Musimbi Kanyoro

She was born in Migori County, Kenya where she attended primary school before joining [https://alliancegirlshigh.sc.ke/ Alliance Girls School] in Nairobi. {{Cite web |title=Musimbi Kanyoro (Kenya) {{!}} WikiPeaceWomen – English |url=https://wikipeacewomen.org/wpworg/en/?page_id=3038 |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=wikipeacewomen.org}} As a student in the 1970s, she supported the movement against apartheid in South Africa. {{cite web | url=http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/03/star-power-at-a-global-womens-conference/?_r=0 | title=Star Power at a Global Women's Conference | date= 3 May 2013 | accessdate=21 October 2013 | work = The New York Times}}{{cite news | url=http://www.kra.go.ke/pdf/news/BIOGRAPHY%20OF%20THOSE%20AWARDED.pdf | title=Biography of those awarded | publisher=Kenya Revenue Agency | accessdate=18 October 2013 }}

She earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Nairobi and a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin. Kanyoro later earned a doctorate in feminist theology at the San Francisco Theological Seminary,{{Cite web|last=Lowery|first=Stephanie A.|date=2020-05-22|title=9 African Women Theologians You Should Know About|url=https://theglobalchurchproject.com/african-women-theologians-you-should-know-about/|access-date=2020-10-25|website=The GlobalChurch Project|language=en-US}} and has received three honorary doctorate degrees. She was also a visiting scholar of Hebrew and the Old Testament at Harvard University.{{Cite web |title=Dr Musimbi Kanyoro |url=https://unglobalcompact.org.au/speakers/dr-musimbi-kanyoro/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=UN Global Compact Network Australia |language=en-US}}File:Musimbi Kanyoro and Hillary Rodham Clinton.jpeg

Image:Kanyoro Sirleaf.jpg.]]

Kanyoro was the Executive Secretary, Desk for Women in Church and Society at the Lutheran World Federation from 1982 to 1997.{{Cite web |last=GU |date=20 June 2011 |title=A Discussion with Musimbi Kanyoro, CEO and President of the Global Fund for Women |url=https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/interviews/a-discussion-with-musimbi-kanyoro-ceo-and-president-of-the-global-fund-for-women |access-date=27 July 2022}} She also edited the book In Search of a Round Table: Gender, Theology and Church Leadership, in 1998.{{Cite journal |last=Molloy |first=Cathy |date=Winter 1998 |title=Review: [Untitled] in Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/30113966 |access-date=27 July 2022 |website=JSTOR|jstor=30113966 }} She worked as a translation consultant for the United Bible Societies. From 1998 to 2007, Kanyoro became the first non-white General Secretary{{cite web |last1=Salzman |first1=Marian |title=10 Power Women Brands |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mariansalzman/2015/09/08/10-power-women-brands/ |website=Forbes |language=en}} of the World YWCA.

Kanyoro was director of the Population and Reproductive Health Program of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation from 2007 to 2011.{{cite news |date=20 June 2011 |title=A Discussion with Musimbi Kanyoro, CEO and President of the Global Fund for Women |url=http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/interviews/a-discussion-with-musimbi-kanyoro-ceo-and-president-of-the-global-fund-for-women |accessdate=18 October 2013 |publisher=Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs}} She was a member of the International Steering Committee for the Beijing World Conference and led delegations to five UN World Conferences in the 1990s. From 2018 until 2019, she served on an Independent Commission on Sexual Misconduct, Accountability and Culture Change at Oxfam, co-chaired by Zainab Bangura and Katherine Sierra.[https://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/pressreleases/2018-03-16/oxfam-announces-zainab-bangura-and-katherine-sierra-co-lead Oxfam announces Zainab Bangura and Katherine Sierra to co-lead Independent Commission on Sexual Misconduct] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326190036/https://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/pressreleases/2018-03-16/oxfam-announces-zainab-bangura-and-katherine-sierra-co-lead |date=26 March 2019 }} Oxfam, press release of 16 March 2018. Musimbi Kanyoro was the president and CEO of Global Fund for Women from 2011 to 2019.{{Cite web |last=Lieberman |first=Amy |date=13 August 2019 |title=Some gender equality progress 'slipping away,' says former Global Fund for Women CEO |url=https://www.devex.com/news/some-gender-equality-progress-slipping-away-says-former-global-fund-for-women-ceo-95440}}

