WOMEN’S WAY: 2024 In Review
The end of a year is a great opportunity to pause and take stock of all we’ve been able to accomplish together in just 12 months. From building new partnerships and launching exciting initiatives to the ongoing work of advocating with our community, every step has brought us closer to our mission.
While we gear up for an unpredictable year ahead, we will continue to build our 47-year legacy and rise to any challenge. We are focused and determined to keep pushing forward so that we can strengthen our collective efforts and tackle the systemic barriers that still stand in the way of gender equity.
As we wrap up 2024, we invite you to revisit some of this year’s highlights with us. These successes would not have been possible without the contributions of each and every one of you. Whether you participated in an event, supported a program, shared your expertise, or invested in our programs, you have been an integral part of this work! Together, we are making real, lasting change.
New 3-Year Strategic Plan Finalized
2024 marked a large milestone — the completion of our next three-year (2025–2028) strategic plan! This plan was created based on the deep learnings and insights gained through our work and network of 100+ partners over the past 7 years. The new strategic plan builds on WOMEN’S WAY’s nearly 50-year-long legacy by sharpening the organization’s focus on driving systems-level change to achieve gender equity. It will also equip us to respond to challenges that emerge from our shifting socio-political landscape while staying true to our mission. The completed plan will be available in January 2025. Stay tuned for more details and a closer look at how we’re rising to meet this critical moment.
WOMEN’S WAY Welcomed 11 New Board Members
During 2024, we recruited eleven highly skilled and talented new board members. Their areas of expertise include program evaluation, litigation, investment and finance, advocacy, fundraising, and more. With their diverse skills and perspectives, our board members are key to strengthening the impact we make in the region. Meet the full team here.
46th Annual Celebration: Equity Champions Unite!
On May 22nd, WOMEN’S WAY hosted its 46th Annual Celebration: Equity Champions Unite. With a revamped program and a new venue, we brought together 420 attendees and raised $351,000 in support of our mission. This year’s honorees included Christen Press and Tobin Heath as our 2024 Lucretia Mott Honorees, as well as Jennifer Rice, our Gender Equity Champion, and Working for Women / ZS as the recipients of our inaugural Corporate Ally Award. Check out a recap of this special event here.
General Operating Fund: Second Round of Funding Completed
This year, we completed the second round of funding for our 2023 cohort of General Operating Fund (GOF) grantees. By easing operating costs, GOF grants allow grantees to focus even more on making an incredible impact in the lives of women, girls, and gender-expansive people. In this round, we disbursed 12 grants totaling $120,000 to Women of Color-led organizations with budgets under $200,000. This is the second and final year of funding for our 2023 cohort. Together, these organizations impacted 59,000 individuals this year through their work.
3rd Annual Gender Wealth Summit
On September 20th, we hosted a successful 3rd Annual Gender Wealth Summit. At this year’s event, attendees heard from 10 local organizations whose work is helping to close the gender wealth gap. Attendees also explored how these organizations’ strategies align with the WOMEN’S WAY Gender Wealth Framework. Following the summit, we released our 2024 Gender Wealth Summit report, which shares findings and takeaways from the event.
IRAF Distributed 8 Grants, Impacting 76,000 Individuals
The Immediate Response Action Fund (IRAF) addresses urgent and unanticipated needs of organizations or programs that serve women, girls, and the gender-expansive community. Since its launch, IRAF has awarded over $600,000 to 65 organizations, positively impacting more than 200,000 individuals. In 2024 alone, the program distributed 8 grants totaling $77,367, benefiting over 76,000 people. This rapid-response funding continues to serve as a lifeline for organizations navigating critical challenges, ensuring their essential work can continue uninterrupted.
Change the Narrative Fellows Launched Podcast
This year, the fourth cohort of Change the Narrative Fellows focused on the experiences of incarceration and reentry and their connection to the gender wealth gap. The Fellowship culminated with the launch of the program’s first-ever podcast, Beyond the Razor Wire Fence. Through interviews, storytelling, and research, the Fellows are challenging assumptions about incarceration and advocating for policy changes that will move us toward a more liberatory economy. Beyond the Razor Wire Fence is now available to listen to wherever you get your podcasts!
