News & Updates
Explore news, announcements, and stories from the Strong Women Strong Futures network.
An update from our Executive director
Women shouldn’t have to choose between child care and post-secondary education | Opinion
As we reflect on the end of the 2023 Tennessee General Assembly, Tennesseeans everywhere have to face a stark reality; the world was watching during this last session, but for all the wrong reasons.
Recent news & updates
Linda Spence- Why I give
How did you first learn about the Women’s Fund? My introduction to the Women's Fund was eight years ago at a presentation given by a group of Founders, Board Members, and staff in Johnson City. The enthusiasm and professional approach of the presenters was very...
Carol Gardener Transou, Founder of the Women’s Fund of East Tennessee, Remembered Fondly
Carol Gardener Transou had a bold vision, and was determined to make a difference for low-income women and girls in East Tennessee. We are immensely grateful for her leadership, and that she left us with this sweet story about her life.
Don’t Just Go, Finish! Grad Scholars Meet the Challenge
A guest blog from Cynthia Manning-Dirl Knox Education Foundation Pathways Manager It’s Graduation Season! Congratulations to all our Project GRAD Scholars for meeting the challenge, “Don’t Just Go, Finish!” In honor of their accomplishment, we provide them with an...
East Tennessee Woman Becomes Haslam Scholar
A guest blog from Fulton Class of 2022 Project GRAD Scholar, Jahneulie West Jahneulie West is the first student from Fulton High School in Knoxville to receive the prestigious Haslam Scholars scholarship, which covers tuition, fees, housing, and funding to support her...
Drive On: One Woman Jump-Starts a Truck-Driving Career
13.7% – that is the percentage of professional drivers who are female, according to the Women in Trucking Association (WIT). While this number might seem small, this is an increase of more than three percent since 2019. WIT prides themselves that at a time when the...
Meet Lucia, The Pro-Education Pup From Oneida
By Liz Thacker, Strong Women Strong Futures Navigator One early Monday morning in June, I walked into the Children’s Center of the Cumberlands for my initial visit with the organization. As I sat in their conference room talking and getting to know their executive...
Young Women Find Career Inspiration Through Medical Interpreting Program
Language barriers in the healthcare setting cause major disparities in care and can have profound consequences for people’s health. A new medical interpreting program at Knoxville-based (and Strong Women Strong Futures Network member) Centro Hispano is helping address...
Why Advocacy Matters!
Why does WFET believe in Advocacy? Advocacy seeks to ensure that all people in society are able to have their voice heard. When we advocate for someone, we serve to promote and protect their rights, ensuring their views and wishes are genuinely considered when...
WFETN Welcomes Veenita Bisaria to the Board
Veenita Bisaria is a results-driven investment and finance professional with over 20 years of experience and a proven track record of developing and successfully implementing a $10 billion investment portfolio - including asset allocation, section of investments,...
WFETN Welcomes Angela Howard to the Board
Angela Howard brings 33 years of broad business experience in for-profit and not-for-profit business management and entrepreneurship. Angela’s prior experiences include Regional Account Executive for Coca-Cola USA, Portfolio manager for Atlanta Financial Group,...