About Us
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to empower women with tools to work their way out of poverty, care for their families, and strengthen their communities.
OUR WORK
We provide vital grants to high-impact, vetted nonprofit partners implementing economic empowerment programs for women experiencing poverty, locally and around the world.
OUR VISION
We envision a world without poverty in which women are empowered, uplifted, and equal partners in society. Women live in safe, sustainable environments that include adequate food, water, housing, education, and health care. They have the hope, opportunity, and ability to control their lives and futures.
OUR STORY
Women’s Empowerment International (WE) was founded in San Diego, California in 2003 with a meeting among friends and colleagues. This group of visionary women had an ambitious goal: to disrupt the cycle of poverty for women around the world, especially those experiencing extreme poverty and living in under-resourced, rural communities.
Together, in 2005, they launched WE as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on funding microfinance programs that provided small, repayable loans to help women start modest, income-generating businesses. With their income, women could support themselves, be able to pay for their children’s education, strengthen their families, and slowly, strengthen their communities. In time, change can be created for generations to come.
Today, Women’s Empowerment International remains true to our founders’ vision.
WE was run entirely by volunteer board and committee members until 2016 when it was able to bring on its first executive director. Since then, the organization has grown to two staff positions and continues with a strong, passionate group of board members, committee members, and other dedicated volunteers. Over the last two decades, WE has provided over $2.8 million in funding for programs in 15 countries, including the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Benin, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, and Uganda. WE continues to fund microfinance programs and has expanded its support to include small business development support, training, education, and other barrier-breaking efforts centered around women’s economic empowerment.
WE remains headquartered in San Diego, CA.
OUR VALUES & GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Integrity / Honesty
Being straightforward; saying what we mean and meaning what we say; living honestly; demonstrating that everything we do can be trusted, and living up to the trust that others have placed in us.
Compassion
Trying to understand the other person’s circumstances; ensuring the quality of life for those in need; and keeping the fire going in everyone else’s heart.
Thoughtfulness
Basing our actions on an introspection that leads to creativity, intuition and proactivity.
Connection to the environment
Seeing the world as one living system, and showing respect for the spirit residing in everything and everyone.
Responsible action
Acknowledging our duty and responsibility to make the world a better place, and responding in an effective way that fosters hopefulness for the future, instills a vision of what can be, and draws others forward in a positive way.
Education
Believing that our actions and decisions must be based in knowledge and research, and that we have an obligation to educate ourselves and others for the betterment of the world.
Collegiality / Collaboration
Fostering an environment in which all perspectives are valued, and we try to understand each other’s views and reality, even when that outlook radically differs from our own.
Fairness / Equity / Justice
Treating all people fairly, equally, and with kindness and tolerance.
Accountability/ Acknowledgment/ Acceptance
These values underlie the inclusion that brings people together.
Excellence
Striving toward the best we can do and be.
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