Ms. Foundation for Women: Difference between revisions

The “founding mothers,” Steinem, Carbine, Pogrebin and Thomas, wanted to foster the collective power of women, and they also believed that women who faced discrimination and inequity in their own lives had the wisdom and expertise to advance social change that would benefit everyone. The Ms. Foundation, as an organization, was planned to seed and strengthen women's grassroots organizing around the country and strive to create a vibrant, inclusive feminist movement in which everyone's voice was visible, valued and heard.<ref name="history">{{Cite web|title = What We Do|url = http://ms.foundation.org/about_us/our-history|website = Ms. Foundation for Women|accessdate = 8 June 2015}}</ref>

The Ms. Foundation for Women was created as a separate but related entity to [[Ms. magazine|''Ms.'' magazine]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title = Gloria Steinem|last = Stevenson|first = Keira|publisher = Great Neck Publishing|year = 2005|isbn = 9781429805469|location = |pages = 1–2|url = http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=18013558&site=ehost-live|access-date = 9 June 2015}}</ref> The original intent for the foundation was as a vehicle through which Ms. magazine's profits would be redistributed to the national women's movement.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|url = https://archives.iupui.edu/bitstream/handle/2450/5047/Gould_Sara_2007_04_18.pdf?sequence=2|title = Oral History Project on Men and Women in Philanthropy|date = 18 April 2007|accessdate = 9 June 2015|website = eArchives|publisher = Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis|last = Pactor|first = Andrea K.}}</ref> It quickly became apparent, however, that the Ms. Foundation would have to raise funds and provide direction for itself; and that for ''Ms.'' magazine to survive, it would also have to sustain itself. Since 1987 the Ms. Foundation and ''Ms''. Magazine have been separate entities: ''Ms.'' Magazine is published by the [[Feminist Majority Foundation]].<ref name="msmagazine">[http://ms.foundation.org/about_us/our-history/relationship-to-ms--magazine Ms. Foundation for Women: Relationship to Ms. Magazine]</ref>

The foundation has held an annual program called the Gloria Awards (named for ''Ms.'' founder [[Gloria Steinem]]) since 1988.<ref name="gloria">[http://ms.foundation.org/get_involved/the-gloria-awards-a-national-salute-to-women-of-vision/the-gloria-awards-a-national-salute-to-women-of-vision Ms. Foundation for Women: Gloria Awards page]</ref> When the Ms. Foundation first began the awards, Wilson, the current president relates that "people said, 'No one will come out to see women leaders get an award.'"<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title = Women Get Respect -- Part 2|url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marcia-g-yerman/women-get-respect---part_b_106554.html|website = The Huffington Post|accessdate = 11 June 2015|last = Yerman|first = Marcia G.|date = 19 June 2008}}</ref> The award went on to defy critics, drawing media attention and with the event full of supporters.<ref name=":6" />