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We build women’s collective power in the U.S.

October 10, 2025

Ms. South Convening: Providing space, fostering connection

by Ms. Foundation

At Ms. Foundation for Women, we know that there is abundant greatness in speaking truth to power. This staunch belief drives our effort to strengthen a thriving ecosystem of grantee partners, leaders, donors, and allies—each committed to building community, increased connectivity, and an equitable and just society for all.

This year’s Ms. South convening provided an in-depth perspective on what it takes to do this work every day in the face of enormous and growing challenges. Offered as a virtual convening, 34 grantee partners took part to engage in an authentic conversation about their leadership experiences, successes and trials, and the inspiring impact of their organizations.

With power building in mind, we set forth several key intentions to frame the convening:

  • Provide space for peer learning and open conversation, while tapping into restorative practices and mindfulness.
  • Foster connection and alignment where grantees are excited to come together.
  • Establish opportunities for participants to learn about each organization’s work and specific issue areas.
  • Connect Ms. South grantees with one another in a way that honors and acknowledges the expertise they bring to the movement and organizing spaces of the South.

To determine how the convening would look and feel, we turned to grantee partners for direction. 

Program Officer Melanie Jiménez explained: “The whole of the convening was planned by a consultant along with an advisory committee of six organizations from our larger portfolio.” It was grounding to see where the topics of focus landed—including requests for panel discussions on everything from reclaiming larger narratives around key issue areas in the South, to exploring how women of color win for safety, gender justice, and trans rights, to seeking the development of a Southern communications strategy in response to get-out-the-vote restrictions. The advisory committee also expressed a desire to delve into the state of philanthropy in the deep South—and its adverse impact on women, girls, and gender-expansive people—with the input of our President & CEO Teresa C. Younger. 

Melanie reflected on the experience: “Each grantee partner was given time to offer their reflections on how philanthropy has been historically in the South. The group was able to push back, challenge, and talk freely about the obstacles they face, as well as pose questions directly to Teresa.” 

Ms. South is our grantmaking, capacity building, and networking strategy that supports women and gender-expansive people of color across the U.S. South who are leading, inspiring, and growing grassroots efforts in the fight for justice and freedom.

We proudly offer targeted funding to strengthen movements in 14 key Southern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.