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* Victoria R. Coley, Vice President of Communications
* Elizabeth Tew, Communications Manager
===Senior Fellows===
As of February 2020:<ref name="staff"/>
* Karin Agness Lips
* Vicki E. Alger
* Laura Carno
* Rachel DiCario Currie
* Beverly Hallberg
* [[Angela Logomasini]]
* Elisha Maldonado
* Naomi Schaefer Riley
* Claudia Rosett
* Lisa Schiffren
* Christina Villegas
* Erin Hawley
* Kristin Shapiro
* Kelsey Bolar
'''Former Visiting Fellows'''
no edit summary
==News and Controversies==
===Opposition to Paid Family and Medical Leave and Earned Sick Leave During the COVID-19 Pandemic===
The Independent Women's Forum attacked paid leave proposals to allow workers time off during an unprecedented global pandemic, calling such proposals "radical" and part of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's "far-Left grabbag of ideas." IWF has also attacked Democratic governors as "Little Tyrants" for issuing stay-at-home orders urged by disease control experts.
According to True North Research, "IWF has argued that 'a crisis is not the time for federal programs,' even as more than 36 million Americans have filed for unemployment during this pandemic and nearly 100,000 Americans have died —and millions have been affected by this contagious and debilitating disease. IWF has used its online platforms to cheer on right-wing lawmakers like Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), who tried to gut relief for American workers in the coronavirus aid package, and to attack progressive policymakers like Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI), who has defended stay-at-home orders as nearly 50,000 Michiganders have tested positive for Covid-19, nearly 5,000 of whom have died in the past few weeks, as of May 15, 2020. Meanwhile, IWF has been promoting uplifting stories of coronavirus heroes and pushed its marketing to independent women that we’re all #InThisTogether, but it has also continued to fight against paid leave. IWF has a long history of opposing workplace reforms that benefit women and chief among those is how it has attacked access to Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) and earned sick leave across the U.S."<ref name="paidleave"> Lisa Graves and Evan Vorpahl, [https://truenorthresearch.org/2020/05/frindependent-womens-forum-paid-family-medical-leave-sick-leave-pay-to-play-agenda-issue-one/ IWF Opposition to Paid Family and Medical Leave and Earned Sick Leave Policies During Covid-19 and Beyond], True North Research, May 15, 2020.</ref>
Read more about IWF's long-term and recent efforts to deny Americans access to paid leave [https://truenorthresearch.org/2020/05/frindependent-womens-forum-paid-family-medical-leave-sick-leave-pay-to-play-agenda-issue-one/ here.]
===IWF/V Claims it Helped Flip Wisconsin Red in 2016===
On February 23, 2020 Lisa Graves first wrote in ''The Cap Times'' that IWF/V claimed to have played a decisive role in delivering Wisconsin for Trump in the 2016 election, according to an internal report obtained by True North Research (TNR). The report, prepared for IWF/V by Shaw and Company Research, suggests that IWF/V's quizzes targeting independent and GOP women in Wisconsin may have moved the needle just enough to tip the state to Trump, who won by a narrow 22,748 votes in Wisconsin. IWF/V developed quizzes shortly before the election focusing on the ACA, Supreme Court, and workforce issues like paid leave to relay distorted information to voters, masking the group's extreme agenda while increasing support for Republicans like Trump and Senator Ron Johnson.
In addition to framing the teenage vaping epidemic as alarmist, Gunlock also downplayed health consequences of nicotine, comparing it to a cup of coffee, and IWF president Carrie Lukas compared vaping regulations to sex ed, writing in ''The Hill'' that "abstinence-only" was the wrong approach.
IWF has lobbied repeatedly against tobacco regulation. In February the group lobbied the FDA against banning e-cigarette flavors, which are widely popular among underage users and in 2017 IWF even claimed that regulating e-cigarettes would discriminate against women. The group has been funded by major tobacco companies for decades.
