About Us

The greatest rising force in American politics today is not a political party, nor is it a lobbying community, it is women. Thirty years ago, women held a mere 10% of all state legislative seats in the country, today they hold 24% of 7,383 seats nationwide. Currently 20 women currently serve in the US Senate and 98 serve in the US House of Representatives, while 76 women hold statewide elective office including 5 state governorships. Women chair numerous committees, they influence policy and they understand the importance of building bipartisan coalitions in support of the nation's most pressing concerns to ensure widespread change in both thought and policy on a variety of issues.

Mission Statement

The mission of the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) is to provide strategic resources to women leaders for leadership development and effective governance through conferences, seminars, education materials, professional and personal relationships, and networking at both the state and federal levels. NFWL is a non-partisan 501c-3, educational foundation. Its membership consists of members of the National Order of Women Legislators (all current and former women elected officials), corporate leadership, and association members.

The Order

Legislative membership of NFWL is comprised of members of the National Order of Women Legislators. Established in 1938, the object of the Order is to kindle and promote a spirit of helpfulness among all present and former women elected officials; to encourage greater participation of women in public affairs; to promote election or appointment of increasing numbers of women to public office; to promote interstate relationships and friendship; and to provide an exchange of legislative ideas or legislation among members.

National Policy Committees

NFWL's National Policy Committees offer elected women and industry experts an opportunity to discuss timely issues facing the nation with the purpose of adopting Resolutions, drafting model legislation, and raising awareness about key programs and initiatives. The Committees are active throughout the year via teleconferences and special events. Official Policy Committee meetings occur at the Annual Conference each fall. NFWL facilitates eight full Committees including: Business, Housing & Economic Development; Crime, Justice, Terrorism & Substance Abuse; Education, & Training; Energy, Natural Resources & Agriculture; Health & Empowerment; International Affairs; Tribal Affairs; and Veterans Affairs.

NFWL Annual Conference

NFWL's Annual Conference is a national forum designed to encourage the building of alliances among elected women, industry leaders, and issue experts. The Conference fosters a safe environment for sharing ideas, discussing current events, and learning about new initiatives and programs through plenary sessions, workshops, roundtables and policy committees. Presentations throughout the Conference offer elected women new perspectives and innovative ideas that may inevitably lead to policy resolutions and legislation in their respective states. NFWL's Annual Conference is unique because a majority of the elected women who attend the Conference are given travel scholarships to support their participation. As a result, NFWL garners high attendance rates at all Conference events which allows our supporters the opportunity to interact one-on-one with elected women from across the country in a variety of settings.