Via: The Advocate: Preston Hollow Lifestyle
By: Lisa Kresl
POSTCARD FROM THE PANDEMIC: “Be generous in supporting those who are most affected — vulnerable low income women and families.”
Roslyn Dawson Thompson is president and CEO of Texas Women’s Foundation, an organization committed to advancing economic security and leadership opportunities for women and girls. She was also a 2018 Advocate Fierce Female. Here’s how she’s coping during the coronavirus crisis.
How her schedule has changed: “I am working as many hours or more now than before coronavirus. I think it is partly because we all spend so much time in ‘virtual’ meetings, which more often than not are back-to-back, leaving very little time to get other necessary work done except after the peak calling hours are over or on the weekends.”
Her typical routine:
- 6:00 – 7:30 a.m.: Have coffee with my husband, while we read Mayor Johnson’s daily email, scan headlines from three or four news sources and read/discuss key stories. Get dressed and ready for the day.
- 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.: In front of my computer. Zoom or Teams calls with staff, board, volunteers, donors and partners. In between, dig through the email avalanche and respond. Grab a bite of lunch (off camera!).
- 5:30-6:30 p.m.: Work out or take a walk. Turn off phone and computer. Prep dinner.
- 7:00 p.m.: Dinner with my husband; check-in calls with our children; watch an episode of whatever show we are binge watching.
The organization’s current goals: “Texas Women’s Foundation (formerly Dallas Women’s Foundation) is focused on the issues impacting women and girls, just as we’ve been for 35 years. Right now, though, we are focused on lower income women, who represent 63% of minimum wage workers in our community, and their families. These women and families were not only the first to be affected in this crisis, but they will also feel the impact for the longest time. Our goals are to respond to their needs through support for child care, health care, stable housing and services that help them now and throughout the months and even years ahead.”
How the community can help: “We invite the community to join us by contributing to Texas Women’s Foundation Resilience Fund at www.txwf.org. Together, we can meet the needs of lower income women and families in this time of unprecedented challenges. And when we help those most vulnerable in our community, all of us benefit.”
Her advice to neighbors: “Be grateful for everything we have. Be respectful of the unique challenges every person is facing: no one is unscathed. Be generous in supporting those who are most affected – vulnerable low income women and families – and help make them resilient through this most difficult time.”
DID YOU KNOW?
- The Texas Women’s Foundation has awarded $46.6 million in grants over 34 years
- Since 2013, the organization has awarded over $27.6 million in grants, and over $7 million in strategic grants supporting women’s economic security and leadership.
- Since 2013, the organization has impacted 90,000 women and families.
- The Texas Women’s Foundation is one of the largest women’s funds in the world with assets over $36 million.