Welcome to our second newsletter as Giving Circle Philadelphia!

Thank you for remaining a dedicated member of our Giving Circle.  As many of you know, we are now an independent organization—separate from Women’s Connection.  Your participation in collective philanthropy helps improve the lives of women and children throughout Philadelphia—and enriches your own life through shared purpose, connection, and meaningful action.

Together, we are continuing a community of thoughtful donors who learn from one another, combine their resources, and create a greater impact than any one person could achieve alone. We are grateful that you continue to be part of this work.

Thank you for your generosity, your commitment, and the energy you bring to Giving Circle Philadelphia. We look forward to another inspiring season of learning, giving, and making a difference together.

Phyllis and Kris

Below is a special note from Kris - co-chair of GCP

Dear Giving Circle Philadelphia member:

Every day I remind myself that I am a very lucky woman. Still, today started with a task I always dread: my annual mammogram. It’s uncomfortable and waiting for the results always makes me anxious. My mother was a breast cancer survivor, so I know that getting my annual mammogram is a must. Her disease was discovered early in a routine mammogram when she was in her late sixties. She got good quality care paid for by Medicare and went on to live into her 90s without a reoccurrence. Lucky! I had health insurance through my employer before I retired and now, like my mother, I have Medicare and supplemental insurance. I get that dreaded mammogram every year.  But too many women in Philadelphia are not like me or my mother. Despite implementation of government health programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, access to quality health care remains a persistent problem. This circumstance has special and deadly consequences for women. Many studies show that women often delay medical screenings and care. Some don’t have insurance or can’t afford the required copay. A lack of transportation, living alone, not being able to afford to take time off work, no paid sick days, and a history of having doctors dismiss their concerns are common reasons many women cite to explain why they don’t seek medical care.

Trends in medical research also contribute to gender inequities in medical care since most studies focus on male bodies. This situation along with cultural taboos about discussing female health issues translates to many women having little understanding of their own bodies and failing to recognize warning signs that it’s time to see a doctor. This is especially true in cases of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death among women.

In Philadelphia, maternal mortality also points to the need for more attention to women’s health. A recent study by Philadelphia’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee found that from 2019-2023 there was a 26% spike in maternal deaths and most devastating, 90% of those deaths were preventable. Racial disparities translate to Black mothers being four times more likely to die of complications from pregnancy than white women. Race, ethnicity, and even a woman’s zip code reflect large differences in health outcomes.

Recent changes in Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act have only made the situation worse. Clearly, a focus on Women’s Health for this year’s GCP collective giving campaign is timely and an excellent match for our mission. Speaking on behalf of my co-chair Phyllis Bookspan and the board for Giving Circle Philadelphia, your generous contributions will help us make this another record fundraising year to help improve the lives of women in Philadelphia. Access to high quality health care should not be a matter of luck. Make a difference by being a GCP member.

Together in Giving,

Kris Lindenmeyer, Co-chair, Giving Circle Philadelphia

Giving Circle Philadelphia (GCP) has selected Women's Health as its 2027 focus area concentrating primarily on underserved women in Philadelphia, ages 18 and older. Eligible nonprofits will include those dedicated to helping women overcome barriers to affordable quality health care, providing access to preventive and ongoing care, maternal and reproductive health services, educational programs and initiatives that equip women to make their own health care decisions, and/or advocacy addressing these issues.

We have a date for our next Gather for Giving Evening! 

Please join us as we gather to "catch up with each other" as well as we continue to kick off a new fundraising campaign. Our focus area for 2027 is WOMEN'S HEALTH and it is a timely and important cause, so come hear from your fellow Giving Circle members as to how we can all make a difference.

Registration will open in a few weeks. For now we just ask you to . . . SAVE THE DATE!

REMINDER:  We are holding our annual Engagement Events in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia. If you know anyone who you feel would like to hear more about our organization, please email Mary Klein at marywealklein@gmail.com and bring them. These are casual gatherings with like-minded women who care about the issues facing Philadelphia today.

If you see a "Login" button on the new website, you can disregard it. The site is open architecture so . . . no logins are required. But, if you wish to see your last donation, the login button will take you there.



This is a new system and we are still working out the kinks. If you see something on the webpages that is incorrect or missing, let us know. You can email Susan Storb at sstorb@gmail.com.

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