Celebrating 50 years
The Only Global Organization
with 50 Consecutive Years of Growth
From its earliest days, the International Women’s Forum has been committed to a singular idea–that professional women breaking into leadership ranks need what men had always had: an “old boys’ network” to help them climb the ladder.
In 1974, our visionary founder, Elinor Guggenheimer, set out to create a “new women’s network” for women at the top of their game, committed to supporting other women as they climb the ladder of their career and the ladder of life.
Fifty years later, IWF is a global community of more than 8,000 accomplished women across 76 Forums in 33 countries. Our members, always trailblazers, continue to lead at the cutting-edge of change, breaking glass ceilings in professions around the world. Their successes prove that women not only lead, but lead differently, and that equality at every level of leadership makes for better business, stronger societies, and a better world.
Photo Caption: IWF’s first National Conference in 1987
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
“Our 50th anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on IWF, its impact and its role. We have a lot to celebrate as the only organization of women leaders with 50 years of consecutive growth, which means we’re doing something very right.” – IWF Global President Carolyn Carter
A Global Community
Of trailblazers, thought
leaders, and pioneers
IWF 50th Anniversary
IWF Through the Years
50th Anniversary & 2024 World Leadership Conference
Our 50th Anniversary & World Leadership Conference convened more than 1,000 members from over 30 countries to celebrate an idea that was born in New York City in 1974, and powerful enough to travel the world…that a global community of women leaders can support and inspire each other to advance women’s leadership today and tomorrow.
The theme, “Women Changing the World,” was incorporated throughout the conference by featuring women at the top who are making the most powerful forces of change for good. We ended with a Hall of Fame gala that was worthy of our 50th anniversary that honored the 2024 IWF International Hall of Fame honorees, Sheila Johnson, Co-Founder of BET and Founder and CEO of the Salamander Collection and Dame Anna Wintour, Chief Content Officer at Conde Nast and Global Editorial Director of Vogue.
