The Womanist Freedom Project

The Womanist Freedom Project
Empowering Women to Lead, Heal, and Transform the World
Leadership Development
The Womanist Freedom Project equips girls and women of color to become bold, ethical leaders in their communities and beyond.
Spiritual Formation
Rooted in womanist theology and spiritual practices, we provide transformative experiences that nurture the whole person.
Community Transformation
We are committed to empowering girls and women of color to heal and transform their communities through meaningful action.
About the Womanist Freedom Project
The Womanist Freedom Project is a nonprofit movement building pathways for girls and women of color to rise with purpose, power, and possibility. We offer transformative programs that integrate faith, leadership, education, and healing. Inspired by the legacy of Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray and rooted in the principles of womanist theology, our work centers those who have long been marginalized and yet have always led.
We believe leadership is not about hierarchy — it’s about healing, wisdom, courage, and community.
Mission and Vision
The Womanist Freedom Project envisions a world where:
Young women embrace their leadership potential and use their voices to advocate for social justice.
Faith and activism intersect, empowering students to engage in spiritual formation and social change.
Environmental sustainability, economic empowerment, and education are integrated into a holistic leadership development model.
Meet Our Founder
The Reverend Dr. Terri Ofori
Founder & CEO of the Womanist Freedom Project
A scholar, chaplain, and ordained minister, Dr. Ofori leads with a vision for restorative justice, womanist education, and vocational discernment. Her academic and pastoral work includes 15+ years in higher education, DEIB strategy, and community-based spiritual leadership.
Signature Programs
 
The Pauli Murray Freedom School for Girl’s Leadership Development:
✨ A leadership initiative for high school girls of color featuring!
Womanist leadership curriculum
STEAM and financial literacy 
Spiritual formation and service
College and career readiness
 Scholarship opportunities
 Queen Bee Mentorship
Rites of Passage Ceremony
🌿 Sisters in Spirit (SIS) 
✨ For women ready to lead with heart and purpose featuring
Retreats for women seeking renewal
Spiritual direction 
Vocational Discernment
Healing justice, rest, and restoration
Leadership development through a womanist lens

🐝 Queen Bee Mentorship Program 
To provide ongoing intergenerational support and guidance for students as they step into leadership and navigate school, college, and community life.
 The Pauli Murray Freedom School for Girls Leadership Development
The Pauli Murray Freedom School for Girls Leadership Development is the signature program of the Womanist Freedom Project that focuses on girls educational development. This summer we will launch the pilot program which will consist of  a one-week Summer Leadership Summit at the St. Philips Episcopal in Annapolis, Maryland.
Our pilot program for is rising seniors (11th grade students who will be entering their senior year in the Fall). It  will take place on the following dates:
Sunday, July 13 - Saturday , July 19 2025 
The Womanist Freedom Schools 
The Pauli Murray Freedom School Girls Leadership Development is a signature program of the Womanist Freedom Project and will serve as the blueprint for future Freedom Schools, ensuring that young women of color are equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to build a more just and equitable world.
The Womanist Freedom Project is more than a project—we hope to inspire of movement to prepare young  women to lead, innovate, and disrupt oppressive systems through womanist pedadgogy and hospitality By ensuring that the Pauli Murray Freedom School for Girls Leadership Development uplifts the legacy of a trailblazing women leaders, we hope to create a opportunities for transformation nationwide.
Long-Term Vision & Expansion: 
The Pauli Murray Freedom School for Girls Leadership Development will serve as the pilot program for future Womanist Freedom Schools in various cities . Over the next five years, we plan to establish:
1
Barbara Harris Freedom School (Philadelphia, PA)
2
The Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin (Boston, MA)
3
Future Freedom Schools
Additional chapters in key cities across the nation honoring different womanist leaders
Why A Freedom School? 
The Urgency of NOW!
The Womanist Freedom Project for Girls and Leadership Development launched the  Pauli Murray Freedom School  to empowers young women of color to navigate socio -economic challenges by providing:
✅ Financial Literacy  – Teaching students about investing, saving, cooperative economics, and financial empowerment.
✅ Entrepreneurship  – Through The Beehive Project, students learn how to start businesses, manage money, and sell products.
✅ Career Readiness & Mentorship – The HaramBEE HIVE Mentorship Program connects students to mentors who help them access career opportunities, scholarships, and professional networks.
✅ Educational Leadership - Celebrating the indomitable spirit of Black and Brown women leaders like Ida B. Wells, Shirley Chisholm, Dolores Huerta, and countless others who paved the way for future generations.
✅ Ignite Dreams: Discover Purpose via vocational discernment and 
By addressing economic barriers alongside civil rights, climate justice, and leadership underrepresentation, the Pauli Murray Freedom School ensures that young women of color have the tools they need to achieve financial security, career success, and long-term empowerment.
Civil Rights & Equal Education  
Civil rights, racial and gender equity gains are under attack, with the rollback of voting rights, social justice, and educational access disproportionately affecting communities of color.
Climate Crisis
The climate crisis threatens marginalized communities, necessitating leadership in environmental justice and sustainability.
Underrepresentation
Despite the important roles women of color play in social movements, activism, and faith-based leadership, they remain underrepresented in positions of power and influence. This underrepresentation is a significant issue that needs to be addressed.
Women of color often face intersectional barriers and challenges that prevent them from accessing the same opportunities as their male and white counterparts. Systemic biases, lack of mentorship and sponsorship, and other structural inequities all contribute to this disparity.
Addressing the underrepresentation of women of color in leadership is crucial for creating a more just and equitable society. Their unique perspectives, experiences, and talents are essential for driving meaningful change and progress.
 By investing in the leadership development of women of color, we can empower them to become the change makers and trailblazers of the future.
Economic Inequality 
Young women of color continue to face significant economic disparities, limiting their access to higher education, career opportunities, and generational wealth-building.

