Join Women Rising International Lunch| SF

Join us for an inspiring lunch with Women Rising International, a new nonprofit partnering with women- and youth-led organizations and enterprises across Africa to advance inclusive health, education, food security, and economic resilience.

In March 2025, the United States abruptly eliminated the vast majority of its international development funding. Overnight, decades of partnerships and hundreds of effective, community-based programs were put at risk. The human impact was immediate: organizations working to reduce maternal mortality were forced to lay off staff, youth enterprises addressing food insecurity lost access to critical resources, and women’s cooperatives that sustained entire communities faced closure.

And yet—this moment has also clarified something essential.

The most innovative and effective solutions have never come from Washington, DC alone. They are built every day by women running community health circles in rural Kenya, survivors leading girls’ education programs in Nigeria, and youth entrepreneurs creating cooperative businesses in Benin. While funding was cut, the leadership, ideas, and proven solutions remain strong.

This lunch gathering is an invitation to learn more about Women Rising International’s work—and to connect with others who believe in locally led change. Over coffee and conversation, participants will learn more about some of the amazing partners with whom Women Rising works in Benin and Kenya, meet like-minded global citizens, and take part in a morning designed to spark reflection, connection, and shared purpose. Together, we’ll explore the challenges shaping women’s rights today—and the role each of us can play in building bridges across borders.

You’ll hear directly from Women Rising International Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Elise Young, about the impact of our recent work in Benin, and the bold initiatives ahead in Kenya and Nigeria. The gathering will also include an interactive experience that invites every voice into the room—creating space not only to listen, but to contribute, exchange ideas, and help shape what comes next.

Whether you’re deeply engaged in global affairs, gender equity, social justice, or simply curious to learn more, we hope you’ll join us for this energizing morning—and become part of a growing community committed to elevating women’s and youth leadership worldwide.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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