Helen Grace Hunt (1949- ) and Swanee LaKelly Hunt (1950- ) – Philanthropists
The Hunt sisters, daughters of Texas oil mogul H.L. Hunt, were born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Swanee Hunt has a BA in philosophy, two master’s degrees, and a doctorate in theology. Hunt is also an expert on women in politics, having conducted research, training, and consultations with women leaders in some 60 countries. She is the chair of the Washington-based Institute for Inclusive Security (including the Women Waging Peace Network) which advocates integrating women into peace processes. In 1997, Hunt founded the Women and Public Policy Program (WAPPP) at Harvard University, and LaKelly lectured at Harvard’s business, law, divinity and education graduate schools. Helen Hunt is founder and president of The Sister Fund, was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, as well as her sister, which cited Helen as a “creative philanthropist who has used her own resources and others to create women’s funding institutions.”
In 1981, the Hunt sisters founded Hunt Alternatives Fund, focused on strengthening youth arts organizations, supports leaders of social movements, combating human trafficking, and increasing philanthropy. In 2007, the sisters founded Women Moving Millions (WMM), a partnership between donors and the Women’s Funding Network. Their goal is to inspire gifts of $1 million or more to women’s funds, and focus on women and girls. To date over 180 donors have pledged $260 million plus to organizations and initiatives of their choosing that share WMM’s commitment to the advancement of women and girls throughout the world. Women Moving Millions became a 501(c)(3) independent tax exempt entity and public charity in June, 2011.
We honor Helen and Swanee Hunt because their philanthropic work makes them Legacy Champs. If you want to be a Legacy Champ in your own special way, then contact The Mendel Law Firm, L.P. for a free initial consultation on estate planning, trust planning, and/or probate issues.
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