===IWF and IWV Market Right-Wing Ideas to Reach Independent Women Voters Under the Guise of Neutrality===
In October 2004 the [[Feminist Majority Foundation]] objected to the U.S. [[Department of State]]'s decision to award part of a $10 million grant to IWF for "leadership training, democracy education and coalition building assistance" to women in [[Iraq]]. Then-president of the Feminist Majority Eleanor Smeal said that the IWF "represents a small group of right-wing wheeler-dealers inside the Beltway."<ref>Feminist News, "[http://www.feminist.org/news/newsbyte/uswirestory.asp?id=8669 State Department Funds Anti-Women's Rights Group To Train Iraqi Women]," October 5, 2004. Accessed July 9, 2014.</ref> The funding was from the [[Iraqi Women's Democracy Initiative]]. In a press release, IWF "denounced" the Feminist Majority's objection, calling it a "radical feminist group," and stated its plan to work with the [[American Islamic Congress]] and the [[Foundation for the Defense of Democracies]].<ref name="iwf assails radical">Independent Women's Forum, "[http://www.iwf.org/media/2434651/IWF-Assails-Radical-Feminist-Groups-Charge IWF Assails Radical Feminist Group's Charge]," press release, October 5, 2004. Accessed July 9, 2014.</ref>
==Ties to the Koch Brothers and Americans for Prosperity==
IWF has received funding from several sources with ties to the [[Koch brothers]]. The [[Koch family foundations]] donated $844,115 to IWF between 1998 and 2014 and no fewer than half of the Independent Women’s Forum’s full-time staff previously worked directly for Koch-controlled groups or for entities that received Koch funding.<ref name="cmd report"/> [[DonorsTrust]] and [[Donors Capital Fund]] have contributed over $5 million to IWF from 2002 to 2014.<ref>American Bridge 21st Century Foundation, [http://conservativetransparency.org/org/independent-womens-forum/?og_tot=225&order_by=donor_name+ASC Recipient: Independent Women's Forum], ''ConservativeTransparency.org'', accessed April 2015.</ref>
==Ties to ALEC==
Independent Women’s Forum President Sabrina Schaefer offered to help [[American Legislative Exchange Council]] (ALEC) legislators “sell” corporate-backed alternatives to paid sick leave, equal pay, quality childcare, and workplace flexibility in their home states in a meeting with ALEC in July.<ref name="cmd report"/>
{{about_ALEC}}
==Ties to the Council for National Policy==As of September 2020, Heather Higgins, chairman of the Independent Women’s Forum, is a gold circle member of the [[Council for National Policy]].{{Council for National Policy}}
==History==
Founded by [[Rosalie Gaull (Ricky) Silberman]] in 1992, the IWF grew out of the ad hoc group, [[Women for Judge Thomas]].
*[[Bradley Impact Fund]]: $40,000
*[[Bochnowski Family Foundation]]: $57,500
*[[Castle Rock Foundation]] $50,000
*[[Charles Koch Foundation]]: $9,115
*[[Chase Foundation of Virginia]]: $31,000
*[[Walton Family Foundation]]: $125,000
*[[William H. Donner Foundation]]: $15,000
*[[Windway Foundation]]: $8,000
===1994-2013===
==Core Financials==
'''<big>2022</big>'''<ref name="2022 990"> Independent Women's Forum, [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24039424-independent-womens-forum-2022-990 2022 IRS Form 990], Internal Revenue Service, September 21, 2023.</ref>*Total Revenue: $5,163,003*Total Expenses: $5,717,511*Net Assets: $2,675,551 '''<big>2021</big>'''<ref name="2021 990"> Independent Women's Forum, [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23131475-independent-womens-forum-2021-990 2021 IRS Form 990], Internal Revenue Service, September 13, 2022.</ref>*Total Revenue: $6,569,955*Total Expenses: $3,441,242*Net Assets: $3,230,059 '''<big>2020</big>'''<ref name="2020 990"> Independent Women's Forum, [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21177163-independent-womens-forum-2020-990 2020 IRS Form 990], Internal Revenue Service, September 2, 2021.</ref>*Total Revenue: $5,680,509*Total Expenses: $5,008,664*Net Assets: $101,346 '''<big>2019</big>'''<ref name="2019 990"> Independent Women's Forum, [https://beta.documentcloud.org/documents/20494441-independent-womens-forum-2019-990 2019 IRS Form 990], Internal Revenue Service, September 3, 2020.</ref>*Total Revenue: $3,751,181*Total Expenses: $3,032,297*Net Assets: $-570,499 '''<big>2018</big>'''<ref name="2018 990"> Independent Women's Forum, [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6783970-Independent-Women-s-Forum-2018-990.html 2017 2018 IRS Form 990], Internal Revenue Service, September 18, 2019.</ref>
*Total Revenue: $3,221,034
*Total Expenses: $3,713,784
==Personnel==
===Staff===
As of February 2020January 2021:<ref name="staff">Independent Women's Forum, [httphttps://www.iwf.org/about Aboutthe-women-of-iwf/?alphabet=&issue=&department=#search-filters Staff], organizational website, accessed February 2020January 2021.</ref>