She has also served in several boards including the Aspen Leaders Council, the CARE Board, the UN High Level Taskforce for Reproductive Health, UN Women Civil Society Advisory Board, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)’s Scientific Advisory Board{{Cite web |date=2023-07-14 |title=Dr Musimbi Kanyoro - Homeward Bound |url=https://homewardboundprojects.com.au/profile/dr-musimbi-kanyoro/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |language=en-AU}} and the International Board of the United World Colleges.{{cite web |date=November 2018 |title=Musimbi Kanyoro Appointed Chair of UWC International Board |url=https://www.uwc.org/musimbiappointment |accessdate=16 January 2019}}

She also works with former President of Ireland Mary Robinson on several projects, including the Board of Directors of Realizing Rights: the Ethical Globalization Initiative. She served as a member of the Family Planning 2020 (FP2020) Reference Group.[http://www.familyplanning2020.org/about-us/reference-group FP2020 Reference Group] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015184343/http://www.familyplanning2020.org/about-us/reference-group|date=15 October 2018}} Family Planning 2020 (FP2020).[https://www.mrfcj.org/about/international-advisory-council/ International Advisory Council] Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice.

She is also the member of Global Philanthropy Committee of the Council of Foundations{{cite web |date=January 2012 |title=Global Philanthropy |url=http://www.cof.org/whoweserve/international/committee/index.cfm?navItemNumber=15638 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019231902/http://www.cof.org/whoweserve/international/committee/index.cfm?navItemNumber=15638 |archive-date=19 October 2013 |accessdate=19 October 2013 |publisher=Council on Foundations}}

Kanyoro also served as a Member of the Board of Directors of the African Population and Health Research Centre, and was for seven years the chair of the board of ISIS Work. She also serves on the boards of CARE,{{cite web | url=http://www.care.org/newsroom/articles/2012/10/care-new-board-members-kanyoro-janah-20121009.asp| title=CARE Announces Board Member Musimbi Kanyoro | date= October 2011 | accessdate=19 October 2013}} Intra Health,{{cite web | url=http://www.intrahealth.org/page/musimbi-kanyoro-joins-intrahealth-internationals-board-of-directors | title=Musimbi Kanyoro Joins Intra Health International Board of Directors | date= September 2010 | accessdate=19 October 2013}} CHANGE and Legacy Memory Bank,{{cite web | url=http://www.legacymemorybank.org/index.php?view=article&catid=36%3Abiography&id=69%3Amusimbi+kanyoro&option=com_content&Itemid=60| title=Musimbi Kanyoro Joins Board of Legacy Memory Bank | date= November 2007 | accessdate=19 October 2013}} and is a member of the World Health Organization.

