I cast my first vote during one of the most turbulent eras in our country. From the Vietnam War, to the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, to civil unrest and demands for racial justice, to college protests and the tragic deaths of four students at Kent State University, my teenage years were marked by large forces and systems that seemed beyond the reach of change. Yet, in that election booth, for the first time I had a say in the future of our country, and I was inspired and challenged to make a difference in our shared future.
Like any 18-year-old with a newly granted right, I did not fully appreciate the years of work by so many, joining together for a common cause, that resulted in bringing younger voices into our democratic process. Today, I reflect on that work with deep gratitude and hope, as it confirms that significant change is possible.
The progression of voting rights reveals how society experiences real, systemic change. While the 15th Amendment provided African American men the right to vote in 1870, it took almost 100 years before discriminatory practices aimed at preventing their participation were outlawed. From women’s suffrage in 1920 to raising the universal voting age to 18 in 1970, these outcomes were not immediate, effortless or flawless, and some are still fighting for fair access to the process today.
Because these are the truths of change:
- Real change doesn’t happen alone; it requires many working together
- Real change doesn’t happen overnight; it often takes enduring efforts
- Real change isn’t solitary; it’s frequently a progression of many incremental changes
For these reasons, community foundations are tremendous agents for change, because we bring people and organizations together, we focus on the root causes of issues, and we are committed to this work for the long haul – 107 years and counting, in our case.
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s vision for our community continues to be a Milwaukee for all, where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. Implicit in this vision is that Milwaukee as it exists today does, in fact, need to change.
We enjoy many wonderful assets, both natural and built, and are home to talented, inspiring people. We have much to sustain and celebrate. However, a community cannot truly thrive while systemic racism persists, and for far too long, racial inequities have held back people of color and our region from their full potential. We have everything to gain from dismantling obstinate systems of harm.
To do so, the Foundation is listening, learning and reshaping our approach to how we mobilize the resources, ideas and partnerships needed to transform community together. Our North Star of racial equity and inclusion and four corresponding strategy areas guide this work, in which we are reimagining philanthropy, catalyzing systems change, building inclusive culture, and convening and following community voice – thereby investing in a future where everyone thrives.
I invite you to access a series of short videos by CLICKING ON THE IMAGE BELOW to hear members of our Foundation team describe how we are bringing these strategies to life.
I also invite you to register for our next, virtual A Milwaukee for All convening on Oct. 28, where I’ll be speaking with my friend and colleague Tonya Allen, president of the McKnight Foundation, about how to scale change, inclusive of donors, organizations and community partners. The event will also feature the perspectives of some local leaders in a roundtable discussion about leading from lived experience, concluding with some interactive opportunities for everyone. I hope to see you there as we continue our shared journey.
Ellen M. Gilligan
President & CEO