Power Givers: Philanthropic Women Helping Women

March is Women's History Month, which seems like the perfect time to highlight leading women who put their money behind women's causes. With 61% of wealth now in the hands of women, and the majority of the world's poor being women, it makes sense that wealthy women are giving powerfully. Some of the women on our list, like Oprah Winfrey, are big names, while others are rising stars.

Even though women and philanthropy is not a new combination, what is happening for the first time ever is that women are funding other women. Big time.

"In both the U.S. and around the world, communities continue to struggle with economic insecurity and women and girls are disproportionately impacted," said Chris Grumm, president and CEO of the Women's Funding Network, which will be having its annual conference in Brooklyn early next month. "It is well known that when you invest in women, that money has a multiplier effect on their families and wider communities. More and more men and women – as well as the public and private sector – recognize the importance of funding strategies that support the work and leadership of women and girls."

According to a study, Women Give 2010 by the Women's Philanthropy Institute at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, not only are women giving more than at any point in history, women at almost all income levels are more likely to give than men and give more money on average than men.

The word 'philanthropist' no longer just conjures up images of white men in suits. This is the new age of philanthropy and the women on our list are leaders who give their dollars, time and energy to women and girls' causes. The best news of all? It is now widely acknowledged that by empowering women and girls, these women are making the world better.

-Ruthie Ackerman

Power Givers: Philanthropic Women Helping Women

March is Women’s History Month, which seems like the perfect time to highlight leading women who put their money behind women's causes. With 61% of wealth now in the hands of women, and the majority of the world’s poor being women, it makes sense that wealthy women are giving powerfully. Some of the women on our list are big names, while others are rising stars.