1998: Women's Foundation of Arkansas Grant-making Endowment established at Arkansas Community Foundation with more than $100,000 thanks to the innovative ideas of Olivia Farrell and Pat Lile and contributions from more than 150 women.

 

1999:  WFA's first Power of the Purse Grants Awards Luncheon hosted in Little Rock to gift $19,159 in 13 mini-grants.

 

2000:  WFA's first Girls of Promise conference hosted at UALR with the help of women like Joan Rule Campbell who believed that girls can do anything and should be challenged to do so.

 

2001:  WFA's Articles of Incorporation are signed and WFA officially becomes a stand-alone 501(c)(3) organization.

 

2006:  WFA's first full-time staff members hired.

 

2009:  WFA's 10th Anniversary Power of the Purse luncheon hosted in Little Rock with 1,100 guests in attendance.

 

2010:  WFA trademarks Girls of Promise logo & receives copyright on Took Kit; unveils new logo; re-establishes grant-making with new parameters accepting grant applications for programs at the $10,000 level.

 

2011:  We've only just begun!!!!  Become involved and help create significant change in the lives of AR women and girls!

The History of This Month:  National Women's History Month dates back to March 8, 1857, when women from New York City factories staged a protest over working conditions.  In 1987, Congress expanded National Women's History Week to a month.  Every year since, Congress has passed a resolution for Women's History Month, and the President has issued a proclamation. 

 

This year:  This year's Women's History Month theme, "Our history is our strength" was set by National Women's History Project to pay tribute to the millions of women who helped create a better world for the times in which they live, as well as for future generations.

 

There will be many celebrations - both formal and informal - across the state this month to pay tribute to women's history.  

 

University of Arkansas at Fayetteville is hosting several events in celebration of Women's History Month: Mar 8, 10, 16, 31.  Learn more on their Facebook page.

 

The Clinton School of Public Service and Arkansas Women's History Institute will present "Women in the National Park Service" on Thu, Mar 17.

 

WFA will be organizing an informal celebration of Women's History Month in Little Rock on Tuesday, Mar 29.  Watch Twitter and Facebook for the time & location.

 

The Women's History Month teaching guides provide links and bibliographic references to assist Arkansas teachers in utilizing online resources for lessons in Women's History. 

butlercenter.org 

The median annual earnings of women 15 or older who worked year-round, full time, in 2009, up 1.9% from $35,609 in 2008 (after adjusting for inflation).

Women earned 77 cents for every $1 earned by men.  Source 

Reservations for WFA's re-designed Designing Women event are available online.  Kaki Hockersmith, Ellen Powell Yeary and Cinde Drilling will be honored for their incredible work in their respective fields.  The bazaar will offer creations 

and services from Sarah Bussey, Danelle Hoffer, Angela Lane, Celia Storey, Brandy Thomason and more! 

More information is available on our website.  Make your reservations today!

The Arkansas Women's History Institute (AWHI) promotes the history of Arkansas women - past, present, and future. Through workshops, lectures, and symposiums, AWHI works to encourage the study of Arkansas women's history by both scholars and the general public.

AWHI will present "Women in the National Park Service" in partnership with the Clinton School of Public Service to commemorate Women's History Month on Thu, Mar 17 at 6:00 PM in Sturgis Hall.  The panel will feature Polly Kaufman, author of "National Parks and the Woman's Voice;" Robin White, superintendent of the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site; Josie Fernandez, superintendent of Hot Springs National Park, and Laura Miller, superintendent of the President Clinton Birthplace National Historic Site.  RSVP by e-mail or by calling 501 683 5239

In 2007, Julie West became a full-time, full scholarship student of the University Of Arkansas Clinton School Of Public Service. She found the school a perfect place to explore the intersection of her passions: cultures from around the world, the "girl effect" (the power of women to change the world), the value of craft and handmade designs. 

Following her international public service project in Kathmandu, Nepal, Julie started her own fashion design company, The Red Sari.  With it's "boots-on-the-ground" approach,  The Red Sari's mission is to celebrate and support the creative work of the people of Nepal and to share it with the world.  Julie spends several months each year working side-by-side with artisans and women's handicraft groups in Nepal.  Because she works so closely with their artisans, Julie understands their lives, goals, needs, traditions and materials.   

Contact: julie@theredsari.com. Find The Red Sari at facebook.com/TheRedSari.