Our Founder

Barbara Lee Shaw, 1943-2013

The Maasai Girls Education Fund will forever mourn the passing of our Founder and President, Barbara Lee Shaw, on October 17, 2013. Barbara was an adventurer, a visionary, an inspiring philanthropist who devoted her last 14 years to Maasai girls. With her vision, dedication, her heartfelt connection to Maasai women, and her profound sense of justice, Barbara changed lives forever.

The Maasai Girls Education Fund continues to be the effective, committed, award-winning organization Barbara created it to be. With the foresight and precision that marked all of Barbara’s endeavors, Barbara planned the way forward for MGEF without her, and we remain unwavering in our mission.

With our strong Board of Directors and our dedicated team, MGEF’s promise to every one of our students is being kept, and we will continue leading the way for future generations of Maasai women and girls.

Barbara’s life was celebrated in both the Nation – a national newspaper in Kenya – and in the Washington Post on December 7, 2013.

For those who want to honor Barbara’s legacy, her family requests that you make a donation in her name to the Maasai Girls Education Fund.