Episode 20 - Its Time to Get Uncomfortable

How can white women use their privilege, power and voices to combat systemic racism? In her most recent article “The Issue of Well-Meaning White Women in Fundraising”, Liz LeClair once again got our attention by boldly tabling a topic we all need to think more about.

How do we find our voices when we are so unsure about what to say? How might we encourage more white women and men to advocate for social justice and a more diverse equitable inclusive and accessible charitable sector? Can we build alliances to do it, or do we need to charge forward boldly? Is it possible to do both?

For years Liz LeClair has been a vocal, strong voice for human rights, gender equality and social justice. Liz is often accused of being polarizing, divisive and combative. In this episode, we sat down with Liz to learn more about her and why she works so hard to push so many of us out of our comfort zone.

Liz is proud to call herself a fundraiser and a feminist. She brings more than 15 years of experience to her role as the Director of Major Gifts at the QEII Foundation in Halifax, Nova Scotia (located in the unceded territory of Mi'kma'ki).

Liz is a long-standing member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the current chair of the AFP Women's Impact Initiative (WII). She sits on the board of CFRE International and has done so since 2018. In January 2019, Liz published an op-ed with CBC on rampant issue of sexual harassment in the non-profit sector, putting a face to the issue. In the fall of 2019 Liz helped co-found the National Day of Conversation to highlight the issue of sexualized violence in fundraising. Liz is committed to speaking up about the challenges facing women and marginalized individuals in the non-profit sector.

Here are links to the articles and books mentioned in our conversation.

Charity eNEWS Op Ed: the issue of Well-Meaning White Women in Fundraising.

Sexual Harassment Runs Rampant in non-profits and it is time for our #MeToo moment. 

CBC Nova Scotia May 12, 2021: One woman’s frustrating, futile fight for justice after being sexually harassed.

Robin DiAngelo: New Yorker Article on White Fragility.

The Ethical Rainmaker Podcast - Conversation with Fluer Larson