By Jourden Warren
The Global Fund for Widows (GFW) hosted its most successful gala to date on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the iconic Edison Ballroom in New York City. The milestone event brought together 185 distinguished guests from leading financial institutions, media, philanthropy, and international nonprofits to celebrate the transformative power of widowhood advocacy and economic empowerment.
A Night of Recognition and Achievement
The evening honored two extraordinary leaders whose vision and determination have reshaped communities worldwide. Her Excellency Monica Geingos, Third First Lady of the Republic of Namibia, received the Advocate of the Year Award for her tireless championing of women's economic inclusion, even after the loss of her husband, President Hage Geingob. Ambassador Penda Naanda, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Namibia to the United Nations, accepted the award on her behalf.
Ms. Mesha Singolyo, GFW's Tanzania Country Director, was presented with the Champion of Change Award. In a deeply moving speech, Mesha shared how her late mother's resilience as a widow inspired her leadership, noting that her mother faced discrimination, lost her inheritance, and struggled to provide for her five children. Today, Mesha guides WISALA programs that have enabled thousands of women across Tanzania to run businesses, mentor others, and transform entire communities.
Unprecedented Impact and Growth
Founder and Chairwoman Heather Ibrahim-Leathers welcomed guests by reflecting on GFW's remarkable journey from a kitchen-table idea to the world's largest organization dedicated to economically empowering widows and female-led households. The organization has changed the lives of over 133,000 women and children, moving them above the poverty line and providing financial independence and legal empowerment.
In 2025 alone, GFW launched 73 new microbanks, bringing the total to 358 Widows Savings and Loan Associations (WISALAs) worldwide. These proprietary microbanks enable widows to invest, access capital, and exercise true economic freedom, with data showing that over 80% of participants rise above the poverty line within a single year
The gala showcased unprecedented progress in GFW's global reach. Key announcements included deepened collaboration with the World Bank, including randomized controlled trials in Egypt and Kenya, and the launch of a public-private partnership with the Kenyan government.
The organization also announced the launch of its inaugural WISALA pilot in Pakistan, with funding secured to build eight new microbanks supporting 200 widows in the region.
The 17th Annual Gala achieved the highest fundraising revenue in GFW's history, exceeding all previous benchmarks and goals. All proceeds directly support GFW's work expanding WISALA microbanking programs across the globe, creating scalable pathways out of poverty for thousands of widows and their children while equipping them with financial independence, business skills, and legal empowerment.
The Global Fund for Widows' 18th Annual Awards Gala is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2026, at the Edison Ballroom in New York City.
