Women Build is an initiative to empower women to help families build strength, stability and independence. We want to raise awareness surrounding issues and hardships affecting women and girls internationally, nationally, and locally that impede their ability to thrive, enjoy stability, and build generational wealth.
Memphis Habitat is actively working to revive our Women Build initiative. In 2021, we will host a conversation series designed to bring awareness to issues facing women and girls in our community and around the world. We’ll share more ways to engage in the coming months. In the meantime, we want to invite you to watch a conversation hosted by Habitat for Humanity International.
Click here to watch this webinar on youtube!
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis believes that everyone should have a safe, decent and affordable place to live.
In conjunction with Women's Equality Day, Memphis Habitat hosted a heartwarming female-focused homebuyer conversation to share their stories, their experiences with Habitat's homebuying program, and how their lives have changed since buying their homes.
Our participants included:
- Christy Dumas - Habitat Institute Class of Fall 2012
- Crystal Jones - Habitat Institute Class of Fall 2019
- Precious Thompson Jones - Habitat Institute Class of Fall 2012
- Sherry Rout - Advocacy & Government Relations, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis
- Chris Reeder Young (moderator) - Senior Research & Evaluation Manager, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis
You can also read this Memphis Business Journal article on Precious' Whitehaven restaurant - Fabulous Flavors & Friends - to learn more about her story.
Click here to watch this webinar on youtube!
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis believes that everyone, everywhere should have a safe, decent and affordable place to live.
Memphis Habitat supports Habitat for Humanity International’s tithe program, which helps families around the world, in some of the most under-resourced places, secure housing to stand on their own and build stronger, more stable communities.
Memphis Habitat tithes support to Habitat Nepal, where women face land tenure insecurity and unequal land rights. Less than 20% of women in Nepal own property, in part because land is traditionally passed down among male family members, leaving women who are widowed, divorced, separated, or unmarried vulnerable to being forced out of homes and off their land. Habitat Nepal helps landless families secure formal land tenure and promotes gender equality by including women’s names on the land titles.
The 2 minute video below gives a short synopsis of the issue of land tenure and what that means for families in Nepal. (Click the square icon in the bottom right corner to make the video full screen.)
During this webinar, our panel discussed Habitat’s international work, how Memphis Habitat and other affiliates support that work, and a sample of the housing issues that women face internationally through the work of Habitat Nepal.
Our participants included:
• Susan Yow - Director, Affiliate Tithe and Global Engagement, Habitat for Humanity International
• Christy Stickney - National Director, Habitat for Humanity International – Nepal
• Dwayne Spencer - President & CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis
• Chris Reeder Young (moderator) - Senior Research & Evaluation Manager, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis
Click here to watch this webinar on YouTube!
During Women's Health Week (May 10-14), Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis hosted a discussion looking at the issues women face - internationally and locally - through the lens of Habitat for Humanity International's WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) initiative and right here in the Mid-South. We discussed how health issues, housing concerns and gender equality are intertwined.
Our participants included:
• Dr. Kendra G. Hotz (She/Her)
Robert R. Waller Chair of Population Health; Director, Health Equity Program; Associate Professor, Religious Studies; Rhodes College
• Dr. John Apambilla Akudago
Director, International Shelter Initiatives, Habitat for Humanity International
• Chris Reeder Young
Senior Research & Evaluation Manager, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis (moderator)
Click here to watch a recording of the webinar!
Click the images below to view Dr. Akudago and Dr. Hotz's presentations.
During International Women Build Week (March 8-15), Habitat for Humanity International hosted a discussion about what the pandemic has revealed and changed about the status of women, and about how safe, decent and healthy housing has never been more important in supporting their stability and opportunity.
The webinar's participants included: Preeti Das, Additional Director at Karnavati University; Jenna Elfman, Actress and Habitat supporter; Katherine O’Regan, Professor of public policy and planning at New York University; and Adrienne Goolsby, Senior Vice President, U.S. and Canada at Habitat for Humanity International (moderator).
Click here to watch the recording!
Sign up for the Women Build email list
Get updates about the Women Build initiative, plus other Habitat events, news and programs! Just click the button below to sign up and receive emails on the Memphis Habitat news you want, straight in your inbox.
Click here to get email updates on Women Build and more, straight to you inbox!
Upcoming important dates
- May 9-15 – Women’s Health Week
- Fri., May 14 - Housing + Women's Health webinar
- August 26 – Women’s Equality Day
- October 11 – International Day of the Girl
Have questions?
To learn more about how you can be involved in or support our Women Build initiative, please contact Sherry Rout, government relations & advocacy, at womenbuild@memphishabitat.com or 901-322-3552.