To provide a network that supports and connects emerging and established women leaders who believe vision combined with spirit-based action are the ingredients for creating positive change in the world and who are actively demonstrating that belief by co-creating the vision, taking the action and being the change they wish to see in the world.  



 
To provide the tools and resources for our members to easily connect, collaborate and support one another and to sponsor projects that promote positive change in the world. We do this through:  
 
 



Women of Vision & Action, a 501c3 organization, is a worldwide network of emerging and established women leaders from all backgrounds who are dedicated to a vision of positive change and who are actively involved in making their visions real in the world.

Our intention is to ensure that women's voices and values are more fully represented in all arenas. Our network consists of women who believe personal and social transformation are inseparable and mutually interdependent. We honor women who deeply understand the urgent need for profound positive social change and their committed actions to create it. We also honor women who are the spiritual sculptors from the inner to outer plane, the "Vision Keepers" in all societies.

We gather at conferences, in local circles and through the Internet to:

  • envision the society we wish to co-create
  • map plans of action, and
  • work together to bring it into being

As women of vision we integrate vision and action, spiritual values and social ideals. WOVA members and their projects seek innovative solutions to challenges in local, national and world communities. We support and demonstrate co-creative models of women working together to address the needs facing all societies at this time of global transition. We encourage women to join in mind, heart and spirit to bring their visions into being.

Our intent is to help women clarify their work for transforming society. As women we can become even more inspired and focused together making the broader shifts we need in society, starting with the personal. Our goal is for each woman to come away from a gathering empowered with vision, clarity and direction.

WOVA distinguishes itself from "self-help" and social action groups. We combine elements of both. We understand that the individual cannot be totally fulfilled unless there is an element of social conscience, a contribution and connection to something larger than oneself. As we clarify personal vision and life's purpose in relation to broader social dimensions, we become active participants in societal evolution. We begin with ourselves, our families, gradually enlarging our vision until we reach perimeters of the societal and global family. Each woman works in her own time and her own way to progressively expand her personal vision to eventually embrace the "whole" while her WOVA sisters offer support and encouragement in helping each of us become the change we wish to see in the world.

To see a list of our Board and Council Members, click on the appropriate menu item at the top.

Click here for a list of Member Benefits and Responsibilities.

 

"Call the women together!" was the statement that launched the network that is now known as Women of Vision and Action (WOVA).

Those words were voiced in 1993 by a Middle Eastern woman who had given up all hope of peace in the Middle East. In the midst of the woman's soulful story of having lost family and friends in the civil wars of her country, Rama Vernon held her hand, listened compassionately, and shared her pain. After a few minutes of silence, Rama asked the woman if there was anything that could be done to create peace. The woman said, her voice trembling with hope, "Call the women together. Perhaps it is through the women that we will find peace. Let us gather together for a day. Let us break bread, share our stories, our hearts, and our visions for peace. Let us hold the vision until it becomes a reality."

A meeting was created within two weeks and women came from all over the United States. The day was so successful that the women present wanted to duplicate it in their own regions. For two years Rama traveled throughout the United States listening to over 500 women express their vision of a peaceful world. The momentum of those gatherings led to a large conference in Washington, DC entitled, "Women of Vision: Leadership for a New World.

Eleanor LeCain, a speaker at the conference, invited women to come together to find ways to bring the energy and ideas from the conference into the world. Several women stepped forward and were instrumental in giving birth to the ongoing network now known as Women of Vision and Action (WOVA). Among those women were Eleanor LeCain who served as WOVA's founding president, Marilyn Miller who served as Vice President, Barbara Marx-Webber who served as membership chairman and editor of WOVA's first newsletters, Patricia Ellsberg and Barbara Marx Hubbard who served on the Executive Council.

The momentum continues as WOVA continues to network women around the world and to sponsor events and projects geared to helping women find their voice and become more effective leaders. Some of the activities sponsored by WOVA include:
 

To build a worldwide network of emerging and established women leaders who wish to connect and collaborate with one another to create positive change in the world.

To host conferences and retreats for members to connect, collaborate, co-create and envision with one another.

To offer leadership training to emerging women leaders (WOVA Leadership Institute Seminars).

To create positive change in the world by providing an opportunity for women leaders to collaborate to weave a world that works (Gather the Women Congress).

 

 

WE BELIEVE in the qualities of compassion and courage.

WE BELIEVE spirit-based social action can change the world.

WE BELIEVE in the creative ability of all people as part of one human family, who are united in one global community.

WE BELIEVE in the right of all individuals to a healthy, safe and productive life.

WE BELIEVE in the positive uses of technology for peace, information services, communication and cooperation for ALL people.

WE BELIEVE in the methods of dialogue and mediation to resolve disputes both personal and global.

WE BELIEVE that all children deserve a world where they can thrive.