Message from Duana Kolouskova and Vicki Orrico, CWD Co-Chairs

Join us in celebrating this year our 10 year anniversary of the founding of the Center for Women & Democracy, Seattle’s premier women’s empowerment organization working to advance women’s leadership locally, nationally and globally. The Center for Women & Democracy is a non-profit organization that seeks to support and encourage women’s full participation and leadership in all areas of our lives. 

 Since our inception, we have run programs that train future women leaders and connect women in Washington State with each other and with women internationally. 

During our first 10 years, we have traveled all over the world on women’s trade and educational delegations, learning how women are leading and tackling the issues they face in each of their countries, locally and nationally. And, in our own backyard, we’ve found women making a difference - from bioethics to winemaking - and we’ve given them a forum to share their stories through our monthly Food for Thought (FFT) dinner series. We’ve helped mentor hundreds of young women in the Pacific Northwest by introducing them to women leaders who make Washington work through our Women’s Leadership Training programs. And we honor those women leaders each year at the Governor’s Mansion – women legislators, appointed officials and women lobbyists – who give our state the reputation it has in women’s leadership.

International Leadership Delegations

International delegations continue to be a focus of our organization’s agenda.  In the past, we have organized delegations to Morocco, Chile, Cuba, Sweden and the Baltics, and South Africa.  We are in the planning phase for our next delegation to Viet Nam, scheduled for 2011.  And, in addition to our official missions, Board members frequently open up their own opportunities to travel for women’s leadership purposes. Click here for more information about our international delegations.

Food for Thought

Our Food for Thought series runs from September through June, from 6 – 9 pm on the third Thursday of the month.  Our Food for Thought format is simple--invite women with something exciting to share about their lives and fill a room with women curious about the world around them who have little time to discover it on their own. Bring them together for dinner, letting them each introduce themselves at each meeting. Many women tell us they meet people they’ve always admired in the audience as well as on the podium. Past presentations have included State of Women in Politics: Post Election Analysis; The Future of Healthcare; Human Trafficking Panel; Women Filmmakers; and Women’s Bioethics Project. Click here for more information about upcoming and past Food for Thought programs.

Kicking Up Our Heels

When was the last time you were in the company of the top women leaders of Washington State – celebrating women’s achievements? Would you like to go there?  Then join us April 15, 2010, for our 8th annual “Kicking Up Our Heels” with Governor Chris Gregoire (a founding member of our CWD Board), as we celebrate at the Governor’s Mansion in Olympia.  Since 2002, the top 200 women who in their fields – elected, appointed, academic, civic and business leaders – have come together to mark the achievements women are making in Washington state.  At the Kicking Up Our Heels celebration, we join Governor Chris Gregoire (a founding member of our CWD Board), our wonderful women legislators and other women leaders as guests at the Governor’s mansion.  This year we are celebrating the legacy of women working in skilled trade occupations – our own “Rosie the Riveters”. Register now by clicking here.

Women's Leadership

Our Women’s Leadership program works to advance young women’s leadership abilities.  We provide quarterly trainings for our members on any and all topics that will support our members in being leaders within their communities.  Also, we are excited that, this year, we are conducting our first CWD Women’s Leadership Institute.  This Institute is open to women in colleges and similar educational programs who are looking for leadership, networking and community-building skills as well as a better understanding of what it takes to be a global citizen.  Click here for more information or to register.

So, stay tuned for all the great offerings we have for you.  We welcome you to join us in any of our events and would love to have you get involved!  We’ve carved out a path that supports you in all you do.  Please check this website regularly for upcoming Center for Women & Democracy fun events – always with leadership in mind.

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Check out March's Seattle Woman Magazine featuring an article about the Center's work.

The Center for Women & Democracy, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Seattle, was organized to recognize the importance of women helping women and women leading where they land. Donations are tax deductible.  Please click here to join or to make a contribution.