MARBLEHEAD — National women’s rights activist Amy Siskind, who is originally from Marblehead, will return home to the North Shore to keynote The Women’s Fund of Essex County’s Grant Awards Luncheon fundraiser on Nov. 3.
Siskind is a writer, spokesperson, and the president of The New Agenda is a social welfare organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls by bringing about systemic change in the media, at the workplace, at school, and at home. Siskind said The New Agenda’s work to promote female economic independence, safety, and representation aligns with The Women’s Fund of Essex County’s goals.
“The hard work of creating economic, health, and social equity for all women has to take place on many fronts, especially at the community level,” Siskind said in a press release. “Supporting local organizations such as The Women’s Fund of Essex County, whose own efforts support so many nonprofits working on the front lines to help women and girls, ensures that all of us are working in sync to make sure women and girls have an economically bright future.”
The Women’s Fund of Essex County is an all-volunteer organization that raises and donates funds to local nonprofits providing services to support women and girls. The organization will spotlight its most recent grant recipients at the Nov. 3 luncheon and fundraiser at 11:30 a.m. at Danversport Harborside.
Earlier this year, The Women’s Fund awarded $250,000 to 34 nonprofits located in more than 20 Essex County communities, according to organization co-presidents Trish Moore and Wendy Rowoth.
“Our grantees are the heart and soul of The Women’s Fund,” Roworth said in the release. “The invaluable services they provide are why The Women’s Fund works so hard to raise money for their programs.”
Moore noted the disproportionate financial hardships women are facing coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. She said women often face high costs of living and childcare in Massachusetts.
“The need here among women and girls in Essex County knows no bounds of age or race,” Moore said in the release. “We’re committed to support those nonprofits doing the hard work of ensuring all women and girls have a fair chance at a safe, healthy, and financially sound life.”
Roworth agreed with Moore’s sentiments, adding that “it takes a village.” Roworth cited research by the Women’s Philanthropy Institute showing that nearly 50,000 organizations in the country are dedicated to women and girls, yet the group consistently receives less than 2 percent of all charitable giving.
“The Women’s Fund’s donors are amazing, and we cherish their support,” Roworth said. “But the need for additional funds to support our grantees is huge and growing.”
