Originally published Feb. 2, 2023
10 Students from Community College of Philadelphia will work with WOMEN’S WAY to change predominant narratives about women and economic insecurity, mobilizing the region to take action
PHILADELPHIA – WOMEN’S WAY is pleased to announce its new cohort of Change the Narrative Fellows in partnership with Community College of Philadelphia’s Women's Outreach and Advocacy Center.
In 2020, the WOMEN’S WAY Gender Wealth Institute launched its Change the Narrative Fellowship – a program that seeks to change the predominant narratives of women and economic insecurity by using a women-led, bottom-up, intersectional approach. The fellowship trains and empowers women with the lived experience of economic insecurity to share their personal stories through professional-level audio, visual, and print. Fellows from past cohorts have been featured in media outlets, on panels, as keynote speakers, and more.
In collaboration with CCP’s Women’s Outreach and Advocacy Center, this year’s cohort members were recruited from Community College of Philadelphia. After receiving more than 60 applications, 10 CCP students were selected for the third cohort of Change the Narrative Fellows. These new fellows come with a diversity of lived experiences and backgrounds. They will spend the next 7 months participating in trainings, workshops, and networking opportunities with media, funders, and policymakers to share their stories.
“The Women's Outreach and Advocacy Center at Community College of Philadelphia is excited to partner with WOMEN’S WAY on this important initiative,” said Melissa Fogg, Director of the Women’s Outreach and Advocacy Center. “At the College, we are proud to offer our women-identified and gender non-conforming students a platform to share their knowledge and stories, and build community with each other. As advocates and changemakers, we want to empower our students to take control of their own narratives and achieve their goals.”
“We are thrilled to continue meaningful narrative change work for the Change the Narrative Fellowship’s third year, this year in partnership with the Community College of Philadelphia,” said Kelly Sheard, Director of the Gender Wealth Institute at WOMEN’S WAY. “There is such richness and depth in the stories of our Fellows, and it’s an honor to center their wisdom as we work to spur collective action to improve economic security for women in the region.”
“I’m really looking forward to being able to contribute to important discussions about how economic hardships specifically impact women since I don’t really get the opportunity to do so anywhere else,” said Christina Tsan, a new Change the Narrative Fellow. “I am also excited about listening to other women speak and gaining more insight about different topics through their perspectives.”
To learn more about the Change the Narrative Fellowship and meet past Fellows, see here. A $100,000 grant from HFGF Foundation enabled WOMEN’S WAY to conduct the Fellowship Program this year for the Third Cohort of Fellows.
The attached photo displays the newest cohort of Change the Narrative Fellows and was captured by Elizabeth Field.
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About WOMEN’S WAY:
WOMEN’S WAY’s mission is to inspire and mobilize the community to invest in organizations and leaders that will advance gender and racial equity. They hold a unique place in the nation’s history as the first “umbrella” funding federation in the United States specifically dedicated to women’s issues. Their organization was formed in the mid-1970s by seven women-led agencies that focused on wage equity, rape crises, domestic violence, reproductive freedom, and post-incarceration reentry. Because mainstream funding was not available for the progressive causes they championed, they joined together to raise a collective voice and generate critical funding for issues impacting gender equity. Since our founding, WOMEN’S WAY has raised more than $24 million to enhance the lives of women, girls, and families, and to provide vital support to the agencies that serve them. To learn more, visit womensway.org and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Community College of Philadelphia:
Community College of Philadelphia is the largest public institution of higher education in the City of Philadelphia. With an open admissions policy, the College serves all who may benefit – regardless of age, income, or ability. For more than 50 years, the College has lived up to its mission and goals by providing educational access for over 700,000 Philadelphians, setting families, businesses and neighborhoods on the path of shared prosperity and opportunity. For information on the College's degree and certificate programs, workforce development strategies, and community engagement initiatives, visit ccp.edu and follow us on social media @CCPedu.