There is an African proverb that goes something like this:

“If you want to go fastest, go it alone. If you want to go farthest, go it together.”

This principle is at the heart of the Maine Women’s Fund, underscored by the myriad programming, networks and partnerships that have developed over the last 20 years. Indeed, in our rich history, we have grown and developed significantly, capable of offering something to enrich women and organizations at every stage of their life cycles – from the young to old, poor to wealthy, wild to wise, the amateurs and the experienced.

But at our core, as our Founding Mothers intended, we are a giving circle – a group of women who share a common passion for investing in the power of women and the dreams of girls; a group of women who know that by aggregating our resources we can be a stronger resource and catalyst for social change than we can be alone.

In 20 years, we have granted over $1.5 million to organizations across the State. Last year we granted $160,000 to nonprofits which are creating long-lasting change that will build the economic security of thousands of women and girls. In two years of budget cuts that have threatened key social safety nets and services, we have been a financial resource

to critical organizations. Together, we are pushing for policy changes, investing in education and girls’ independence. We are helping women build and expand businesses, train for better jobs and wages, build assets and make smart financial decisions. We are working with women as leaders and donors to prioritize women as key agents of change for their families, communities and Maine. We are going farther in our work because we are going it together.

There is still much that we will do together, and the Maine Women’s Fund is excited as we look towards this future. I want to send a hearty thanks to the hundreds of women who donated both their time and financial resources in 2008. I also want to invite you to our MWF’s Annual Spotlight on Philanthropy on February 28 where together we will build our 2009 grant programming, and identify how we, as individuals and community members, can continue to help us become the richest giving circle for women and girls across Maine.

I look forward to working together in 2009.

With thanks,

Winter 2009What’s Inside

A Letter From Elizabeth .............p. 1

2007 - 2008 Grantees ..............p. 2

Get Involved .........p. 2

Maine Women’s Fund 20th Anniversary Celebrations .........p. 2

Making Change Happen: Women Creating a Better Maine ..................p. 3

2007 - 2008 Awardees .............p. 3

What’s Happening Around the State...p. 4

A L e t t e r F r o m E l i z a b e t h

Save the Date

Maine Women’s Fund 20th Anniversary

Weekend CelebrationMay 1 - 3, 2009

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Winter 2009

Public PolicyMaine Equal Justice Partners Maine Women’s Policy Center

EducationCobscook Community Learning CenterGirl Scouts of Maine Hardy Girls Healthy Women Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center

Entrepreneurship/Better Jobs and Wages

Dress for SuccessVolunteers of America Northern New England Wage Project Women, Work and Community

Financial Literacy/Asset BuildingPenquis Community Action ProgramSexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine

2007-2008 Grantees

GiveYour gifts enable the Maine Women’s Fund to invest in the power of women and the dreams of girls. Donations of cash or stock are greatly appreciated.

VolunteerGetting involved at the Maine Women’s Fund is about giving your time to help women and girls. Visit our website or contact us to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

ParticipateThere are many ways to participate in the Maine Women’s Fund community including the Regional Advisory Councils, the New Girls’ Network, Women Standing Together and more.

Share Your StoryShare your inspiring stories about the great things you or another woman is doing to make change happen in Maine!

Ways to Get Involved

Preparations are in full swing for a variety of fun-filled, joyful events to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Maine Women’s Fund. The weekend theme is Mother’s Day in honor of the Fund’s founding mothers and in recognition of the original proclamation by Julia Ward Howe, which was tied to her feminist belief that women had a responsibility to shape their societies.

The weekend is a great opportunity to celebrate and honor those who are making positive change happen in their communities, meet the 2007-2008 grantees and award recipients, and celebrate the history of the Maine Women’s Fund. We hope you will join us at one or all of these events! Learn more at www.mainewomensfund.org/20th.html.

