Author: Donna Wiedeman

A Lot Left Unsaid at Presidental Debate

Posted on by Donna Wiedeman

pres debateI know a lot has already been written about what was said by both candidates at this week’s presidential debate, but I have to say, I’m more struck by what wasn’t said.  Has it become taboo for candidates to discuss poverty in America? Do both candidates really believe that beefing up educational opportunity is the panacea for addressing the plight of the one in six Americans living in poverty?  No discussion of safety nets. No discussion of the children who face food insecurity every day. No discussion of the increasing number of homeless families in America. No discussion of raising the minimum wage. Almost no discussion of quality child care options for low-income women.

In fact, Mr. Romney assured his supporters that the wealthy would continue to pay 60% of our country’s taxes while middle-class citizens would see their tax bills slashed. By my reckoning, that leaves only the poor to make up for what the middle-class is no longer burdened with. Is anyone else simultaneously outraged, puzzled, and incredulous at the thinking behind this?

President Obama, while chastising his opponent on his 47% gaffe, carefully mentioned only the “deserving” poor who fit into this category. Is he tacitly acknowledging that there are undeserving poor whom it’s actually okay to ignore?

I understand that these are politicians and the point of debates is to win votes. Knowing that both men employ very smart people who have researched just what messaging will resonate with voters, it concerns me that making sure as a society we are committed to taking care of our most vulnerable members doesn’t seem to be even a blip on the radar.

Donna is the executive assistant to the president at the Foundation.

Food Stamp Challenge: Day Three – For Some, the Challenge Doesn't End

Posted on by Donna Wiedeman

This week, several members of The Women’s Foundation staff are participating in the Food Stamp Challenge, an exercise organized by D.C. Hunger Solutions that educates the public and raises awareness of the benefits of food stamps and the challenges recipients face while eating on a very limited budget. The staff will be sharing their experiences on this blog.

I am midway through the Food Stamp Challenge—eat for a week for $30 per person, the average amount a person receives in food stamps in DC. I am fortunate that one son and my husband agreed to do it with me.  This meant I could afford to buy a pound each of kidney beans (for chili), black beans (for tacos) and split peas (for soup), as well as packages of rice, white flour (biscuits, muffins) and cornmeal (corn bread with chili—yum!), allowing for greater variety in our meals than is possible for my colleague who is “going it alone.” And I’m fortunate that my son is vegetarian and my husband and I often cook without meat, so I could leave meat out of the budget without missing it. And it really helps that during the first couple decades of our marriage we skated very close to the edge of poverty, so I know a few tricks about stretching a food budget—including actually enjoying leftovers!

All that said, I’m very conscious that we are playing a game this week.  We question the rules: Does gum count? Do kids’ week-time lunches count? Why can’t I eat cookies my colleague brought to the staff meeting? We cheat—one colleague with a glass of wine, me with a daily teabag provided at work. We complain about fairness: Why should I let that onion I bought last week go bad instead of putting it in my soup pot?  But mostly, we know there’s an end: After seven days we can go back to “normal.” We can eat fresh vegetables and fruit every day—even twice a day if we’re so inclined. We can choose the low-sodium organic tomato sauce if that’s our preference.  We can go out to lunch with colleagues. The “game” is over.

Not so for tens of thousands in our area—not just for those on food stamps, but also for the working poor. For them, this “challenge” is life. The rules are immutable. There’s no cheating. When the budget’s been spent, there’s no stocked pantry to fall back on; there’s no “My son had a football game and had to have high-quality protein to do his best;” there’s no luxury of ordering pizza when you come home too tired to cook.

Challenge, indeed.

Donna Wiedeman is the executive assistant to the president at The Women’s Foundation.

What's A Million Dollars Worth?

Posted on by Donna Wiedeman

million dollarsIn case you haven’t heard, Macy’s is giving away a $1-million makeover to one lucky recipient.  As fashion maven Clinton Kelly tells us breathlessly on the ads, the winner will get a chance to completely transform her life.

One million dollars. One person.

In the last year, through our signature Stepping Stones initiative, Washington Area Women’s Foundation invested $270,000 in job-training and asset-building programs run by local nonprofits that transform women’s lives.  In that time, the 484 low-income mothers enrolled in these programs increased their income and net assets by $6.2 million.  They’ve trained for and gotten jobs that pay living wages and health insurance benefits.  They’ve started savings accounts.  They’ve gone to college.  They’ve bought homes.  They’ve filed taxes and received tax credits when appropriate.  Many have achieved economic security—all are striving for it.

The immediate economic return on our investment was 2196%.  The human return is far harder to calculate.  Nearly 500 women’s lives were transformed, as were the lives of their children, and in some incalculable way, their communities.  What is that worth?

I suppose Macy’s one-million dollar investment will give them the return on investment they’re looking for—increased or continuing awareness of the Macy’s brand.  One person’s life transformed.

Just think what the return would be if they gave that $1 million to Washington Area Women’s Foundation!

Donna Wiedeman is the Executive Assistant to the President at Washington Area Women’s Foundation.