PHALAROPE Inc. is an ACTION FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH Awardee
(SAVANNAH, GA), November 12, 2025: Phalarope Inc. has been announced as one of 80+
organizations that were awarded funding through Action for Women’s Health, a $250 million
global open call, launched in 2024 to support organizations working to improve women’s mental
and physical health around the world.
Over 4,000 organizations from 119 countries applied, offering solutions across the lifespan for women. After a rigorous peer and expert review process, 80+ were selected to receive awards ranging from $1 million to $5 million, many of whom have historically lacked access to major funding streams. This funding will have a real impact for women across geographies, life stages, and identities.
Although women make up half of the world’s population, they face inequities in nearly every
aspect of their health. Women’s health is chronically underfunded and under-researched, and
even when resources and solutions do exist, they often aren’t reaching the women who need
them.
Founded in 2016, Phalarope Inc. is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing
health equity by empowering women, the cornerstone of families and communities, to lead the
design and delivery of health solutions. Through locally grounded, evidence-based programs,
Phalarope works alongside women leaders, healthcare providers, and public systems to
strengthen maternal and child health, expand access to care, and build economic opportunity.
Community health worker training traditional midwives how to use medical equipment to provide proper prenatal care follow-up in Guatemala
Phalarope strengthens public health systems by training community care navigators, including
traditional midwives, Indigenous women leaders, and rural community health workers, to bridge
underserved communities with formal healthcare systems. Its culturally grounded care-
navigation model ensures that rural and Indigenous families are seen, respected, and supported
from village to hospital, advancing health equity and reducing preventable maternal and
neonatal deaths.
Led by a volunteer CEO, Phalarope directs the majority of its funding toward programs rather
than administration, emphasizing transparency, sustainability, and measurable impact. The
organization’s interdisciplinary team includes public health experts, clinicians, and community
leaders, ensuring cultural relevance, trust, and enduring community ownership. enabling women
to improve their own health and strengthen their communities.
“Being selected as an Action for Women’s Health awardee is not only an honor—it is a
commitment to accelerate a global movement for dignity, equity, and access to care,” said Dr.
Miriam Rittmeyer, CEO and Co-founder of Phalarope Inc. “This recognition affirms the
strength of community-led, culturally grounded models and ensures that Indigenous and rural
women are not just beneficiaries of health programs, they are architects of solutions that shape
the lives of their families and communities.”
Dr Miriam Rittmeyer, Co-Founder and CEO
Dr. CHRIS RITTMEYER, Co-Founder
Action for Women’s Health is funded by Pivotal, a group of impact organizations founded by
Melinda French Gates, and managed by Lever for Change, an organization with a track record
of identifying bold ideas to solve the world’s most pressing problems.
More information about the initiative and awardees is available at:
https://leverforchange.org/article/press-release/afwh-awardees-announcement/
CONTACT
Dr. Miriam Rittmeyer
Co-founder & CEO of Phalarope
mrittmeyer@phalarope.org
912-398-4810
MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young
Founder of Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc.
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com
912-844-9990
About Phalarope Programs 2024: https://youtu.be/u4IythcqOZU?si=MUOqJbmOeNuVf3_I
GOOGLE LINK PHOTO AND VIDEO GALLERY: https://photos.app.goo.gl/mzHbfbzga4bqLmnL7