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.

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.
2008	WomenVenture celebrates its 30th Anniversary and launches Pay It Forward Scholarship Fund.
2009	WomenVenture launches new strategic plan and opens new branch in North Minneapolis.