating matters is the issue of islamophobia. “When 27 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

RADICAL GENEROSITY

From left to right: Tarana Burke, founder and leader of the ‘me. too.’ Movement; Haley & Michaels, 2018 Radical Generosity Honorees; Alyssa Milano, 2018 Radical Generosity Honoree. A Look Back at our Radical Generosity Gala By Nina Rodgers The Me Too movement distinct paths, they are unified to write a song for anyone who has taken the world by in their commitment for change. has ever felt silenced, so that storm over the last year, “Everyone we are honoring millions of survivors could propelling the many stories this evening has been doing reclaim their voices. Honoree of survivors from the margins what they are doing for a long Adrienne Becker of Level to the center. The New York time,” Ana Oliveira, President Forward—an organization Women’s Foundation’s 2018 and CEO of The Foundation, created to back film projects by Radical Generosity honorees said. “They all share the ability women and people of color— have long been stepping to be ordinary people with echoed these sentiments by forward in the fight for social extraordinary determination, declaring the importance of justice, especially as allies vision and that the unflinching women being seen, heard and and advocates for survivors courage to continue in spite sharing stories that reflect of sexual harassment and of others not seeing them.” diverse experiences. “Being violence. While Alyssa Milano, seen is not a privilege. It is Haley & Michaels, Mary T. Kicking off the evening with a right. And it is a right that Bassett and Level Forward the movement-inspired song belongs to everyone, and not co-founders Abigail E. Disney, Me Too were honorees Haley & just a select few,” Becker Adrienne Becker, Rachel Gould Michael. The Nashville-based said. “Stories are a path to the and Angie G. Wang may walk Sony Music duo were moved unknown. They enable us to 28 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

transcend our own experiences, to rise up from our bodies, out of our skins, away from our prejudices, our proclivities, into a space of compassion and mutual understanding, a path to reconciliation.”

Me Too Movement founder and leader Tarana Burke delivered a powerful introduction of final honoree actress and activist Alyssa Milano. On October 15, 2017, Milano tweeted to her followers: “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet.” The overwhelming amount of responses allowed the Me Too hashtag and personal experiences of women to be thrust into national attention, bringing the subject of violence

and harassment against Emcee Ted Bunch of grantee partner A Call to Men set the tone for the evening, acknowledging the year women from the margins to as one of challenges, but ultimately for the reflection, growth and liberation of both men and women. the center. While #MeToo had been created nearly a decade earlier by Burke, Milano’s viral tweet opened the door to conversations on the movement at a scale not yet seen. But as Burke described, there could have been a moment of conflict over whose movement Me Too was. Milano’s initial outreach to Burke and extending a hand in solidarity made clear that the movement is one for all survivors to stand together. “It is because of Tarana Burke that I have hope that the words ‘me too’ have always been more than just a testament to our past, but that they are a

prayer to our future,” Milano 2018 Radical Generosity Gala honoree Dr. Mary T. Bassett with The New York Women’s Foundation’s proclaimed. Alyssa Milano’s Walking Stick Award. Dr. Bassett holds over 30 years of public health experience, including serving as Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene for New York City. acceptance speech was a rallying call in declaring the 29 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

power women stand in as survivors. “We are the heroes of our own story,” Milano said. “We want to end this spectrum of sexual violence, and harassment and assault once and for all, and we want to dismantle the systems that allowed these crimes to go on for far too long.”

The Foundation responded to the call to action of ending gender-based violence posed by Alyssa Milano and all honorees, with Ana Oliveira announcing the first grant recipients of the Fund to Co-Founders of Level Forward - Rachel Gould, Adrienne Becker and Angie Wang with their Radical Support the Me Too Movement Generosity Walking Stick and Allies. “We are supporting the movement in achieving its goals of justice and the healing of survivors,” Oliveira said. “For too many, the resources to achieve these goals are lacking, especially in rural, working class, and immigrant communities and communities of color.” These recipients include Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective, Black Women’s Blueprint, DC Rape Crisis Center, Equality Labs, FreeFrom, The Firecracker Foundation, The “me too.” Movement and Violence Intervention Program. Support provided to these organizations brings The Foundation’s impacts to a national scale, and strengthens each organization’s longstanding efforts in dismantling systems that allow sexual violence to persist in communities,

Margarita Guzman, Executive Director of grantee partner Violence Intervention Program (VIP), gave an and ensures the momentum impassioned speech at the Gala. VIP is a community leader in preventing gender-based violence. and awakening of the Me Too movement is sustained beyond news cycles and hashtags. 30 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

2018 Radical Generosity Honorees Haley & Michaels kicked off the evening 2018 Radical Generosity Gala co-chairs Jean Shafiroff (left) and Lola C. West with a powerful performance of their song Me Too, inspired by the (right) with Me Too Movement founder/creator Tarana Burke. movement to uplift the voices of survivors of sexual assault.

