Did you know?

Currently women control more than 51% of the wealth in the United States? In the next ten years that number will grow through the inheritance of assets.

Women own 1/3 of all private businesses.

Women own almost 50% of stock portfolios with values over $50K.

However,

70% of the world's poverty are women and children.

Less than 10% of philanthropic dollars goes to causes directly impacting women and girls.

 

Why are we the Lantern League?

The name goes back to the history of the Sisters of the Presentation (the founders of Presentation High School, which is the sponsoring organization of this circle.) The religious order was founded by a woman named Nano Nagle. She was a native of Cork, Ireland and came from a very wealthy family. She became increasingly concerned about the plight of the poor in her country—especially poor children who were denied education under the penal laws. She formed a religious order of women dedicated to the education of children. Because it was illegal during the 18th century to provide education for Catholic children, she did so in the cover of night. She was often seen in the streets of Cork carrying a lantern.

The lantern is an object that casts out light and serves as a beacon of hope lighting the darkness. Since the proceeds of this circle will fund programs for women and girls, this seemed an appropriate name for our group.

 

What is a women’s Giving Circle?

Across the United States, groups of women are initiating and participating in giving circles—groups of individuals who pool their charitable gifts to fund projects that improve the quality of life in their communities. With their collective gifts, these women are major donors, and they are helping to “grow” women as philanthropists. We may not all be individually wealthy, but we hold great wealth in common.

Article on Women & Philanthropy published in More Magazine February 2006

To view the article, click here.