Headline News

Steinem praises women's group in N.J.

Friday, October 19, 2007 

Thirty-five years after co-founding Ms. magazine and solidifying her place as one of the world's most noted feminists, Gloria Steinem visited northern New Jersey to tell members of Women United in Philanthropy that their organization is worthy of praise.
 
The non-profit, which began as a 15-member, philanthropic giving circle nearly three years ago, has grown to include more than 70 women. Each donates $1,000 or more annually to a fund, which is later distributed through a grant to a program that helps women in need in Bergen County.

Steinem, 73, spoke on Thursday to a crowd of more than 300 women who attended the organization's national meeting at the Stony Hill Inn in Hackensack.

"Women have historically given money to religious institutions that didn't treat them equally; to their husband's colleges instead of their own colleges. So to concentrate the giving in this way and to create a community is as important as the money," Steinem said at a press conference before the event.

The group presented a $65,000 grant this year to 55 Kip Center, a community center for 700 seniors and their families in the county.

Women United in Philanthropy is the first women's giving circle in the state, the organization's founders say. Last year, the organization awarded its first grant, $50,000 to The Inter-Religious Fellowship for the Homeless of Bergen County.

"We have the self-respect to treat ourselves as well as we treat others," Steinem said of the importance of the non-profit's founding.

Jennifer Natale of Kinnelon, a founder of the group, said having Steinem as a speaker is motivational.

"As women, we are coming together to pool our money to make a greater difference than we could individually," Natale said.

"Gloria Steinem embodies women standing up and doing things in a different way to make a difference. For her to come is just amazing for all of us as women. She's drawing in the women that we want to be involved."

Steinem, who graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Smith College in 1956, helped found New York magazine in 1968; the Women's Action Alliance national information center that specialized in nonsexist, multiracial children's education; and the National Women's Political Caucus. She also helped found Take Our Daughters to Work Day and is writing "Road to Heart: America As if Everyone Mattered," a book about her life as a feminist organizer.

"We are a group of women passionately committed to the community and to helping empower other women," said founder Gina Plotino of New Milford, the director of communications for Bergen County's United Way, which manages the contributions. "One hundred percent of what we give each year goes to whoever we grant the money to."

Tanya Mayer of Montvale joined this week and had been looking to join a local giving circle organization.

"It's very easy to get comfortable with the lives that we all live in Bergen County," Mayer said. "Many of us have professional jobs, some don't. You forget about the fact that most of the world isn't as comfortable as you are and there's something very direct and meaningful about being able to give back to your community."

For information, call 201-291-0601.
E-mail: coutros@northjersey.com