Friends and Partners,

Greetings! I hope this September finds you safe, healthy, seeking joy and working for justice in the world.

This time last year, we wrote to share that Powerful Beyond Measure would need to suspend programming due to COVID-19.

We believe that global change begins in communities, and that community change comes from within. And so we shared our commitment to listen to the powerful women we serve and our community partners to understand how we could best show up for their continued success through the pandemic.

Investing in Powerful Young Women

I’m proud to share that PBM invested dollars raised for the 2020 program—more than $90,000, in direct grants.

In listening to our partners and most importantly, the young women we serve, we heard about the profound and unprecedented challenges our students were facing to remain in college and pursue their academic goals in the face of the pandemic.

We decided to make more than $70,000 in non-discretionary direct grants to every high school grad and graduate of Powerful Beyond Measure since our inception. Consistent with our most deeply held values, we did not impose our preferences or perceptions on how dollars should be used. We respected and honored each young woman’s power to determine what would best support her educational journey.

PBM grads used their grants for everything from tuition bills to rent, transportation back to college, to supporting family with groceries and meeting other basic needs.
In their words:

“PBM always encourages me to do my best, and I am super grateful to have such a supportive group in my life at times like this during a pandemic...and to have wonderful and strong female role models in my life like the PBM sisterhood. 💟"

“I put the check towards an outstanding tuition balance I have for school and it was extremely helpful. I never could have imagined I'd have the experiences and moments I had. Visiting Daraja, meeting so many girls, hearing so many stories, and making so many bonds, these were life changing events which will stay with me forever.”

“I just began school, and I was notified that I was being laid off from my on campus job. I was afraid that I would be unemployed this semester because I was struggling to find a new job, so this is truly a blessing. I am so grateful. 💜”

“I appreciate this opportunity and will forever cherish what PBM has done for me. I am happy to say all is well even though the world is going through a rough time. Today was actually my first day, so I am excited for what this semester holds. I also just started a new job. ❤️ Thank you for bringing PBM into my life. I am very grateful.”

“I am writing this to thank you so very much! I’ve received my check! You guys don’t understand how helpful it was to my family. I am taking classes but everything has been very difficult due to my mother getting sick with COVID and me having to take of her! I’m so excited to be on the road of becoming a Registered Nurse!”

Additionally, we contributed $10,000 respectively to our incredible partners at Daraja Academy and SEGA in support of their continued work to educate and empower the next generation of female leaders in East Africa.

Moving Forward 

Nearly a year since we last wrote, as we begin a new school year, we don’t yet find ourselves safely able to resume programming. We do find ourselves incredibly lucky to feel community and connection through PBM’s enduring sisterhood, both here in the Bay Area and in Africa—even from a distance.

Our commitment is to continue to listen, connect, and work to find ways to best champion the success of the young women we serve and the organizations we’ve been so lucky to partner with.

It is important to us to continue to hear from you. Please reach out with thoughts and ideas around how Powerful Beyond Measure can continue to serve.

Stay well.

With gratitude and love,

Jen

www.powerfulbeyondmeasure.org