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WE LEAD

Born of a Movement

The International Women’s Forum was launched in New York City in 1974, when the first generation of women leaders was breaking the glass ceiling in professional sectors from finance to fine arts. Forum founders lacked access to “the old boys’ network,” so the new women’s network was born–to provide professional and personal support, to aid each member’s success and to inspire the women who follow.

Women supporting women is more important today than when IWF was founded more than 50 years ago. The International Women’s Forum now connects more than 8,000 preeminent women leaders in 77 Forums in 35 countries around the world. We are the only organization of this scale that builds significant relationships among C-level women across careers, cultures and continents.

Photo Credit: Don Hogan Charles/The New York Times
Photo Caption: IWF Founders (l. to r.) Elinor Guggenheimer and Eleanor Holmes Norton, with Gloria Steinem
Born of a Movement - Archive Photo

We Are What We Believe

A Community of the Most
Accomplished Women
in the World
OUR MISSION

We unite our global community to advance women’s leadership today and tomorrow.

 

Women supporting women is just as vital today as it was when IWF was founded over 50 years ago. The challenges remain, and backsliding happens all too frequently. Women remain underrepresented in the C-suite and on corporate boards. Across sectors – the academy, creative arts, law, finance, science, technology, media and health – too few women are in senior leadership roles.

Together we are shaping a future in which leadership has no gender and the next generation is inspired and equipped to transform the world.

 

We Advance Women’s Leadership in Three Ways

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Connect

Our convenings provide networking and cutting-edge content essential to global leaders.
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Catalyze

Our leadership development programs feature networking, mentoring and a world-class curriculum.
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Celebrate

We showcase what women leaders can do and inspire the journey of others.
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How to Become a Member

IWF membership is by invitation-only. Each Forum has its own nomination process, and women of achievement and influence may be nominated by members.