Women's Giving Circle Invests in Women's Healthcare

The Women’s Giving Circle awarded a $2,500 grant to the Southeast Indiana Health Center.

(Ripley County, Ind.) - The Ripley County Community Foundation’s Women’s Giving Circle recently hosted its Sun, Fun, & Philanthropy Social, bringing together current and prospective members to celebrate the power of collective giving and strengthen support for women and children in Ripley County.

The Women’s Giving Circle: The Power of Collective Giving

The Women’s Giving Circle unites women from diverse backgrounds and generations, pooling their resources to create meaningful change in the lives of women and children throughout the community. By working together, members are able to make a greater impact than they could alone, funding programs that provide vital support and open doors to brighter futures.

According to data from the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, charitable giving to women’s and girls’ causes has consistently remained below 2% of total charitable giving in the United States. This significant funding gap underscores the need for dedicated groups like the Women’s Giving Circle to ensure that resources are available for local programs that empower women and children. Investing in issues that predominately impact women has widely recognized benefits, such as stronger economies, improved community health, and more stable families.

Sun, Fun, & Philanthropy Social Focused on Women’s Healthcare

To amplify its mission, the Women’s Giving Circle hosted a summer gathering that focused on women’s healthcare, which highlighted the Southeast Indiana Health Center. Since its founding in 2013, the Health Center has been a lifeline for medically uninsured and underinsured residents of Ripley County, offering free, compassionate, high-quality care. Their services include primary care, chronic disease management, mental health treatment, and essential health screenings, ensuring that everyone can access the care they need without the burden of cost.

$2,500 Grant to Support Women’s Access to Healthcare

The Women’s Giving Circle awarded a $2,500 grant to the Southeast Indiana Health Center to support its effort to ensure that all local women have access to quality healthcare. Geralyn Litzinger, a founding board member, explained that while the health center provides services like pelvic exams and vouchers for mammograms, many patients face barriers, such as the cost to fill a prescription or to follow up on a referral to specialized care. The Women’s Giving Circle grant will directly help to bridge this gap, ensuring the health center can purchase new speculums and offer vouchers to cover the cost of prescriptions and initial specialist visits.

Access to quality healthcare is essential for women to live healthy, empowered lives. Historically, women’s health has often been underfunded and underserved, creating gaps in resources and care. For example, women were not included in most clinical research studies until 1986, leaving important differences in women’s health under-researched for decades. By supporting organizations like the Southeast Indiana Health Center, the Women’s Giving Circle helps break down barriers to care and provides women with the resources they need to lead healthier, more empowered lives.

How You Can Join the Women’s Giving Circle

The Women’s Giving Circle continues to grow and welcomes new members who are passionate about supporting programs that empower women and children across Ripley County. Earlier this year, at the Women’s Giving Circle’s annual luncheon, the group also granted funding to Englishton Park, Safe Passage, Southeastern Indiana YMCA, and Summer Food for Kids, further demonstrating its ongoing commitment to supporting local organizations making a meaningful difference. Learn more about our Women’s Giving Circle and how you can support its’ mission at https://rccfonline.org/impact/initiatives/womens-giving-circle/.