The Everyday Feminist

14Don't Re‐create the Wheel: The Role of Feminist Funds

Taking the helm of Global Fund for Women meant supporting other brave women wherever I may find them. I am totally psyched by the possibility even if I do have to battle imposter syndrome in the process. I surprise myself when I answer random questions about my own feminism and reflect on how important helping women is to my career and more importantly to my values. I feel this overwhelming desire to pour into others all the energy and solidarity that has been poured into me from my mothers, aunties, friends, and children. And I know this feeling is right and real by the very entry into the organization. I hear it called a feminist handover. I am embraced by an outgoing leader and board—literally and figuratively. Three months before I start my job, I sit with the outgoing leadership and the senior team to develop a plan that requires splitting supervision duties, board interaction, and external engagement. It is done with love and serious consideration for both outgoing and incoming CEOs' capacity while serving the mission and future of the organization. It is a special story and one that I hope is considered by all organizations to avoid the discomfort that comes with change, and mostly, because we don't have time for egos when humanity is fighting for social justice. We finalized our feminist handover in Canada in the company of all our external partners, a simple toast, and off I went to California. I felt held. And ...