About Us : Foundation

The Foundation for Women's Resources is a national, non-profit educational organization dedicated to improving the personal, economic, and professional status of women and girls through its non-partisan educational projects and programs.

TEXAS WOMEN'S HISTORY PROJECT

Texas Women's History Project, The Foundation's first major project, grew from an innocent yet profound question posed in 1974 by an eight-year-old girl. Following a visit through the state history collection at the Institute of Texan Cultures, the young girl asked her mom, "But where are the women?" That question spurred the young girl's mom and her friends at The Foundation for Women's Resources to investigate the nature of women's participation in the development of Texas. The result was the Texas Women's History Project and the museum exhibit, Texas Women - A Celebration of History, which toured throughout Texas in 1980 and 1981; is now on permanent display at Texas Woman's University. Interestingly, the original Texas exhibit includes a profile of the mom who originally fielded that eight-year-old's tough question - former Texas Governor Ann Richards.

The Texas Women's History Project culminated in 1997 when the supplemental video/study guide educational package, From Gutsy Mavericks to Quiet Heroes: True Tales of Texas Women, was distributed to all Texas public schools.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMING

The Texas project and exhibit fueled interest in The Foundation's next major undertaking which was to develop leadership training. In this project, selected women participants expand their professional and personal associations while investigating major issues affecting the state and nation. Leadership Texas was launched in 1983, and at the end of 1997 more than 1,300 women had graduated from the program.

During the year-long program, Leadership Texas participants explore a wide range of topics and futuristic issues, including those in science and technology, education, business, government, the environment, and the economy. Leadership skills are enhanced through interactions with state and national experts, presentations by outstanding speakers, and on-site visits to major business, education, and cultural centers.

One 1984 alumna, Texas State Representative Christine Hernandez said, "Leadership Texas broadened my understanding of critical issues facing society and instilled the idea that I can make a significant contribution. The program stresses that it is up to the individual to seize potential and reach our greatest heights."

When he was President of Southwestern Bell, Jim Adams said of Leadership Texas, "The benefits of the program are so obvious: new educational opportunities, an enhancement of leadership skills, and an awareness and appreciation of what's happening outside the firm. We as a company benefit when our people take a broader view."

Recognizing the need for a similar effort on the national level, The Foundation initiated Leadership America in 1988. Now a successful, independent 501(c)3, Leadership America has served more than 1,200 women from all 50 U.S. states and three continents.

POWER PIPELINE - MENTORING EMERGING WOMEN LEADERS

In 1996, The Foundation launched Power Pipeline, a weekend retreat of goal-setting and mentoring for 25 to 35-year-old emerging women leaders, chosen from across the United States.

Having successfully launched three leadership programs and their alumnae associations, The Foundation has provided direction and encouragement for similar programs in California, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and the District of Columbia.

OPTIONS - THE MATH-SCIENCE PROJECT

In addition to its highly acclaimed leadership programs aimed at adult women, The Foundation actively supports the potential in young women and girls through the Options programs. As an outgrowth of The Foundation's major 1985 conference, The Technology Spectrum: Opportunities for Women in Dallas, The Foundation joined with members of its statewide alumnae group to develop Options: The Math-Science Project which is a two-phased effort to encourage young women and girls to pursue studies and possible careers in math and science fields.

In Phase I, a video tape was produced that presented the wide array of professional options open to women in non-traditional technology fields. The tape was viewed by more than 5,000 counselors, teachers, and elementary students throughout Texas.

The 1992 publication - Options for Girls: A Door to the Future... - was produced in Phase II. The anthology contains 35 classic readings that cover everything from learning characteristics to tools for increasing math and science skills among female students. At the time, these studies represented some of the most significant and innovative approaches to nurturing girls' interest and abilities in math and science.

FOUNDATION BOARD AND STAFF

The Foundation, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1998, is governed by a board of 16 accomplished, professional women that represent a diversity of backgrounds and experiences. These outstanding women contribute to both the development of the programs and the financial management of the organization. The Foundation's Board is unanimous in its support of The Women's Museum™.

back to top