About This Event:
CLOSING THE GENDER WEALTH GAP FORUM: STABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | 4 PM EST | Free, Virtual Event
True economic stability opens doors to a life of dignity and ease, but what does that really look like? It looks like freedom from exploitative debt, access to good jobs that pay fair wages, and a social safety net that guarantees basic rights—without barriers. Join panelists from Debt Collective, First Up, and Women’s Law Project to learn innovative strategies to advance economic stability and opportunity. This event will be moderated by Nathifa Forde, founding Executive Director of NYC Her Future.
Across four virtual events this year, our Closing the Gender Wealth Gap series will spotlight the changemakers and organizations working across key dimensions of the Gender Wealth Framework - a tool developed by WOMEN’S WAY to promote dignity, equity, and joy in our communities. This Framework is based on five key pillars: 1) Health and Healing; 2) Stability and Opportunity; 3) Freedom, Joy, and Belonging; 4) Family and Community Care; 5) Resource Navigation and Support. Learn more about the Gender Wealth Framework here.
PANELISTS
Dr. Richelle Brooks is a momma, an educator, organizer with Debt Collective, and the founder of ReThink It - an organization dedicated to providing resources to mitigate the harm of systemic racism. She is an author and speaker, with a specialized interest in the ways Black Women, especially, are harmed by systemic white supremacy and patriarchy. As a Black Woman, first-generation college graduate, and a formerly houseless person, she has learned to navigate the oppressive and racist systems and institutions, and has made it her life-work to help others do the same, while simultaneously working to dismantle these systems that perpetuate those inequities.
Tara Murtha is Director of Impact & Engagement at Women's Law Project, a public interest legal center focused on advancing reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ equality, and gender justice in Pennsylvania and beyond. A former journalist, Tara develops communications initiatives related to the law, legislation, and litigation; liaisons with media and government officials; and leads on special projects addressing anti-abortion disinformation.
Elizabeth Farwell Ozer began working as an educator in 2004 and has worked with learners from PreK-college age in many different education settings. She holds Master’s in both Elementary Education and Education Policy from the University of Pennsylvania. Her passions include exploring nature and advocating for child wellbeing in all forms. She joined First Up in 2015 and now serves as the Senior Manager of Special Projects. Elizabeth lives in Philadelphia.
MODERATOR
Nathifa Forde is the founding executive director of NYC Her Future, where she strategically develops policies, programs, and partnerships to support young women, girls and gender expansive New Yorkers of color in overcoming disparities. With a decade-long career in the NYC non-profit sector, Forde has spearheaded a multitude of initiatives such as the Health Career Credentialing Program at CUNY and partnerships with organizations like the Black Women's Blueprint to address maternal-infant mortality rates. Prior to her current role, Forde was the acting executive director of the NYC Young Men’s Initiative, served as a National Urban Fellow at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and held positions at the NYC Center for Youth Employment. She is an alumna of CUNY, holding both a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from Medgar Evers College and a Master of Public Administration from Bernard M. Baruch College.
All Closing the Gender Wealth Gap Forums are free and open to the public. Your ongoing support enables us to sustain and enhance this vital programming for our community.
