News & Updates
Explore news, announcements, and stories from the Strong Women Strong Futures network.
An update from our Executive director

A Heartfelt Welcome to Miss Kirby Deal
After an extensive nationwide search, the Women’s Fund of East Tennessee is thrilled to announce the hiring of one of East Tennessee’s very own, Kirby Deal.
Recent news & updates

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,...

JC Holdway Spring Soirée Success
On the evening of Monday, May 2nd, Co-Chairs Todd & Andrea Flanders, Laura Cole (Women’s Fund Board Member), and Chef Joseph Lenn hosted a Spring Soirée to benefit the Women’s Fund of East Tennessee. The J.C. Holdway event, presented by KaTom and Axiom Wealth...

You Make a Difference!
How YOU Make the Difference Despite the trying nature of the past couple of years, the Women’s Fund of East Tennessee (WFET) has come out okay. Beyond okay - and we can only thank YOU for it! Our fundraising has continued to surpass expectations, due to our committed...

Mission Moment: Safe Harbor Child and Advocacy Center of the Smokies
In late fall of '21, the Women's Fund announced that four new grantees would be joining our Network in 2022-2023. This month we would like to introduce you to Safe Harbor Child and Advocacy Center of the Smokies in Sevierville. Established in 2005, this organization...

Carol Gardener Transou, Founder of the Women’s Fund of East Tennessee, Remembered Fondly
Rarely do we have the opportunity to share, from one’s own point of view, an individual’s life history. What we are about to share is from Carol’s own hand. We couldn’t be more proud that she was our Founder, leader, teacher, and, most of all, visionary and friend....

New Grants Totaling $490,000 Support and Expand – Strong Women Strong Futures Network
The Women’s Fund of East Tennessee (WFET) is announcing $490,000 in new grant support to provide new services and expansion of the Strong Women Strong Futures (SWSF) Network. The SWSF Network’s Vision is to change the current pervasive and discouraging narrative that...

10th Anniversary Spotlight – Sharon Miller Pryse – Founder & Former Luncheon Chai
From the beginning, the Women’s Fund of East Tennessee (WFET) was fortunate to have the support of 65 Women whom we call Founders, who believed that East TN should have the benefit of a Women’s Fund, and each pledged a minimum of $10K to form the Women’s Fund...

Ten Years, Ten Stories – Success Beyond Expectations!
We’ve done it, again. The Women’s Fund of East Tennessee is not only celebrating a ten- year birthday, but also the most successful fundraising event in its ten-year history. At the September Annual Luncheon, we raised more money than we ever have, thanks to YOU, our...