HISTORY OF THE FLINT WOMEN’S FORUM    1980-2002

In August 1980, with a grant from Ruth Rawlings Mott, the YWCA of Flint, Michigan launched a project to provide ongoing opportunity for women with leadership skills to promote the empowerment of women and “network” with each other.  Twenty-three prominent career women from a wide variety of fields were recruited in the Flint area to form a steering committee that guided the formation of the group that came to be the Flint Women’s Forum.  Its first election of officers was held the following October.  The Flint Journal reported on October 19 that “the group offers women managers and professionals a place to exchange information and ideas, and organizers hope it will give them greater visibility in male-dominated fields and in the community.”

The YWCA continued to provide staff assistance and clerical support for over a year.  In November 1981, during the recession era, the YWCA budget cuts forced the elimination of their support.  Subsequently, the Forum membership voted to become an independent, non-profit organization on January 25, 1982.  As such, the State of Michigan chartered the Flint Women’s Forum on March 25, 1982. 

Since its founding, the Forum has continued to promote networking among Flint area women by providing provocative speakers at the monthly networking meetings for members and guests.  As co-sponsor with other women’s organizations, the Forum has presented leadership development programs open to the community.  An education fund for Flint area women to further their professional training has also been established.  In these and other ways the Forum is continuing to serve its one imperative: to increase the visibility and facilitate the effectiveness of women in the community.

Past Presidents