Founded by women for women, 100 Strong is a sisterhood of thoughtful, engaged philanthropists.
Together we dive deeper into the biggest challenges facing children, with opportunities to learn from world leaders, experts, and one another. Leveraging our voices, talents, and resources,we aim to strengthen our philanthropic impact and make transformative change for kids around the globe.
Among our strengths is the diversity of interests and perspectives we bring to the group. Whether you have a passion for education, gender equality, community health, or addressing the effects of climate change –100 STRONG is your pathway to inspire and be inspired to change the world!
Member Opportunities
NETWORK
Connect with other leading women philanthropists
MEET
Meet virtually with world leaders
ENGAGE
Interact directly with the programs you support
EXPLORE
Explore your philanthropic passions
IMPACT
Make transformative impact for vulnerable children
LEADERSHIP
Corinne Basler
Co-Chair
Anya Salama
Co-Chair
MEMBERS
Alison Benge
Terry Cardwell
Jenny Brorsen DeMartini
Mary Dillon
Debra Fine+
Jennifer Garner+
Susan Gianinno+
Lisa Giles-Klein
Janet Haas
Gabriela Hearst* +
Cathy Irwin
Diana Kirschner
Molly Davis Macleod
Ellen McCoy
Peg McGetrick*+
Carolyn Miles
Sue Scribner Mirza
Anne Molloy
Anne Mulcahy^
Cara Murphy
Pamela Murphy
Julie Nordstrom+
Catherine Oppenheimer*
Danita Ostling+
Lois Pope
Deborah Bachman Ratner
Nadia Rawlinson+
Melinda Ryan
Susan C. Salice
Anastasia Salisbury
Sharmila Sani
Neela Seenandan +
Iris Smith
Judy Smith+
Elsa Soderberg
Janti Soeripto#
Mimi Reichert Sternlicht
Leila Straus
Tracy McHale Stuart+
Helene Sullivan
Dawn Sweeney
Nancy Taussig
Samantha Vinograd+
Lauren Whitehurst
Judee Ann Williams+
Barbara Wilson
Carol Winograd
Korynne Wright+
Dona Davis Young
Anonymous (5)
* 100 Strong Co-Founder
+ ɫƵUS Trustee
^ ɫƵUS Board Chair Emeritus
# 100 Strong Member Ex Officio
PAST EVENTS & PROGRAM VISITS
– Uplifting Children in Rural America – An enlightening conversation about Save the Children's initiatives for children in the United States. Moderated by Trustee and 100 Strong member, Sam Vinograd, and featuring Actor and ɫƵAmbassador Cobie Smulders, Vice President for US Programs Betsy Zorio, South Carolina State Director Sharonda Burison-Harris, and ɫƵAction Network (SCAN) State Manager Hafeezah Yates.
–Women on a Mission: 100 Strong US and UK Visit to Sierra Leone-A discussion led by the six members who participated in February 2024 visit to Sierra Leone, with a focus on the Ending Child Marriage project. Members shared photos, personal reflections, and stories from their inspiring trip.
February 2024–Program visit to Sierra Leone- Six members of 100 Strong, four from the US and two from the UK, visited to Sierra Leone to see, first-hand, the impact of the 100 Strong-inspired Ending Child Marriage project and other programs. Traveling across the country, from the capital of Freetown to rural Kailahun district, they met with Girl Champions, Paramount Chiefs, community leaders, students, teachers, parents, and health workers. Their week-long experience concluded with private meetings with the nation’s First Lady, ministries, and members of Sierra Leone Parliament who are pushing for an end to early marriage and for more hopeful futures for girls..
– State of the Agency - A discussion with Janti Soeripto, President & CEO of Save the Children, and Silvia Paruzzolo, Managing Director, of Evidence for Impact, Save the Children. Janti reflected on 2023 and shared the agency’s outlook and priorities for 2024. She also reflected on her recent experience in Israel, the West Bank, Egypt, and the Gaza border. Silvia spoke about Evidence for Impact and how ɫƵmeasures and continually strives to improve program outcomes for children.
September 2023–The 100 Strong Fall Assembly- The 100 Strong gathering, on September 26, included a panel discussion, cocktail reception, and dinner. Panel speakers wereJudy Smith, Founder & CEO, Smith & Co., Crisis Management Expert, Inspiration for Hit TV Series Scandal,Samantha Vinograd, Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism, Threat Prevention, and Law Enforcement Policy, U.S. Department of Homeland Securityand LTG (Ret) Nadja West,Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism, Threat Prevention, and Law Enforcement Policy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, shared their experiences and offer reflections on leadership after leading their teams, countries, and the world through high-profile challenges.
-A Discussion with Isha Sesay, Award-Winning Journalist and author, on her bookBeneath the Tamarind Tree: A Story of Courage, Family and the Lost Schoolgirls of Boko Haram.
– Early Childhood Marriage in Sierra Leone Intimate Discussion- Virtual update and discussion on the 100 Strong-inspired Ending Child Marriage (ECM) project in Sierra Leone, with Girl Champions Aminata, Finda, Mariama, and Tewa who are leading the fight in their communities and beyond.
