Remembering Margaret H. Lane

“Vibrant” is the first word that comes to mind as I recall Margaret Lane, then “dynamic,” “charismatic,” “and “warm-hearted.” Tall and beautiful, with enviable red curls, she was a commanding presence whenever she entered a room. Margaret was an extraordinary, memorable person, as remarkable inside as in appearance—intelligent, perceptive, kind, empathetic, and dedicated—with a cheeky sense of humor that lit up her blue eyes and created a throaty, contagious laugh.

Margaret Lane first volunteered in WIVES, the precursor of today’s WBGFN, then joined the Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund Board in 1986 during its early, formative years, serving until 2005. Fundraisers were her forte, from the first balls and raffles to the International Arts and Crafts Fair. I had the great pleasure of working with her from 1996 to 2001 as president of the board, and came to depend on her great common sense, instinctive understanding of the board’s responsibilities, and warmth and goodness. She opened her home to grantees when the Fund still invited recipients to Washington, DC., sharing her memory of her houseguests in MMEG’s October 2021 40th Anniversary video. As it turned out, her visitors followed the same religion and sang hymns to her as she provided meals and hospitality for them. Margaret confided at the time that the guests recognized each other’s faith because neither wore jewelry.

Some may remember that she was a mainstay in the British Embassy Players, a talented group that occasionally put on an old-time rollicking Music Hall Show at the World Bank along with dramatic performances in other venues. One of her last roles was Mrs. Higgins in Shaw’s Pygmalion. She led an active social life with her many friends, sharing enthusiasm for the arts in salons and home concerts. In her professional life, she was a gifted massage therapist, receiving many compliments for her sensitivity to an individual’s condition.

Margaret’s husband, Jeremy, predeceased her, and she is survived by her children, Nicola and Stephen, and their children, whom Margaret cherished. MMEG extends its heartfelt sympathy to them, and to all her family and friends. Many will mourn her loss, myself among them, but rejoice that we had the good fortune she touched our lives and left a treasured gift of delightful, colorful memories.

Priscilla Linn, January 4, 2022

Letter from Francoise Rubgega (South Africa Program-FY20 Grantee):

We have received very good news and a heart-warming letter from Francoise Rubgega, who was awarded a grant in 2020 through South Africa Program. We wanted to share it with our donors and volunteers and feel proud together.

"Today I would like to celebrate a win…actually a great win for me.

I got my bachelors degree at the University of Botswana school of Medicine in October 2015, as the second group of graduands from the school. It was a very new school when we joined. I remember while the school was still being built, we had our lectures at Kgogolamoko House; a warehouse next to the bus rank. We were told by many that we will never be at par with the world, that we are trained to be retained in Botswana. Basically, that we had no future in the medical world. UB however , despite its limitations, taught us good medicine, it taught us the power of determination, discipline, hard work mentality as well as the skill and love for research. In 2019, I presented our first paper from UB (done by Dr Lone Bogwasi and I) at the Consortium for Universities of Global Heath conference in Chicago. Just on this note, to all UBSOM graduates, you are conquering the world!
In November 2018, 2 months into the reg programme, I started working on my MMED research; amidst adjusting to a new environment, a new country, new languages, a huge hospital and tertiary level or care. I think being a registrar is one of the toughest if not the toughest thing I have done, and being self-funded, away from home, makes it even tougher, but forward we go…

Today, as I share my MMED research (https://ihpublishing.com/documents/ogf-volume-31-issue-3/2/), looking back at where I came from, looking at how I have grown not only as a Dr but in all spheres, I give nothing but thanks to the All Mighty for carrying me through. I give thanks to God for helping me meet the right people who have supported me through this journey. I give thanks to God for my family, who have always been there for me. I give thanks to my supervisor and HOD Professor Soma-Pillay, my mentor Professor Dreyer, and the UP O&G department at large, for the support and always believing in me even when I didn’t.

I dedicate our work to the Margaret McNamara Educational Grants, a volunteer non-profit organization founded in the USA, who chose me as one of the 2020 South African grantees. This organization was founded in 1981 to honor Margaret McNamara and her commitment to the well-being of women and children in developing countries. Grants are provided annually to support the university education of women from developing countries who are committed to improving the lives of women and children. I represented my country as well as the University of Pretoria, as one of the South African programme grantees. This grant came at a time where I was almost on the verge of giving up, thinking of going back home to work a bit and come back.

