March 2025

Dear WFM Friends and Supporters,

Tomorrow is International Women’s Day, a global day to recognize the achievements of women and girls and to raise awareness of the ongoing work needed to achieve gender equality. This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action,” is meant to draw our attention to the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equity.

Accelerating action requires effective leadership, collaboration, and unwavering commitment. I see all those things in the work of the Women’s Foundation’s grantees, and particularly the three featured in this month’s Impact Under the Big Sky, Montana Community Foundation’s podcast.

Impact Under the Big Sky

Ep 2 Accelerating Action on International Women's Day

Listen in as guests explore the fight for reproductive rights, gender-affirming care, rural healthcare access, maternal health, and the state and federal policy work ahead—as well as the power of organizations working together to make a difference.

Featuring:

• Stephanie Morton, Executive Director, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies—on rural maternal healthcare and the challenges of funding family planning services. 
• Stephanie McDowell, Executive Director, Bridgercare—on Montana Family Planning Network, reproductive care, and access in healthcare deserts. 
• Martha Fuller, President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana—on advocacy efforts to protect reproductive and gender affirming care for all. 

Find the podcast on Spotify or YouTube.

Make a gift to honor International Women’s Day:

• Donate to Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana here.
• Donate to Bridgercare, MT Family Planning here.
• Donate to Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, The Montana Coalition here.

This International Women’s Day, let’s not only celebrate progress, let’s accelerate it.

With Gratitude,

Montana Legislative Session: February 2025 Update 

We’re fast approaching the general transmittal deadline for the 2025 Montana Legislative Session. By the end of today, all general bills have to pass out of their initial chamber. This is an important deadline that roughly marks the halfway point of the session, so it’s a great time to pause, take stock, and reset for the second half! Read the full article on our website and see the highlights below.

Key Issues & Progress:

• Healthcare: WFM celebrates the passage of HB 245, reauthorizing Montana Medicaid and securing healthcare for 80,000 Montanans. We also support SB 319, which advances doula certification to improve maternal health outcomes. Meanwhile, we continue to oppose harmful bills restricting reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare.
• Childcare: Affordable, quality childcare remains a top priority. We support efforts to increase childcare worker wages (HB 360) and expand Best Beginnings scholarships (HB 456, HB 457).
• Paid Family & Medical Leave: SB 325 aimed to establish a statewide family and medical leave program, but it was tabled in committee.

With many critical policies still in play, your voice matters. Advocate for policies that support Montana women and families by submitting comments or calling legislators. Learn how to get involved: Here or call (406) 444-4800.

Read the full article on our website

WFM Grantees Advocating for Policy

Our grantees are the best sources of information on what’s happening in the legislature and are experts and leaders in advocating for policy change. Please learn more about them and get involved! 

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies – Improve the health, safety, and well-being of Montana families by supporting mothers and babies, age zero to three

Montana Budget & Policy Center – A nonprofit organization focused on providing credible and timely research and analysis on budget, tax, and economic issues that impact low- and moderate-income Montana families.

Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence – A statewide, membership-based, anti-violence, nonprofit organization operating in Helena, Montana.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana – Works through electoral, legislative, and regulatory channels to advocate for universal access, without barriers, to cutting-edge sexual and reproductive health care for all Montanans.

Catalyst Montana (Formerly Montana Women Vote) – Uplifts low-income and marginalized Montanans through community organizing, policy advocacy, research, and leadership development. We work to build collective power and create meaningful change on issues that impact our communities.

WFM is a powerful force for philanthropy in Montana because of your support. WFM grantees lead the way in creating strong communities that work for women and girls.

Learn more about WFM grantees here and see our 2024 funding summary.
 

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