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








Tiageny in front of her school is Sierra Leone

LEADERSHIP

Photo of 100 Strong Co-Chair Corinne Basler

Corinne Basler
Co-Chair

Photo of One Hundred Strong Co-Chair Anya Salama

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, Co-Founder
Cathy Irwin
Diana Kirschner
Molly Davis Macleod
Ellen McCoy
Peg McGetrick, Co-Founder
Carolyn Miles
Sue Scribner Mirza
Anne Mulcahy
Cara Murphy
Julie Nordstrom
Catherine Oppenheimer, Co-Founder
Danita Ostling
Lois Pope
Deborah Ratner

Nadia Rawlinson
Melinda Ryan
Susan C. Salice
Anastasia Salisbury
Sharmila Sani
Iris Smith
Judy Smith
Elsa Soderberg
Janti Soeripto, President & CEO +
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 (7)

+ Member Ex Officio

PAST EVENTS & PROGRAM VISITS

March 2024 – 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.. 

January 2024 – 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 Save the Children measures 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 were Judy 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 Security and 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. 

August 2023 - A Discussion with Isha Sesay, Award-Winning Journalist and author, on her book Beneath the Tamarind Tree: A Story of Courage, Family and the Lost Schoolgirls of Boko Haram.

May 2023 – 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 projectHonorable P.C. Bal Kurr Kanagbaro Sanka III and Honorable Catherine Tarawally.

September 2022The 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.

August 2022A 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 Save the Children family. Steve and Cokie were married for 53 years.

August 2022Ukraine, 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, Save the Children U.S. CEO, Gabriela Alexandrescu, Save the Children Romania 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 Save the Children program staff and two local leaders, Kailahun District Council Chairman Sahr A.K. Lamin and Paramount Chief Emmanuel Ganawa of Kissy Teng chiefdom.

March 2022 – 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 – Discussion With Pulitzer Prize-Winning Authors Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn About Their Latest Book Tightrope: 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 Esther Duflo, Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 2019 Nobel Laureate in Economics, on economic development and the alleviation of poverty.

Image of the First Lady of Sierra Leone,  Fatima Maada.

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 Save the Children initiative, “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 Save the Children partner 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 Save the Children in Sierra Leone, shared a brief video message thanking 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 in this video tribute – 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, Save the Children has 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 about 100 STRONG, please contact:

Mary Taylor
Senior Advisor, Individual Philanthropy
100 Strong Women’s Philanthropic Leadership Network
[email protected]

 

 

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