Together Women Rise - Pat Payne

Together Women Rise

Presentation Summary

Pat Payne will highlight the mission, values and activities of Together Women Rise, a powerful community of women and allies dedicated to achieving global gender equality.  There are hundreds of local chapters across the U.S. where members learn about and advocate for gender equality issues, give grants to organizations that empower women and girls in low-income countries, and build community to forge meaningful connections that increase our strength and collective impact.  Members may opt to join special interest groups including cooking, book club, travel, and advocacy.

Members of the Castro Valley Chapter have visited Grantees in low-income countries, organized International Women’s Day events, international craft fairs, and hosted dinners for visiting Grantees. Together Women Rise partners with RESULTS to lobby Members of Congress to promote gender equality and fight to end poverty.

Pay Payne Bio

Pat Payne is a community leader, fundraiser, and activist. For the past 15 years, she has served as the Co-Chapter Leader for the Together Women Rise Castro Valley Chapter. Through the power of collective giving, the Rise Castro Valley Chapter has raised over $140,000 to fight for gender equality. She has also served as a Together Women Rise West Regional Leader and Mentor starting eight new chapters in California and Hawaii. Currently, she is an advocate with the Rise Advocacy Chapter and is the RESULTS East Bay Group Leader where she organizes lobby meetings with Members of Congress fighting to end poverty and support gender equality. She was recognized as “Woman of the Year” by Assembly Member Liz Ortega in 2026 for her community service. Ms. Payne also won the “Heart of Hayward Award”  — nominated by both the League of Women Voters of Eden Area (LWVEA) and Together Women Rise.

Ms. Payne serves on the Executive Leadership Boards of League of Women Voters Eden Area, Eden Area Foundation, Castro Valley Democratic Club, and Eden Area Indivisible. Ms. Payne has an MBA in Marketing from Cal State East Bay and enjoys organizing fundraisers for charity groups.