Origin and History
Founded by Rosalie (Ricky) Gaull Silberman, Anita K. Blair, and Barbara Olson in 1992, the IWF grew out of the ad hoc group, "Women for Judge Thomas," that was created to defend Clarence Thomas against allegations of sexual harassment and other improprieties. By 1996 the organization had some 700 dues-paying members who met regularly at luncheons to network and share ideas.
Since Silberman, presidents of IWF have included Nancy M. Pfotenhauer and Anita Blair. The current executive director of the organization is Sabrina Schaeffer.
The IWF has been described as "a virtual 'Who's Who' of Washington's Republican establishment." People for the American Way, which is critical of the organization, describes IWF as "a secular counterpart to Religious Right women’s groups like Eagle Forum and Concerned Women for America", although the latter two are antifeminist groups whereas IWF advocates equity feminism. As a secular organization, IWF takes no official position on abortion or same-sex marriage. In October 2003, the IWF announced an affiliation with Citizens for a Sound Economy, now Americans For Prosperity, with whom it shares its premises.
Read more about this topic: Independent Women's Forum
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