But enough with the sad story, lol! As the word of the Lord says, as you sow, so you shall reap. One day, which is not so far, I will be a great Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. My win is not just mine, but for all the lives I have touched, and those I will touch.
I don’t like referring to myself as “Dr,” but just for today, I say to you Dr Francoise Dudu Rubgega, ngwana waga Tendo le Nonofo ko Lobatse, you have done well and congratulations...

Now its time to finish strong ! Amidst all the battles you are fighting , finish strong !

Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pretoria, done dusted and published!

Amen and AMEN!"

Francoise Rubgega

SPONSOR A SEAT: MMEG'S 40TH YEAR FUNDRAISING EVENT IS LIVE!

SPONSOR A SEAT AT MMEG’S VIRTUAL ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON AND

HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR NEW GRANTEES!

Imagine all of our MMEG grantees sitting together virtually at one, single table for lunch. We would have to show you a large—very large—table, indeed, to accommodate all 465 exceptional women who have received MMEG grants over four decades. We invite everyone--grantees, volunteers, donors and friends--to help us realize our goal of  filling all 465 seats by sponsoring one (or more) place settings at $40 each.

You can donate throughout the year by clicking here or by  check, payable to “MMEG.” Mail to: 4609 Chestnut St. Bethesda, MD 20814 USA. Please include your name and address so that we can acknowledge your generosity with a receipt for tax deduction. You can also donate using Venmo to MMEG Margaret McNamara Education Gr or Paypal to mmeg@worldbank.org.

With your generous help, gathering all of our remarkable women at the virtual lunch table will help MMEG further the education of more remarkable women and build a better world.

Thank you!

MMEG 40TH YEAR PHOTO COMPETITION

Celebrating our 40th Anniversary MMEG has organized its first MMEG PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION - WOMEN BUILD A BETTER WORLD. Results will be announced on our web page in December.

Congratulations to MMEG’s FY21 US-Canada and Trinity Washington University Grantees!

Applications for FY21 grants in MMEG’s US-Canada and Trinity Washington University programs started rolling in in the second half of September 2020. The applications were screened by MMEG’s Selection Committees for the two programs. MMEG’s rigorous and commended selection process relies on these Committees. For the US-Canada and Trinity WU programs, the committees consisted of 22 volunteers representing a wide range of nationalities, professional experiences, and social backgrounds. The unifying trait of Selection committee volunteers is their passion to fulfill MMEG’s goal of supporting exceptional women to uplift the lives of women and children in developing countries. This year was a particularly challenging one for our Committees and we thank them for their unflagging efforts and commitment.

By March 2021, the Trinity WU Selection Committee had identified two extraordinary grantee finalists. The US-Canada Selection Committee identified six exceptional finalists in April 2021.  The finalists were presented to the MMEG Board of Directors and approved for grants.

FY21 Trinity Washington University grantees are pursuing degrees in the areas of Education, curriculum and social justice, and Psychology and human relations. FY21 US-Canada grantees are from six different countries (South Africa, Ghana, Mexico, Malawi, India and Argentina) and are pursuing post-graduate degrees in the following areas: Public health, Medicine/ nursing, Law, Nutrition, Education, Public administration and international development.

All these grantees are leaders by example, not only in the careers they are striving at, but also in their impressive volunteer work with the vulnerable and within their communities.  

We congratulate this year’s grantees and proudly welcome then to the MMEG family!

To see the full list of grantees click here.

Are we missing your donation?

We are hearing from some of you donors, that we haven't cashed your checks... That is because we haven't received them: disruptions to the US Postal System experienced last Fall resulted in our never (or at least 'not yet') receiving checks from generous donors.

If your donation is one of these, please do let us know by emailing mmeg@worldbank.org with your name and phone number, and we will keep an eagle eye out for your contribution.

If you would like to send a replacement check, please do so to:

Madeleine de Kock - MMEG President

4609 Chestnut Street

Bethesda, MD 20814

Latin America Program Grantees (FY21) are announced!

The Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Selection Committee proudly presented the 5 exceptional women they identified among many candidates. We thank and congratulate the Selection Committee for their dedication and hard work!

 The year 2020 was very challenging for everyone, but that did not hamper the enthusiasm or initiatives of the Selection Committee to find exceptional women, who uplift the lives of women and children in developing countries, through their education. Eligible applicants proved that there is no field in which women do not excel!

 MMEG LAC is very fortunate to have a Selection Committee composed of volunteers from 8 different nationalities, and various professional backgrounds, all with the same passion and the common goal to identify the extraordinary and exceptional women that our grantees represent.

