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Written by Dr. Gail James

When WIN sought to honor Marilyn Fowler, Founder, CEO and President, two vibrant concepts came together:   Human Rights Day and an Award Scholarship for young women.  On December 14, 2024, WIN hosted an online event to announce the scholarship and invited Marilyn’s friends to share their stories, creating warm and touching moments together, especially since Marilyn was online with us, along with her two sons.  Her smiling presence permeated the zoom event!

Board Member Julianne Traylor-Cartwright highlighted the importance of a human rights agenda in our times, emphasizing how Marilyn infused human rights into WIN’s culture and work.   Marilyn sought out and prized her interns and other young women whose talents and aspirations fit into the WIN culture.Therefore, the WIN Board’s decision to create the Marilyn Fowler Award, a matched $500 Scholarship for a young woman to attend the UN Commission on the Status of Women Forum, is a fitting and living tribute to Marilyn.

Welcomed by Elahe Amani, WIN Board President, participants were offered a perspective of Marilyn by Charlie Toledo, Suscol Intertribal Community leader, whose blessing brought Marilyn’s enduring spirit into view.   Both Elahe and Charlie came into friendship with Marilyn during the 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing, 1995.   With the inauguration of Women’s Intercultural Network and  the California Women’s Agenda, inspired by the Beijing Platform for Action, Marilyn brought together women and perspectives to advance real connections.  A number of friends and colleagues spoke of their experiences of this time.  Special memories of Marilyn were shared by Elmy Bermejo, Rosemary Straley, Patricia Bovan, Diana Madoshi, Jill Follows, Rona Popal, Rosemary Rawcliffe and many others. These reminiscences from around the world enlivened the event.

Soon-Young Yoon, International Women’s Alliance and formerly NGOCSW/NY spoke of her connection to Marilyn and the initiation of the Cities for CEDAW Campaign in 2014, which has grown in 10 years to be a national movement of grassroots human rights policies in numerous cities and counties.  Krishanti Dharmaraj sent cordial greetings, in honor of the work she and Marilyn shared to bring Cities for CEDAW from San Francisco to the UN and the US.

Gail James spoke of Marilyn’s life before WIN.   Marilyn raised two feminist boys in Kansas City, was President of the KC Commission on the Status of Women and on the local and national boards of Planned Parenthood.  Two friends from that time joined the zoom and spoke of their connections: Alice Kitchen and Dr. Linda Thurston, both of whom attested to Marilyn’s work with women and social justice issues, and of their on-going friendships.   Liz Abzug spoke affectionately of Marilyn’s relationship with the legendary Bella Abzug, celebrated for her hats and her strong advocacy for women’s rights.   Bella, noticing Marilyn’s famous turbans, assumed a pivotal role in developing a global consciousness among American women, as she and Marilyn became fervent allies.   Recollections were shared about Marilyn’s innovative US State Department travel grants to Afghanistan and Uganda.   Latifa Ahmady spoke with gratitude for WIN’s support of Afghan woman. Annette Mukabera has joined WIN on-going work and helped Marilyn to develop the Uganda Circle.

Marilyn also started two other organizations; both Brittany Maclean, of US Women Connect, and Dr. Susan Lee, US Women’s Caucus at the UN, spoke of Marilyn’s vision and commitment to address the wider concerns of both US and global women and girls.

Marilyn’s son Chris read a statement of appreciation on behalf of his mother, while elder brother Lee joined the conversation.

Many participants responded to the open call for testimonials; they spoke with heartfelt warmth about their meeting with Marilyn and subsequent work and activism throughout the years.  Several of her interns and assistants, including Lenka Belkova,  joined the event, testifying to Marilyn’s incredible mentorship for young women and their growth.   A heart-warming tribute was offered by Caden Choi, a young student who shared that her interest in human rights and women’s empowerment is inspired by Marilyn’s work and life.

The program concluded with an overview of the newly-endowed Scholarship Fund, which will be given each year to a young woman, for her participation at the UN Commission on the Status of Women Forum in New York.

Donations may be contributed on the WIN website:  www.winaction.org