Friday, May 1

5:00 - 6:00 pm Red Portfolio VIP Reception Invitation Only Sponsored by State Farm Insurance

6:00 - 8:00 pm Art Show: Women Making Change Happen Free/Open to Public Hosted by the Portland Regional Advisory Council

Saturday, May 2

10:00 am - 2:00 pm Community Art Project

8:00 - 11:00 pm Brew Girls Live Benefit Concert: Featuring Sara Cox, Kate Shrock, Megan Jo Wilson, Vanessa Torres and Touching Ground, and more at SPACE Gallery, 538 Congress St, Portland $10 ticket/$15 ticket and pint glass Hosted by the New Girls’ Network

Sunday, May 3

10:00 am - 1:00 pm Signature Mothers’ Day Brunch Ocean Gateway Terminal, Commercial St, Portland $45 ticket

1:00 - 3:00 pm Girl Scouts Beach Celebration Join past and present girl scouts for song and fun at the beach

Thank you to the first sponsors and supporters! This year over 700 friends and family will participate in the festivities. Sponsors will enjoy many marketing opportunities leading up to the weekend events. Contact the Maine Women’s Fund to learn more about increasing your visibility while supporting women and girls throughout Maine.

Celebrating 20 Years of Investing in the Power of Women and the Dreams of Girls

State Farm Insurance ($15,000)McCabe, Duval + Associates ($10,000)98.9 WCLZ ($2,500)Citi Smith Barney ($1,500)Trillium Asset Management ($1,500)The University of Maine ($1,500)Maine Community Foundation ($1,000)

Maine Health Access Foundation ($1,000)Add Verb Productions ($1,000)Celebrating Human Creativity ($250)Sara Cox (gift in-kind)Kate Shrock (gift in-kind)Megan Jo Wilson (gift in-kind)Vanessa Torres and Touching Ground (gift in-kind)

Each month, the Maine Women’s Fund recognizes and celebrates women and girls who are making positive change happen in their lives, their communities and in Maine. Through the Making Change Happen: Women Creating a Better Maine profiles, we share the stories of bold women who are building businesses, nurturing families, teaching young people, leading industries and strengthening communities. Full profiles of the women below and more are available online at www.makingchangehappen.org.

Making Change Happen: Women Creating a Better Maine 2007-2008 Awardees

On October 27, Jennifer Eastman, Maine Women’s Fund Board Member, presented Miranda Donovan with the 2008 Samantha Smith Award. The Samantha Smith Award is given to a young woman from Maine who works to promote social change in her school or community; inspires other girls to become active in supporting long lasting change in Maine; uses her voice boldly to inf luence others; and understands the power of philanthropy to make a dif ference. Read Miranda’s story at ww.makingchangehappen.org.

During the Bangor Open House on October 23, Luetta Goodall, the Director of MAPS Residential Services, which includes MAPS Shelter Services and Stepping Stones, received the 2008 Sarah Orne Jewett Award. This award is given to a Maine woman who exhibits the attributes of the women in Jewett ’s works of f iction: true grit, independence, courage, humor and discipline. Read Luetta’s story at ww.makingchangehappen.org.

Additionally, the Maine Women’s Fund will honor Mary Allen Lindemann, co-owner of Coffee by Design, with the 2008 Tribute to Women in Industry (TWIN) Award. The Maine Women’s Fund is pleased to carry on this annual award from the former Greater Portland YWCA. The award is given to a woman who is a leader in her f ield and who has achieved signif icant accomplishments as a business owner, business executive or nonprofit organizational leader.

Please join us at our Mother’s Day Brunch on May 3 to meet these community leaders in person.

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Winter 2009

w w w . m a k i n g c h a n g e h a p p e n . o r g

“I want my kids’ schools to be adequately funded, safe and full of cultural enrichment and the arts. And I hope to see a future where women have a full range of reproductive rights choices, as well as complete job security.” Jennifer Judd-McGee: Creating an Artful Life

“In a place of transition, you’re out of your comfort zone. But that’s where growth takes place. And every time

you do it, it gets easier.” Susanna Liller: Going into the Fire

“I’m focused on creating a healthy planet where humans can live sustainably, but I

also hope for a future of respect, freedom and equal treatment for women as they

are. Women can be successful without having to act like men.”

