For 20 years, The Women’s Fund has worked to create a just and safe Miami-Dade, where power and possibility aren’t limited by gender.
THE WOMEN’S FUND is
Miami-Dade’s only
organization directing all our energy toward creating equal opportunity, access and influence for women and girls. Through research, collaboration, and grant-making, we expose the issues, give voice to the silent majority, and pool our collective giving power to provide grassroots solutions. By doing this, we make our community a better place for everyone.
MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR I was thrilled and honored when I learned that The Women’s Fund had selected me to be their Executive Director. My research into the work of the past twenty years had convinced me that the mission is work I want to be associated with. In 1993 a small group of dedicated women made a decision that transformed the lives of many women and girls in Miami-Dade County. They founded Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade. With just $5,000, they began to fill the huge funding gap that existed for programs working exclusively with girls and young women. The Women’s Fund initially focused on grants for pre-teen and adolescent programs. In subsequent years, they have continued to grow and have focused their grant-making to developing women and girls as leaders, ending violence against women, fostering reproductive and healthcare justice and increasing economic security for families. Poised to begin our next twenty years, The Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade continues to support programs and initiatives, to advocate and to lead on behalf of the women and girls in our community. My vision for Miami is a community where one thing can be taken for granted about women: they can do anything. This is a vision shared by the staff, board members and supporters of The Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade. Together, with the help of our community, we will work to transform the lives of women and girls in Miami-Dade County by providing hope, opportunity and empowerment. We welcome you to learn more about our work by reading this annual report, by engaging with our team, by volunteering or donating to support our many programs and initiatives. Whatever means you choose, I know that you will find what I have found – that our women and girls are our community’s most valuable resources. Join us as we continue to empower them with advocacy and to fund innovative initiatives that build equality, foster social change and create community partnerships.
Marilyn Fizer March Executive Director
THE WOMEN’S FUND OF MIAMI-DADE EMPOWERS WOMEN AND GIRLS THROUGH ADVOCACY AND FUNDING FOR INNOVATIVE INITIATIVES THAT BUILD EQUALITY, FOSTER CHANGE AND CREATE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS. HERE ARE FOUR OF OUR 60,000 STORIES.
< REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE MIKISHA, 17 Mikisha is a founding member of Passage 2 Womanhood, a signature Hands 2 Help program. Raised by a single mom on public assistance due to medical issues, Mikisha came to the program to counteract neighborhood influences, and has done extremely well in school and in the community. But this year she gave birth to a baby boy. It was the first teen pregnancy for the program. Passage 2 Womanhood has stepped up to this challenge by changing their focus to teen pregnancy and the dangers of unprotected sex. Mikisha has remained in high school with the encouragement and guidance of the program, as well as the loving support of her mother. In June 2013, Mikisha will graduate from high school with not only a diploma, but also a four year paid scholarship to the university of her choice. Hands 2 Help: A Women’s Fund Grantee Partner since 2006
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ENBAR, 16 > At 16 years of age, I sat in front of 40-60 teachers I had never seen before and shared my story of the struggle I had coming out to my parents as a lesbian. I shared the pain, the betrayal, the emptiness that I felt as my Conservative Jewish parents disowned me as their daughter after I told them I was gay. This was the beginning of my life journey with Safe Schools South Florida as a youth panelist at teacher training workshops. Sharing my story served as my personal therapy. After 4 years of sharing my story, I found my inner peace. At the age of 20, I was invited to join the board of Safe Schools and I was proud to serve as Assistant Director. And further, I am now an Aventura City Commissioner. Safe Schools South Florida: A Women’s Fund Grantee Partner since 2012
WHEN WE INVEST IN WOMEN AND GIRLS, IT GETS BETTER FOR EVERYONE. We believe that Miami-Dade can be a place where women need not fear violence at home. We know it can be a community where girls see a path out of poverty. We actively pursue and protect justice for women and girls in our county and our state, including our rights to reproductive freedom, healthcare and education. We know that by identifying, funding and mentoring best-in-class programs that build opportunities for women to lead, we make this vision real.
< FREEDOM FROM VIOLENCE MARIA Maria, a young woman with Down syndrome, came home from school crying. A male student sexually harassed her when the staff stepped out of the classroom. The sexual name calling, exposure to pornographic images, and explicit language describing how he would abuse her caused tremendous fear. When she reported this in school, the teachers did not take her seriously. She was terrified to ride the school bus because this same student followed her onboard. When her mother contacted the school and asked for action, Maria was called out of class and intimidated. She was put in a room with the bully and two male school police officers who kept telling her to deny what happened and even suggested to her that she had initiated the harassment. The Center for Independent Living is fighting for Maria. Their actions on her behalf ensure that these issues are being dealt with in the Miami-Dade School District. Center for Independent Living: A Women’s Fund Grantee Partner since 2010
ECONOMIC SECURITY KIMBERLY > Kimberly began using drugs at 12 and found herself in trouble over and over again. She ended up in prison. “I was ready to give up. I thought that I did not have any good in me and that I would always be the same.” Then she met the people from LEAP (Ladies Empowerment and Action Program). Very soon after she began the entrepreneurship program, she began to get hope back into her life. Released from the Broward Correctional Institution in 2011, she now works and attends school. “I honestly believe that if it were not for them I would not be where I am today.” LEAP: A Women’s Grantee Partner since 2010
THE WOMEN’S FUND OF MIAMI - DADE — THE FIRST 20 YEARS
Over the past 20 years, the Women’s Fund was there to help 400 organizations and more than 60,000 women and girls benefit from the collective support of our generous members and supporters.
1993 1996 First Annual WOMEN’S FUND FOUNDED
Luncheon. Grants expanded to
2001
include women as well as girls.
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
1998
1999
2000
First grants First research project
awarded as a
establishing the need
result of the
for programs serving
research.
at-risk girls.
First CREW event.
1997 2002
1995
Women’s Fund cumulative grant awards top $3 million.
2007
2010
Women’s Fund
Women’s Fund
creates endowment.
wins Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce NOVO Award.
Women’s Fund presents In Our Own Backyard: Girls for Sale in Miami and Across America, a town hall
3MILLION
2012
meeting. Making the Case report is published
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
2008 First Raise the Women’s Fund publishes
Bar event.
The Portrait of Women’s
2005
Economic Security in Greater
Women’s Fund
Miami.
celebrates 20th Women’s Fund publishes Adolescent Girls in the Sex Trade research
2011
Anniversary
2013
OUR PARTICIPATION IN THE WOMEN’S FUND IS SOMETHING SPECIAL.
2012 WOMEN’S FUND OF MIAMI-DADE MEMBERS AND PARTNERS Endowment Partners
Jean Ryan
JoAnne Chester Bander
Joann Soman
Marj Adler
Joy Satterlee
Kerrin F. Bermont
Donna Speelman
Rajni Agarwal
Ruth Shack
Judith Bittel
Annsheila Turkel
JoAnne Chester Bander
Virginia Shipley
Joan M. Bolotin
Kathryn Lotspeich Villano
Dr. Kate Callahan
Ellen Shishko
Kay F. Carpenter
Carol R. Von Arx
Sydney C. Carpel
Lois Siegel
Judith Chorlog
David Wilson
Judith Chestler
Jacqueline Simkin
Lucette B. Comer
Betty N. Wohl
Jocelyn Chong
Linda C. Singer
Marty E. Davis
Jessie F. Wolfson
Kathleen H. Close
Rhonda Smith
Amy Dulin
Evelyn Cohan
Ronni Smulian
Colleen Fain
Sheila de Lemos
Sharon G. Socol
Andrea Finck Bishop
General Membership ($100-$499)
Edward S. Moore Family
Marsha Soffer
Nadine Foldes
Linda Koobrick Adler
Foundation
DiAnne Stebbins
Kristin Francisco
Carol Alexander
Colleen Fain
Leslie Sternlieb
Beverly Greenberg
Monica Alfonso
Pat Fine
Jen R. Steven
Debi Harris
Yvette Almeida
Ronda Fuchs
The Shepard Broad
Wendy Hart
Betty Alonso
Susan Gallagher
Foundation, Inc.
Glenda Henderson
Suzanne M. Amaducci
Nancy Green Gelles
Barbara F. Tria
Commissioner Sally A.
