Leading Through the Decade

By: Chelsea Shackelford

Women for FSU logo

The Women for Florida State University is proud to celebrate its 10-year anniversary in the 2018-2019 academic year. This milestone allows us to reflect on all we’ve accomplished in the past decade: Where we first started, how far we’ve come and where we hope to see ourselves in the future.

In 2008, a steering committee formed to promote women’s philanthropic involvement with FSU. From there, W4FSU was founded, and we have never looked back.

In 2010, we established our signature event, Backstage Pass to the Very Best of Florida State, allowing women to experience many of the exceptional programs offered at FSU while forming new friendships and rekindling old ones. We also began presenting the Gift of Wisdom award in 2010, and have since bestowed silver and garnet W4FSU pins to nine deserving pioneers in women’s excellence.

It was a few years later in 2013 when we unveiled our joint initiative with the FSU Center for Leadership and Social Change—the Women’s Leadership Institute. Each year the curriculum is recharged and has transformed 249 lives through leadership education, identity development and community engagement. 

Current W4FSU leadership has worked tirelessly to assess organizational goals and create a strategic plan to bring W4FSU to even greater relevance and impact this year and beyond.

I hope you have found in W4FSU a connection back to FSU in a way that speaks most to you. If you’re looking for more ways to engage, I hope you’ll consider volunteering on one of our committees, attending an event, hosting a recruiting event or making a financial contribution. 

Women’s Leadership Institute has been able to grow through a five-year sponsorship by the Levine-Tully Family Fund, in addition to an endowment established by Eric and Molly Barron. The continued support of the WLI program ensures the longevity of the W4FSU organization.

For more information on getting involved or to make a donation, please contact Laura Glenn, W4FSU staff liaison, at lglenn@foundation.fsu.edu or (850) 644-2313.