* Carrie L. Lukas, President
* Amber Schwartz, Executive Vice President
* Meghan Agostinelli, Communications Coordinator
* Meghan LiuzzoDr. Qanta Ahmed, Communications InternSenior Fellow* Michele VogtVicki E. Alger, Digital Media Director* Sekayi Stephens, Graphic Design Lead* Ebonique Ellis, Marketing ManagerSenior Fellow
* Cassie Alsfeld, Senior Digital Marketing Advisor
* Ashley MacLeayJenny Avis, Membership Director of External Relations* Andi Kelsey Bolar, Senior Policy Analyst* Andrea Bottner, Senior Adviser* Jennifer C. Braceras, Director Independent Women's Law Center* Sekayi Brunson, Graphic Design Lead* Laura Carno, Senior Fellow* Natalie Cassase, Communications Assistant* Maria Chaplia, Visiting Fellow* Ellie Cohanim, Senior Fellow* Victoria R. Coley, Vice President of Communications
* Somerlyn Cothran, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations
* Jennifer MarquezSarah Culver, Director of Foundation RelationsDigital Marketing Coordinator* Rachel DiCario Currie, Senior Fellow* Casidy McMeansMay Davis, Development AssociateSenior Fellow* Jamie WhitefieldSamantha Dravis, Investor Relations CoordinatorVisiting Fellow* Hadley Heath ManningFrances Floresca, Director of PolicyIWN Content Coordinator* Heather MaddenGinny Gentles, Director of Operations and Policy Research Senior Fellow
* Julie Gunlock, Director Center for Progress and Innovation
* Beverly Hallberg, Senior Fellow
* Annorah Harris, Junior Legal Fellow
* Erin Hawley, Senior Legal Fellow
* Charlotte Hayes, Senior Editor and Director of Cultural Programs
* Gabriella Hoffman, Visiting Fellow* McKenzie Holmes, Communications Assistant* Brianna Howard, Social Media Manager* Emily Jashinsky, Visiting Fellow* Jennifer C. BracerasKabbany, Visiting Fellow* Ashley Kaitz, Communicaitons Intern* Natalie Le, Communications and Policy Assistant* Karin Agness Lips, Senior Fellow* [[Angela Logomasini]], Senior Fellow* Ashley MacLeay, Director of External Relations* Heather Madden, Director of Operations and Policy Research * Elisha Maldonado, Senior Fellow* Hadley Heath Manning, Director of Policy* Adriana McLamb, Digital Marketing Director Independent Women's Law Center* Casidy McMeans, Development Associate* Meaghan Mobbs, Visiting Fellow* Jean Morrow, Visiting Fellow* Abigail Nobel, Visiting Fellow* Maya Noronha, Visiting Fellow* Patrice Lee Onwuka, Director of the Center for Economic Opportunity* Marilyn Quigley, Visiting Fellow* Lorena Riely, Senior Administrative Officer* Naomi Schaefer Riley, Senior Fellow* Claudia Rosett, Foreign Policy Fellow* Lisa Schiffren, Senior Fellow* Kristin Shapiro, Senior Fellow* Carrie Sheffield, Senior Policy Analyst* Jennifer Stefano, Visiting Fellow
* Inez Feltscher Stepman, Senior Policy Analyst
* Erin HawleyElizabeth Tew, Communications Director* Christina Villegas, Senior Legal Fellow* Michele Vogt, Digital Media Director* Charlotte Whelan, Policy Research AssistantAnalyst* Hannah Zakaria, Visting Fellow
'''Former Staff'''
* Meghan Liuzzo, Communications Intern
* Sekayi Stephens, Graphic Design Lead
* Ebonique Ellis, Marketing Manager
* Cassie Alsfeld, Senior Digital Marketing Advisor
* Jennifer Marquez, Director of Foundation Relations
* Jamie Whitefield, Investor Relations Coordinator
* Caroline Phelps, Senior Director of Communications
* Betsy Pearson, Communications and Staff Assistant
* Whitney Garrison Athayde, Director of Development
* Celia Meyer, Communications Associate
'''Former Fellows'''
* Jennifer Braceras
* Amy Oliver Cooke
* Amber Smith
* Charlotte Allen
*[[Gayle Trotter]]
'''Former Visiting Fellows'''* Dr. Qanta Ahmed
* Mandy Gunasekara
* Laura Camo
* Sara Carter
=== Board of Directors ===
As of February 2020January 2021:<ref name="staff">Independent Women's Forum, [https://www.iwf.org/board-of-directors/ Board of Directors], organizational website, accessed January 2021.</ref>
* [[Heather Higgins]] - Chairman
* [[Yvonne S. Boice]]
==Articles and Resources==
===IRS Form 990 Filings===
<div class="docframe">
<p>2021</p>
<p>{{#widget:Iframe|url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24039424-independent-womens-forum-2022-990|width=350|height=250}}</p>
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<div class="docframe">
<p>2021</p>
<p>{{#widget:Iframe|url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23131475-independent-womens-forum-2021-990|width=350|height=250}}</p>
</div>
<div class="docframe">
<p>2020</p>
<p>{{#widget:Iframe|url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21177163-independent-womens-forum-2020-990|width=350|height=250}}</p>
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<div class="docframe">
<p>2019</p>
<p>{{#widget:Iframe|url=https://beta.documentcloud.org/documents/20494441-independent-womens-forum-2019-990|width=350|height=250}}</p>
</div>
<div class="docframe">
<p>2018</p>
