How Nonprofit Work Influenced Barack Obama's Mother

March 17, 2008

How Nonprofit Work Influenced Barack Obama's Mother

In a New York Times profile of Sen. Barack Obama’s mother, Stanley Ann Dunham Soetoro, the newspaper describes her as “the parent who most shaped” the Democratic presidential candidate and discusses her work in the nonprofit world and international development.

Ms. Soetoro served as a program officer in Ford Foundation’s Indonesia office focusing on helping women’s rights and microfinance. In her role, she rubbed shoulders with “leaders in the Indonesian human-rights movement, people from women’s organizations, [and] representatives of community groups doing grass-roots development.”

In addition to Ford, she did microcredit work for the United States Agency for International Development, Women’s World Banking, and an Indonesian bank.

“She was a very, very big thinker,” Nancy Barry, a former president of Women’s World Banking, a nonprofit group, told the newspaper. Ms. Soetoro worked for the organization, in New York, in the early 1990s.

Mr. Obama would not comment for the Times article. But perhaps in part because of his mother’s influence, he has shown an interest in supporting nonprofit groups.

In December, he proposed a government fund to support innovative nonprofit projects and a Social Entrepreneurship Agency to give small nonprofit groups “the same kind of support that we give small businesses.”

— Ian Wilhelm

Comments

As a not for profit I have been providing services for low income families. I attended the first White House Faith Conference Washing DC.

— john Sabb Mar 17, 03:58 PM #
I suggest the old famous saying be replaced by ‘Tell me who your mother was, and I will tell you who you are’. There is no wonder why Mr. Obama is the right person for the presidency. America needs chief executive who has a family tradition of internationalism and capable of bringing together races, genders, and various religions. He is the person for this difficult time.

— Abraham Habteyesus Mar 17, 04:36 PM #
This is greater experience that what is touted by another candidate who makes it seem as if everyone needs to have been first lady to be president. I’d rather have Obama with a family socialisation that indicates he has set of values that are not based on his desire to be president but something his was brought up with. Go Obama go!

— Kuzipa Mar 18, 12:31 AM #
His internationalalism adds to the values he would bring to the presidency!

— Amanda Mar 18, 12:34 PM #
He had me off the sofa with tears, clapping and throwing my fists into the air, at his keynote speech, and I’m 61 living alone. Since first emailing him begging him to run, I’ve only been graced with further substantiating detail. He was unmistakably right then, and remains right.

— Susan Mar 18, 12:46 PM #
Pertfect person for this job.

Please let us elect Barack Obama for president.

What an authentic man who hails from a great mother!!!

God bless you Obama and all your family.

— Sandra Mar 18, 02:12 PM #
I am 61 and a retired US Marine Corps Cold War and Vietnam Veteran. I can look into a man eyes and see his heart. When I see him speaking I look into his eyes and I can see his heart. People who are not open, will have “cloudy eyes” and you can’t see into their hearts. I voted for President Bill Clinton’s for two-terms. However, I can not see into Mrs. Clinton’s heart and that concerns ME. If you have not read Mr. Obama’s books, please do..he is so up front and personal about his life, family and his worldviews. I am so moved by him sharing his life exoerinces with me and being so honest about it. I feel so connected to him because of who he is an AMERICAN. Many men live in a “clam shell”, but he will invite us into his personel world and that blows me away (JKF was the same way too). I watch all his videos and interviews where his family becomes a topic and his eyes open up so you can see inside his heart. I love for this man to lead our country (me, my children, my grand-children and my great-grand-children). I am a tough Leatherneck Marine and I have not often trusted my Commander-in-Chief. Mr. Obama has earned my trust. Semper Fi and God Bless America.

— James Mar 18, 06:11 PM #
Mr Obama Barack is sent by God, to bring peace in the world and to normalize our entire economie; god bless him and American.
Mr JFK and Dr Martin Luther King that they rest now in peace.thanks America to give this great man an oppurtunity to be the First Leader of the World. People from the Potuguees colonie CABO VERDE loves him. thank you all

— aristides oliveira melicio Apr 14, 10:43 AM #

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