Women's Stories

Record Number of Applications for Mary’s Pence Grants

As the need for supporting social justice efforts continues to grow, so does Mary’s Pence Grants program. Our spring 2019 funding cycle saw the highest number of applications submitted in the history of Mary’s Pence Grants. With limited funding opportunities available for grassroots organizations focused on social justice, Mary’s Pence Grants is now more important than ever before for supporting grassroots social justice programs.

Holy Week: Radical Love

This Holy Week we honor the many individuals who engage in the struggle for justice throughout the world. The women of ESPERA and Mary’s Pence Grantees are devoted to uplifting the poor and oppressed, ceaselessly going against the grain of societal acceptance. This commitment to Radical Love flows out of and is nourished by the story of Easter.

In Depth with ESPERA: Grupo Emprendedor La Epifanía, Tegucigalpa, Honduras

The seed contribution from Mary’s Pence into Epifanía’s community lending pool was $3,500 in September of 2012. Six and a half years later, the 26 members of Epifanía have distributed 156 loans amongst themselves with a cumulative total of $61,670.

Celebrate Lent: Use the Season as an Opportunity to Delve into Justice and Peace

Prayer, fasting and giving, the three pillars of Lenten practice, are meant to build relationship with God and those beloved by God. These practices are the means to respond to God’s saving love by loving the poor, the oppressed and the marginalized. Lent is an invitation to solidarity with all of God’s creation in seeking justice and peace.

The Contact Center Organizes for Success of Members, Cincinnati Community, and More

“I am a former welfare recipient […] I actually got a GED and was still raising my family of seven children” said Cassandra Barham, Organizer at the Contact Center. “So here I am. I’m a success. And I want people to know that there is a way to be a success out there.”

The 2019 Encuentro – We Gathered with Gratitude

If we used just one word to describe the experience, it would have to be gratitude. All throughout the days we spent together, women expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the ESPERA program and the opportunity to meet one another, for the work of Mary’s Pence and the work of our ancestors.

Ending Extreme Sentencing in California

California Coalition for Women Prisoners (CCWP) received a Mary’s Pence Grant this fall to help support their Drop LWOP campaign. The statewide campaign focuses on stopping life without parole sentencing (LWOP) and securing sentence commutations for all people serving life without parole in California. Working with over 100 partner organizations, CCWP leads advocacy efforts to end extreme sentencing and improve prison conditions for all people who are currently incarcerated in California.

Taking Care of Ourselves – Mary’s Pence Grantee Discussion

Our grantee partners are all doing intense, challenging social justice work on a daily basis. Their level of commitment often means that self-care for staff and volunteers is neglected. The teleconference offered the opportunity to share resources and suggestions for self-care strategies among grantees.

Multi-generational Issues Require Inter-generational Solidarity

“Lead by example. Support women on their way to the top. Trust that they will extend a hand to those who follow.” -Mariela Dabbah

History shows us that achieving equality is a multi-generational issue. Recent Mary’s Pence grant recipients, Code/Art in Miami, Florida and Project DIVA in Minneapolis, Minnesota, are two organizations who give life to Mariela Dabbah’s words.