International Women's Forum


The International Women's Forum is an invitation-only women's organization with some 7,000 members. Its mission is "to support the women leaders of today and tomorrow." IWF hosts two conferences each year to address women's issues and provides intensive leadership training programs for women. The Leadership Foundation, Inc., a supporting organization, provides a Fellows Program and the Women Athletes Business Network Program.
The IWF has been described as "highly influential." Notable members have included Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright, Sandra Day O'Connor, Coretta King, Betty Friedan, and Katharine Graham.

History

The group started as the Women's Forum of New York, founded in 1974 by Elinor Guggenheimer, Muriel Siebert, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Muriel Fox. Over the next few years it expanded to Atlanta, Chicago, Colorado, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. In 1982 it became international with the addition of the United Kingdom and was renamed the International Women's Forum in 1987. It is active in Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East as well as the United States.

"Women Who Make a Difference"

The IWF maintains an International Hall of Fame and confers an annual "Women Who Make a Difference" award. Past awardees have included: