WILPower News
A Biweekly Update on WIL and its Partners
September 26, 2022
Our first program of the year is only three days away!
Maternal Activism and the Search for Missing Central American Migrants
Our first program of the year focusses on mothers from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua as they travel across Mexico to call attention to and demand action for their disappeared children. Our speaker is Raul Diego Rivera Hernandez, Director of the Latin American Studies program at Villanova University
Thursday, September 29 5:00-7:00pm
Philadelphia Ethical Society
1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia 
SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, October 12 | Noon | Virtual
Book Club Program
My Broken Language a Memoir

Registration Opening This Week!
WIL Goals and Plans for 2022-2023
The WIL Board of Directors met on September 15 for our first meeting of the 2022-2023 activity year. The primary actions at the September meeting were passing our budget and discussing goals and plans for the organization and all of our committees this year.

Here's a snapshot of what WIL is looking to do this year:
  • First and foremost, our philanthropic committees (Microfinance, Empowerment Grants and Service) are set to do what WIL does best - support the women we serve. All three committees have ambitious plans to direct the money we raise and spend their time on projects that empower and make the lives of these women better.
  • We're going to Puerto Rico! The Travel Committee is planning an exciting trip for us in early March. Stay tuned for more details and look out for our October program dedicated to the culture of our Puerto Rican sisters.
  • The Programs Committee has several very compelling programs lined up for us. Don't miss any of them, starting with our first program this Thursday evening. Register here.
  • Our Fund Development, Membership and Marketing Committees have rigorous plans to raise money, member engagement and promote all that WIL is doing this year. Our board and committees continue to provide the backbone of support needed to keep everything running smoothly.

In addition to the outstanding committee work we're doing, as an organization we're working to expand our reach and explore ways to do our work effectively. Our plan is to host more hybrid events, allowing our members to play an active role no matter where they're located. It's a plate full with activities, but this is what we do!
What can YOU do to help out? Join us, get active, give us your financial support!
Microfinance Committee Funds Two Programs
In August, our Microfinance Committee funded two of our WIL partners with microfinance grants. A $5,000 grant went to Fonkoze in Haiti to fund their Boutik Sante program. This program establishes Community Health Stores and trains local women to bring health products, services and health education to rural areas. WIL’s funding will be used for training and for loans to local women to buy supplies for the stores.

Another $5,000 was given to Esperanza in the Dominican Republic as loan support for the businesswomen involved in their program.

As for 2022-2023, the Microfinance Committee is committed to deepening relationships with our existing partners. Their objective is to find and support loan programs where WIL dollars will make the most impact.
Excellent work!
WIL Members - Do you have a news item to share? Email your submissions to Renee Brandon. Please submit at least a week before you want articles to appear.
Where there's WIL there's a way