Sharon Andonov
Hilary L. Gershman
Marcia Unger
Heyman
Laura Arias
Michelle Gersten
Betty Weinkle
Deborah Hoffman
Bonnie Askowitz
Angelique Grant
Faye Wright
Harriet Hyman
Blanche August
Jennifer Gregory
Debby Zabludowski
Tammi J. Jamison
Magalie D. Austin
Jane Megan Kelly
Daisy J. Baez
Tiffany Zientz Heckler Anne Helliwell
Visionaries ($5,000+)
Suzy Lacher
Maribel Balbin
Deborah Hoffman
Janet Kyle Altman
Robin S. Landers
Gloria Barbier
Celia Hogan
Marjorie Baron
Katherine Lary
Rhea Beck
Suzanne Hollander
Alexandra and Margarita
Tracy Leinbach
Natalie R. Benitez
Betsy Hoover Thomas
Codina
Mayor Cindy Lerner
Pat Berman
Harriet Hyman
Anne Helliwell
Fredda A. Levitt
Katherine Bernstein
Claudia Kitchens
Norka Iglesias Munilla
Marile Lopez
Risa Berrin
Kathie Klarreich
Kerin McCarthy Fredman
Marika Lynch
Gemma Betancourt
Dana Kulvin
Kirk Landon and Pamela
Ann P. Machado
Nicole Bible
Robin S. Landers
Garrison
Melanie Pratt Merriman
Maria M. Blet
Kirk Landon and Pamela
Jerry Lindzon
Marcia Olivo
Kenneth Bloom
Garrison
Gail Mixer
Nancy Pastroff
Patricia Boden
Diane Levi
Jacqueline Simkin
Nancy Perez
Elise Scheck Bonwitt
Ann P. Machado
Andrew and Ronni Smulian
Julie Petticone
Carol Boston
Dolly MacIntyre
Leslie Sternlieb
Aletha Player
Tracey Bowen
Joy McKenna
Faye Wright
Shari Porter
Gwendolyn V. Boyd
Sandra B. Powell
Lisa Brayer
Charlotte Rose
Ashaki Bronson-Marcellus
Mary Lou O’Brien
Donors Council ($1,000-$4,999)
Jacci Suzan Seskin
Tamela T. Byrd
Nancy Pastroff
Marj Adler
Lois Siegel
Dr. Kate Callahan
Kimberly Prebish
Lisa Schejola Akin
Alicia Sirkin
Sydney C. Carpel
Diane Preuss
Anonymous
Sharon G. Socol
Misha Charles
Hunter Reno
Evelyn K. Axler
Sara Solomon
Helen S. Chaset
Jane A. Robinson
Yvonne Bare
Gerrie Soman
Judith Chestler
Virginia S. Mead Miller Family Foundation
Many of us choose THE WOMEN’S FUND to honor our mothers, stand with our sisters, and protect our daughters; to maximize our impact; to play an active role; and to identify the most pressing issues and bring people together to find solutions.
Jane S. Cohen
Bonnie Green
Kevin Lawhon
Bette Parsons
Nancy Luria Cohen
Nancy S. Green
Maureen Lawless
Ansley Peacock
Phyllis Cohen
Eveyln Langlieb Greer
Hon. Cindy S. Lederman
Melba V. Pearson-Mecham
Eva Cooperman
Greg Griffin
Rochelle Lessner
Andrea Pelt
Debbie Sampieri Corbishley
Caryl Myers Grof
Judith Lieber
Marlene Perez
Debra Cortese
Shelley Nicely Groff
Danet Linares
Susie Picar
Tamara Crespo
Henny Groschel-Becker
Stella Logan
Marianne “Mimi” Pink
Monica Cunill-Fals
Alice Gruber
Malvina C. Longoria
Lisa Marie Platske
Mary Anne Danguillecourt
Rosemary Guilfoyle
Beth Lotspeich
Jan B. Pollack
Lucia Davis-Raiford
Johnette Hardiman
Nicole Lozano
Diane Preuss
Sheila de Lemos
Diane Harloe
Angela Macrina
Linda S. Quick
Clara Diaz-Leal
Gail Harris
Sherman J. Maisel
Ann Raff
Christophe L. Difalco
Jacqueline Hea
Maruta S. Mang
Margarate Ralph
Sarah Doss
Tiffany Zientz Heckler
Senator Gwen Margolis
Bindu Rammohan
Charles Downs, Jr.
