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Headline News
Steinem
praises women's group in N.J.
By Evonne Coutros
STAFF WRITER 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
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