Radical Generosity honorees Angie Wang, Rachel Gould and Adrienne Becker—co-founders of Level Forward; Alyssa Milano; Mary T. Bassett; Tarana Burke and Foundation President/CEO Ana Oliveira.

Radical Generosity Gala honoree, activist and actress Alyssa Milano shares The Foundation’s signature fall event was held at The Plaza Hotel, where a a laugh with Me Too Movement founder/creator Tarana Burke, and sold-out crowd gathered to celebrate the evening’s honorees. Foundation board member Yvonne Moore. 31 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

NEIGHBORHOOD DINNER

Ana L. Oliveira, President/CEO of The New York Women’s Foundation with 2018 Neighborhood Dinner honorees Alyssa Aguilera, Cynthia Gordy Giwa and Julia Jean-Francois. These were the evocative words of Laurie A. Cumbo, We Are The Storm: New York City Council Majority Leader for Brooklyn’s 35th District, in her opening remarks at The New York Neighborhood Women’s Foundation Annual Neighborhood Dinner in Brooklyn on November 15th, 2018. This annual Dinner 2018 event celebrates the diverse cultures of our city and the courageous leaders By: Siham Inshassi, The New School/IGNITE Fellow who work to strengthen its communities. Held each year “When it comes to dynamic women, in a different borough, the Neighborhood Dinner honors there is no storm that can stop us… outstanding women for their community leadership and because we are, in fact, the storm.” inspiring entrepreneurship. The 2018 event honored three truly deserving women. 32 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

Despite the unexpected After an enthusiastic New York City Council Majority snowstorm raging all welcome from Kwanza Butler, Leader Laurie Cumbo providing opening remarks. afternoon, it was an almost co-chair to The Foundation’s full house in the Lepercq Board of Directors, Cumbo’s Space at the Brooklyn speech fired up the crowd. We Academy of Music (BAM) celebrated the recent sweep in Fort Greene. All the of women entering Congress boroughs of New York were following the midterm represented; even Staten elections, recognizing not Island made it through the only the breadth of female white tundra to be a part of entrants, but the diverse depth this amazing night. We women of backgrounds and points were dynamic, indeed. We of view that will be added to all switched out our heels the conversations happening for sensible, fashionable at the highest levels of our boots and weathered that government. She spoke storm like we do everything of motherhood, and of the else. Every single woman sheer awe-inspiring strength in attendance (and the few and tireless perseverance men as well!) knew the mothers achieve day in and know that being a mother importance of supporting and day out. She related stories and being successful never celebrating the achievements of her 15-month-old child need be mutually exclusive. of great women acting in that were equal parts funny, and for their communities heartwarming, endearing, The first award of the to enrich lives and create a and uplifting—and reminded evening, a Neighborhood better future for all of us. anyone who didn’t already Leadership Award, went to Alyssa Aguilera, Co-Executive Director of VOCAL-NY, a statewide grassroots organization that builds power among low-income people impacted by HIV/AIDS, drug use, homelessness, and mass incarceration. Under her leadership, the organization expanded two-fold and created dozens of new policies to support New York’s most vulnerable residents. In her speech, Aguilera spoke of the success of their Mother’s Day initiative, Mama’s Bail Out Day NYC. They exceeded their fundraising goal by double, raising $60,000 to bail out Black mothers who were separated from their families 2018 Neighborhood Dinner Co-chairs Gail Hochman and Stacy Cumberbatch, Honoree Julia Jean-Francois, Emcee Rhonda Joy McLean, Honorees Alyssa Aguilera and Cynthia Gordy Giwa, CEO & President Ana by the punitive cash bail Oliveira, Board Co-Chair Kwanza Butler and Vice President of Programs Camille Emeagwali. system. This groundbreaking 33 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

