Nominate a Local Leader to be a BWF Leading Us Toward Liberation Honoree!

As we celebrate 40 years of radical giving, we are excited to announce that we will publicly honor 40 Liberation Leaders who have contributed outstanding work toward racial, gender, economic, and social justice in Greater Boston! These Liberation Leaders will be commemorated at our 40th Anniversary Community Celebration in September 2024. To us, Liberation Leaders are people who are leading and engaging in movements that resist oppressive systems and are striving to create new systems.

We remain committed to doing philanthropy differently — in partnership with communities — and we need your help. Who are the innovative changemakers who have touched your life and the lives of your community? Who are the women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals who have fought for their communities and have yet to receive their flowers? Often, such pivotal work by leaders from our communities goes unsung. Let’s change that together.

We invite you to nominate Liberation Leaders with outstanding work and impact in Greater Boston over the last 40 years.

Nominate a Leader Today!

Boston Women’s Fund’s 40 Liberation Leaders are:

• Women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals who are a part of the communities BWF serves (people of color, elderly, youth, refugees, immigrants, LGBTQIA+, low income, and disabled).

• Working toward racial, gender, economic, and/or social liberation.

• Working within or beyond the nonprofit sector.

• Working in and impacting the Greater Boston area.

• Currently leading liberation work or have led liberation work at some point during the past 40 years.

• Individuals with a proven track record of working toward liberation for at least 5 years.

• Representative of the communities they serve.

If you have any questions, BWF staff will be available for virtual office hours throughout the nomination process.

Thank you for your support!

In Solidarity,

Claudia Thompson, 40th Anniversary Chair

Natanja Craig Oquendo, Executive Director

Official Statement on the Israel-Hamas War — We Cannot Stand Silent. We Will Not Look Away.

The Boston Women’s Fund team has spent the last week and a half heartbroken over the violence in Israel and Gaza. It is difficult to fathom the number of mothers searching for or mourning their missing children. It is difficult to hold the number of lives lost and families whose worlds have been forever changed.

We know that in times of war, women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals suffer disproportionately because existing inequalities are severely amplified, and the impacts of gender-based violence and lack of access to reproductive and general healthcare are life-altering. We know this is especially true for women who are among the LGBTQIA+ or disabled communities. We also know that here at home, violent threats against Muslim and Jewish people in the U.S. are escalating as well.

Violence distorts the core of what connects us all — our humanity. We cannot stand silent amid acts of terror against Israelis. And we cannot ignore the oppression and violence of the continued occupation of Palestine. There is no playbook for how to process a time like this. But one thing I hold on to is the meaning of the word philanthropy, “the love of mankind.” Though our hearts grow heavier each day, we continue to keep our eyes open. We have a responsibility to bear witness to the atrocities that terrorism and war cause. We have a responsibility to the most vulnerable people in Gaza and Israel.

We will not look away from the pain of the women and children begging for peace, water, food, shelter, and safety. We will not look away from those mourning the sudden and violent losses of their children and elders.

We will, however, continue to educate ourselves. We will provide a safe space for others to process the fear and devastation of these events. Please stand by for details on ways we can be in community with each other. We will also work with you to support those who are impacted. You can reach out to me directly at natanja@bostonwomensfund.org.

We hope that you and your loved ones are safe, and we are sending all of our energy and prayers out in deep hope of peace.

Warmly,

Natanja Craig Oquendo

Executive Director, Boston Women’s Fund

Meet our Deputy Director, Alex Auguste!

Introducing Alex Auguste (she/her), BWF’s Deputy Director! We welcomed Alex to the team just over two years ago. Her work involves overseeing our operational functions, programmatic strategies, and finances. Check out our Q&A with Alex to get to know her a bit more!

What's your background in philanthropy or activism work?

My career in philanthropy began at the Boston Foundation - 10 years ago! I will forever be thankful to Kate Guedj, Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer at TBF, because she gave me a chance when no one else would (my previous work experience was in finance for a global financial firm). It was a wonderful experience to help others with their philanthropic efforts.

What's one highlight from your role/time at BWF?

My career in philanthropy began at the Boston Foundation - 10 years ago! I will forever be thankful to Kate Guedj, Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer at TBF, because she gave me a chance when no one else would (my previous work experience was in finance for a global financial firm). It was a wonderful experience to help others with their philanthropic efforts.

What are some fun facts about you?

1) English is my second language.

2) I’m a great cook.

3) I love traveling!

What's one quote that gives you life?

“Your passion isn’t found in your dreaming. It’s made by your doing.”

-Liz Forkin Bohannon, author of “Beginner’s Pluck”