Announcing The Cindy Founders Fellowship
Today, on International Women's Day 2026, I'm thrilled to launch The Cindy Founders Fellowship — an annual award providing one woman-owned NY business (including gender-diverse founders) a fully sponsored seat in Astraea Law's Power & Prosperity Program — comprehensive legal support for values-driven enterprises. Named for my mom Cindy, a single mother who battled economic hardship her entire life, this fellowship provides one determined entrepreneur with comprehensive start-up legal services at no cost.
At Astraea Law, our mission is systemic change through advancing gender equity and social justice by empowering women-owned businesses. This starts with creating new definitions of profit, progress, and success through collaborative systems led by women and gender-diverse founders.
But none of this happens without economic freedom.
Business ownership builds financial security—equity, retirement savings, income diversification, and intergenerational wealth transfer through succession and family involvement. Yet data reveals the challenge: Women own 39% of U.S. small businesses and start 49% of new firms, but generate just 5–12% of total revenue. Male-owned businesses remain larger, employing more, and capturing greater market share.
The solution? It starts with a rock-solid legal foundation. Entity formation, governance documents, and contracts transform vulnerable startups into scalable enterprises that attract capital and survive disputes. That's where The Cindy Founders Fellowship comes in.
The 2026 Recipient receives at no cost:
✅ Business entity formation & governance agreements
✅ Contract templates & vendor agreements
✅ 5 hours/month ongoing counsel (June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027)
Applications open now: The Cindy Founders Fellowship Application
Deadline: April 15 | Recipient announced: May 15
Eligibility: limited to women-owned businesses (including gender-diverse founders) located and operating in New York State
Together, we level the playing field—one woman-owned business at a time.
Astraea Law works to advance systemic change, gender equity, and social justice. Our ideal clients have a commitment to ethical and values-driven business practices to advance meaningful solutions for a just and equitable society. Applicants are asked to describe how they see their work aligning with these goals. Astraea Law PLLC reserves the right not to award the Fellowship if there are no qualified candidates.