1 ________________________________ ________________________________ Councilmember Charles Allen Councilmember Janeese Lewis George ________________________________ ________________________________ Councilmember Anita Bonds Councilmember Matthew Frumin ________________________________ ________________________________ Councilmember Christina Henderson Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie ________________________________ ________________________________ Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau Councilmember Brooke Pinto ________________________________ ________________________________ Councilmember Zachary Parker Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr. ________________________________ Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 1 2 3 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 4 5 To recognize the contributions of the Washington Area Women’s Foundation and to declare 6 October 11, 2023, as “Washington Area Women’s Foundation Day” in the District of 7 Columbia. 8 9 WHEREAS, the Washington Area Women’s Foundation celebrates its 25th year as 10 an impactful organization working for economic prosperity of women and women of color in 11 Washington, D.C.; and 12 13 WHEREAS, the Washington Area Women’s Foundation was founded in April 1997 14 by Washington women who saw the need to address equity and advance economic 15 empowerment among women and women of color in Washington, D.C.; and 16 2 17 WHEREAS, an invitation for afternoon tea soon became a movement that 18 revolutionized the philanthropic sector and our community, ultimately transforming into what 19 we know today as Washington Area Women’s Foundation. The WAWF has three impactful 20 programs that support women and girls in the Washington Area; and 21 22 WHEREAS, the foundation hosts the Early Care and Education Funder’s Collaborative 23 (ECEFC), to advance early care and education and connects funders and facilitates learning, action, 24 and philanthropy. The ECEFC funds advocacy and grassroots organizations to increase the quality 25 and capacity of and access to early care and education in the Washington, D.C. region; and 26 27 WHEREAS, women, girls, and gender-expansive youth of color are at a higher risk for safety 28 concerns across the nation and, more specifically, in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areas, with 29 girls 16 to 19 years of age being four times more likely to be victim-survivors of rape, attempted 30 rape, or sexual assault; and 31 32 WHEREAS, the WAWF supports numerous organizations through the Stand Together Fund, 33 launched in 2020 which is a catalyst for fostering a safer environment for this vulnerable population 34 and focuses on physiological aggression perpetrated by an intimate partner and sexual violence, 35 physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner; 36 37 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF 38 COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Washington Area Women’s Foundation 39 Recognition Resolution of 2023”. 40 41 Sec. 2. The Council determines to acknowledge and honor the Washington Area Women’s 42 Foundation for dedicated support and action toward the advancement, safety, and economic 43 inclusion of women, and those of color in the Washington Area, and in recognition of its 25th 44 anniversary declares October 11, 2023 to be “Washington Area Women’s Foundation Day” in the 45 District of Columbia. 46 47 Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in 48 the District of Columbia Register. 49