Gary: We want to see more money in the hands of women, because of the values and the way they see the world, or because we are trying to counterbalance something that’s going on. If there has been any change in the 30 years that I’ve been involved, it is that we now have a passionate belief that we actually have a great deal at stake, that there’s a great deal that has to be changed. It has to happen in a partnership between men and women, but we want women’s voices leading in a way that they haven’t heretofore done.
Worth: Helen’s sister Swanee Hunt once told a Toronto Star reporter that sometimes wealthy women are intimidated by the women who are the recipients of their philanthropic money, rather than vice versa. A number of issues of inequality and boundaries must come up when you get this closely involved with recipients. Have you had experiences in which recipients ask for more money, time or friendship than you feel you can realistically give them?
Disney: Yes, we are building diverse, functioning systems inside a culture that is seldom diverse, so inevitably there will be problems with boundaries, because, let’s face it, we are making this up as we go along. What I’ve learned is that the bottom line for functioning well in that kind of environment is manners. People who are willing to communicate, listen and just basically observe basic good manners can get through the difficult situations.
Hunt: Sometimes the word is “intimidated,” sometimes it’s “inspired.” Some of these grantees are a force, and not a force that women we know in our socioeconomic circles have. I look at them and think I would love for one of my daughters, or my sons, to be just like this grant recipient. I put my children and grant recipients together often.
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