This Women’s History Month, The Archewell Foundation Invests in Champions of Gender Equity
As we cross into Women’s History Month, and ahead of International Women’s Day next week, The Archewell Foundation is announcing a number of non-profit investments in leading organizations working to advance gender equity, build policies that empower women and families, ensure meaningful media representation for women, and provide women with a network of tools and support for gaining employment.
While we celebrate contributions from women throughout history, and reflect on the work that remains to achieve a safe, just, and equal world for women and girls, The Archewell Foundation is proud to advance the missions of the following groups through new grants:
The Center on Poverty and Inequality, Georgetown University Law Center
Under the leadership of Rebecca Epstein, the Center on Poverty and Inequality’s Initiative on Gender Justice & Opportunity develops innovative policy solutions and conducts groundbreaking research to help schools, hospitals, the juvenile justice system, and other public systems better support marginalized girls. The Archewell Foundation’s support is allowing the Initiative to deepen and expand its work recognizing and cultivating Black girls’ leadership, reducing discriminatory school discipline, and strengthening trauma-informed practices so that girls can heal and thrive.
National Women’s Law Center
The National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) has been fighting for gender justice in the United States for the past 50 years. The Archewell Foundation is proud to support the Center and its pioneering work to ensure that women and girls – especially women of color, LGBTQ people, and women and families with low-incomes – can live, learn, and work with safety, dignity, and equality. In particular, the Center has been at the forefront of advocacy for the devastating workforce pushout that women have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Archewell Foundation and NWLC will be working together to examine the systems that brought us to this breaking point, and explore data and trends that will bring about solutions to more sustainably further economic justice for women.
The 19th
The Archewell Foundation believes that trusted and community-based news outlets play a vital part of improving everyone’s experience and understanding online. The 19th is a groundbreaking independent, nonprofit newsroom that reports on gender, politics and policy. Support from The Archewell Foundation has allowed the 19th to expand its coverage of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities and advance generous leave and caregiving policies inside the organization.
Smart Works
Since 2019, Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex has been Patron of Smart Works, a UK charity that exists to give women the confidence they need to reach their full potential, secure employment and change the trajectory of their lives. The Archewell Foundation’s support will enable the creation of the Smart Works Female Unemployment Index, which will be an extremely robust study looking at unemployment issues that affect women across the UK, with the aim of creating an annual benchmark against which progress and change can be tracked.
These investments are representative of the approach that The Archewell Foundation, as well as The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have taken towards advancing racial and gender justice.
Throughout her life, Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex has worked to promote stronger communities and more equitable outcomes for families. She has met with leaders across the public and private sector to champion women’s economic independence and access to paid leave and has sought to bring a comprehensive approach to women’s empowerment. Further, in her experience as a humanitarian ambassador, which took her to countries like Rwanda and India, she tackled issues ranging from clean water and food insecurity to girls’ education and period poverty.
Part of The Archewell Foundation’s core commitment is to build strong, compassionate, and equitable communities across the world. Although these grants have been announced as we recognize Women’s History Month, the work they represent is relevant and vital every day of the year.
