Mary’s Pence 2023 at a Glance
We each hold in our hands great power to make the world a better place, and to create a beloved community. We use this power each time we create a sense of belonging for all, justice for all. This year, the Mary’s Pence Grants Program funded 19 organizations from across the country. Each organization is […]
How María Rebuilt Her Bakery After Surviving Cancer
María Transito and her husband run a small business together in a rural area of Tonacatepeque in El Salvador. Their house is divided into two parts: a bedroom and a...
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Organic Gardening Emerging in El Salvador
An increasing number of communities, including our ESPERA partners in El Salvador, have turned their attention to organic farming as a sustainable alternative amidst challenges posed by climate change and...
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Learn How Heart of Courage is Transforming Mother’s Lives
Heart of Courage was born out of Dania Carter's profound concern for families navigating the challenges of the child welfare system. Witnessing the shortage of foster homes and recognizing the...
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Insights from Central America: A Journey With Mary’s Pence
Part of Mary's Pence team in the United States traveled to Central America last month. This is what we saw! We met with ten ESPERA partner organizations. Three were from...
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Mary’s Pence’s First Allies In Social Justice Work
In 1987, Catholic women from all walks of life came together to support women's rights and well-being by supporting women working in ministry. Since the founding of Mary's Pence, Congregations...
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How LitShop is Expanding Girls’ Horizons in St. Louis
LitShop is an organization that encourages building and making skills, literacy, and leadership to empower and cultivate confidence in girls and gender-inclusive youth. Founded by Kelli Best-Oliver, a seasoned educator...
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Ending The Silence Surrounding Vulvovaginal and Pelvic Pain
It all started with a podcast. When a couple of women with chronic vulvar, vaginal, and pelvic pain launched Tight Lipped, the idea was simple: to break the silence surrounding...
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Accompaniment as a way of being
Accompaniment as a way of being. The word accompaniment often comes to mind when we think of our work. To us, it means sharing a vision, working together, and being...
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ESPERA’s Path to Women’s Empowerment
The El Salvador Follow-Up Committee gathered together — 15 women from 7 ESPERA organizations — to discuss the year's accomplishments, their roles as leaders, and their plans for 2024. The...
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