Celebrating the Women Who Uplift All of Us

Our mothers are some of the most important people in our lives. They raise us, they teach us, they make us who we are.

And a mother will do whatever it takes to support her children.

Nearly 90% of Uplift’s grant applicants are single mothers, a reflection of the women facing an all-too-common crisis throughout the United States.

According to the Center for American Progress, single mothers experience a poverty rate of 28%, making them one of the most vulnerable demographics in the United States. These low earnings and high rates affect 16 million children across the country, an extraordinary impact on their development. The economic insecurity and instability of this cycle can make the daily efforts of just trying to get by, even more difficult for families in crisis.

These inequalities, as described by CAP, disproportionately affect women and families of color, creating yet another unnecessary barrier for these incredible women to overcome.

And with rates of single motherhood increasing, the need to create systems of support and consistency are as important as ever. That’s why Uplift believes the power of a single donation can create opportunity for freedom and flexibility. But, the threats to these freedoms and rights, especially for vulnerable women and mothers, have the potential to devastate communities across our country.

Philanthropist and advocate Melinda French Gates, recently pledged $1 billion to raise awareness and bring an end to the avoidable challenges facing women and children in our country.

“I just committed a billion dollars to really help move issues forward,” she said in this video. “For too long, there’s been a playing on the defense because of lack of funding, and not on the offense, about women’s rights and I feel we need to protect those in the United States.”

Without the proper resources and funding, the many adversities that single mothers endure in our country will continue to increase.

“Many of the leaders and organizations that I’m supporting are really focused on ‘how do we make a better world for everybody?’ And so that means helping lift up women, [and] lift up people of color.” 

Melinda shares Uplift’s earliest goal of helping the women and children of our country share the same access and freedom. She continues to share that less than 2% of philanthropic funds go to organizations focused on women and young girls. Uplift is grateful to be a part of that change and contribute to the aid that is going to mothers and children across the United States.

Our mothers help the world go around. Let’s help them in return. Honor a mother in your life this May, and uplift another by donating to support those in need at https://www.upliftingwomen.org/donate.