{{short description|Kenyan activist}} {{Use British English|date=May 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Musimbi Kanyoro | image = File:Musimbi 2.jpg | birth_place = Migori County, [[Kenya]] | citizenship = [[Kenyan]] | occupation = {{ubl|Human rights advocate|Philanthropist|Academic}} | known_for = Leadership in global women's rights and philanthropy | title = Chairperson, International Board of United World Colleges | employer = United World Colleges; London School of Economics | organizations = Global Fund for Women; World YWCA; Lutheran World Federation; United Bible Societies; CARE; Aspen Leaders Council | notable_works = In Search of a Round Table: Gender, Theology and Church Leadership | education = [[University of Nairobi]]; [[University of Texas at Austin]] (PhD); San Francisco Theological Seminary | awards = Human Rights Award (1999); Wittenberg Award (2000) }}
'''Musimbi Kanyoro''' is a [[human rights advocate]], philanthropist, and academic.<ref>{{cite web |title=5 lessons for funding innovation for social change |url=https://www.devex.com/news/5-lessons-for-funding-innovation-for-social-change-84741 |website=Devex |language=en |date=10 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Musimbi Kanyoro {{!}} Women's Learning Partnership |url=https://learningpartnership.org/people/musimbi-kanyoro}}</ref> She is the chairperson of the International Board of the [[United World Colleges]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheney |first=Catherine |date=2024-11-01 |title=Collective leadership is key to lasting impact, in education and beyond |url=https://www.devex.com/news/collective-leadership-is-key-to-lasting-impact-in-education-and-beyond-108630 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Devex |language=en}}</ref> and independent member at [[London School of Economics and Political Science]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro « The Uprising of Women in Philanthropy |url=https://uprisingofwomeninphilanthropy.com/the-author/dr-musimbi-kanyoro/ |access-date=2024-12-04}}</ref> She is also the founding member of the [[Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians]] ("the Circle") and its first coordinator (1996-2002).<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Labeodan |first=Helen A. |date=2016-07-08 |title=Revisiting the legacy of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians today: A lesson in strength and perseverance |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/ve.v37i2.1586 |journal=Verbum et Ecclesia |volume=37 |issue=2 |doi=10.4102/ve.v37i2.1586 |issn=2074-7705|doi-access=free }}</ref>
==Early life and education== Musimbi Kanyoro was born in [[Migori County]], Kenya, where she attended primary school before joining Alliance Girls School in [[Nairobi]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>
As a student in the 1970s, she supported the movement against apartheid in [[South Africa]].<ref>{{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]]}}</ref><ref name="KRA">{{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 }}</ref>
Kanyoro 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]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>
She was also a visiting scholar of [[Hebrew]] and the [[Old Testament]] at [[Harvard Divinity School]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>[[File:Musimbi Kanyoro and Hillary Rodham Clinton.jpeg|thumb|Hillary Rodham Clinton and Musimbi Kanyoro at the Global Fund For Women's Dinner in May 2013 in New York]]
== Career == [[Image:Kanyoro Sirleaf.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Kanyoro with [[Ellen Johnson Sirleaf]].]] Kanyoro was the executive secretary, Desk for Women in Church and Society at the [[Lutheran World Federation]] from 1982 to 1997.<ref>{{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}}</ref> She also edited the book ''In Search of a Round Table: Gender, Theology and Church Leadership'', in 1998.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> She worked as a translation consultant for the [[United Bible Societies]]. From 1998 to 2007, Kanyoro became the first non-white General Secretary<ref>{{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}}</ref> of the World [[YWCA]].<ref name=KRA />
Kanyoro was director of the Population and Reproductive Health Program of the [[David and Lucile Packard Foundation]] from 2007 to 2011.<ref name="Berkley">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>[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.</ref> Musimbi Kanyoro was the president and CEO of Global Fund for Women from 2011 to 2019.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
She has 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<ref>{{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}}</ref> and the International Board of the [[United World Colleges]].<ref name=":2">{{cite web |date=November 2018 |title=Musimbi Kanyoro Appointed Chair of UWC International Board |url=https://www.uwc.org/musimbiappointment |accessdate=16 January 2019}}</ref>
Kanyoro has worked 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.<ref>[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).</ref><ref>[https://www.mrfcj.org/about/international-advisory-council/ International Advisory Council] [[Mary Robinson|Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice]].</ref>
She is also the member of Global Philanthropy Committee of the Council of Foundations.<ref>{{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]]}}</ref><ref name=":2" />
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 (relief agency)|CARE]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> Intra Health,<ref>{{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}}</ref> CHANGE and Legacy Memory Bank,<ref>{{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}}</ref> and is a member of the [[World Health Organization]].{{cn|date=November 2025}}
==Recognition and honours== *1999 – Human Rights Award<ref>{{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}}</ref> *1999 – Doctor of Divinity (honorary), Trinity Lutheran Seminary, (TLS) USA, for significant contribution to Christian Theology *2000 – The Wittenberg Award<ref>{{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}}</ref> *2005 – designated a State Commendations of Kenya Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS)<ref>{{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}}</ref> *2005 – Women of Substance Award<ref>{{cite web | url= http://allafrica.com/stories/200510241020.html | title=African Women's Development Fund, Accra, Ghana | date= April 2005 | accessdate=21 October 2013}}</ref> *2005 – Global Leadership Award,<ref>{{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}}</ref> World Vision and International AIDS Trust, USA *2005 – Nominee, 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize,<ref>{{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 }}</ref> *2006 – Women, Leadership and Human Dignity Award<ref>{{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}}</ref> *2008 – Inaugural address: [[Nelson Mandela Lecture series|Nelson Mandela Lecture Series]] at the [[University of South Australia]]<ref>{{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 }}</ref> *2011 – Changing the Face of Philanthropy<ref>{{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 }}</ref> *2012 – National Council for Research on Women 2012<ref>{{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}}</ref>
==Selected bibliography== *{{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}}.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[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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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kanyoro, Musimbi}} [[Category:Kenyan human rights 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]]