10 Female-Owned Organizations In The Chicago Area Making A Difference

In honor of Women's History Month, The 1937 Foundation is proud to celebrate and support female-led and female-owned organizations in the Chicago area. Each of these organizations is empowering their communities with impactful programs that facilitate healing from past traumas. These organizations exemplify our core principles and are worth celebrating not only this month, but every day of the year.

Women's History Month is a time to honor the resilience, contributions, and achievements of women throughout history. It’s also a time to shed light on the barriers they have overcome and the progress still to be made. In Chicago, this celebration holds particular significance. The city has been home to pioneering women who have shaped social justice, labor rights, and civil rights movements. From Jane Addams to Ida B. Wells, Chicago has a long legacy of women fighting for equity and empowerment.

Today, female leaders and organizations across Chicago continue this legacy. They work tirelessly to uplift marginalized communities, advocate for economic equity, and provide healing resources for those affected by systemic injustice. Here are ten female-owned organizations in the Chicago-area that are empowering women and uplifting their communities.

1. YWCA Metropolitan Chicago

With a mission to eliminate racism and empower women, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago has been a cornerstone in advocating for women's rights and providing essential services. Their programs address issues such as sexual violence, economic empowerment, and health equity, offering counseling, support groups, and educational workshops to help women heal and thrive.

2. Chicago Foundation for Women (CFW)

Since 1985, CFW has invested over $50 million through more than 5,000 grants, annually impacting approximately 226,000 women, girls, trans, and gender nonbinary individuals across the Chicago region. They focus on ensuring that these communities are healthy, safe, and economically secure by funding initiatives that promote gender equity and address systemic barriers.

3. &Rise

&Rise is dedicated to supporting women who have experienced trauma and abuse, offering educational resources, counseling, support groups, and coaching. Their goal is to empower women to heal and flourish, providing safe spaces for sharing experiences and fostering personal growth.

4. Girls Inc. of Chicago

Focused on building a new generation of leaders, Girls Inc. delivers programs that ensure girls from Chicago's South Side have opportunities to thrive in various aspects of life. They equip girls to reach their full potential while advocating with and for them, fostering environments where young women can excel academically and personally.

5. The Chicago Network

This organization comprises Chicago's most senior and influential women leaders across various sectors. The Chicago Network is committed to empowering women to lead. They connect members for personal and professional growth, advancing civic and business communities. From this, their ultimate goal is to inspire the next generation.

6. Female Strong

Female Strong offers programs like the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!), focused on building skills and confidence for girls to thrive in business and life. Over six months, students learn how to develop and market a business, providing transformative experiences that empower young women to become future leaders.

7. In Her Shoes Foundation

The In Her Shoes Foundation is dedicated to making a positive impact on society by empowering women and young girls. They connect women of various backgrounds through programs and events focused on personal and professional growth. Their initiatives aim to improve communities and spur development. As a result, they foster environments where women can truly support each other.

8. Working on Womanhood (WOW)

Since 2011, Youth Guidance's WOW program has delivered in-school, trauma-focused counseling and support to girls across Chicago. Aimed at female-identified students from sixth to twelfth grade, WOW provides group sessions that meet weekly during the school day. During these, they address emotional and psychological needs to promote healing and empowerment.

9. Women Employed

Founded in 1973, Women Employed is a nonprofit advocacy organization based in Chicago. They aim to improve women's economic status and remove barriers to economic equity. They promote fair workplace practices, increase access to training and education, and provide women with tools and information to move into careers paying family-supporting wages.

10. The Dreamcatcher Foundation

Established in 2008, The Dreamcatcher Foundation is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that helps women seeking to exit the sex industry, especially female prostitutes. They offer services to help women reintegrate into society and are working towards creating a facility where women can stay while receiving help.

The 1937 Foundation deeply supports these female-led and female-owned organizations that align with our core principles. We encourage individuals seeking support or looking to contribute to reach out to any of these remarkable organizations. Additionally, we invite you to attend one of The 1937 Foundation's weekly yoga sessions in Broadview, IL, designed to promote physical and mental well-being within our community.​ RSVP here.

Together, we can foster environments where women are empowered, past traumas are healed, and communities thrive.