💰 Student Debt Crisis: Women of color take on disproportionate student loan debt due to systemic financial barriers to higher education.
📉 Wealth Gap: Black and Brown women earn less than their white counterparts and are more likely to experience employment discrimination and pay inequity.

🚧 Limited Access to Capital: Aspiring entrepreneurs face challenges securing funding, mentorship, and business resources, limiting economic independence and financial mobility.
The Womanist Freedom Project for Girls and Women's Leadership Development seeks to meet this moment by equipping young women with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to challenge injustice, create solutions, and build sustainable futures for themselves and their communities.
Invest in the Future of  Women's Leadership
 Support the Womanist Freedom Project & The Pauli Murray Freedom School for Girls Leadership Development!
Your donation directly impacts young women of color by providing leadership training, mentorship, and economic empowerment opportunities while ensuring that faith, justice, and education remain at the center of their development.
💡 Sponsor a Future Leader: The cost to fully sponsor one student for the Pauli Murray Freedom School is $1,000. This sponsorship covers tuition, meals, transportation, materials, and mentorship for one young woman to attend a one-week session.
Ways to Give!
✅ $25 – Provides classroom supplies, journals, and essential materials for student learning.
✅ $50 – Helps cover transportation costs and field trip expenses, ensuring all students can participate in hands-on learning experiences.
✅ $100 – Supports the development of curriculum, teaching materials, and learning resources to create a transformative educational experience.
✅ $250 – Covers the cost of guest speakers, community leaders, and professionals who inspire students through workshops and discussions.
✅ $500 – Contributes to faculty and staff salaries, allowing us to bring in experienced educators, activists, and faith leaders.
✅ $1,000 – Fully sponsors a student for a one-week session, ensuring she receives a life-changing experience in leadership, entrepreneurship, and social justice.
Give Time and Talent: Become a Mentor or Volunteer! 
Not everyone can give financially, however ,there are other ways to give
✨ Become a Queen Bee Mentor – Join our Queen Bee Mentorship Program and help guide a young woman through her first year of college.
✨ Volunteer Your Talents – Support the school by offering skills in teaching, administration, event planning, marketing, or mentorship.
✨ Offer In-Kind Donations – Contribute books, supplies, professional services, or event space.
✨ Commit to Prayer & Encouragement – Keep the mission of the Womanist Freedom School in your prayers and help spread the word.
🌍 Join us in building the future of leadership, faith, and justice. Whether through giving, mentoring, or volunteering, your support makes a difference.
Give today and help us shape the next generation of women leaders!