Council of Michigan Foundations NewsWire

June 18, 2007

By Mike Gallagher

Women today are making a significant impact in their communities through their work, as volunteers and as idea generators, but there is a need to take that wisdom and strength and move in force into the political world, says one of the nation’s leading advocates for empowering women.

Marie Wilson, the founder and president of The White House Project, former president and CEO of the Ms. Foundation and co-creator of the national “Take Your Daughter To Work Day”, brought her message of political equality and involvement for all women to the annual meeting of the Michigan Grantmakers for Women and Girls held recently in Lansing.

The Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) sponsored the Michigan Grantmakers for Women and Girls event entitled Public Policy and Funding Change: Moving a Women’s Agenda Forward.

The day-long meeting also featured speaker Rosalynn Bliss, a Grand Rapids City commissioner who spoke on the topic of “Changing Policy at the Local Level” by sharing examples of how women are making an impact in their Michigan communities. Bliss also provided insight into her successes and frustrations with the political machinations she has to deal with in her elected position.

Rounding out the annual meeting was a discussion led by Brenda Hunt, president and CEO of the Battle Creek Community Foundation and a panel of women grantmakers entitled: “Life After Prop 2: Accomplishing Our Philanthropic Goals”.

Hunt was joined by Sheri Brady, director of public policy at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation; Nanette Reynolds, president and CEO of The Image Fund; and Mary Ann Taylor, planned giving specialist and general counsel of the Battle Creek Community Foundation.

Wilson set the tone for the day as the keynote speaker, saying the time has come for women to step up and run for political office, especially at the local and county levels.

“We have to get the women who have been the government in exile into the power positions in our communities to where they have enough power to make a difference on important issues that during the past decades have just been debated over and over and over again,” says Wilson.

Noting her audience of women grantmakers, the renowned feminist shared her views on funding priorities.

“I am here to tell you that if you are not funding advocacy, if you are not funding public policy, if you are not funding deep civic engagement and if you are not putting the people who have been affected by these issues into the power positions, you are not doing anything. Those are the only ways we will make changes in this country.”

Wilson detailed the national initiative she has founded to create programs to help women succeed.

“The White House Project is a national, non-partisan, nonprofit organization with a mission to advance women’s leadership in all communities and sectors up to the U.S. presidency,” notes Wilson. “Through multi-platform programs, The White House Project creates a culture where America’s most valuable untapped resource – women – can succeed in all realms.

“This is our moment: a time when equal representation in every sphere – economic, political, cultural – is urgently needed,” says Wilson. “It’s a moment when we can’t afford to think with half a mind, to speak with half a voice, to act with half a heart. We are at a moment when the country is ready, at least, to step beyond old-boy networks, partisan bickering and repeating loops of the same talking heads and to step into something new. We are ready to embody our highest ideals, to be truly free and fair, open and inclusive.”

Grand Rapids City Commissioner Bliss echoed Wilson’s call to action for women, saying, “We can make a difference and we can have a strong voice in those governmental decisions that are affecting each of our lives and those of our families and friends. To do so women may have to make some sacrifices so they can run for political office and serve the public. It is hard, but it is gratifying and important.”

Bliss shared anecdotes involving her indoctrination into the world of Grand Rapids politics when she first began serving as Second Ward commissioner in January 2006, including run-ins with patronizing male commissioners and anti-female sentiment among some.

“The women’s voice needs to be heard…and I hope that other women may take up the challenge and run for office and serve with me,” says Bliss.

Another session at the annual meeting addressed the issue of Proposition 2 – the anti-affirmative action amendment to the Michigan Constitution - and its impact on Michigan residents.

Grantmakers Brady, Reynolds and Taylor shared their belief that the courts will ultimately determine the implications of Proposal 2, especially as it relates to scholarships funds previously established – or to be established – by foundations and other donors to help minorities and women with special circumstances.

“The judicial system will have to interpret the language of the amendment and apply their interpretations to public policies and programs,” says Reynolds.

Brady notes that related issues that need to be addressed include the control by public educational institutions of the distribution of targeted funds and also the ability of foundations and others “post-Proposal 2” to make grants for financial aid targeted to particular groups such as minorities and women.

“It is important that donor intent be preserved,” says Reynolds, particularly for grants made before Proposal 2 went into effect. “The courts will have to sort out what it all means.”

Those attending the annual meeting said they felt the speakers and topics were exceptional and the information provided could be applied to the work being done by foundations today.

Wilson’s message resonated strongly with Brenda Hunt, president and CEO of the Battle Creek Community Foundation.

“Foundations through their grantmaking can have a powerful impact on issues that affect not only women, but everyone in society today. Every foundation has to make its own decision about its level of political involvement …but there is a need to promote the role of women in government, business and other leadership positions,” says Hunt.

For more information about other White House Project programs designed to promote women’s involvement in both state and national politics and to share their expertise with the media and the public, visit www.TheWhiteHouseProject.org.