The African Women’s Development Fund USA (AWDF USA) has launched the Mother Africa Campaign to raise awareness and support in the US for African women’s organizations doing exemplary work but challenged by cuts in international donations during the recession. The national Campaign will debut with a Mother Africa Celebration highlighting the continent’s art, food and music on September 13(th) from 6-8 PM at the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco.
Says AWDF USA Executive Director, Dr. Jackie Copeland-Carson, “Americans want to help Africa but often don’t know how. AWDF USA is an effective way for Americans of all backgrounds to make real, long lasting change for Africa. An independent evaluation shows that our work increases African women’s income, opportunity and rights. The $700,000 we hope to raise during the Campaign will go a long way in helping African women’s organizations continue rebuilding and leading Africa’s future.”
A US-based public foundation, AWDF USA was created a decade ago by its pioneering sister organization, the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), headquartered in Accra, Ghana, and a coalition of American women to advance American support for African women’s development, leadership and rights. Together AWDF, Africa’s first women’s foundation, and AWDF USA have provided almost $20 million in grants to more than 1000 women’s organizations in 42 African countries over the past decade.
Dr. Abena P.A. Busia, AWDF USA’s Interim Board Chair says, “Although it does not always reach the news, there are development success stories throughout Africa. When you look at the issues that challenge us, such as poverty, infant mortality, and even AIDS/HIV, the numbers show improvement in many countries. At the center of all these successes is the leadership of women, and our grantees are leading the way.”
Among AWDF USA’s accomplishments is providing, in partnership with AWDF, early support to the Liberian Women’s Movement, starting with Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee’s very first grant, through its work today to revive local economies throughout Liberia.
According to AWDF’s CEO, Theo Sowa, “Over the past ten years, women’s leadership has had a huge impact in transforming the lives of African women, families and communities. However, very little of the money invested in development goes to women’s organizations – a situation made worse by the global recession. Our sister organization, AWDF USA, is working with us to raise the resources to invest in African women and women’s organizations – the resources to fuel and accelerate lasting change. Your partnership and support can help make this happen.”
As part of its Mother Africa Campaign, AWDF USA is organizing events throughout the country to highlight its work and convene Americans who want to support a new way for the continent.
- On October 20(th) AWDF USA’s Minnesota Network is convening a Pan-African Women’s Film Forum with St. Catherine University including award-winning films that feature Nobel Peace Prize winners, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and Dr. Wangari Maathai of Kenya as well as the stories of veteran African-American civil rights champions, Daisy Bates and Shirley Chisholm.
- On October 25(th) Seattle will host AWDF USA’s first-ever Africa Donors Forum with keynote speaker, Naomi Tutu, human rights activist and daughter of South Africa’s Desmond Tutu.
About AWDF USA
AWDF USA is a US-based 501(c)(3) public charity that works nationally to promote increased understanding, financial and other support in the United States for effective development initiatives and organizations led by African women. America’s trusted partner for African giving, AWDF USA services include grantmaking, evaluation, research and public awareness initiatives that strengthen American philanthropy for the African women’s movement.