The WOMEN'S FOUNDATION of ARKANSAS

- Promoting philanthropy among women

- Helping women and girls achieve their full potential

History

The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas (WFA) was launched in 1998 when Arkansas Business Publishing

Group CEO Olivia Farrell and Pat Lile, then President of the Arkansas Community Foundation, initiated

the efforts of a group of prominent women leaders to create a charitable fund dedicated to investing

in projects for women and girls in Arkansas.  In 2002, the WFA became its own 501(c)(3) organization.

Arkansas Business Publishing Group began selecting and honoring the "Top 100 Women in Arkansas" in 1995.  Each year ABPG sponsored a luncheon at which these women were honored.  In 1998, the women were challended to come up with a way they could collectively make a difference in Arkansas.  The idea of a foundation for and by women emerged.  The Arkansas Community Foundation and ABPG were asked to lead the effort.  They organized a committee, developed pans for the foundation and raised the initial contributions establishing the Women's Foundation of Arkansas.  The WFA proposed to improve the educational status of Arkansas women and girls by encouraging women and girls to improve their skills in math, science and technology.  Further, the purpose of the WFA would be to train women and girls for emerging occupations, promote mentoring of women and girls in rual communities, as well as urban areas, improve the economic status of Arkansas women and girls, and promote philanthropy by and for women.

All current and former Top 100 Women and other prominent Arkansans were challenged to become founders of the WFA with $1000 contributions prior to the WFA's launch in October 1998.  More than 150 women responded, 85 of whom contributed $1000 or more as founders. 

Founding Women

Betty Abbott

Dr. Dana Abraham

Sharon K. Allen

Sandy Alstadt

Virginia Bailey

Shelby Baker

Emma L. Bass

Dr. Carolyn Blakely

Jan Bolton

Sissi Brandon

Ellen Brantley

Patricia Rhine Brown

Dolores F. Bruce

Joan R. Campbell

Mary Cantrell

Charlie Cole Chaffin

Sandra Cherry 

Ellon R. Cockrill

Ethel Cook

Judi S. Dawson

Lynn DeVault

Mary Dillard

Brownie W. Ledbetter

Sharron Johnson Leslie

Jo Knight Light

Betty Lile

Pat Lile

Linda Linn

Margo Low

Diane S. Mackey

Cora McHenry

Dr. Shirolyn Moffett

Dorothy Morris

Beverly Morrow

Billie Ann Myers

Susan Newkirk

Wanda L.N. Hartz

Martha Ann Norton

Kay S.  Patton

Stacy B. Pittman

Karen E. Potts

Carolyn Pugh

Janet L. Pulliam

Lisenne Rockefeller

Lee Lee Doyle Ph.D

Joy Drummond

Helen T. Dyke

Audrey R. Evans

Olivia Farrell

LaVerne W. Feaster

Karen E. Flake

Maribeth Frazer

Sue Frueauff

Marion W. Fulk

Rebecca Garner

Greer Grace

Dr. Karen G. Grant

Barbara M. Graves

Ellen M. Gray

Jane Hardin

Diana T. Hueter

Catherine L. Hughes

Johnelle D. Hunt

Janet Jones

Myra Jones

Sissy Jones

Judge Judith Rogers

Jane Ross

Amy Rossi

Jane P. Saunders

Charlotte T. Schexnayder

Helen Selig

Lottie Shackelford

Mary Gay Shipley

Billie Jo Starr

Jean D. Stockburger

Patti Upton

Cynthia VanWinkle

Sherry Walker

Helen R. Walton

Millie Ward

Carolyn B. Witherspoon