Women's Fund Historical Highlights
Celebrating 20 Years of Leading Change

1990 – A group of visionary women leaders established a Women’s Fund within the Omaha Community Foundation through a grant from the Ford/MacArthur Foundation.

1993 – The Women’s Fund recognized the need for quality child care as a major issue in our community.  In response, the Outstanding Child Care Provider Awards were initiated and continued for five years.

1994 – Domestic violence and leadership were added to Women’s Fund priorities.  The first research report, “How Are Women Doing in Omaha?,”  was produced.

1995 – “Can We Stop the Violence?,” the second research report produced by the Women’s Fund, laid the groundwork for the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council.  The Leadership Talent Bank was initiated to create a databank of female candidates for area board positions.

1996 – The first edition of A Celebration of Women was published.  A third research report, “Women & Leadership,” was produced.  The Fund reached its initial endowment goal of $1.5 million.

1997 – The magazine, Today’s Omaha Woman, published its premier issue.  The Domestic Violence Coordinating Council began to operate as a separate organization.  The first WomanSpirit Award was presented to Gail Walling Yanney.

1998 – The premier issue of the Women’s Fund newsletter, the rib, debuted and the Women’s Fund launched its website.  The second WomanSpirit award was presented to Margre Durham, and the second edition of A Celebration of Women was published.

2000 – The third edition of A Celebration of Women was published.  The Workforce Leadership Taskforce undertook the updating of the “Women & Leadership” research study.

2001 – The Women’s Fund became an independent charitable organization with new office facilities at 1004 Farnam.  WomanSpirit awards were presented to Dianne Seeman Lozier and Marian Ivers.  An important research report, “What Woman Want,” was published.  The first annual fall luncheon was held featuring Joan Peters.

2002 -  The Women’s Fund moved to 7642 Pierce Street.  A follow-up research report was published entitled “What Women Want at Work.”  The second annual fall luncheon featured Judith Hope and attracted an audience of nearly 800 people.

2003 -   The fifth WomanSpirit award was presented to Mimi Waldbaum.  A five year, $20,000 pledge to the Latina Resource Center was completed.  The first giving circle training was held.  The fall luncheon featured T. Marni Vos and raised $45,000.

2004 - The Women’s Fund raised money for and produced an $85,000 multi-media campaign to combat the epidemic of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the community by encouraging testing of young people.  The first annual G.I.R.L Summit was held.  Judy Mayotte was the keynote speaker at the luncheon.

2005 – 50 hopefuls attended the first Ready to Run candidate school held in partnership with the Lincoln Lancaster Women’s Commission.  The WomanSpirit award honored Mary Heng-Braun.  Another edition of Celebration of Women was published.  Marie C. Wilson of the White House Project spoke at the fifth annual luncheon which raised more than $75,000.  $110,000 was awarded in grants.     

2006 - The second G.I.R.L. Summit featured the G.I.R.L. Report, the product of two years of research about girls in Omaha.  Another successful Ready to Run was held.  The Women’s Fund was awarded an Alegent Community Benefit Trust grant in the amount of $127,250 to expand the STD education campaign, and a $10, 000 match from the Women’s Fund supported two public health educators.  “Ladies Sing the Blues” featuring Dawn Tyler Watson was held to promote women’s health and raised $35,000. Sylvia Ann Hewlett, founder and president of the Center for Work-Life Policy, spoke at the annual luncheon which raised more than $65,000.  $137, 000 was awarded in grants.

2007 – The Women & Leadership in Omaha report was released, comparing data with research from a decade earlier.  A second “Ladies Sing the Blues” event netted $40,000.  The Ready to Run workshop informed 40 women on the fundamentals of running for political office.  $25,000 was granted to G.I.R.L. for a summer workshop on media literacy for teens.  The Women’s Fund received a $47,500 continuation grant from Alegent for the STD campaign.  Sally Helgesen, author and expert on women in leadership, spoke at the luncheon and at special events for human resource professionals and chief executive officers.  $122,500 was awarded in grants.  Today’s Omaha Woman magazine celebrated its tenth anniversary.      

2008 – The Women & Leadership in Omaha findings continued to have an impact as local organizations  implemented report recommendations.  The Ready2ServeOmaha website matching volunteers with nonprofit leadership opportunities was launched in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals.  A grant from an anonymous donor raised the total investment in the Women’s Fund STD awareness campaign to $406,000.  $138,000 was awarded in community grants. Networking expert Susan RoAne spoke to 740 people at the luncheon.  Barbara Weitz was the seventh recipient of the WomanSpirit award.   Ready to Run featured fundraising.  A new website featuring online donations was introduced.  The Women’s Fund relocated to larger offices at 7602 Pacific St.

2009 – With $125,000 in community grants, the total awarded by the Women’s Fund since its inception exceeded $1 million.  Nearly 200 participants attended the inaugural Ready To Serve board training  developed to foster women’s leadership.  A survey of nonprofit service providers led to the launch of Talk of the Town gatherings to promote networking between agencies. More than 700 people attended the luncheon, which featured communications expert Audrey Nelson and netted $68,000. Twelve graduates of the Ready to Run candidate school won office in this year’s elections.  The campaign educating Omaha’s youth about STDs continued. Sixty Omaha-area leaders attended a CEO breakfast on leadership that featured two of the most powerful women in U.S. healthcare.  The inaugural Empower Hour was held.