Women International Leaders
WIL's Story
Women International Leaders (WIL) of Greater Philadelphia brings together women of diverse backgrounds who are committed to empowering women in developing countries.
WIL Membership
Members support a wide variety of projects that raise women’s economic and social status and promote their independence and community leadership.
Thanks to all organizations who applied for a 2020 Empowerment Grant!
Look for our announcement of grant awardees here.
Upcoming Events
Summer 2020 Online Programs
Registration is required for all programs. There is no charge for these programs. Zoom information will be sent to registrants.
Global Trends in Microfinance
Tuesday, July 28 at 5:00 PM
Join the Microfinance Committee as we discuss the transformation of the global microfinance industry over the last decade. Current trends, successes, and challenges happening on the ground in Guatemala, will also be presented, with a special report from one of our recently funded microfinance organizations, Namaste.
WIL Travel Film Club's 1st Meeting
August 3 at 4:00 PM
Since movie theaters are closed for the foreseeable future, the WIL travel committee is bringing Meet WIL at the Movies with a virtual discussion at your own home! Our first virtual outing will be the movie ROMA (watch the Official Netflix Trailer https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6BS27ngZtxg).
All we ask is that you watch the film ROMA, available on Netflix, prior to our WIL Travel Film Club Zoom meeting! Come prepared to discuss the film from from a cultural and cinematography perspective as it relates to women of different socioeconomic levels in Roma, a suburb of Mexico City.
We look forward to a lively discussion about the upstairs/downstairs lives of the women in this film.
BYOB (beverages) and BYOP (popcorn)....
This is event is for WIL members only.
Spotlight on Empowerment Grant Awardees: Mwangaza Education for Partnership and Sueños
Tuesday, August 18 at 5:00 PM
Featuring an interview with Amy Cohen, volunteer with both groups and former WIL member.
Each year the Empowerment Grants Committee invites organizations around the world to apply for grants of up to $1500 to initiate or build capacity in programs. In 2020, WIL funded nine incredibly creative projects.
The featured grant recipients for our August program are Sueños (Guatemala) and Mwangaza Education for Partnership (Tanzania). Our first discussion centers around Sueños and its Women in Action Program which focused on empowering the mother’s of girls from one of their earlier projects. We will then learn about the Mwangaza Education for Partnership’s work by discussing their Binti-Mama program, where they encouraged school age girls make healthy lifestyle choices.
Zoom in to learn how our philanthropy makes a difference in the lives of women & their families.
See Events page for program details and photos of past events.
What We Do
Village Banks have been funded by WIL in developing countries all over the world, helping thousands of women become self-sustaining.
Projects created by reputable nonprofit organizations in developing countries are awarded WIL grants that support the health, education, and leadership of women & girls.
Members learn, via educational programs from expert speakers who work directly with women in developing countries to help resolve their most pressing issues.
Volunteering their expertise with locally based international organizations, WIL members support their organizational needs and participate in direct service for refugees and immigrants.
WIL sponsors unique adventures to developing countries that have or are being considered for a WIL-funded Village Bank or Empowerment Grant. Regional trips focus on U.S. historical and current women’s issues.
Get Involved
Membership is open to those who are interested in learning about, advocating for and contributing to women’s empowerment globally.
Corporate Sponsors
Mentor Capitalist, Inc.
