Mary's Pence

06/10/2026

We love gathering, learning, and growing alongside our grantee partners!

06/10/2026

Before the sun rises, many women across Central America have already begun their day — caring for their families, running businesses, and supporting their communities. Yet much of this work remains unseen and unpaid.

Our spring newsletter cover story highlights the invisible labor of women leaders in Mary's Pence program in Central America and the power of recognizing, valuing, and investing in their leadership. Through Mary’s Pence, local coordinators receive support that helps sustain their work, strengthen their organizations, and create lasting change for women in their communities.

When we invest in women leaders, we invest in stronger communities, greater economic security, and a more just future.

Read the story: https://maryspence.org/stories/up-before-the-sun-the-invisible-labor-of-women-leaders-in-central-america/

In Suchitoto, El Salvador, women of a Local Leadership Council gathered to reflect on their lives through drawings — many centered on the sun, a symbol of both nourishment and hardship in daily rural life.

06/10/2026

We're so honored to be supporting such great work! Please check out the amazing news from the North Carolina Hmong Women Association, Inc.

06/09/2026

Our team is hard at work preparing for this year’s Grantee Gathering, where women leaders from across the country will come together in Minnesota for three days of connection, learning and renewal.

At Mary’s Pence, we believe that supporting grassroots organizations goes beyond funding. We are committed to creating spaces where leaders can build relationships, strengthen their work, and learn from others who understand the challenges and joys of community leadership.

We can’t wait to welcome our grantees and witness the power that emerges when women leaders gather, learn from one another, and grow together.

06/08/2026

We were honored to join the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Women's Ordination Conference in Michigan — a milestone that reflects five decades of advocacy, courage, and commitment to expanding opportunities for women in faith communities.

Representing Mary's Pence were Board Member Mary Zerjav and former Executive Director Katherine Wojtan, who joined others in recognizing the ongoing work toward equality, inclusion, and justice.

Congratulations to the Women's Ordination Conference on 50 years of impact and advocacy!

06/04/2026

[Español abajo]

In many rural communities across Honduras and Central America, women live in deeply rooted patriarchal systems. Olga is one of them: a single mother in a rural Honduran community.

Learn how she was able to transform her life thanks to her hard work and the support from Mary's Pence program in Central America.

Read Olga's full story here: https://maryspence.org/stories/olgas-journey-and-the-transformative-power-of-marys-pence-program-in-honduras/

En muchas comunidades rurales de Honduras y Centroamérica, las mujeres viven inmersas en sistemas patriarcales profundamente arraigados. Olga es una de ellas: madre soltera en una comunidad rural hondureña.
Descubre cómo logró transformar su vida gracias a su esfuerzo y al apoyo del programa de Mary's Pence en Centroamérica.

📖 Lee la historia completa de Olga aquí:

In many rural communities across Honduras and Central America, women live in deeply rooted patriarchal systems that shape nearly every aspect of life,

06/03/2026

This Pride Month, we celebrate the courage, leadership, and resilience of LGBTQIA+ communities and honor the individuals and organizations working every day to advance dignity, safety, belonging, and justice.

At Mary's Pence, we are proud to support grassroots organizations that build more inclusive communities, advocate for human rights, and create lasting change across the country.

🏳️‍🌈 Swipe through to meet some of the Mary's Pence grantees advancing LGBTQIA+ rights:

• The Curve Foundation — celebrating le***an visibility and honoring local activists in San Francisco.

• Project Rainbow Utah — supporting and uplifting q***r graduates through its Lavender Graduation celebration.

• ARC Gender Justice — organizing for gender justice and advocating alongside transgender people impacted by incarceration.

• THISTL — a trans-led organization working to address systemic barriers and expand housing justice for transgender communities.

Their work reminds us that meaningful change begins when communities are empowered to lead.

Happy Pride Month. 🏳️‍🌈

06/02/2026

Updates like these make our day! Yay! Thank you, Missouri Disability Empowerment Foundation, for the important work you're doing.

We're honored to support their mission and thankful to the donors and supporters who make this happen!

Mary's Pence has been funding women-led social justice work for almost 40 years now, and we're ready for 40 more years. Thank you!

06/01/2026

Thinking about applying for a Mary’s Pence grant?

Our grants support women-led and community-centered organizations working for social justice and long-term change. These slides walk through some of our key eligibility criteria to help you determine whether your organization may be a good fit.

We encourage you to read through carefully and learn more about the values and priorities that guide our funding.

Help us spread the word and support our work. Learn how you can become a supporter of grassroots organizations by visiting: MarysPence.org