How We Work To Remove Barriers of Education – Volume 3, Episode 10: Circle of Women

Removing Barriers for Girls in Mexico

The latest episode of the Circle of Sisterhood’s monthly vlog series is here! This month, we’re revisiting one of our very first grants—awarded in 2011—to highlight the lasting impact of investing in girls’ education.

That year, a $3,700 Circle of Sisterhood grant supported an inspiring initiative in the high Mixteca region of Oaxaca, Mexico, where seven out of ten adult women are illiterate. The grant funded a new teacher, program supplies, and all necessary travel expenses for an entire year of instruction—bringing education to indigenous girls who otherwise would not have had access to school.

In a region where poverty, gender inequality, and lack of infrastructure have long limited educational opportunities for girls, this investment helped create a classroom where learning, confidence, and opportunity could thrive.

About Circle of Women

Circle of Women is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing girls’ access to secondary education by collaborating directly with communities to create localized, sustainable solutions. What makes them unique is their student-led model—university students lead the work of fundraising, project development, and communication with partners around the world.

Their mission is rooted in the belief that education transforms lives. By investing in teachers, resources, and community partnerships, Circle of Women empowers girls to continue their education, build independence, and shape stronger futures for themselves and those around them.

The 2011 Circle of Sisterhood grant to Circle of Women did more than provide a year of schooling—it helped lay the groundwork for long-term change. In a community where most girls never make it past primary school, this project demonstrated how education can break cycles of poverty and open doors to empowerment for generations to come.

Join Us in Removing Barriers

When girls are educated, communities flourish. They gain the confidence, skills, and opportunities needed to create better lives for themselves and future generations.

By supporting Circle of Sisterhood, you are helping to remove barriers to education and lighting the way toward a more equitable world.

Every level of support makes a difference. Thank you for being part of this movement.

Learn more about our grant partners: circleofsisterhood.org/grants | circleofwomen.org