Women To Be liberates girls around the world into opportunity, freedom, and dignity.
Women To Be is a relentless source of advocacy for women and girls. We have distributed over 10,000 ‘kits’ of reusable sanitary pads to girls in Nepal, Zambia, Mexico, and the Navajo Nation. Each kit lasts three years, accounting for 30,000 years of possibility, education, and dignity for girls and women. Our sewing center in Dhulikhel, Nepal created 22 new jobs for 22 in-need women who sew our kits for a fair wage, child care arrangements, and a free meal.
Our group of committed international partners is intent to find bigger and better ways to serve the menstrual and reproductive health needs of girls and boys and the communities in which they live. As we do this, our own lives are impacted and we find meaningful relationships with those we serve and those with whom we serve. We consider ourselves fortunate to do this work.
Girls who receive ‘Kits’ are better able to:
- Get an education and learn a skill
- Become economic drivers in their communities
- Delay marriage and pregnancy
- Participate in community activities and decisions
- Develop dignity and self-confidence
- Be strong role models for their children
2021 Financial Statement Coming Soon
Where we work
Women To Be has distributed kits and sex education to 1,600 girls and women in 2015 and 2016. Christine actually went to the refugee camp her friend lived in to distribute kits to the girls and women her friend had to leave behind. A needs assessment shows that girls drop out of school at the start of puberty and the local population, particularly women, suffers from unemployment. In 2017, 281 women and girls who received kits a year earlier were surveyed, 279 reported that the kits allowed them to perform their duties and stay in school, that they wanted a replacement kit in 2019 when their current kit is no longer effective, and that they would like more kits to give to friends and family who did not initially receive them.
In 2020, Women To Be received a Rotary International Grant to distribute kits and the health class to 5000 girls and women in remote regions of Nepal. This grant allowed them to establish a sewing center in Nepal to train and employ 22 refugee women to sew kits. Although Covid 19 has created delays, commercial contracts for the center have been secured, thereby ensuring sustainability.
A second Nepal Rotary grant will enable WTB to establish a second sewing center, distribute 4000 kits and provide the reproductive health class to all interested community residents, both female and male.
Women To Be distributed 500 kits in remote areas of Chihuahua in May 2019 to bring the program to Tarahumara indigenous women. We returned in October 2019 to research resources and strengthen relationships with the State of Chihuahua Health and Human Services Office. Following our mission and with their partnership, we intend to establish a sewing enterprise. Through grants and donations, we expect our enterprise to be profitable and sustainable. This has currently been delayed due to COVID-19. However, in early 2021, we distributed 500 kits to Juarez.
Women To Be has distributed kits to 1000 girls and women in 2018 and 2019. A team of researchers from the University of New Mexico visited Zambia during the 2019 trip to collect, and later analyze, data regarding the effectiveness of the kits and health classes – and to measure the degree to which women and girls want our products and services. The results confirm our mission and all our beliefs with great certainty – the kits work and are wanted!
U.S. Senators Jeff Udall and Martin Heinrich, Governor Lujan Grisham, and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller have written in endorsement of WTB. We know that there are girls and women in New Mexico (NM) who cannot afford or do not have access to disposable menstrual products every month. Some of these women are survivors of domestic violence or those recently released from detention.
From May 2020 to January, 2021 during the worst of COVID-19, Women To Be distributed 900 kits to NM Navajo women, many of whom live without running water and electricity. We also organized an all-volunteer Albuquerque community-driven project to deliver 35 tons of food, water, and cleaners to Navajo families continually on the edge of running out of food. The Council of the Navajo Nation recognized Women To Be for their aid and friendship.
Endorsements
For Women To Be’s work in Zambia
Women To Be is an innovative organization and I salute Christine Glidden and her team for their fine work.U.S. Senator Tom Udall, 2018For Women To Be’s work introducing the King to the Governors of the NM Pueblos
I welcome the new relationship that you (King of the Bemba People) have begun with the tribal leaders and Women To Be…to preserve the deep culture, languages, and history of the (NM) Pueblos.U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, 2018Elevating the equality of life
As Congresswoman in 2018, ‘I am thrilled that Christine with Women To Be has coordinated this gathering with the City of Albuquerque to support our international brothers and sisters who are focused on elevating the quality of life for Bemba women.’ As Governor in 2019, general appreciation of Women To Be’s work around the world.NM Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, 2018 and 2019Acknowledging that
Women To Be and Christine Glidden were ‘instrumental in introducing the King of the Bemba People to the All Pueblo Council of Governors to sign a historic Proclamation to ‘promote the success of women and girls in our communities and to honor, respect, and empower them in our tribal communities.The NM All Pueblo Council of GovernorsUnselfish, excellent work
To Christine Glidden in acknowledgment of ‘your unselfish, excellent work’ that ‘will allow the beneficiaries to substantially increase their quality of life, body integrity, and health and well-being conditions’. 2019, ‘Chihuahua Year of the Woman’.Chihuahua Mexico State Secretary of Health, Victor QuintanaIt was great pleasure
for me to learn that your girls project was big success. I know that your kits will be very helpful specially in the Himalayan region & remote areas of Nepal. Thank you.Crown Prince Jigme of the Kingdom of Mustang Nepal, 2016For the extraordinary reception and great care
we received from you during our stay in the Unites States of American" and later for our work distributing 1200 kits to girls of the Bemba People.The King of the Bemba People of Zambia Chitimukulu Kanyanta Manga II, 2018-2020