March 2023 – A discussion with Ambassador Cindy McCain, US Permanent Representative to the UN Agencies in Rome and incoming Executive Director of the UN World Food Program, about strategies for tackling global hunger and food insecurity. Led by Raj Kumar, author and President & Editor-in-Chief of Devex.
November 2022–A discussion on the 1 year anniversary of the Ending Childhood Marriage in Sierra Leone project. Honorable P.C. Bal Kurr Kanagbaro Sanka III and Honorable Catherine Tarawally.
September 2022 – The 100 Strong Fall Assembly - 100 Strong members and friends came together on September 21st for the first-ever 100 Strong Assembly, at 6 East 80th Street, an extraordinary residence on Manhattan’s Upper East Side managed by the Frederick R. Koch Foundation. The event began with a panel discussion on “Pathways to Philanthropy” with featured speakers Dr. Georgette Bennett, Founder of Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees, and Navyn Salem, Founder of Edesia Nutrition. Guests also enjoyed the chance to socialize over cocktails and connect during a special dinner hosted by Co-Founder Peg McGetrick.
– A Discussion with Steve Roberts on his new book Cokie: A life well lived - Legendary journalist Cokie Roberts was a Founding Member 100 Strong, a longtime Trustee, and a beloved member of the ɫƵfamily. Steve and Cokie were married for 53 years.
August 2022 – Ukraine, an insider update on the agency’s response for kids and families impacted by war – those still inside the country and those who have fled to neighboring nations. Featuring Janti Soeripto, ɫƵU.S. CEO, Gabriela Alexandrescu, ɫƵRomania CEO, and Sonia Khush, Ukraine Country Director.
May 2022–Making Progress For Girls In Sierra Leone – Update and interactive conversation about the first eight months of the groundbreaking 100 Strong-inspired Ending Child Marriage pilot in Sierra Leone, with ɫƵprogram staff and two local leaders, Kailahun District Council Chairman Sahr A.K. Lamin and Paramount Chief Emmanuel Ganawa of Kissy Teng chiefdom.
– Discussion with humanitarian experts Gabriella Waaijman and Yolande Wright about the global hunger crisis, and how conflict around the world threatens to push millions more children to the brink of starvation.
October 2021 – Fireside chat with NYT bestselling author Kimberly Williams Paisley and Grammy Award winning country music artist Brad Paisley about fighting hunger, and how, together, we can ensure that kids in rural America have access to nutritious food.
September 2021 – DiscussionWithPulitzer Prize-Winning AuthorsNicholas Kristof and SherylWuDunnAbout Their Latest BookTightrope: Americans Reaching For Hope.
November 2020 – Discussion with Her Excellency Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone, about the global movement for girls’ empowerment – how, together, citizens, governments and NGOs are working to end child marriage and gender-based violence, and to keep girls safe and learning during the pandemic and beyond.
May 2020 – Discussion with EstherDuflo, Abdul LatifJameelProfessor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 2019 Nobel Laureate in Economics, on economic development and the alleviation of poverty.
Stirred by a November 2020 conversation with the First Lady of Sierra Leone Fatima Maada Bio, 100 Strong came together to launch a critically important ɫƵinitiative, “Ending Child Marriage in Sierra Leone: A Bold Approach for Change,” or ECMSL. The ECMSL project will use an integrated approach to create a shift in beliefs, behaviors, societal norms and policies to turn the tide against the harmful practice, opening the door to brighter futures for girls and women in Sierra Leone.
Members of 100 Strong, make up the vast majority of supporters of this two-year pilot, which has garnered $930,000 in funding toward the total goal of $1.5 million. A major ɫƵpartner in this initiative, Her Excellency Maada Bio escaped an arranged marriage to an older man in her early teens, fleeing to the UK with the aid of her sister. As First Lady, she has inspired actions against gender-based violence and child marriage in Sierra Leone since 2018 with her Hands Off Our Girls campaign.
The ECMSL pilot kicked off officially in September 2021. Ramatu Jalloh, Advocacy & Communications Director for ɫƵin Sierra Leone, shared athanking 100 Strong for making this exciting work possible. Says Ramatu,“We’re bringing men and boys on board. As leaders, fathers, brothers, they can help shift the belief that the only space for a girl in our world is as a wife and a mother. We will engage paramount chiefs and traditional leaders as champions. As power brokers and local lawmakers, they can facilitate change in communities by enforcing laws to end child marriage."
The First Lady offers her personal thanks to 100 Strong as well– a testament to our shared determination to protect the right of every girl to grow up, access education and have a say in determining her path in life.
In the first 8 months of the Ending Child Marriage pilot in Sierra Leone, ɫƵhas worked closely with those in the 15 participating Kailahun communities, rooting the program in the perspective of local leaders, elders, men, boys, and girls – including, of course, child brides.
FIND OUT MORE
To become a member or to learn more about100 STRONG, please contact:
Mary Taylor
Senior Advisor, Individual Philanthropy
100 Strong Women’s Philanthropic Leadership Network
[email protected]