E3S11: Championing Change: Careers in Combating Gender-Based Violence and Advancing Equity

Interested in starting and sustaining a career in gender-based violence and equity issues? Grace Frances  has over 20 years of being at the frontlines of social change. Grace serves as the Director of Community Partnerships at End Violence Against Women International, where she has forged impactful programs like the Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Exam Virtual Practicum. Holding a Master's in Public Administration, she is a relentless advocate for rights, justice, and equity and a more sustainable world (full bio below).

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

1. The Power of Individual Stories: When it comes to fundraising, sharing the impact on one person's life resonates more with donors than big numbers and statistics. By using representative stories of the work being accomplished, we can engage donors and inspire them to imagine the difference their donations can make.
2. Taking Action Locally: We have the power to make change right in our own communities. Supporting local organizations that address gender-based violence, such as rape crisis centers, domestic violence programs, and human trafficking organizations, is a crucial way to get involved.
3. Constant Learning and Skill Development: Grace emphasizes the importance of continuously learning and gaining new skills, especially in the ever-evolving job market. For those interested in fundraising, there are free resources and webinars available to start honing this essential skill. Crafting a compelling message and focusing on the impact of your organization are vital elements to engage donors.

If you're passionate about combating gender-based violence and advancing equity, don't miss this eye-opening episode. Tune in now and follow Grace on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-frances/

BIO:

Grace is the Director of Community Partnerships for End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI) and leads the collaborative partnership that created the new Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Exam Virtual Practicum. She also focuses on fund development to expand EVAWI’s ability to improve criminal justice and community responses to sexual assault survivors.

Grace worked for the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence (FCASV) for 16 years, where she initiated and ran the state’s first trauma-informed sexual assault investigations program for law enforcement, dispatchers, and prosecutors. At FCASV she managed statewide certification of Florida’s 31 sexual assault programs, working with centers to ensure quality service provision. Grace spent five years as a volunteer advocate supporting sexual assault victims and 11 years as a volunteer counselor for a crisis hotline. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon in Eugene and holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

She has also worked as a grassroots environmental advocate, electoral campaign organizer, and legislative policy analyst.

Outside of work, Grace is actively involved in her community and a strong advocate for public schools.

PCDN.global News

Check out previous Seasons & Episodes of our Award-Winning Social Change Career Podcast.

Become a member of the PCDN Career Campus to get daily access (to job opportunities) community (network with other impact professionals); learning with sector-experts and exclusive workshops as well as weekly office hours. Basically a cup of coffee or two for a 24/7 career center for impact professionals.