 The applicants were citizens from 9 countries, currently studying at one of the 9 partner universities. The fields of study of the FY21 LAC grantees are Sociology, Education, Public Health, and Public Policies. They also have a strong presence volunteering in disadvantaged communities and with the vulnerable. Truly, they are extraordinary women!

El 14 de Enero de 2021, se aprobaron las ganadoras del subsidio para el año fiscal 2021 durante la reunión del Consejo de MMEG.

 El Comité de Selección para Latinoamérica y el Caribe (LAC) presentó orgullosamente a 5 mujeres excepcionales que identificaron entre una multitud de solicitudes. Felicitamos y agradecemos al Comité de Selección por su dedicación y arduo trabajo.

 El 2020 fue un año con muchos retos para todos, pero ello no impidió el entusiasmo y la iniciativa del Comité de Selección para encontrar mujeres excepcionales, dedicadas al mejoramiento de las vidas de mujeres y niños en países en vías de desarrollo, a través de sus estudios. Las solicitantes elegibles probaron que no existe un área profesional donde las mujeres no destaquen!

 MMEG LAC tiene la fortuna de contar con un Comité de Selección compuesto por voluntarios, representantes de 8 nacionalidades con campos profesionales muy variados, todos con la misma pasión y meta común para identificar a las mujeres extraordinarias y excepcionales que representan a nuestras ganadoras.

 Las solicitudes fueron presentadas por ciudadanas de 9 países, estudiando en una de las 9 universidades participantes. Las ganadoras para el año fiscal 2021 son estudiantes en los campos de Sociología, Educación, Salud Pública y Políticas Públicas. También cuentan con una importante presencia en el voluntariado con comunidades y gente vulnerable. Verdaderamente, son mujeres extraordinarias!

Congratulations to our South Africa Program Grantees (FY21)

At the MMEG Board meeting on December 10th, 2020 the grantees for the fiscal year 2021 were approved.

The South African Selection Committee presented with pride the 5 exceptional women they identified. We thank and congratulate the Selection Committee for their dedication and hard work.

2020 was a very challenging year for all but that did not hamper the enthusiasm or initiatives of the selection committee to find exceptional women, who uplift the lives of women and children, through their education. Eligible applicants proved that there is no field in which women do not excel!

MMEG is fortunate to have a selection committee comprising of volunteers, representing 13 nationalities and very varied professional backgrounds, all with the same passion and goal to identify the extraordinary and exceptional women our grantees represent.

The applicants were citizens from 16 countries studying at one of the 5 partner universities. The grantees, for FY21, fields of study are engineering, public health, business administration, medical anthropology and environmental science! They also have a strong presence volunteering in communities and for the vulnerable. Truly extraordinary women.

In memoriam: Elaine B. Wolfensohn

Elaine B. Wolfensohn

With great sadness, the board, volunteers, and community of Margaret McNamara Education Grants (MMEG), formerly the Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund (MMMF), respond to the passing of Elaine Wolfensohn, 83, on August 19, 2020. Elaine joined her husband Jim at the World Bank in June 1995. Even before she had fully moved into her Washington home on Kalorama Circle, she invited the then president of the MMMF board who had contacted her, to visit her there to learn more about the organization and how she could support it.

As a teacher and educator who possessed great concern for women’s rights and early childhood development, she became especially interested in the MMMF, since it provided grants for women studying in fields that would uplift the lives of women and children. Elaine came to meetings and other MMMF events, asking good questions and making thoughtful comments. She met and engaged with the grantees whom the MMMF invited to Washington at that time. A loyal supporter of the Arts and Crafts Fair the years she was at the Bank, she opened her schedule to attend, chat with vendors as she walked through the tables, and make purchases. She appreciated the hard work that went into organizing the Fair and enjoyed her moments with volunteers and board members there.

Whenever Elaine met with the MMMF, she had a compelling gaze and steady eyes. People had the sense that she gave individuals and groups her full attention and respect. Her pride in her daughter, Sarah’s talent shone when the MMMF sponsored Sarah’s performing at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) auditorium at an evening concert for MMMF supporters.

The board and volunteers of MMEG extend their most sincere condolences to her husband, Jim Wolfensohn, and her children, Naomi, Sarah, and Adam; her grandchildren, family, and many friends who mourn her passing.

A life of service is a life well and greatly lived.

—Omoakhuana Anthonia