To say the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas supports women would be an understatement. This 28-year-old organization is the only statewide foundation focused solely on women and girls in Arkansas.
“We strive to not only expand educational opportunities for women who do not have access to them, but also empower and equip women with the necessary resources for emerging occupations, improve the economic status of Arkansas women and girls and promote entrepreneurship,” says Chief Growth Officer Sarah Riffle.
The idea was born in 1998, when Olivia Farrell, former CEO of the Arkansas Business Publishing Group, and Pat Lile, then president of the Arkansas Community Foundation, identified leaders for the “Top 100 Women in Arkansas” list for Arkansas Business. After being honored, those 100 women joined forces to create an organization for and by women.
Today, WFA leads initiatives and conducts research to identify barriers and opportunities facing women and girls across the state.
The Girls of Promise Initiative encourages girls to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) at a time when interest in these fields often wanes.
“Through programs like Girls of Promise Conference and the Tjuana Byrd Summer Internship, girls and young women have increased exposure to opportunities they didn't know possible, helping to grow their confidence and build pathways toward a more financially secure future,” Sarah says.
After a 2018 WFA report revealed that eastern Arkansas has both the highest rates of women living below the poverty line and the most women-owned businesses, WFA established the Women’s Economic Mobility Hub to provide technical support and $5,000 grants to help female entrepreneurs thrive, particularly in the Delta region.
Complementing this work, the annual Power of the Purse luncheon has celebrated accomplished women across the state, bringing together more than 800 attendees to share inspirational stories of leadership since 1999.
By uplifting women and girls, WFA is brightening Arkansas's future.
For more information, visit womensfoundationarkansas.org.