Women’s Action for New Directions (WAND) is a feminist-left organization focused on nuclear disarmament and reducing military and police spending. The organization hosts a network for female state and federal legislators in which it advocates for legislation aligned with its ideals.
Background
Women’s Action for New Directions was originally founded as Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament during the Cold War. The founder, Helen Caldicott, had been involved in nuclear disarmament advocacy since the 1970s, but her efforts had been mainly in France and Australia. 1
Caldicott established her American organization in Massachusetts, devoting its efforts to nuclear disarmament and the reduction of military spending during the Cold War. Caldicott was featured in an anti-nuclear Canadian documentary called If You Love This Planet, winning an Academy Award in 1982 while simultaneously having the film labeled as “political propaganda” by President Ronald Reagan’s Department of Justice. 2 3
In 1985, as Helen Caldicott became more well-known through a series of network television appearances, Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament opened an office in Washington, D.C. to expand its nationwide organizing efforts and interface with government officials and legislators. 4
In 1991, following the fall of the Soviet Union and end of the Cold War, Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament changed its name to Women’s Action for New Directions. In response to the winding down of the global peace movement of the 1980s, the organization expanded its mission from nuclear disarmament to “redirecting excessive military spending toward human and environmental needs” and tied its movement to climate change activism. 5 6
In addition to nuclear disarmament and the reduction of military spending, Women’s Action for New Directions also lobbies for legislation to restrict gun ownership, end the transfer of federal equipment to domestic police forces, and maintain abortion access. 7
In 2022, the organization transitioned into a “volunteer-led” organization, citing limited financial resources to continue normal operations. 8
Nancy Parrish, executive director of Women’s Action for New Directions, owns a consulting firm with a focus on “creating partnerships with local government decision makers.” 9
Activities
Women’s Action for New Directions operates through several sister organizations to campaign for left-leaning policy objectives, primarily advocating for the reduction of military spending and reallocation of those funds for left-leaning domestic spending programs. 10
The organization founded the Women’s Action for New Directions Education fund as a sister 501(c)(3) and tax-exempt fundraising apparatus. The tax-exempt status of the Women’s Action for New Directions Education Fund was automatically revoked in 2023 by the IRS due to failure to provide several years of financial disclosures.
Women’s Action for New Directions has also operated the Women’s Action for New Directions political action committee (formerly the Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament political action committee) since the 1980s. The political action committee reported donating exclusively to female Democratic Party candidates in 2016. 11 12
Women’s Action for New Directions also operates the Women’s Legislators Lobby (WiLL), a national network of female state and federal legislators. Women’s Legislators Lobby charges 4 tiers of membership dues for incumbent legislators, newly elected legislators, former legislators, and congressional staff. The objective of the organization is to “influence federal policies and budget priorities.” Women’s Legislator’s Lobby offers training sessions, social media tools, networking events, and other assistance to boost the profile of its member legislators. 13
Women’s Action for New Directions also founded the En Voz Alta program to provide mentorships and career opportunities in government to Latina women. 14
Financials
Women’s Action for New Directions has been primarily funded through contributions received through the WAND Education Fund. One of the organization’s largest donors is the Colombe Foundation , which has donated over $2 million to Women’s Action for New Directions and the WAND Education Fund since 2010. Edith Allen, a board member of the Women’s Action for New Directions Education Fund, is also the President of the Colombe Foundation. 15 16
Women’s Action for New Directions also receives significant funding from the Ploughshares Fund, with contributions of over $600,000 between 2018 and 2022. 17
Women’s Action for New Directions reported $117,722 in program expenses in 2020, all of which was allocated to a program that “educates women on federal policy priorities.” The organization reported $68,736 in management and general expenses in the same year. The organization also reported $206,296 in revenue, while the WAND Education Fund reported $459,478 in revenue for the same year. 18 19
References
- “Caldicott, Helen Mary.” Australian Women’s Register, September 14, 2023. https://www.womenaustralia.info/entries/caldicott-helen-mary/.
- “If You Love This Planet.” Helen Caldicott, M.D., February 14, 2023. https://www.helencaldicott.com/films/if-you-love-this-planet/.
- August 10, 2012. “General Asks Cut in Nuclear Stockpile – What Are We Waiting for? – The Boston Globe.” BostonGlobe.com, August 10, 2012. Accessed August 27, 2023. https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/letters/2012/08/09/general-asks-cut-nuclear-stockpile-what-are-waiting-for/usBPWUaqVg5MAOJsotk7JL/story.html.
- “About Us: Women’s Action for New Directions.” WAND. Accessed September 4, 2023. https://www.wand.org/about-us.
- “About Us: Women’s Action for New Directions.” WAND. Accessed September 4, 2023. https://www.wand.org/about-us.
- Renae, Jena. “5 Ways Nuclear Weapons Harm the Earth.” WAND, April 22, 2022. https://www.wand.org/post/5-ways-nuclear-weapons-harm-the-earth.
- “Our Issues.” Women’s action for New Directions. Accessed September 9, 2023. https://www.wand.org/issues.
- Directions, Women’s Action for New. “Wand Is a Volunteer-Led Organization.” WAND, October 4, 2022. https://www.wand.org/post/volunteerled.
- NParrish Consulting, LLC. Accessed August 28, 2023. http://www.nparrish.com/home.
- “About Us: Women’s Action for New Directions.” WAND. Accessed August 27, 2023. https://www.wand.org/about-us.
- “About Us: Women’s Action for New Directions.” WAND. Accessed August 27, 2023. https://www.wand.org/about-us.
- Women’s Action for New Directions Inc. FEC Request for more information (RFIA). 2021.
- “Will: Women’s Legislators Lobby.” WAND. Accessed September 7, 2023. https://www.wand.org/will.
- “Women’s Political Empowerment: Women’s Action for New Directions.” WAND, October 4, 2022. https://www.wand.org/women-s-political-empowerment.
- Colombe Foundation. Return of an Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990). 2010-2022.
- “Board of Directors: Women’s Action for New Directions.” WAND. Accessed August 27, 2023. https://www.wand.org/board-of-directors
- Ploughshares Fund Inc. Return of an Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990). 2018-2022.
- Women’s Action for New Directions. Return of an Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990). 2020.
- Women’s Action for New Directions Education Fund. Return of an Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990). 2020.