We have important news to share with you. Three esteemed writers and activists — V (formerly Eve Ensler), Maxine Hong Kingston, and Gloria Steinem — are joining us to make sure this important fund drive is a success.
- V generously donated $5,000 to get the campaign off to a rousing start, saying, “Often, the exact moment women come into their greatest wisdom, insight, and brilliance is the moment when they are erased by the culture. I am so grateful to Persimmon Tree for being the antidote that lifts and celebrates our voices.”
- Gloria Steinem agrees: “in this youth-obsessed culture, it’s so good to have a place where women can share a longer life experience.”
- Maxine Hong Kingston added her voice to theirs: “Autumn is persimmon season, the time when the fruits of the persimmon tree takes on more lusciousness the longer they age. Just so, Persimmon Tree gives you the creations of women at our wisest and most artful.”
We are in for some dark times, and Persimmon Tree is a light in that inexorably gathering darkness. It is the voice of women over 60 – women who are strong, independent, and immensely talented. We need their voices now more than ever. We need their experience, their wisdom, and their perspective as we have never needed it before. And Persimmon Tree is the only place where you can find those voices consistently and powerfully.
Persimmon Tree must raise $30,000 this Fall to continue publishing. Why? The cost each year of publishing our quarterly the magazine – even with many efficiencies and thousands of volunteer hours – has more than doubled in the past 5 years.
As you think about your gift, please check the gift chart below to see how many more gifts we estimate we’ll need to reach the goal:
Especially in the coming few years, Persimmon Tree’s messages from women artists will be more important than ever, reaching more women and allies and supporters of women. We must make sure that the voices of strong, older women of every race, every nationality, every orientation and gender, are heard. With more voices being silenced, please help keep your (our) voices strong.
If you have never donated, we welcome your first gift. If you have donated before, as you renew your gift please consider increasing your gift. If you have already donated this year, please consider making an additional gift.
To pay using Zelle, address your donation to publisher@persimmontree.org and note in the memo line that it is a donation. To pay with a credit card, you can click here.
Or, if you would prefer to contribute by check, you can do so by making out your check to Persimmon Tree and mailing it to –
20 W. 64th St., Apt. 30N
New York, NY 10023
At a time when more publications are cutting back, your generous gift will ensure that Persimmon Tree – the only online magazine devoted entirely to the contributions of women over 60 – will continue publishing and raising up women’s voices.
Remember V’s words – “I am so grateful to Persimmon Tree for being the antidote that lifts and celebrates our voices.” And join with her, Gloria Steinem, and Maxine Hong Kingston in acknowledging the importance of Persimmon Tree and its unique mission by making your gift today.
OUR GENEROUS DONORS
Here is a list of the major and most loyal donors to Persimmon Tree. We are grateful to all our donors, no matter the size of your gifts. But, in this era of rising costs, and with Persimmon Tree growing and developing in new and exciting ways, our need for support has grown, too. If your name is on this list, you have our deepest thanks. If it isn’t yet, do think about increasing your donation so we can add it!
We try to ensure that this list is as complete and accurate as it can be, but if you see any errors, or if anyone’s name is missing, please let us know, and we’ll make a correction as soon as we can.
Leading Donors
Donor
5 Partners Foundation
Sally Buffington
Irene Diveris
Anna Dunlap
Alice Fulton
Nan Gefen
Nancy Glass
Susan Halpern
Cynthia Hogue
Indra Kapur
Laura Laytham
Alicia Ostriker
Melanie Perish
Gena Raps
Mary Lou Reker
Susan Salt
Carol Sidd
Kathryn Sklar
Laura Tamakoshi
Robbie Tisch
V (formerly Eve Ensler)
Margaret Wagner
Jean Zorn
Long-time Donors
(Donors who have been giving to Persimmon Tree for 10 years or more)
Donor | Date of first gift |
Rachel Biale | 2012 |
Lyn Brakeman | 2009 |
Judith Carroll | 2011 |
Catharine Clark-Sayles | 2009 |
Marie Daniely | 2009 |
Nyla Dartt | 2013 |
Noma Edwards | 2012 |
Suvan Geer | 2013 |
Nan Gefen | 2009 |
Susan Halpern | 2008 |
Elyse Hilton | 2010 |
Cynthia Hogue | 2015 |
Janet Holmgren | 2009 |
Joanne Howell | 2014 |
Joanne Jagoda | 2015 |
Marianne Kranz | 2010 |
Frances Leili | 2014 |
Lori Levy | 2009 |
Ronna Magy | 2015 |
Carol Marsh | 2015 |
Martha Mendelsohn | 2012 |
Rita Mendes-Flohr | 2010 |
Patricia O’Connor | 2015 |
Crystal Rogers | 2013 |
Ruth Saxton | 2009 |
Kathryn Sklar | 2013 |
Ann F. Stanford | 2015 |
Eleonor Swent | 2008 |
Sally Thomason | 2009 |
Norma Tucker | 2015 |
Jean Zorn | 2012 |
Sustaining Donors
(Donors who make automatic monthly donations to Persimmon Tree)
Donor
Aliki Barnstone
Karen Brennan
Mary Burke
Louise Dolan
Yolanda Joosten
Sharon Kennedy
Marianne Kranz
Pamela Kress-Dunn
Sara McAulay
Mary Mullen
Alice Campbell Romano
Ruth Saxton
Elaine Schwartz
Margaret Wagner
Jean Zorn