news elicited a roar of settlement house that Throughout the night, applause from the audience provides integrated human from cocktails to dessert, and a standing ovation for her services to over 15,000 the energy of the room amazing service. The room individuals per year. But the was fueled by the dynamic was alight with our cheers. work she does that’s most force of the night’s Master stirring is her cooperative of Ceremonies, Rhonda Joy The next honoree business development McLean, former co-chair of was Cynthia Gordy Giwa, program, which has incubated The Foundation’s Board of recipient of the Spirit of over 15 worker-owned Directors. McLean is a long- Entrepreneurship Award. businesses—including Brightly time supporter and advocate The first White House Cleaning, the first worker- for The Foundation, having correspondent for Essence owned cleaning cooperative volunteered and worked with magazine and an award- winning journalist who’s written for the Washington Post, NPR, and Slate, Giwa did not have to step up and create Black-Owned Brooklyn. At least not for her own gain. She saw a gap in her community and decided to fill it, and it’s that spirit, drive, and passion that inspired us. She recognized that many Black- owned businesses in Brooklyn were not getting the kind of publicity needed to support their growth—and that 30 percent of these businesses had disappeared in the last five years due to gentrification. So she created Black-Owned Brooklyn, a curated guide From left to right: Ann Marie Almeida, Vice President of Development at The New York Women’s Foundation; to Black-owned, Brooklyn- Rhonda Joy McLean, Neighorbood Dinner emcee and former Foundation Board Co-Chair; and William Craig. based brands and the people behind them—to show off the franchise. Most recently, this the organization in various best in local food and drink, company launched their first capacities for the last 25 art, design, beauty, wellness app at UpAndGo.coop, where years. I could go on for miles and culture, and to build you can book home cleaning about all the great things that support for Black ventures. services right from your McLean is—lawyer, author, phone. Jean-Francois spoke businesswoman—but on The evening’s third with the impassioned vigor of this night she was one thing: honoree, Julia Jean- a long-time fighter within the fiercely spirited. Through the Francois, received the second community, and that energy cocktail hour, McLean milled Neighborhood Leadership bled into the room, reminding about, her bright flowing Award. She is the Co-Director us that great work can be, has dress and animated laughter at the Center for Family Life been, and continues to be done permeating the air as—I could in Sunset Park, Brooklyn—a in the community, as long as swear—she talked with every neighborhood-based we’re supporting each other. single person in the room. 34 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

Then we sat down to Foundation, to “refuel” via a snow shoes to the menu dinner and she took the stage, simple text transaction. with filled with southern comfort regaling us with stories of a screen projection showing foods; from the local artist her first Celebrating Women us in real time the donations and musician who performed Breakfast, a signature event stacking up. We all pulled out during the cocktail hour of The Foundation—and how our phones and then watched to the Steering Committee led by Brooklyn natives and longtime supporters, Stacey Cumberbatch and Gail B. Hochman (who worked tirelessly to sell tickets and sponsorships to make this night possible); and for all the women in attendance who fiercely stand up every day … it was simply, quintessentially Brooklyn.

Groundswell artist Micaela Anaya.

inspired she was (as I was the numbers cascade, and we that night and at my own cheered. When there were first Breakfast last May) lulls, McLean took to the mic at the hypnotic energy of a again, relentless. At one point, “mobilized posse of women she even started singing, and united for the greater good.” soon we all were, clapping She had us at hello. She joked and looking back at the board, with us in the introductory avidly waiting. We watched speech, “I grew up in the the numbers spin toward the Bible Belt so you know there’s $25,000 mark and the room going to be some church up erupted. We reached our goal. in here tonight!” Regardless of your religious affiliations You could say this night or lack thereof, you couldn’t was incredible, but I would help but be drawn to the argue against that. From a sermon of strong superwomen semantic point of view, that this MC was preaching. means it was unbelievable. But it wasn’t. It was so During dinner, we were very believable—from our invited to donate to The versatile outdoor-to-indoor 35 WINTER 2019 I ACTIVIST PHILANTHROPIST

Neighborhood Leadership honoree Alyssa Aguilera, Co-Executive Director The Foundation’s annual Neighborhood Dinner was hosted in the Lepercq of grantee partner VOCAL-NY, is pictured with a supportive member of the Space at Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) in Fort Greene. organization.

Spirit of Entrepreneurship awardee Cynthia Gordy-Giwa poses with Council Majority Leader Laurie A. Cumbo greets attendees at the Kwanza Butler, Co-Chair of The Foundation’s Board of Directors. Neighborhood Dinner. 39 BROADWAY, 23rd FLOOR NEW YORK, NY 10006

Since 1987, The New York Women’s Foundation has advanced a dynamic philanthropic strategy based on the fundamental reality that, when women thrive, their families and communities also thrive. The Foundation is the largest women-led grantmaking organization in the United States, and one of the top two in the world. We invest in women-led, community- based solutions that promote the economic security, safety, and health of the most underinvested women in New York City. We foster women’s leadership, create partnerships that spark catalytic change, exchange insights with experts across sectors, and empower women by training them in activism and philanthropy to accelerate and sustain forward progress.

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