News and Media
Welcome to Washington Area Women’s Foundation’s media center, where you’ll find the latest news articles, blogs and radio stories about our work–often featuring interviews with members of our staff and community. If you’re a reporter and would like to speak with a member of our staff, Grantee Partner or donor community, please contact Lisa Kays, our Communications and Marketing Officer.
Visit our archives to find previous media materials organized by topic.
Latest News and Highlights
Washington Business Journal highlights Early Child Care and Education Collaborative!
On August 15, 2008, the Washington Business Journal highlighted the partnership of corporate leaders working with The Women’s Foundation on a local collaborative devoted to the issue of child care and early education. Read the full piece online, or view the PDF.
Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity highlights national coalition of women’s funds’ innovative policy work
On August 6, 2008, Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity featured a commentary by president Phyllis Caldwell on the innovative policy work being conducted by a national coalition of women’s funds. The amibitious work of the coalition is focused on reframing the national debate and dialogue around poverty, leading to policies that significantly improve the ability of women and their families to achieve economic security.
African American Women’s Giving Circle featured on the front page of The Washington Post!
On July 31, 2008, the African American Women’s Giving Circle was featured on the front page of The Washington Post in an an article titled, "A Circle with a Deep Center: Black Women Pool Resources in Grass-Roots Effort to Alleviate D.C.’s Social Ills." View the story online. PDF version.
Phyllis Caldwell discusses in the Washington Business Journal why it’s important than ever to give in today’s tough economy.
In the June 20, 2008 edition of the Washington Business Journal, Phyllis Caldwell, president of The Women’s Foundation, offers an op-ed about why it’s more important than ever to give in times of economic downturn to those who are the most impacted, and discusses strategies for how to stretch your philanthropic dollar. PDF.
Laurie Emrich discusses her philanthropic vision, her investment in Women Moving Millions and Stepping Stones in Women’s E-news!
"I want to live in a world where cooperation, equity and justice thrive. To make that happen I try to follow the advice of 1960s rhythm and blues singer-songwriter Wilson Pickett: ‘Ya gotta shake whatcha brought whicha,’" says Laurie Emrich on June 5, 2008 in a column in Women’s E-news about her philanthropic vision and her decision to invest in The Women’s Foundation and Women Moving Millions. Read Laurie’s column here.
Stepping Stones wins Changing the Face of Philanthropy Award!
Philantopic and Washington Grantmakers have the buzz on the Women’s Funding Network’s awards for innovations in philanthropy for 2008–one of which was to Stepping Stones!
Women Moving Millions and Stepping Stones in the Washington Post!
The Washington Post’s regional briefing on May 1, 2008 covered the Women Moving Millions campaign, with mentions to two of The Women’s Foundation’s major donors and supporters, as well as the Stepping Stones initiative. See the article here!
Northern Virginia Magazine features Deb Gandy and her commitment to The Women’s Foundation!
Northern Virginia Magazine’s May 2008 issue features a profile of The Women’s Foundation’s board chair, Deborah Gandy, and her years of service to her community and to The Women’s Foundation. Check it out here!
1K Club Profiled by Washington Business Journal!
On April 11, 2008, the Washington Business Journal’s Jonathan O’Connell profiled the 1K Club–The Women’s Foundation’s newest philanthropic network–in an article titled, "Women’s foundation lures new generation of givers."
Grantee Partner Ascensions Community Services Profiled in Washington Times!
Leadership Awardee and Grantee Partner Ascensions Community Services, which provides mental health care to residents of Washington, D.C.’s Wards 7 and 8, was profiled in an April 2008 Washington Times article, "Commitment to DC families deserves honor." The article also discusses the impact of a grant to Ascensions by The Women’s Foundation’s African American Women’s Giving Circle. (PDF)
Washington Area Women’s Foundation and Trinity University launch Women’s Small Business Directory!