• 1999 – Human Rights Award{{cite web | url= http://www.interpretermagazine.org/umns/usnews_archive.asp?ptid=2&story=%7BE510D330-9DC3-4E68-BAD0-D9C4B7837AD9%7D&mid=883 | title= presented by Church Women United, USA, in recognition of commitment and dedication to global human rights of women | date= September 1999 | accessdate=21 October 2013}}
• 1999 – Doctor of Divinity (honorary), Trinity Lutheran Seminary, (TLS) USA, for significant contribution to Christian Theology
• 2000 – The Wittenberg Award{{cite web | url= http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=3673| title= presented by the Luther Institute, USA in recognition of outstanding service to church and society | date= September 2000 | accessdate=21 October 2013}}
• 2005 – designated a State Commendations of Kenya Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS).{{cite web | url=http://www.law.co.ke/KenyaGazette/view_gazette.php?title=1145 | title=Selected Gazette Notices From Vol. CVII-No.85 | publisher=Republic of Kenya | date=9 December 2005 | accessdate=18 October 2013}}
• 2005 – Women of Substance Award{{cite web | url= http://allafrica.com/stories/200510241020.html | title=African Women's Development Fund, Accra, Ghana | date= April 2005 | accessdate=21 October 2013}}
• 2005 – Global Leadership Award,{{cite web | url= http://www.abeingo.org/profiles/musimbi%20kanyoro.pdf | title=World Vision and International AIDS Trust, USA | date= March 2005 | accessdate=21 October 2013}} World Vision and International AIDS Trust, USA
• 2005 – Nominee, 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize,{{cite web | url= http://www.worldywca.org/YWCA-News/World-YWCA-and-Member-Associations-News/World-YWCA-General-Secretary-Nominated-for-Nobel-Peace-Prize | title= Nominee, 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize | date= September 2005 | accessdate= 21 October 2013 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131021225504/http://www.worldywca.org/YWCA-News/World-YWCA-and-Member-Associations-News/World-YWCA-General-Secretary-Nominated-for-Nobel-Peace-Prize | archive-date= 21 October 2013 | url-status= dead }}
• 2006 – Women, Leadership and Human Dignity Award{{cite web | url= http://www.bsc.edu/communications/southern/summer06/summer-06.pdf | title=for significant contribution to advancement of human dignity, presented by Birmingham-South College, Birmingham, Alabama, USA | date= April 2006 | accessdate=21 October 2013}}
• 2008 – Inaugural Lecturer: Nelson Mandela Lecture Series{{cite web | url= http://w3.unisa.edu.au/hawkecentre/nml/default.asp | title= presented by the University of South Australia and the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, Adelaide, Australia | date= 14 October 2008 | accessdate= 21 October 2013 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131021225422/http://w3.unisa.edu.au/hawkecentre/nml/default.asp | archive-date= 21 October 2013 | url-status= dead }}
• 2011 – Changing the Face of Philanthropy{{cite web | url= http://www.womensfundingnetwork.org/sites/wfnet.org/files/cfp-awards-presentation.pdf | title= presented by the Women's Funding Network, San Francisco, California, USA | date= 7–9 April 2011 | accessdate= 21 October 2013 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131021222737/http://www.womensfundingnetwork.org/sites/wfnet.org/files/cfp-awards-presentation.pdf | archive-date= 21 October 2013 | url-status= dead }}
• 2012 – National Council for Research on Women 2012{{cite web | url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=208399678&privcapId=102269853&previousCapId=4976197&previousTitle=Arie%20and%20Ida%20Crown%20Memorial%20Foundation | title=30-year anniversary celebrating 30 outstanding women | date= May 2012 | accessdate=21 October 2013}}{{dead link|date=April 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

• {{Cite book|ref=none|last=Bofu-Tawamba |first=Ndana |url=https://www.routledge.com/The-Uprising-of-Women-in-Philanthropy/Bofu-Tawamba-Bright-Clohesy-Grumm-Kanyoro-LaKellyHunt-Oliveira-Risimini-Sloane-Tomlin/p/book/9781032361468?utm_medium=email&utm_source=EmailStudio&utm_campaign=U7597454184_Books+Author+Post-Publication+Support_5035855&utm_id= |title=The uprising of women in philanthropy |date=2025 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-032-36146-8 |location=Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY}}
• Dube, Musa and Musimbi R.A. Kanyoro, eds. Grant me justice!: HIV/AIDS & gender readings of the Bible. Cluster Publications, 2004. {{ISBN|978-1570756009|}}
• Kanyoro, Musimbi R.A. and Nyambura J. Njoroge, eds. Groaning in Faith: African women in the household of God. Nairobi: Acton Publishers. Papers From the Interfaith Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians, 1996. {{ISBN|978-9966888242|}}
• Kanyoro, Musimbi R.A., ed. In search of a round table: gender, theology & church leadership. Geneva: WCC Publications, 1997. {{ISBN|2-8254-1209-0}}
• Kanyoro, Musimbi R.A. and Nyambura J. Njoroge, eds. A decade of solidarity with the Bible : decade festival : visions beyond 1998. Geneva: WCC Publications, 1998.
• Kanyoro, Musimbi R.A., Introducing Feminist Cultural Hermeneutics: An African Perspective. Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 2002. {{ISBN|978-0829814996}}
• Kanyoro, Musimbi R.A., Forward to The alternative Luther : Lutheran theology from the subaltern, edited by Else Marie Wiberg Pedersen. Minneapolis: Fortress Academic, 2019.
• Oduyoye, Mercy Amba and Musimbi R.A. Kanyoro, eds. The Will to Arise: Women, Tradition, and the Church in Africa. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2005. {{ISBN|978-1597524742}}.

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.globalfundforwomen.org/ Global Fund for Women]
• [https://archive.today/20121220215255/http://www.legacymemorybank.org/ Legacy Memory Bank Advisory Board]

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Category:Kenyan activists

Category:Kenyan women activists

Category:1953 births

Category:Living people

Category:Harvard Divinity School faculty

Category:Kenyan Lutherans

Category:Morans of the Order of the Burning Spear

Category:Kenyan academics

Category:People from Migori County

Category:University of Nairobi alumni

Category:Alumni of Alliance Girls High School