Women’s Empowerment International 20th Anniversary
The Power of 20: Celebrating Two Decades of Economic Empowerment
“Almost half the world right now is living on under $2 a day, we are trying to reach [women in economically disadvantaged communities] and give them a chance to break that cycle of poverty.”
– Co-founder Win Cox
It’s been 20 years since Women’s Empowerment International (WE) gave out its first grant to help women start on stronger economic paths and break cycles of poverty.
While progress has been made in promoting women’s economic empowerment in society, significant challenges and disparities persist globally. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive strategies that tackle structural barriers, promote gender equality in education and employment, and enact supportive policies and legal frameworks. That’s where WE comes in, helping to fund programs for women locally and internationally that work to break barriers and open opportunities for financial stability and self-sufficiency.
WE recently dove into the archives to reminisce and introduce those new to the mission of why WE exists.
Back in 2003, when Co-founders Win Cox and Leigh Fenly decided to start Women’s Empower International, it was a calling that they imagined locally and abroad uniting women with the larger vision of creating stronger economies. Together, they personalized their approach by getting directly involved with the populations affected.
In celebration of these 20 years, let’s look at the difference WE has made in the lives of both the grantees and supporters.
In 2004, WE gave its first grant of $4,025 to Grameen de la Frontera, which was the perfect start because the organization directly focused on the economic growth of women. With this first grantee, WE formed a close relationship and founders and board members traveled to Sonora, Mexico to see WE’s funding in action. This involvement became a distinguishing quality about WE that put it in a category of its own.
Over the years, WE has partnered with organizations in nine countries, getting to know the nonprofits and women in the regions, understanding their way of life and how WE can help.
As of 2024, WE has provided over $2.6 million dollars in funding that has helped change the lives of women and families by:
- Helping young women locally purchase cars, so that they can attend school, maintain steady employment, and take care of their children and families
- Assisting women in launching businesses that help sustain families through micro-loan programs and business development support and training
- Providing microloans to grandmothers in Uganda to fund their ability to create sustainable businesses to help take care of and educate orphaned grandchildren
- Contributing to increasing women’s income in Haiti through their operation of community health stores
- Providing financial literacy training for girls through an innovative mobile-based app
- Supporting loan support groups for women in Mexico who have experienced human trafficking, immigration challenges, and other traumas
- Helping to provide new sources of income for indigenous Maya women in Guatemala, along with leadership training and growth opportunities
Along the way, WE has won a number of awards for our impact, including recognition for the Co-founders team, the Philanthropy Partner of the Year award from the International Rescue Committee in San Diego, and most recently a proclamation from the City of San Marcos for our “amazing dedication and remarkable achievements advocating for gender equality.”
Join us throughout this year to celebrate!