Melinda Gates, Co-Chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
A look at the rate of extreme poverty, poor health and access to education around the world tells us that these are indeed serious issues that need attention. Melinda Gates is one of those people addressing these challenges around the world. Gates is the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation along with her husband, Bill Gates. The foundation is the largest private charitable organisation with a trust endowment of $40 billion.
It addresses global problems in five different divisions: Global Health Division, Global Development Division, Global Growth & Opportunity Division, United States Division, and Global Policy & Advocacy Division. Melinda Gates is the 6th most powerful woman in the world, according to the 2018 Forbes World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. Gates is also the most powerful woman in philanthropy. A large part of her work has been focused on the rights of women and girls. Melinda Gates is our Woman of the Week because she represents leadership, commitment to development, and the rights of women and girls.
Sources:
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. What We Do, Mon 18 Feb. 2019,
https://www.gatesfoundation.org/What-We-Do
Forbes. Power Women 2018, Mon 18 Feb. 2019, https://www.forbes.com/profile/melinda-gates/#3adcd9387c2b