Catherine M. Hedglon
Carolina Mata
Barbara Jean Raskin
Adrian Dubow
Lynn Anne Herald
Nanette Mayer
H. Frances Reaves
April Boyer Duff
Cynthia Barnett Hibnick
Janet R. McAliley
Ninfa Riley
Martha Eiriz-Weintraub
Jennifer Hill
Margaret McCaffery
Dinorah Rivera
Elizabeth Espinosa
Suzanne Hodes
Betty McClaskey
Ellis Robinson
Michelle L. Esposito
Raquel M. Honan
Suzan McDowell
Gloria Romero Roses
Cynthia Everett
Shelley M. Hornik
Joy McKenna
Patricia Rosello
Carol Faber
Sherry Horwich
Margaret McMahon
Sheryl G. Rosenfield
Robert Feltman
Peggy A. Hudson
Michael Merren
Mayor Roxanna Ross
Sylvia Feltman
Natasha Hylton
Cheryl Miller
Barbara Rostov
Tanya Ferreiro
Florence Jacobson
Michael Miller
Bernice Y. Matalon Roth
Nancy Finer
Shelley Jacoby
Caryn Schaffel Miller
Alana Rothlein
Sandy Finn
Elizabeth Janowitz
Lisa Cole Mitchell
Mio Santana
Judith Frankel
Tom & Mindy Jennings
Sima Miska
Hon. Olga Santini
Penny M. Freedman
Susan Joch
Lisa Cole Mitchell
Maria Santovenia
Ellen Freidin
Arlene Johnson
Melissa Moonves
Linda Schejola
Cherry K. Fulcher
Patricia Joseph
Kathleen Moorman
Suzy Schumer
Elayne Furst
Maria Juncadella
Stacy L. Morris
Barry Schwartz
Russell Galbut
Julie Kane
Manuela Mueller
Gail D. Serota
Sophia Galvin
Mayra Kavan
Jacquelyn Munilla
Joseph H. Serota
Chanelle Gandy
Susanne Kayyali
Laura Munilla
Lily Serviansky
Aimee Garcia
Hon. Carroll J. Kelly
Edie A. Murphy
Brenda B. Shapiro
Janet Gardiner
Patricia M. Kennedy
Leslie Neal
Kara Sharp
JoAnne Gardner
Leila Kight
Kesan Nedd
Andrea H. Heuson Sharp
Barbara Garrett
Bernita King
Lynn Neifeld
Paula Shaw
Frances Gaynes
Claudia Kitchens
Carolyn Kiani Nesbitt
Detra Shaw-Wilder
Nancy Green Gelles
Deborah Koch
Stanley M. Newmark
Susan Shelley
Rita Glassman
Laura Koffsky
Eileen Nexer
Sandi Shevin
Hon. Mindy Glazer
Carol Krech
Tamara Nixon
Kerry Shiller
Aminda Marques Gonzalez
Marilyn Kreisberg
Jill Nolden
Ellen Shishko
Sandy Goodwin
Thamara Labrousse
Mary Jo O’Sullivan
Estrellita Sibila
Sharon G. Goodwin
Lynn Laeser
Ana T. Paranzino
Rabbi Judith Siegal
Maureen Gragg
Linda Landy
John H. Parker
Leigh Siegel
*Please forgive any inadvertent omissions or errors. Please contact The Women’s Fund with any corrections.
Randie Siegel
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Maria Sierra
Joseph H. and Florence A. Roblee
Precision Legal Services
L. Jana Sigars-Malina
Foundation
Research Management Corporation
Leda I. Silver
The Children’s Services Council of
Richard and Karen Razook Family
Alison W. Simon
Julie Simon
The Ethel & W. George Kennedy
Robert Half Legal
Sandy Simon
Ruth’s List Florida
Vicki Simons
The Miami Foundation
Sabadell United Bank
Lisa Sloat
Wells Fargo
Saks Incorporated
Elizabeth Smith
Women’s Funding Network
Siegfried, Rivera, Lerner, De La Torre &
Broward County Family Foundation
Libby Smith
Foundation, Inc.
Sobel, P.A.
Lindsay Smith
Corporate and Event Partners
Solowsky & Allen, PL
Marianella Solis
Avila Rodriguez Hernandez Mena &
Tenet Healthcare Corporation - Florida
Morgan Soumah
Region
Margaret Spence
Baptist Outpatient Services
U.S. Credit Defense, LLC
Rhonda Spero
Blackwell Law LLC
U.S. Legal Support
Joy Peltz Spill
Blas Cueto, Esq., Weiner
Veritex Florida Reporting Co.
Myra Spindel
The Victoria Law Group
Joseph Steen
Buckner, Shifrin, Rice, Etter & Kohlman, P.A
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
Carol Stepick
Judith Jackson Chorlog, P.A
Worldwide Reporting Service
Michele Stone
Colson Hicks Eidson
John Strickroot
Commercial Interior Contractors, Corp.
BOARD MEMBERS
Diane Sugimoto
ComputerPro of Miami
Marilyn Fizer March, Executive Director
Dawn Thompson
Dade Recycling
Joann Soman, Vice Chair
Diane M. Thurston
Dade League of Prosecutors, Inc.