Young Women’s Initiative Hosted Five Member Events
From Brunch with Board Members to a ThanksGiving Back event in November at Lutheran Settlement House, YWI was busy this year. YWI, short for Young Women’s Initiative, is a dynamic group of people between the ages of 21 and 45 who identify as women or gender expansive/gender non-conforming/non-binary. YWI hosts various gatherings as a way to encourage its members to become advocates for social change and empower young people throughout Philadelphia. Follow their Instagram page @youngwomensinitiative to stay up to date on their events!
Six Closing the Gender Wealth Gap Forums Held
In 2024, we hosted six virtual Closing the Gender Wealth Gap Forums that focused on how we can build a more inclusive economy. The series kicked off with a thought-provoking conversation with Marjorie Kelly, author of Wealth Supremacy. Topics throughout the year included guaranteed income, worker power, cooperatives, and more. The forums engaged 695 attendees and viewers, with overwhelmingly positive feedback. These forums are a vital part of our work to educate others about the gender wealth gap and generate conversations about how to close it. You can watch our entire library of Closing the Gender Wealth Gap Forum recordings here.
The Financial Wellness Program Worked with 133 Individuals
The Financial Wellness Program (FWP) hosted two cohorts this year comprised of 47 participants from 15 organizations. In Cohort One, 95% of participants reported increased awareness of their financial habits. 94.8% felt better prepared to pursue their financial goals. FWP also hosted a one-day training in November 2024 for 86 members from the Federation Early Learning Services (FELS). Following this session, 90.1% of attendees reported feeling motivated to set and take on their financial goals. Through these trainings, FWP connected 133 people with the resources and tools to improve their financial well-being and achieve their goals.
“Today We Are Possible” Photography Exhibit Opened
Today We Are Possible is a powerful photography exhibit that explores the connection between gender and wealth through the photography of Gregory Wright. The exhibit captures vibrant and intimate portraits of six remarkable women — Faith, Ingrid, Ivy, Taina, Tamara, and Tracey. Their portraits offer a compelling perspective on how wealth is tied not just to finances, but to health, community, love, and belonging. Now at its third stop, the exhibit is open to the public at the Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library through January 31. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience these captivating stories in person. You can also explore the exhibit through our accompanying audio guide here.
Gender Wealth Institute Launched Digital Learning Module
The Gender Wealth Learning Module, an online resource for better understanding gender wealth inequity, was launched in February 2024. The site incorporates findings from the Gender Wealth Framework project with the compelling stories of Philadelphia women to provide a human perspective on the systemic issues at play. Visitors to the Gender Wealth Learning Module will find audio narratives, interactive graphs, and additional resources. Are you ready to explore?
16th Annual Book Prize Celebrated Author Sadeqa Johnson
On October 23rd, we hosted the 16th Annual Book Prize to honor author Sadeqa Johnson for her acclaimed novel The House of Eve. The event was moderated by Jeannine A. Cook — author and owner of Harriett’s Bookshop and Ida’s Bookshop. This successful event highlighted the power of storytelling to drive meaningful conversations about gender equity.
WOMEN’S WAY Moved to New Office Space!
This past year, WOMEN’S WAY settled into a brand-new co-working space. Located at 1617 JFK Boulevard (just around the corner from our former office), our new office better accommodates our team’s hybrid schedule and day-to-day operational needs. We’re loving the new routine and refreshed location!
Together, we can make an even bigger impact.
We look forward to another impactful year working together to achieve gender equity in the Greater Philadelphia region and beyond. Whether it’s attending events, sharing resources, volunteering, or donating, every contribution makes a difference. Let’s make 2025 a time of bold action and impact!
To donate or learn more about other ways to get involved with WOMEN’S WAY, click here.
