January 2016 Newsletter: Living Our Mission
Happy New Year! For the Women's Foundation, this year is all about living our mission to be a truly statewide Foundation.
Toward that end, in 2016 we are going to:
Release a statewide report about the status of women and girls in Oregon
Conduct an 11-stop statewide listening tour to hear from women and girls
Make 100% of our grants to organizations outside of Multnomah County
Recruit at least 100 members from outside the Portland metro area
Read more about our 2016 grantmaking in this month's Investment Update, and stay tuned for ongoing announcements about the report, our members, and the listening tour. Thank you, as always, for your terrific support!
Warmly,
Emily Evans
Executive Director, Women’s Foundation of Oregon
FOUNDATION UPDATES
INVESTMENT UPDATE
This month’s Investment Update is all about our 2016 grantmaking. We’re delighted to announce that this year, as a part of our transition to a statewide Foundation, we’ve decided that 100% of our grants will be awarded to organizations that are based outside of Multnomah County (or that serve a majority of clients who live outside of Multnomah County).
In December, we invited 23 organizations to submit invitation-only Letters of Intent (the first step in our process) to the Foundation. Over the next several months, we will be reviewing the proposals and conducting site visits to select a ballot of finalists for the Foundation’s members to vote on this May.We're going to award $60,000 in grants in 2016. We can already tell that it’s going to be another amazing ballot this year!
In addition to our grantmaking efforts, we are excited to support the gender-specific service provider community by releasing our comprehensive report on the status of women and girls; conducting an 11-stop Listening Tour throughout the state, and including provider events, volunteer opportunities, and stories in every newsletter. Make sure to send any newsletter items to news@w-for.org. Here’s to a wonderful year of grantmaking and partnership with the extraordinary service providers in Oregon!
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Meet Annalisa Fredrickson, this year's Holiday Happy Hour raffle winner and proud Women’s Foundation member!
Name: Annalisa Fredrickson
Age: 44
Occupation: Director at AMF Consulting, working with children and families experiencing autism.
Member of the Women's Foundation since:
December 2015
What’s your favorite spot in Oregon?
My backyard. There are so many memories of growing up in this great state; currently I love sitting in the back corner of our space and watching my kiddo play in the clean air.
What quality do you most admire in others?
Flexibility and an open mind.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I would love love to be able to sing!
What was your first volunteer experience?
I was in seventh grade when I volunteered to help with Special Olympics in Eugene. It was a deeply humbling experience.
What’s the best place to eat in our great state?
I'm going to go with fresh crab drenched in butter surrounded by family and friends at the coast. Nothing better!
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Moving to NYC solo. I made an amazing life for 11 years and came home to Portland with a Jersey man and a toddler. Best thing I ever did for myself.
What is your personal motto?
"It's not my story." I had a new client who was devastated by the diagnosis her son was given. She scoured the internet and called me while very upset. I told her to turn it all off; none ofthose stories were HER story. My daughter came 10 weeks early and was in the hospital for 2 months after delivery. This same client came in and reminded me to turn off the internet and silence the voices; those stories were not MY story.
What’s your most treasured possession?
The charm bracelet I got from my Farmor (Swedish for father's mother) when I was 16. It was her mother's before her and it will be my daughter's one day. It tells an amazing family story.
What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
Recognizing the moment and drinking it in .
What makes you laugh uncontrollably?
Old friends. There is nothing like creating new moments with women you've known a long time who unconditionally love you.
Why are you a member of the Women’s Foundation?
It's such an amazing organization and has the potential to be a long - lasting influence on the lives of women in this state and beyond. Anne Foster (Women's Foundation board member)has been one of the blocks of my foundation for over twenty years. With women like her on the board there is nothing that Women's Foundation cannot accomplish and I am so proud to be a member.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Volunteer for Dress for Success Oregon!
Dress for Success Oregon (DSFO) empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Established in 1998, Dress for Success Oregon has helped over 18,000 low income women become and stay employed. In 2014, DFSO served more than 1,500 women workers in transition.
Dress for Success enthusiastically welcomes volunteers to help support their mission year-round. They are also holding two events this spring that they encourage Women's Foundation members to volunteer for or attend:
Celebrate Success 2016!
April 29, 2016
Portland Art Museum
Celebrate Success is DFSO's signature fundraising event of the year, highlighting the impact of Dress for Success Oregon while celebrating Dress for Success Oregon clients and women in our community through our highly-anticipated reception, auction and dinner!
Acey's Closet Spring Sale
March 10-12, 2016
Shop til’ you drop at the clothing sale that benefits Dress for Success Oregon, where excess clothing inventory is sold to help fund local programs. This event is open to the public so mark your calendar and bring a friend!
For information on these events and additional volunteer opportunities, contact Mich Nelson at michn@dressforsuccessoregon.org.
OREGON NEWS TO KNOW
Oregon becomes the first state to offer OTC birth control
Wilsonville woman set the standard for women in finance
Oregon one of four states to receive 'A' for reproductive health
One in ten Oregon cops is a woman
COMMUNITY EVENTS
January 22: Naral Pro-Choice Oregon Celebrates Roe v Wade
Come celebrate the 43rd anniversary of Roe v Wade.
February 9: A Conversation With Pussy Riot
Moderated discussion with Russia's feminist punk rock protest group.
February 19: Lane County Women Lawyers, Eugene
What every female attorney should know about getting what they're worth.
March 3-6, 2016: Portland Oregon's Women Film Festival, Portland
Watch films by women directors, experience the community of women in film.
Save the Date! May 14, 2016: Women in Trades Career Fair
If you would like your event added to our calendar, please email info@w-for.org
SOCIAL MEDIA FAVORITES
Enter our drawing for a collection of Women's Foundation swag!
Simply Like, Follow, Share or Comment on an upcoming post.
On February 15th we'll draw a winner!
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Keep up on news with us on Twitter @WomensFndOregon