Faye Wright, Treasurer
Debbie Troner
Dillworth & Dorsey
Norka Munilla, Secretary
Nancy Tuchman
DLA Piper LLP
Rhonda Smith, Immediate Past Chair
Diana Urbizu
Dolan Law Firm
Ellen Shishko, Alumnae Council
Laura Uriarte
Equivalent DATA
Victoria Usherenko
Ernst & Young
Janet Kyle Altman
Maggie Vassilaros
Florida Power & Light
Gloria Barbier
Beatriz Vazquez
Fowler White Burnett, P.A.
Yvonne Bare
Bobbi Wald
Paul A. Garcia CPA
April Boyer Duff
Barbara Wallace
Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.
Judith Chorlog
Suzanne P. Wallach
Marilynn Gladstone
Marty Davis
Betty Weinkle
Goldstein Schechter Koch
Kristin Francisco
Judith Weissel
The Grieco Law Center
Beverly Greenberg
Deede Weithorn
Iris Data Services
Johnette Hardiman
Elaine Whaley
JGL Produce Company, Inc.
Robin S. Landers
Hedy Whitebook
Johnson & Wales University
Rebecca Laracuente-Hernandez
Tori A. Wolan
K&L Gates LLP
Debra Frank Montero
Wendy R. Wolf
Kaufman, Rossin & Co.
Stacy Morris
Yolanda Woodbridge
The Ethel & W. George Kennedy Family
Aletha Player
Laurie A. Zapletal
Foundation
Marianella Solis
Regina Zelonker
Kluger, Kaplan, Silverman, Katzen &
Manoucheka Thermitus
Jennifer Willliams
Ferri LLP
& Cummings, P.A.
Levine, P.L.
2012 Funding Partners
Lacroix Sparkling Water
Lalita Airan
Law Offices of Humberto R. Dominguez P.A.
Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Law Offices of William Brady
BB&T
Level 10 Nutrition
CREW Miami, Inc.
Macy’s
Dickinson Foundation
McDermott Will & Emery LLP
Alyson Ginsburg
National Planning Corporation Gabriel A.
Groundswell Fund
Dieppa
Anne Helliwell
Northwestern Mutual - The Miami Group
Rosalind R. Ludwig Children’s Foundation
Northern Trust
Edward S. Moore Family Foundation
Our Kids of Miami-Dade/Monroe
Emerita Member
STAFF Fran Katz, Senior Programs Officer Stacey de la Grana,
Chief Development Officer
Karen Blaire, Development Officer Donys Callado, Project Coordinator
THE WOMEN’S FUND
CONTRIBUTORS
5,966
by t e NUMBERS 7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
20,000
30,000
60,000 40,000
50,000
60,000
People served
10,000
{
TOTALGRANTMAKING
$3,112,270
$3M
$2M
$1M
WHY DO WE NEED THE WOMEN’S FUND? The Women’s Fund was there in 1993 to help farm families in South Dade as they struggled to overcome the impact of Hurricane Andrew, and to convene community leaders and law enforcement to create real resources to help women suffering with domestic violence. The Women’s Fund was there to incubate start-up organizations committed to serving women and girls. Programs like Lotus House and Casa Valentina received their first funding from The Women’s Fund. The Women’s Fund was there to produce research that informs and advises community leaders on the status of women and girls, including the Portrait of Women’s Economic Security in Greater Miami, which revealed the stark economic realities facing our community. Over the past 20 years, The Women’s Fund was there to help 400 organizations and more than 60,000 women and girls benefit from the collective support of our generous members, making your dollars work more efficiently and effectively. BUT THERE IS MUCH MORE WORK TO DO There were 9,313 domestic violence related offenses in Miami-Dade in 2011. Our city was #3 in the country for child sex trafficking. We need The Women’s Fund. Women earned just 83 cents for every dollar earned by men in Florida in comparable work. The wage gap is even wider for African-American and Hispanic women in Florida, who earn 62 cents and 58 cents, respectively, to every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. We need The Women’s Fund. Our rights continue to be challenged. In 2012, one constitutional amendment proposed to limit Florida’s participation in federal healthcare reform, which created long overdue healthcare access for women. We need The Women’s Fund. Our voice is not being heard! In our state legislature, just 25.6% of those representing 9,551,065 women are female. In Washington, no Florida Senators and just 6 out of 26 Representatives are women. We need The Women’s Fund. 25.5% of children in our county still live in poverty, and need help finding the path to a better future. WE NEED THE WOMEN’S FUND.
3001 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 264, Coral Gables, FL 33134 PHONE 305.441.0506 WOMENSFUNDMIAMI.ORG