Our Story
What's Our Why?
In 2023, women working full-time, year-round earned just 83 cents for every dollar earned by men, marking a widening of the wage gap for the first time in two decades.
As of 2022, women held only 8.8% of CEO positions in Fortune 500 companies, despite comprising over half of the U.S. population.
Women have earned more bachelor's degrees than men since 1982 and more master's degrees since 1987. However, this educational advancement has not translated into proportional representation in top leadership roles.
From 1967 to 2021, women experienced a cumulative loss of $61 trillion in wages due to the gender wage gap—nearly double the U.S. government debt in 2023.
At the start of 2022, women of color held 19% of entry-level positions but only 5% of C-suite positions, highlighting significant barriers to advancement.
How We Help
At Women Leading Kentucky, we believe that when women rise, communities thrive.
We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women across the Commonwealth through leadership development, mentorship, education, and connection. Our programs support women at every stage—from students seeking scholarships to professionals growing into leadership roles. Each year, we engage thousands of women through events, networking, and learning opportunities that open doors and elevate voices.
Thanks to generous donors and partners, we’ve awarded over $300,000 in scholarships, honored nearly 40 extraordinary women, and continue to grow a network of support that helps women lead with confidence and purpose.
Your gift on Kentucky Gives Day fuels this mission. Whether it’s $25 or $1,000+, every contribution drives impact—funding scholarships, developing inclusive leadership programming, expanding mentorship opportunities, and creating spaces where women from all walks of life can connect and thrive.
Together, we’re building a more inclusive future—one bold woman at a time.
Giving Bonuses
As a thank you for giving, we'd like to offer two prize incentives for KY Gives Day:
- In celebration of Women Leading Kentucky's 25th anniversary, the first 25 people to donate $25 will be entered into a raffle to win one (1) Golf Clinic + Lunch registration ($60) to the 2nd Annual Swing Into Wellness event on June 4th.
- Anyone who donates $100 or more will receive a signed copy of Pathlights, a table book highlighting the history of Women Leading Kentucky and the inspiring stories of some of the women in our network.
