Melinda French Gates on Her Resignation and Future Plans After Dobbs Decision
Following the Dobbs decision allowing states to determine abortion rights, Melinda French Gates felt driven to provide financial aid for American reproductive freedoms, a cause she had previously focused on internationally.
After the US Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision that allowed individual states to determine abortion rights, Melinda French Gates decided to offer financial support to Americans for their reproductive freedoms. Previously, she had been focusing solely on improving contraceptive access in other countries.
In an op-ed published in the New York Times on Tuesday, French Gates expressed her new commitment to supporting reproductive rights within the United States. She highlighted the importance of providing financial assistance to organizations fighting for women’s rights, as they have often been at a disadvantage due to lack of funding. French Gates aims to level the playing field and empower these organizations to make progress in the face of opposition.
French Gates, one of the world’s wealthiest and most prominent philanthropists, recently announced her resignation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. June 7 will mark her last day at the organization that she helped create over twenty years ago. As part of her divorce agreement, she received $12.5 billion from the Gates Foundation for her work upon her resignation. She mentioned a shift in focus towards philanthropic efforts for women and girls, although she did not provide specific details.
On Tuesday, she revealed the first insights into her new plan.
French Gates has pledged to donate $1 billion through 2026 to support women's rights globally through her organization, Pivotal Ventures. This includes $200 million in grants to organizations advocating for women's reproductive rights. Additionally, she will allocate $250 million in funding to groups dedicated to enhancing women's mental and physical well-being.
In a similar philanthropic approach to MacKenzie Scott, French Gates will award $240 million to 12 advocates and influential leaders worldwide (equivalent to $20 million each). These individuals will have the freedom to distribute the funds to organizations they believe are making significant contributions to women's health without any specific requirements or conditions. Scott's unconventional approach of swiftly providing substantial financial support to favored organizations, without any strings attached, has caused a stir in the charitable sector.
"I'm trying out new ways to include a variety of perspectives in philanthropy," French Gates mentioned in her article. "I'm excited to explore different funding opportunities from their point of view, and the positive outcomes their strategies can bring."
French Gates also mentioned that the group of leaders she is working with consists of former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, maternal-health advocate Allyson Felix, and Afghan women’s education activist Shabana Basij-Rasikh.
French Gates explained in her op-ed that she decided to leave the Gates Foundation because she was advised to prioritize setting her own agenda over letting others do it for her.
She expressed her frustration with critics who question the effectiveness of charitable initiatives aimed at empowering women. French Gates also criticized America's high maternal mortality rate, calling it "unconscionable," and highlighted the lack of national paid family leave as a major issue in the country.
Only 2% of donations in the United States are directed towards organizations that specifically focus on women and girls, according to French Gates. She highlighted the importance of investing in women's health, as it can greatly benefit the global economy.
In her op-ed, she expressed her determination to make the most out of the extraordinary opportunity she has been given. French Gates aims to set an agenda that not only empowers women and girls but also inspires them to pursue their own goals and dreams.
Editor's P/S:
Melinda French Gates' decision to prioritize reproductive rights and women's empowerment in her philanthropic efforts is a testament to her unwavering commitment to social justice. Her significant financial support is a game-changer for organizations fighting for women's rights, who have historically faced funding disparities. By empowering these groups, French Gates aims to level the playing field and accelerate progress towards gender equality.
French Gates' focus on women's health and well-being extends beyond reproductive rights. Her funding for mental and physical health initiatives recognizes the interconnectedness of women's well-being and their ability to thrive in all aspects of life. By supporting maternal health, paid family leave, and women's education, she is investing in the foundation of a more just and equitable society. Her innovative approach to philanthropy, inspired by MacKenzie Scott's model, empowers recipients to make strategic decisions and maximize their impact.
