Women Partnering

Background Statement

In early 1998 three Sisters of St Francis (Sr. Jeannette, Sr. Frances, and Sr. Marilyn) of Colorado Springs came together with a research team of financially vulnerable women (Cynthia E, Pat F., Tanya G., Robin H., Diane W., and Sharon W.) with the goal of identifying and meeting the unmet needs of women and children in Colorado Springs.

The women led the process as they were the experts with lived experience. Their first objective was to reject the term “poor,” redefining themselves as financially vulnerable. The research team also identified the idea of a network that would not duplicate existing services. The recommendations of this research process both initiated and continues to shape Women Partnering.

In June 1998, researchers presented their findings to the Sisters of St Francis. Recommending that instead of one more program to respond to the unmet needs of women and children who were financially vulnerable, there should be a network. Women from a variety of backgrounds who would walk side-by-side and build on each other’s strengths. There needed to be a place where women could go and learn from one another. Women who were financially vulnerable needed to continue to partner with other women in working for empowerment, equity, and mutuality. This presentation ended with the Sisters of St Francis voting to fund the project going forward, with the added stipulation that the services would be given at no cost to the women.

In November 2000, the first board of what would become Women Partnering was convened. A board of women from diverse ethnic, educational, and age groups needed to be developed that honored the lived experience and knowledge of financially vulnerable women as much as professional knowledge and experience. The name for the organization was taken directly from the sub-title of the research: Women Partnering. Three women committed to serve on the board, and the others committed to be involved in service. Women Partnering opened the door to serve the first women in 2001. Since then, Women Partnering has served more than 5,400 women and 5,000 children.