Washington Post In Brief on February 28, 2008: Start-up Help for Women (PDF)
Washington Examiner on February 20, 2008: Small-business resource for women comes online.
Leadership Awards Online Vote mentioned in Washington Post’s In Brief!
On January 31, 2008, the Leadership Awards Online Vote was noted in the Washington Post’s In Brief section. Article (PDF).
Phyllis Caldwell on WAMU!
On January 21, 2008, Phyllis Caldwell offered a commentary on WAMU on how the civil rights movement has impacted women in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. To listen to the podcast click on the play button below.
Leadership Awards Online Vote covered by Jerry Phillips on Metro Talk!
On January 20th, 2008, Lisa Kays discussed The Women’s Foundation’s upcoming Leadership Awards Online Vote on Washington Post Radio’s Metro Talk with Jerry Phillips. Click below to listen.
BizChicksRule Blog Features Leadership Awards Online Vote!
On January 15, 2008, the BizChicksRule blog featured a post about the Leadership Awards online vote.
Washington Post features pro bono partnership with The Bivings Group
Steven Pearlstein’s December 21, 2007 column, "Softening Economy Doesn’t Harden Hearts" features the pro bono partnership between The Women’s Foundation and The Bivings Group–which developed and maintains TheWomensFoundation.org–as an example of local corporate giving. (PDF)
The Women’s Foundation announces new president!
The news about Phyllis R. Caldwell joining The Women’s Foundation as its new president has been covered by a number of media outlets:
Washington Post: "New at the Top: Phyllis R. Caldwell." (PDF)
Washington Business Journal: "Bank of America exec heads to nonprofit."
Washington Post:Appointments(PDF) and Regional Briefing: "Women’s Foundation Names Chief"
BizChicksRule: "Washington Area Women’s Foundation President Phyllis R. Caldwell Profiled in Washington Post"
Washington Grantmakers Daily: "Washington Area Women’s Foundation announces new president"
Philanthropy News Digest: "People in the News (12/02/07): Appointments and Promotions"
Washington Times: "Movers and Shakers"
News on Women: "Phyllis Caldwell Caldwell Made President of The Washington Women’s Foundation"
D.C. Examiner: "Three Minute Interview: Phyllis Caldwell."
Ayuda Today honors The Women’s Foundation’s commitment to their work!
In their fall 2007 newsletter, Grantee Partner Ayuda honored The Women’s Foundation’s commitment to their work helping immigrant women escape domestic violence and achieve financial independence. The Women’s Foundation’s Senior Program Officer, Carolee Summers-Sparks, is quoted. View the article.
Capitol File profiles Washington 100!
When Washington 100 held their official launch party to celebrate the inaugural group of more than 100 members, Capitol File covered the story about this amazing group of philanthropic leaders investing in women and girls. See the story!
In October 2007, Marjorie Sims discussed the value of investing in women and girls, and how you can get involved on Comcast Newsmakers!
Chronicle of Philanthropy features African American Women’s Giving Circle!
The October 2007 edition of the Chronicle of Philanthropy reported on the African American Women’s Giving Circle and The Women’s Foundation’s unique approach to diverse, inclusive philanthropy. Read all about it here!
Marjorie Sims speaks out on the power of the new "women’s work" in the Washington region on WAMU! On Labor Day, Interim President Marjorie Sims offers a commentary on the power of investing in pathways to nontraditional work for women in our region in a commentary on WAMU (September 3, 2007). Click here to listen to Marjorie on WAMU. Then, on September 14, she offered a powerful commentary on the gains yet to be made for women throughout our region.
Marjorie Sims and Telaekah Brooks Discuss The Power of Women’s Philanthropy on Smooth Jazz 105.9 FM’s Spectrum
On Sunday, May 27, 2007, Marjorie Sims, chief operating officer of The Women’s Foundation, and Telaekah Brooks, chair of the business management and public administration departments of Southeastern University, a Grantee Partner of The Women’s Foundation, joined Spectrum host Tom Grooms live in the studio at Smooth Jazz 105.9 FM to discuss workforce development opportunities for low-income women in our region, the power of women’s philanthropy and more. To listen to the broadcast, click here.
