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.
Thanks to all organizations who applied for a 2020 Empowerment Grant!
Look for our announcement of grant awardees here.
Upcoming Events
Fall 2020
Programs
Registration is required for all programs. There is no charge for most programs. Zoom information will be sent to registrants.
WIL Travel Film Club Meeting
Wednesday, September 30 at 7:00 PM
The WIL Travel Committee will next be traveling virtually to Mexico with the film "Like Water for Chocolate."
The film became the highest-grossing foreign-language film ever released in the US in that time. The movie is set in the early 1900s and follows the story of Tita who faces struggles of love, family dynamics and family tradition.
The movie is in Spanish with English subtitles and can be watched on HBO Max or Amazon Prime. A YouTube trailer for the movie can be seen at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb2QJvmETL4
We look forward to a lively discussion on Zoom about this film.
BYOB (beverages) and BYOP (popcorn)....
This event is for WIL members only.
Discover History through Eyes of Philadelphia’s Female Muralists
Wednesday, October 21 at 10:00 AM
Join WIL Travel as we explore Philadelphia’s acclaimed mural art in a small group walking tour.
Experience firsthand how art ignites change: explore the world’s largest outdoor art gallery and get to know Philadelphia’s stunning mural collection on an exciting guided tour! Weave through diverse neighborhoods on foot, and get inspired by the incredible public art that makes Philadelphia the mural capital of the world.
SPOTLIGHT ON SERVICE–
THINK LOCALLY, ACT GLOBALLY
Showcasing Urban Promise International
and Juntos
Meet representatives from two of the WIL Service Committee’s partner organizations: Urban Promise International and Juntos on Zoom. Mentored by WIL members , Urban Promise International fellows are in the US for two years of leadership training; after completing the training they will return to their homes in Africa to develop and run local nonprofit organizations that serve vulnerable children and teens. We will also hear from a presentation from Juntos, a community-led, Latinx immigrant organization in South Philadelphia fighting for human rights for workers, parents, youth, and immigrants. "
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MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT
at WIL’s First Virtual Giving Circle
Tuesday, November 17 at 5:00 PM
As a Giving Circle voting member (minimum donation $300) you can help decide which one of three organizations will receive a special $5,000 grant. Have a direct impact on WIL decisions and increase your awareness and engagement of the international women’s issues presented. Organizations for consideration are Friendship Bridge, empowering women in Guatemala to build a better life; Fonkoze, bringing financial inclusion and development services to Haiti; and Cureamericas Global, working to save the lives of women and children in Guatemala, Bolivia, Sierra Leone, Kenya and Liberia through better prevention and health education. Program will be on Zoom.
Member and non-member giving levels are available.
See Events page for program details and photos of past events.
COVID Grants
In 2020, WIL provided one-time grants to two of our partner organizations to fund special initiatives to address the COVID pandemic.
Namaste Direct
WIL provided Namaste Direct a $5,000 grant to support Namaste's Basic Income Supplement Program. The program provided funds over a three month period to approximately 20 current indigenous borrowers in Guatemala whose incomes were negatively impacted by the pandemic. The funds assured that the women's income was 80% of the Guatemalan minimum wage. Priority was given to women who received a microloan through WIL's microfinance grant.
Street Child
WIL's funded a grant to support a three-month social enterprise program in Sierra Leone that produced and sold face masks to prevent and ameliorate the impact of COVID-19 in 19 communities. The program not only provided employment and income to vulnerable girls and women but also generated funds for Street Child to continue the initiative.
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.
