History
In August of 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 called the Flint Women’s Forum (FWF). Its first election of officers was held the following October. The Flint Journal reported on October 19. 1980 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, the YWCA budget cuts forced the elimination of their support. Subsequently, the FWF 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 FWF has continued to promote networking among Flint area female leaders of business and community by providing speakers at the monthly networking lunch meetings for members and guests. As co-sponsor with other women’s organizations, the Forum has presented leadership development programs to the community. In these and other ways, the FWF continues to serve its one and only mission: to increase visibility and effectiveness of women in the community.
Past Presidents:
| Barbara Ward 1980-1982 | Kristen Skivington 2001-2002 |
| Charlotte Brannstrom 1982-1983 | Anita Abrol 2002-2003 |
| Linda Holloway 1983-1984 | Betty Bennett 2003-2004 |
| Peggy Jury 1984-1985 | Sheree Blazejewski 2004-2005 |
| Donna Dodds Hamm 1985-1986 | Ellen Brothers 2005-2006 |
| Joyce LaFalce 1986-1987 | Teri Irland Munley 2006-2007 |
| Diane Taeckens 1987-1989 | Beverly Brown 2007-2008 |
| Peggy Falcon 1989-1990 | Valarie Bradley 2008-2009 |
| Annetta Tobias 1990-1991 | Mona Hendrickson 2009-2010 |
| Brenda Lenz 1991-1992 | Sherry Stewart Farney 2010-2012 |
| Frumeth Brenda Hirsh 1992-1993 | Kathy Rometty 2012-2013 |
| Mary Jarboe 1993-1994 | Ruth Kramer 2013-2014 |
| M. Teresa Calkins 1994-1995 | Michelle Shook 2014-2015 |
| Romi Jean Jones 1995-1996 | Dian Panter 2015-2016 |
| Amy Tratt 1996-1997 | Cheryl Defrain 2016-2017 |
| Arlene Chenoweth 1997-1998 | Meagan Cooke 2017-2019 |
| Judith Dimmer 1998-1999 | Amber Lynn Taylor 2019-2021 |
| Dawn Hibbard 1999-2000 | Liz Williams 2021 – 2021-2023 |
| Jenean Kleinedler 2000-2001 | Jill Carr – PRESENT |
Jill Carr – President of the Flint Women’s Forum
“I really have enjoyed working with the others on the board and having more time with them. It’s all about getting involved and loving the new relationships you can build.”