Sonya Passi | California
Why is it important to you to focus your philanthropic giving on women and girls? Have you always known that this is where you wanted to have an impact, or did you have an ‘ah-ha’ moment that led you to this sector?
Since I was a teenager, I have been focused on ending violence against women and girls. I understood quickly that when you invest in the safety of women and girls, you invest in the safety of the whole community. There’s no issue plaguing our society that isn’t rooted in patriarchy, violence against women and girls, and misogyny. The good thing about figuring this out early in life is that I haven’t wasted any time!
Can you describe the work and impact of one of your grantee partners that really meant something to you? Is there a story or moment that stands out that really crystalizes the reason you wanted to support them?
I’m deeply committed to investing my resources in FreeFrom, the nonprofit I founded in 2016, because I’ve seen how much we can accomplish when I give FreeFrom my all. FreeFrom’s mission is to end gender-based violence by building economic freedom and safety with survivors. We do this through bold survivor-led strategies that grow our collective power and activate everyone in society to play their part—before, during, and beyond moments of crisis.
The greatest reward in this work is hearing about how our cash assistance programs transform the lives of survivors. One survivor recently wrote to us and said, “I wanted to let you know it’s been two years since I’ve moved out of my abuser’s home. A large part of my down payment came from money saved while I was in FreeFrom’s savings program. I cannot thank you enough.”
What is your north star in your philanthropy? In your life?
I want to die with no money left in my bank account. My daughter won’t inherit millions of dollars but hopefully she’ll inherit a safer world in which she can thrive. My wife and I have built giving back into our business model so that we are sharing our abundance.
Who is your biggest feminist mentor, and what was the best advice she ever gave you, or, if a historical figure, is there a quote or story that has stuck with you?
People who have shown me care in my life have been my greatest teachers. Feminism is radical care for everyone. We learn how to care by experiencing it and so I’ve been shaped by everyone in my life who witnessed me, nourished me, listened to me, encouraged me, believed in me, and forgave me. Some of these people have been in my life my whole life; others played a brief role. But they have all shaped me and I am indebted to them.
The work we are doing together will hopefully have a lasting impact on future generations of women and girls. What is your biggest hope for them?
My daughter is 2.5 years old. My biggest hope is that she knows what it is to be safe and loved in every cell of her body. Young girls are so powerful because, hopefully, they don’t yet know shame. This is imposed on them by our society. They are so powerful because they haven’t yet been told by the world to ignore their gut. I think of all the healing I had to do in my 20s and am still doing in my 30s and my biggest hope for my daughter and all her peers is that they can live free and just thrive.
