WNY Women's Foundation

06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth! Today, we join our Buffalo community in celebrating freedom, history, culture, and resilience.

At the WNY Women's Foundation, we honor this important day by reaffirming our commitment to amplifying voices, expanding opportunities, and standing in solidarity with our Black community as we work toward a future where every woman can thrive.

06/17/2026

Today, on LGBTQIA+ Equal Pay Awareness Day, we recognize that pay inequity impacts people across identities, including sexual orientation and gender identity.
Building a more balanced future means promoting pay transparency, ending salary history requirements, enforcing fair pay laws, and addressing the unique barriers faced by LGBTQIA+ communities.

Equal pay is about more than a paycheck. It's about opportunity, economic security, and dignity for all.
Learn more about the pay gap, here:
https://www.wnywomensfoundation.org/research-and-data

06/11/2026

Last week, P.O.W.E.R. participants joined GLYS Western New York, Inc. for a session focused on intentionally supporting LGBTQ+ employees in the workplace. Through discussion and peer learning, participants explored actionable strategies for creating more inclusive workplaces and shared best practices with fellow employers.

Research shows that 55% of transgender and gender non-conforming employees and 31% of cisgender q***r employees have experienced workplace discrimination, highlighting the continued need for inclusive workplace policies and cultures.

Interested in building a workplace where all employees can thrive? Learn more about the P.O.W.E.R. Employer Pathway here:
https://www.wnywomensfoundation.org/p.o.w.e.r.

06/10/2026

Equal pay is about more than a paycheck. It is about economic mobility, opportunity, and ensuring every woman has the chance to thrive.

Today, on the anniversary of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, we recognize both the progress made and the work that remains. Women working full-time still earn just 81 cents per dollar men earn. Across all earners, that number drops to 76 cents.💵🟰

At your WNY Women's Foundation, we believe that balanced representation strengthens workplaces, communities, and our region. Together, we can continue building a future where every woman is valued, supported, and compensated fairly.

06/05/2026

Behind every powerful woman are other powerful women.
Thank you to Shea's Performing Arts Center for the opportunity to highlight the WNY Women's Foundation and the impact of the suffragist movement through Suffs.

The fight for women's rights did not end with the right to vote. It continues today through advocacy, civic engagement, and ensuring women have a voice in shaping our communities. We were proud to have WNY Women's Foundation and voter registration information included in program booklets, helping connect this important history to action today.

Thank you to our staff, board, and community members who joined us for this inspiring evening.

Ready to make your voice heard? Check out our voter registration guide and learn how you can register to vote and stay engaged in the issues that matter most:
https://www.wnywomensfoundation.org/voter-education

06/02/2026

With a heaviness in our hearts, we say goodbye to Sue Gardner. Some people leave a legacy through what they accomplish. Sue leaves a legacy through the people she inspired.

As a founding member of the WNY Women's Foundation, Sue believed deeply in the potential of women. She opened doors, encouraged aspiring leaders, and helped shape a stronger, more hopeful future for WNY.

We invite you to watch her tribute video, honor her remarkable life, and at the request of Sue consider a gift in her memory to the WNY Women's Foundation to continue the work she cared so deeply about.

💜 Make a memorial gift: https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E154272&id=4

🎥 Watch Sue's tribute video:

06/02/2026

"When we look at our history, there's a reason we have the opportunities, freedoms, and rights we enjoy today. Women fought for years to create change in a time without social media or easy ways to connect and organize. When we forget that history, we risk taking those hard-earned gains for granted."

— Sheri L. Scavone, President & CEO, WNY Women's Foundation
https://www.audacy.com/wben/news/local/america-250-in-wny-women-s-suffrage-movement #

Buffalo and Western New York played an active role during the decades-long women's suffrage movement that, eventually, led to the 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote. Read more from WBEN:. | WBEN

06/01/2026

What happens when nearly 1,000 leaders, professionals, allies, entrepreneurs, advocates, volunteers, speakers, hosts, moderators, panelists, and changemakers come together?

Community.

WNY showed what is possible when people invest in themselves, support one another, and come together to learn, connect, and lead.

Thank you to every one who helped make the 2026 WNY Leadership Summit possible.

From the opening Community Building to the pathway sessions and countless conversations in between, this year's Summit reminded us that leadership grows through connection.

Thank you for owning your power. Thank you for building community.
We can't wait to share photos, highlights, and key takeaways from the day. Until then, thank you for being part of this incredible experience.

05/30/2026

Members of our FEMALEFuel employee resource group are getting inspired today at the Annual WNY Women's Foundation Leadership Summit!

As part of FEMALEFuel’s pillars (professional development, networking, and giving back), we're embracing this year's theme of "Owning Your Power, Building Community."

By connecting with peers across sectors with varied experiences and backgrounds, we can lead with intention, strengthen community, and expand opportunities throughout National Fuel and the communities we serve.

05/30/2026