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History

 		July 6, 2008
A Brief History of WomenVenture

The first of WomenVenture’s predecessor organizations, CHART, was founded in 1978 to offer career support to women re-entering the job market. In 1982, WEDCO, the Women's Economic Development Corporation, was founded so women could explore entrepreneurial ventures as an alternative means of economic self-sufficiency. In 1989, the first non-profit merger in Twin Cities history brought WEDCO and CHART together to form WomenVenture, a single agency that could address the wide range of economic, training and career issues affecting women.

WomenVenture has continued to add to and expand its programs, and currently serves upwards of 5,000 women and men each year through its three core programs: Business Development, Career Planning and Workforce Development, and Financial Literacy.

Tené Wells, current president of WomenVenture and a former client, began her tenure in 1999. In her time as president, Tené has broadened the focus of the agency to reach out more universally to women of all economic levels. Today, WomenVenture has helped over 80,000 clients achieve their goals. The sheer numbers are incredible. Like Tené says, “Every day we get to see women walking through our doors with their dreams and we help them achieve those dreams.”

Important Dates for WomenVenture

1978
Judy Justad, Carol Truesdell and Marion Etzwiler establish CHART, a nonprofit focused on helping women enter or reenter the workforce.
1982
 Kathy Keeley and Arvonne Fraser form WEDCO, a nonprofit focused on helping women start their own small businesses.
1989
 Making history as the Twin Cities first nonprofit merger, CHART and WEDCO join forces to create WomenVenture.
1992
 Jobs in the Trades program is launched to train women in non-traditional careers.
1996
 WomenVenture hosts its first Annual Conference with best-selling author Gail Sheehy as keynote speaker. GirlVenture is launched to help girls ages 9 to 18 explore careers, gain leadership skills, and learn about basic budgeting.
2000 WomenVenture rebrands itself and launches its current logo. The agency is designated as one of the Small Business Administration’s first Women’s Business Centers in the nation.
2001
 WomenVenture receives grant from Oprah Winfrey's Angel Network. The $100,000 "Use Your Life Award" has been successfully used to make a direct difference in the lives of economically disadvantaged women.

WomenVenture celebrates its 25th anniversary.
2006
 WomenVenture establishes an endowment fund with The Minneapolis Foundation and moves to larger office space within the Midtown Commons Building.


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