FUEL THE PASSION WOMEN-LED SOLUTIONS CHAMPION, BOLD DONOR, SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS + INSPIRING LEADER Doris Conant leads by example. During the Civil Rights Movement, Doris led a community organizing effort to address the needs of mothers at the former Jane Addams Homes, a housing project on Chicago’s West Side. Doris went doorto-door asking the mothers about what they wanted for their children. The moms wanted expanded opportunities for their kids like preschools, a library and an afterschool program for girls. The neighborhood had a dedicated facility and various after-school activities for boys, but nothing for girls. Doris helped raise money to bring girl’s programs to the West Side community. She also stood in solidarity with the mothers and picketed the mobile library that appeared for only a few hours every two weeks in the neighborhood. The women also took their message directly to the Chicago Public Library Board, where they demanded a permanent neighborhood library. Wanting to continue her work standing with, and standing for women, Doris Conant first became involved with Chicago Foundation for Women when CFW was still a new and budding organization. Doris eventually joined CFW’s board of directors. Since that time, Doris has remained an active leader in the women’s rights community. In 2012, she made a truly momentous gift of $1 million dollars to launch the Doris & Howard Conant Fund for Women’s Rights at Chicago Foundation for Women. Thanks to the Doris & Howard Conant Fund, CFW has already awarded six grants, including one of CFW’s first multi-year grants, to innovative advocacy organizations. Like so many of CFW’s donors, Doris views CFW as a trusted, knowledgeable partner. Doris counts on CFW to be a resource and to ensure her gift is carefully invested in community groups that hold the greatest promise to impact the issues that are most important to her. Most of all, Doris wants to lead by example and inspire her daughters, grand-daughters and other female philanthropists. “I made this gift hoping it might inspire other women,” said Doris. “Women need to be bold in their philanthropy. You might not think you can do this, but you can.” 14 DORIS CONANT Doris Conant is a philanthropist and founder of the Doris & Howard Conant Fund for Women’s Rights at Chicago Foundation for Women.