Mary's Pence.

Catholic women's organization that collects and distributes funds for the self-empowerment of women. Mary's Pence, named for Mary of Nazareth, Mary of Bethany, and Mary of Magdala, directs funds to programs that serve women in need of education, shelter, legal advice, and psychological and spiritual development. The idea of Mary's Pence developed in Chicago from a group of women at a shared prayer service in August 1985. A few months later, these women approached Chicago Catholic Women and set up an Initiating Committee of nine women who met during 1986-1987. On April 29 and 30, 1987, the Board of Directors met to create Mary's Pence and on July 2. 1987, Mary's Pence was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization. Fundraising became the major task of the Board and the Coordinator of Mary's Pence. The type of ministries funded in and out of the United States included Advocacy, Child care, Community Organization, Economic Development, Education and Training, Health, Housing, Pastoral, Prison Ministry, Refugee Advocacy, Shelter, Spirituality, and Theological study. The National Coordinator and Board developed many ways to make Mary's Pence well-known and to raise the necessary funds for grants. Along with regular appeal mailings, advertisements, and yearly presence at the Call to Action Fall meetings, a yearly Prayer Day was developed.