Why does Birmingham need The Women's Fund?

We know that the primary indicator of a girl’s well-being is the education level of her mother. Therefore, we identify and invest in programs that motivate and educate women and girls to become strong, independent, contributing members of our community.

Research has shown that when you help a woman achieve her potential, you help her entire family. When you help a family break the cycle of poverty and violence, you improve the health of the entire community. We fund programs that enable systemic and sustainable change.

• Because Alabama ranks 2^nd in the nation for the widest earnings ratio gap between women and men ($.67/$1.00), we promote gender equity and invest in economic self-sufficiency programs for women and girls. [source: www.iwpr.org/States2004/PDFs/National.pdf page 23]
• Because Alabama ranks 12^th in the nation for the highest number of intimate partner homicides, we invest in systemic changes that reduce domestic violence. [source: The Plan for the State of Alabama: Violence Against Women 2006, page 4; ACJIC, DV Report 2005]
• Because Alabama ranks 3^rd in the nation for the greatest number of elderly living in poverty (19% vs. 13% USA), we provide leadership to ensure safe, reliable, customized transportation to medically related appointments. [source: www.aging.uab.edu/SubChannel/Research/aging-alabama.aspx UAB Center on Aging]
• Because Alabama ranks 10th in the nation for the highest number of live births to teens, we invest in prevention programs for girls. [source: Voices for Alabama’s Children, Alabama Kids Count 2006 Data Book, p.6]

The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham works with community leaders, public policy officials, and all concerned citizens to further our mission in the community. We invest in both today and tomorrow, because a woman’s current quality of life directly impacts the goals and expectations of the next generation.