Women's Fund Official Statement
"We want to first stress that we have enormous respect for our LGBTQ+ community and allies, and the voices who shared their views on the rights of transgender athletes. We look forward to continuing to engage in these important conversations as we champion mutual understanding and empathy as the key to strengthening our local communities and beyond.
We recognize the broader conversations around this issue are complex — beyond the scope of our charity-driven organization. But we respect and encourage everyone's right to have a voice on a topic they feel strongly about. And as with all nuanced discussions that are worth having and may affect those we deeply care for, we would hope for everyone to do so respectfully, from a place of good-faith and compassion for one another.
Over the years, the Women’s Fund Power of the Purse event has hosted a wide range of powerful speakers from all backgrounds whose diverse experiences and perspectives have imparted impactful lessons of hope, and perseverance—and Bethany Hamilton is no different. Both a world-renowned athlete and survivor, Ms. Hamilton will share her own story with our community of overcoming obstacles, facing fears and triumphing as an individual. Although her scheduled appearance has been met with some criticism due to her reported personal views on transgender athletes – a stance unknown to us at the time nor the focus of her appearance – we still very much believe her inspirational message of determination and resilience can transcend our differences.”
2024 Q&A
What is The Oshkosh Area Community Foundation?
The Oshkosh Area Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization helping donors turn their charitable investments into projects that add energy and vitality to our communities. For nearly 100 years, we’ve helped individuals, families, agencies, and other non-profit organizations establish charitable funds that strengthen our communities and improve lives for residents across the region.
What is the Women’s Fund of Oshkosh??
As guided by Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, The Women’s Fund aims to improve the lives of girls, women, and all members of the communities in Winnebago County through philanthropy, grants and education. We aim to empower girls and women to live their lives to their full potential.
What is the Power of the Purse Event?
Power of the Purse is the Women’s Fund’s largest fundraising (bi-annual) event and always an engaging experience for attendees, supporters, and participants alike. The driving focus of the POP event is to continue raising awareness, advocacy, and funds for women and children who are underserved in our community. Beyond that, our mission for this event specifically is to use it as a springboard for our developing work in 2024, including a new collaborative campaign.
Why is this year’s event the focus of media attention??
This year’s selected Keynote Speaker for the annual Power of the Purse event has been named as renowned surfer, Bethany Hamilton. Bethany is known for her survival story and her message of overcoming obstacles, and living with determination, passion, and hope. Her inspirational message closely aligns with our organization’s mission.
We have recently been made aware of criticisms, expressed by some, regarding Ms. Hamilton, due to differences they have with her reported personal beliefs on the issue of transgender athletes in women’s sporting leagues. In full transparency, we were not familiar with her views on the topic when we planned this year’s event, nor is it the focus of her appearance.
Over the years, we have been excited to welcome a wide range of powerful speakers from all backgrounds, whose diverse experiences and perspectives have imparted impactful lessons of hope and perseverance.
We realize some may have disagreements with any one speaker’s personal beliefs regarding any number of critical issues, but we very much believe that Ms. Hamilton’s inspirational message of determination and resilience can transcend differences and lend to a truly meaningful event for all.
Who is Bethany Hamilton?
Bethany Hamilton is a highly regarded and well-known American professional surfer and writer who survived a 2003 shark attack in which her left arm was bitten off and who ultimately returned to professional surfing. Bethany has enhanced her career as a professional speaker, sharing her journey of pain, joy, failure and triumphs, and deeply inspiring others with her story.
Why is the Women’s Fund of Oshkosh hosting Bethany Hamilton?
The Women’s Fund of Oshkosh is hosting Bethany Hamilton during the upcoming Power of the Purse event as she shares her story of overcoming fear, resilience, passion, and hope. Her inspirational message closely aligns with our organization’s mission, and we believe her story will enrich the lives of our attendees.
Was the Women’s Fund aware of her “controversial” comments?
We have recently been made aware of criticisms, expressed by some, regarding Ms. Hamilton, due to differences they have with her reported personal beliefs on the issue of transgender athletes in women’s sporting leagues. In full transparency, we were not familiar with her views on the topic when we planned this year’s event, nor is it the focus of her appearance.
Does the Women’s Fund still plan on hosting this event now that they are aware of Bethany Hamilton’s past reported comments?
Yes—as a world-renowned professional athlete and survivor, Ms. Hamilton will share her own story of overcoming obstacles, facing fears, and triumphing as an individual.
That is the focus of her appearance, not the issue transgender athletes in women’s sports.
We realize some may have disagreements with any one speaker’s personal beliefs regarding any number of critical issues, but we very much believe that Ms. Hamilton’s inspirational message of determination and resilience can transcend differences and lend to a truly meaningful event for all.
Additionally, the Women’s Fund has received overwhelming support and interest in hearing Ms. Hamilton’s speech. We intend to honor our commitment to Ms. Hamilton and to our community.
What is Women’s Fund’s stance on Transgender athletes and their rights to participate in sporting events?
We have enormous respect for our LGBTQ+ community and allies, and the voices who shared their views on the rights of transgender athletes. However, as an organization outside the sports and athletics arena, we do not have an official, organizational viewpoint on this matter—but we do, emphatically, support everyone’s right to their own personal beliefs and to express their views, as they see fit.
Because we do find this issue to be of great importance and significance, we look forward to continuing to engage in these important conversations as we champion mutual understanding and empathy as the key to strengthening our local communities and beyond.
Does the Women’s Fund care about diverse communities?
Absolutely—The Women’s Fund of Oshkosh has been committed to improving the lives of women, girls and all members of Winnebago County for nearly 25 years. It goes without question that we care about and support a diverse community of individuals from all backgrounds and circumstances—a fact evident in our mission and goals, from inception.
Do you anticipate choosing similar keynote speakers in the future?
Ms. Hamilton’s address and our event are centered on universal lessons and messages of perseverance, growth, and overcoming obstacles in our day-to-day lives.
Over the years, we have been excited to welcome a wide range of powerful speakers from all backgrounds, whose diverse experiences and perspectives have imparted impactful lessons of hope and perseverance.
We will continue to seek out incredible women who are doing meaningful work, in and outside our community.
What should be my key takeaway from this experience?
Our Power of the Purse events are comprised of powerful connections, inspiration and meaningful conversations. Our attendees often walk out with renewed energy and feeling empowered to take on the challenges in their own lives. And we expect this year to be no different.
Where can I go, or who can I speak to, to learn more?
You can reach out to Karlene, at karlene@oshkoshareacf.org for more information.