Wall Street Journal and Tactical Philanthropy On Giving Circles–and The Women’s Foundation’s Expertise!
On May 18, 2007, the Wall Street Journal’s article, "When Small Donors Get Together," discussed local giving circles, with a mention to The Women’s Foundation, and Tactical Philanthropy cited The Women’s Foundation as "cornering the market" on giving circles!
Washington Times Column Lauds Stepping Stones and Training Futures as Investments in the Economic Security of Women!
"’The greatest gift I can have this Mother’s Day is to see my children whole, healthy and functioning adults,’ said Linda Butler of Prince William County, Va., who raised herself and her two daughters out of poverty with the help of a Washington Area Women’s Foundation program," writes Adrienne Washington about Stepping Stones in her May 11, 2007 column titled "Lasting security a Mother’s Day Wish for many" in the Washington Times. The column discusses the value of programs like Stepping Stones as a long-term investment paving the way to economic security for low-income women in our region. "Mothers need gifts that last longer than the blooms from long-stemmed roses," concludes Washington.
The Jackie Guerra Show Talks Stepping Stones with Nisha Patel!
On April 7, Program Officer Nisha Patel was a guest on The Jackie Guerra Show, where she shared insights about Stepping Stones and the opportunities it provides for low-income women and families. To tune into the Web cast, click here!
The Afro-American Newspaper Profiles The Women’s Foundation and Virtuous Enterprises!
In a February 21, 2007 article titled, "Sisterhood of financial knowledge," reporter Alafaka Opuiyo with The Afro-American Newspaper discussed the impact Virtuous Enterprises, one of our Grantee Partners, is having on the financial security and literacy of women in Prince George’s County, as well as the importance of their partnership with The Women’s Foundation in their work to empower women and girls in our region.
Anne Mosle featured by Women’s E-News!
Anne Mosle’s participation in a panel hosted by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research on the release of their report, The Best and Worst State Economies for Women, is featured in the February 5, 2007 edition of Women’s E-news in an article titled, "Capital’s Women Tell Tale of Two Countries."
Letter from Claudia Thorne on African American Women’s Giving Circle in Washington Post!
Claudia Thorne, a member of our African American Women’s Giving Circle, writes in the Washington Post about her experience of the Joy of Philanthropy and how she’s found that anyone can be a philanthropist when people come together to serve their community!
Rainmakers profiled in New York Times!
Washington Area Women’s Foundation giving circle, The Rainmakers, are profiled in the New York Times Giving Section article, “Putting Their Heads Together, Then Their Cash” on November 13, 2006. Read what Anne Mosle, president of The Women’s Foundation and Barbara Strom Thompson have to say about the strategic impact of giving circles and see the terrific photo taken at the Middle School for Girls at Anacostia, which received a $10,000 grant for a reading program from The Rainmakers.
Anne Mosle and Phyllis Caldwell quoted in Washingtonian!
Washington Area Women’s Foundation’s President Anne Mosle and Washington 100 donor and community leader Phyllis Caldwell are quoted on the potential of Washington area women donors in the November issue of the Washingtonian in the article, "Doing Well, Doing Good".
Marjorie Sims quoted in DC Examiner!
Vice President of Program and Operations Marjorie Sims was quoted in the DC Examiner on the purpose and popularity of The Women’s Foundation blog among current and potential donors. The Bivings Group, The Women’s Foundation pro bono website provider, is also featured. Read the article here!
Washington Area Women’s Foundation profiled in Washington Hispanic!
The Washington Area Women’s Foundation was profiled in Washington Hispanic for supporting programs that expand economic opportunities for immigrant women. Read more about what Program Officer Nisha Patel had to say in either Spanish or English.