OUR STORY
THE LOCAL STORY
IWF Singapore was founded to bring together extraordinary women leaders across industries to help foster a community of support, inspiration, and impact. As part of the global IWF network, we at IWF Singapore aim to provide a space where women leaders could connect, collaborate, and uplift one another. With a commitment to shaping the future, we hope to continue to empower women to lead boldly and drive meaningful change.
THE GLOBAL STORY
IWF’s story began when Elinor “Elly” Guggenheimer – the first woman member of the New York City Planning Commission – attended a meeting in Philadelphia. When she arrived, she was told that the only women allowed in the building were waitresses and maids. Elly found a maid’s uniform, put it on and took her rightful place at the table. At that moment, she knew something more had to be done.
In 1974, as women were breaking into the executive ranks across all professions, Elly decided they needed what men had always had: A network to support, inspire and help them climb the ladder of their careers and their lives. She, together with Muriel Siebert, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Muriel Fox, created the International Women’s Forum.
They were committed to a singular idea – that professional women breaking into leadership ranks need what men always had: an “old boys’ network” to help them climb the ladder. This “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 quickly spread to other cities across the country and eventually, around the world.
Fifty years later, the relevance of IWF is just as strong today as it was in 1974 – in profession after profession, the glass ceiling is still there. It’s just higher, and the value of peer-to-peer support from a global community of outstanding women leaders is simply unmeasurable. Women inspiring women never gets old.
