PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas–The Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) marked its 10th anniversary here by also announcing it had not only surpassed a milestone, it received a surprise donation of $500,000.
Sue Mitchell, who was among the co-creators of the GWLN and who continues to serve as its volunteer chair, said she had set a goal of having 100 sister society chapters in place by year-end, and after sitting at 90, it has now met the goal.
“Ten years ago when we mentioned the World Council’s vision to create a global network for women, heads turned–there was non-belief that we needed to focus on diversity within credit unions,” said Mitchell in remarks delivered during a reception held in conjunction with the World Credit Union Conference in the Bahamas. “Tonight we know how important this initiative is in helping people rise up from poverty and have a voice in society. We celebrate (WOCCU CEO’s) Brian Branch’s foresight and I am honored to have shared his vision.”
Mitchell said the Global Women’s Leadership Network has raised global awareness with local impact by opening people's eyes to the credit union difference “one person, one step, one man, one woman, one Sister Society at a time.”
One Person’s Accomplishments
Mitchell singled out Leni San Roque, CEO of the Association of Asia Confederation of Credit Unions, for her work in traveling to remote areas and who in less than three years’ time has organized 25 sister societies in Asia, including the most recent one in India. More than 1,500 woman in Asia are now involved.
There are currently 35 GWLN sister societies in the United States, and Mitchell said with the exception of Antarctica, there are now sister societies active on every continent.
Mitchell reminded that while the reception was a celebration, on a more serious note the work could not continue without donations and support in order to become a “sustainable, premier program.”
“Our legacy leaders believed in creating initiative that built scale and strategically positioned cooperatives for the future,” said Mitchell.
Surprise Donation
At the conclusion of Mitchell’s remarks she and everyone else present were surprised by an announcement from Todd Clark and Samantha Paxson of CO-OP Financial Services that it would donate $500,000 over 10 years to GWLN.
“Fifty percent of our workforce is women. Sixty-three percent of our management team, is women. And it's something we think is important,” said Paxson. “We were the founding sponsor of Global Women 10 years ago and we think it's important on the 10-year anniversary to continue that.”
Mitchell also honored the winners of the organization’s highest honor, the Athena Award, who were on hand, and also presented the award this year to Elevations Credit Union and its former chair, Nancy Herbert. Elevations Credit Union donated the creation of a mobile app for the GWLN.
“This will allow us to reach places around the world that had trouble registering to become members,” said Mitchell. “This will help us build scale and change our digital footprint! We will now be able to show the world GWLN impact.”
Scholarship Winners on Hand
Recipients of the 2019 GWLN Scholarship were also on hand for the 10-year anniversary celebration. Each year, GWLN said it seeks to award scholarships to female leaders within credit unions so they may acquire new skills, tools and resources to make an impact and further their professional developme
nt.
The 2019 scholarship winners are:
- Rene Gayle, Assistant General Manager, First Heritage Co-Operative Credit Union Ltd. (Jamaica)
- Habiba Kent, Board Member, Windsor Employees SACCO (Uganda)
- Barbra Mchenga, Youth Advisor, Malawi Police Service SACCO (Malawi)
- Rose Vanessa Nyambi, Microinsurance Manager, Malawi Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (MUSCCO) (Malawi)
- Bettyrose Okiri, Project Manager, African Confederation of Co-operative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA) (Kenya)
- Jovitta Sakwiya, HR, Administration and Marketing Executive, Malawi Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (MUSCCO) (Malawi)
Since 2009, GWLN has awarded 51 scholarships to women from 23 countries.
Scholarships are made possible through funding from annual membership donations and sponsorships, including the generous support of CUNA Mutual Group, CU Direct, PSCU and the Susan Adams Scholarship Fund supported by One AZ Credit Union.