Cathy Johnson: Leading the Charge

“It’s not about the fact that I have been given these gifts—it’s what I choose to do with them through the course of my life.” Kathy Billings: Using Her Gifts

“Change can be painful, but it can also be exciting. Don’t be afraid to shake things up—well-behaved women don’t make history!” Jean Maginnis: A Transformational Vision

“I want to know that through my actions or my example I have made an individual’s life better, whether that’s a young woman I teach, a business I help or an employee I’ve nurtured. In the end, I think it ’s enough to provide for others the kind of love and nurturing you received.” Brenda Garrand: Brazen Ambition and a Lasting Legacy

Bangor: Connect with other women at a brown bag lunch discussion on Philanthropy on April 2 at Penquis, 262 Harlow Street, Bangor. This is the third in a series of brown bag lunches hosted by the Bangor Regional Advisory Council. Previous lunch discussions on Feminism and Women and Leadership brought together a dozen women who discussed the various perspectives of feminism and leadership and shared stories about their experiences.

We welcome business women interested in giving back by sharing business expertise and creating secure economic futures for Maine women at the next Women Standing Together lunch on March 27. During the last lunch on January 30 local business women gladly shared their insights and advice with award-winning photographer Liz Grandmaison.

Lewiston-Auburn: Join us at the third brown bag lunch discussion on April 7 at the B-Street

Community Center, Lewiston. The first lunch hosted by the Lewiston Regional Advisory Council, facilitated by Adilah Muhammad, explored the topic of women as leaders. Participants shared how they lead today, how they arrived there and some experiences along the way. The lively discussion carried over to the second lunch discussion on Feminism: Where We Are and Where You Stand.

Portland: Join us to connect with other women and discuss Philanthropy at the next brown bag lunch on April 1 at the Maine Women’s Fund office. The Portland Regional Advisory Council has hosted three previous lunches including Women and Leadership, facilitated by Meredith Bove of McCabe, Duval + Associates; Feminism, Stoking the Sisterhood, facilitated by Lael Jepson of SheChanges; and Weathering Today’s Financial Market, facilitated by Sara Lewis of Spinnaker Trust and Robin Lin Hodgskin of Smith Barney.

If you are a businesswoman who is interested in sharing your business expertise and creating secure economic futures for women and girls in Maine, we invite you to join the Women Standing Together lunch at the Holiday Inn by the Bay on April 14. The lunch will feature Jeanne Hackett of A Running Conversation. Jeanne will present an overview of her business launched in 2007 along with a current business challenge. Using the roundtable format, Women Standing Together members are invited to ask Jeanne questions, share insights and give advice on her challenge. During previous lunches, over 30 inspiring business women gave advice and counsel to other graduates of Women, Work and Community’s New Venture Program.

Central and MidCoast: The New Girls’ Network program is now offered in Augusta and Rockland. “I really enjoy connecting with other women in the area to discuss leadership, social change, philanthropy and feminism.” 2008-09 New Girl

W h a t ’s H a p p e n i n g A r o u n d t h e S t a t e

Maine Women’s Fund565 Congress Street, Ste. 306Portland, ME 04101

ph: 207.774.5513email: thewomen@mainewomensfund.org

NON PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPortland, ME

PERMIT NO. 306

The Maine Women’s Fund is a public foundation, creating lasting change by investing in the power of women and the dreams of girls. We are passionate in our belief that all Maine women and girls can reach their full potential. Our programs engage and enrich women at every stage of life, encouraging confident strides, supporting emerging leaders, and creating lasting change that improves our communities and the world for generations to come.