advocacy

On June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending  the federal protection of abortion rights established in 1973. This decision marked a significant shift in the American legal landscape, challenging long-held views on the government’s role in personal decisions and sparking a nationwide debate about the principles of self-determination and the right to make choices about one’s body, health, and life.

We stand firmly for women’s autonomy over their bodies and healthcare decisions. Having children is a deeply private choice with significant personal, professional, and economic implications. Such decisions should rest in the hands of the individuals concerned, and should not be decided by the government.

Our commitment is to advocate for and support the rights and health of women and families in this changing legal environment, to promote safe and ready access to abortions, contraceptives, and other forms of women’s healthcare.

The Women’s Fund is in opposition to legislation that threatens abortion access and supportive of the lawsuits challenging access.

The Women’s Fund also supports access to comprehensive reproductive health care and contraception, including abortion services. It supports IVF and other reproductive technologies that support a women’s right to choose.

Because reproductive healthcare includes the challenges a mother faces post birth, the Women’s Fund also fully supports the current battle in the state legislature to expand access to postpartum care for a full year post birth. (AB 114/ SB 110)

Wisconsin proudly led the way as the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment. Continuing to showcase a deep-rooted commitment to women’s suffrage, Wisconsin saw remarkable voter turnout in the 2020 presidential and 2023 spring elections. It’s crucial to recognize, however, that Milwaukee County’s turnout is not keeping pace, particularly among Black, Latina, and suburban women voters.

Championing democracy and women’s pivotal roles within the democratic process, the Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee addresses decreasing voter turnout by increasing education around women’s voting participation and supporting more women to recognize that they can be candidates in elections.

While the Women’s Fund is a non-partisan nonprofit organization, we endeavor to educate women about the importance of their participation in the civic process and advocate for our shared values in elections and legislation. Through our programming we are a partner in developing leadership skills among women interested in political and civic roles. When more women vote and when more women are elected, it positively shifts public policies on our shared values.

The Women’s Fund is dedicated to combating gendered misinformation online and fostering  a safer digital space for women. Through a combination of programming, grant making, and  advocacy, the Women’s Fund works to expose and dismantle harmful narratives and misinformation campaigns that disproportionately target women and issues that affect them.

We collaborate with social media content creators, policymakers, and grassroots groups to hold platforms accountable and promote algorithmic transparency. By amplifying women’s voices and promoting accurate, inclusive content the Women’s Fund seeks to play a role in challenging the structural inequalities that fuel online harassment and misinformation with the goal of promoting a better understanding of gendered disinformation, online bullying, violence and the impact it has on women and girls.

The Women’s Fund’s efforts to advance women’s economic security and financial well-being starts with our scholarship program and culminates in our efforts to provide education that will empower and embolden women to become philanthropists. This work is impossible if we fail to address systemic barriers that perpetuate the disenfranchisement of women economically. 

Through our programming we seek to promote economic literacy, the importance of building generational wealth, supporting entrepreneurship, and advocating for legislation that can lead to structural reforms. 

Our programs and grantmaking seek to improve financial education and empower women to make informed decisions about budgeting, investing, and long-term planning, while initiatives to support business ownership help close opportunity gaps and foster economic independence. 

At the same time, we remain steadfast in our commitment to pay equity and comprehensive paid leave, which recognizes the disproportionate impact of wage gaps and unpaid domestic work on women’s economic outcomes. By educating around these issues, promoting female entrepreneurs, and promoting legislation that advances pay equity and transparency we hope to foster a more equitable Milwaukee where women can thrive across generations.

The Women’s Fund stands in support of comprehensive, inclusive, and evidence-based strategies that prioritize the well-being of women in every stage of life. Women’s health is not a single issue; it is an ecosystem influenced by social, economic, environmental, and biological factors. To promote a society where women can thrive, we must address systemic barriers and implement supportive measures that foster health, dignity, and opportunity.

• Promote Work-Family Balance. Women should not be forced to choose between professional advancement and family responsibilities. We support family-friendly workplace policies, including paid parental leave, flexible work schedules, and accessible childcare services. These measures not only support women’s economic participation but also strengthen families and communities.
• Invest in Prenatal Care and Doula Support. Every woman deserves compassionate, culturally competent prenatal and birthing care. We support increased funding and access to prenatal services and community-based doula programs that improve maternal outcomes, particularly in underserved and high-risk populations. For some women, doulas can play a crucial role in empowering women through education, emotional support, and advocacy during childbirth and the Women’s Fund believes access to competent and comprehensive care is a right.
• Expand Women-Centered Health Research. Historically, women’s health concerns, especially postpartum conditions like depression, anxiety, and physical recovery, have been under-researched. We call for dedicated funding and systemic inclusion of women in clinical trials and health studies. Targeted research is essential to develop interventions that reflect women’s unique biological and social experiences.
• Address Gender-Specific Health Disparities. In Milwaukee, disparities in healthcare access and outcomes disproportionately impact, LGBTQ+ individuals, low-income women, and the BIOPC community. We stand for and support research to create an equitable healthcare system that provides comprehensive, respectful, and affordable services tailored to the specific needs of all women.
• Ensure Access to Safe, Affordable Housing. Housing is a critical social determinant of health. Women, particularly single mothers and survivors of domestic violence, face high risks of housing insecurity. Through our grantmaking, programming, and advocacy we seek to lift up organizations that expand access to safe, stable, and affordable housing as a foundation for physical and emotional well-being.
• Prioritize Mental Health Initiatives. Mental health is central to overall well-being. We champion expanded mental health services for women, including trauma-informed care, postpartum mental health support, and community-based resources that reduce stigma and improve access.
• Confront Environmental Health Hazards. Women are uniquely vulnerable to environmental health risks, especially those affecting reproductive health and chronic disease. We advocate for stronger environmental protections in residential, occupational, and community settings, including clean air, safe drinking water, and reduced exposure to toxic substances.
• Encourage Self-Care and Holistic Health Practices. Empowering women to prioritize their own well-being is vital. We promote education that supports self-care across physical, mental, and emotional dimensions — from preventive screenings and fitness to mindfulness and rest. Through our programming we seek to provide an outlet for the whole woman. From organized bike rides and walks to other safe spaces; for example, our monthly Laundry Nights are a place where we seek to bring women together and lets women breathe.

We hope women will see themselves as feminists for life. Toward that end we foster cross generational spaces where women can free to engage with all life’s transitions. Be it from child rearing and the return to work of the significant changes that come with age and retirement. We seek to help uplift women who are making these transitions and adapting to an ever-changing professional landscape.

In addition to our programming, the Women’s Fund Sunny Table is a place where careers are navigated and supportive connections are made.

The Women’s Fund seeks to promote the image of women as we see them: multifaceted individuals with a wide range of skills and ambitions. We oppose the portrayal of women as stereotypes and reject tropes that objectify or belittle them.

Whether we are addressing harmful social media trends through our own platforms or organizing programming that uplifts female artists, we are always at war with regressive actions and words.

Women who immigrate to Milwaukee face special challenges. The Women’s Fund values their experiences and aspires to contribute positively to their successes. We have and will continue to make grants to organizations that support immigrant rights, their integration into our community, and for access to citizenship.

We denounce the separation of families and celebrate workplace protections for immigrants.

The Women’s Fund recognizes that all of us were once young. By fostering a positive, inclusive space, we support and aspire to model priorities for young women. We advocate for safety in school and online and seek to be an example for the young women whose lives our work touches. With women often shouldering a disproportionate domestic workload, our non-traditional student scholarships and grantmaking often lift young women along with their mothers.

We support young girls by demonstrating competence and hope to inspire confidence in womanhood.