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As we begin our next 25 years of
organizing and community development, the Women’s Project intends
to focus on leadership development and capacity-building. To this
end, we are launching the Women’s Project Social Justice Fellowship
Program this spring 2008. The program is focused on supporting
Arkansas women in receiving the training to develop the leadership
and organizing skills needed to build their communities. Annually
five women will be provided a one-year stipend of $2,000. Chosen from
around the state and across political movements, these five women
will have the opportunity to use the resources to craft a plan to
build skills, political education and relationships with others who
work for social justice.
These plans may include attending
trainings outside the state, bringing in skilled activists for
on-the-ground training, taking formal classes, choosing an
activist/mentor, spending time with another organization, working on
a national campaign or doing research. At the end of the year, each
of the fellows will organize a women’s community meeting to teach
others what they have learned.
Expected Outcomes
The Social Justice Fellowship Program
will enable five women to pursue their social justice dreams. These
burgeoning community leaders will have the opportunity to enhance
their leadership skills through training, resource materials and
exposure to other social justice movements. These women will also
have access to the Women’s Project’s network of partners,
associated community leaders and long-term supporters, all of which
represent a broad cross-section of organizations and movements. The
fellows will apply their newfound skills in organizing a workshop
where they can disseminate knowledge to 25 other women.
We anticipate that the program will
help build strong leadership in grassroots organizing, by connecting
movements, sparking dialogue, developing skills and replicating
experiences in communities.
Looking forward
The Women’s Project envisages an
expansion of the Social Justice Fellowship Program in 2009. Our aim
is to double the number of fellows to 10 women and increase the
non-monetary resources available to them under the program.
Non-monetary resources include weekend workshops with
activists/leaders from different political movements or communities,
including but not limited to: LBGTQ, domestic violence, the
environment, HIV/Aids, immigrant reform, prisons, reproductive
justice and substance abuse. Other non-monetary resources may include
“how-to” workshops for grassroots organizing, demonstrations,
campaigns or activities to address current community issues.
We are no longer accepting applications for 2008, but check back towards the end of the year for 2009 application guidelines.
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