Grants

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.

Intentional Love from Mary’s Pence: the Inaugural Grantee Retreat

As a small women-led, social change organization Mary’s Pence is uniquely positioned to understand the challenges our grantees face, and the benefit of coming together with like-minded women to support one another.

Gratitude for Three Mary’s Pence Grants from Wishwas

I am taking this time to thank you from the depth of our hearts for having supported us for three grant cycles.
We heard that we are only given 3 grants and this would be end of our beautiful relationship with Mary’s Pence. We just wanted to retrace and express our gratitude by letting Mary’s Pence know how we used the funds and what we did with the grants.

Iraqi and American Minnesota Women Form Intercultural Friendships

“From the start when we gathered in the rotunda until the end when we parted ways outside of the visitor’s office, greetings, laughing, and hugs abounded among the women. The presence of caring and respect for each other was apparent. It was an uplifting and educational experience.”

Young Women’s Empowerment Through Mary’s Pence Grantees

All participants reported increasing demand for their programs that help inspire and empower young women and girls. Their organizations are growing at a fast pace, gaining popularity, recognition, and traction at an increasing rate. A cultural shift to building up and investing in young women is happening and these organizations are on the front lines.

Connecting Grantees Supporting Immigrants and Refugees

Although there are challenges, support from individuals and communities continues to grow. So do opportunities to increase organization reach due to flourishing demand for services and strategic partnerships.

CREAting Dignity for Spanish Speaking Adults at Centro de Recursos Educativos para Adultos

CREA is a woman founded/directed organization. While all are welcome, 80% of learners are women. The women who founded CREA understand the need for a place where immigrants could learn English and augment their education. Many were unable to attend school in their home country because of poverty or gender discrimination.

Beyond the Money: Solidarity with Small Social Justice Organizations

Our grantees bring together the community to respond to issues of justice. We’ve supported Black mothers launching a food security project in Cincinnati, young women from North Carolina presenting at the UN Commission on the Status of Women, Latina immigrants in Wisconsin organizing to change unjust immigration laws, and women helping other women to navigate the Missouri social and legal systems upon being released from prison.