FWA History

Take a look back at the impressive history of the FWA! Or, follow these links to learn more about FWA's Past Presidents, previous recipients of our Annual Awards, our many Distinguished Speakers, and the inspiring locations and distinguished speakers at the annual International Business Conferences.

1956

Eight women on Wall Street apply to join the Young Men’s investment Association. Denied admission, they form their own Young Women’s Investment Association, which would later become the FWA. The eight founders include Elizabeth Heaton (Mohr), Audrey Hochberg, Nancy McNamara (Bentley), Susan Rappaport (Knafel), Jane Sheppard, Gloria Swope (Marron), Joan Williams (Farr) and Nancy Zuger, First President and Founder.

The founding members are mostly security analysts, the first profession open to woman on Wall Street. Soon it grows to include bankers, brokers, traders, management consultants, financial analysts, portfolio managers, economists, lawyers and more.

1971

The Financial Women’s Association of New York takes its present name when the upper age limit, originally 35 and then 41, is eliminated as Members begin moving into the highest-ranking senior positions, typically achieved after age 40.

1975

The College Connection Program launches. Since that time, the re-named Wall Street Exchange program has supported over 1,000 interns and young professionals.

1976

The FWA creates its Educational Fund.

1977

The FWA is one of the first U.S. groups to visit China. The delegation of 25 leads the way for an annual international conference that continues to this day.

1978

The Working Mothers Committee is established and is soon featured in Working Mother Magazine.

1981

First annual “Washington Briefing” in our capital takes place. The group meets with prominent leaders in each branch of government. This annual program continues into the 2000s.

1983

FWA awards its first scholarships to women enrolled in graduate MBA programs. Since that time, over 150 scholarships of over $830,000 have been awarded.

1984

After the Annual Dinner is started in 1982, the first Woman of the Year Award honors Dr. Marian Whitman, Vice President and Economist of General Motors Corporation.

1988

The Entrepreneurs Committee is begun by four members who were considering starting their own firms.

1992

Hillary Clinton, soon to be first lady of the U.S. and later Secretary of State, addresses the FWA community.

1996

FWA celebrates its 40th Anniversary. 24% of its members are Chairmen, CEOs, Presidents, owners or partners of their companies; 29% are VPs or General Managers; 18% are EVPs, SVPs or Managing Directors; 45% serve on corporate or non-profit boards; and 61% do volunteer work (in addition to or other than with the FWA).

Hon. Madeleine Albright, then U.S. representative at the United Nations and later the first woman Secretary of State, is honored as Woman of the Year at the Annual Dinner.

At the 1996 Washington Briefing, the delegation meets with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

1998

The First Woman President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, meets the FWA Delegation.

The President’s Circle is formed to recognize and support FWA’s corporate partners and sponsors.

2001

The FWA–Baruch College Mentoring Program is created. Each year, through today, FWA members mentor undergraduate business students, focusing on both career and personal development.

2003

In the spirit of women helping women and through the hard work of the late FWA President Lenore C. Albom (1998-99), FWA becomes involved in microfinance. More than $60,000 was raised and distributed by the FWA through NGO partners in Lenore’s memory.

FWA institutes an Adult Financial Literacy program at University Settlement in lower Manhattan. Over 250 people were reached by the program.

2005

BMO Capital Markets chooses FWA as a recipient of its Day of Trading contribution. Since then, the BMO Equity through Education program has endowed scholarships for mentees at Baruch College and Murry Bergtraum High School, awarding over $2.2 million to the Educational Fund.

2008

The FWA-BMO Endowed Scholarship Fund at Baruch is created.

The FWA Financial Backpack Program teaches high school students practical financial skills. A $900,000 grant from HSBC in the Community (USA) allows for expansion of the program. Workshops have been provided to over 2,900 students.

2012

The FWA awards Baruch a $312,000 grant for continued scholarship support of FWA Baruch mentees and expands the program to include a study-abroad program.

2014

The FWA International Conference brings delegates to Berlin. Germany marks our 25th country visited during the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

2015

The Pacesetter program is introduced to offer President’s Circle companies – our most generous sponsors — the opportunity to nominate their rising stars to a year-long program with training and mentoring provided by senior FWA members.

2016

FWA rings the NASDAQ closing bell on February 4 as part of the events celebrating our 60th anniversary.

The Seton Hall mentoring and scholarship programs launch with sponsorship from MUFG.

The Back2Business program is introduced, in partnership with four sponsoring organizations, BMO Capital Markets, Deloitte, New York Life and PGIM, the Global Management Businesses of Prudential.

2017

FWA launches a new member benefit, the Member2Member Mentoring Program. A program designed to help participants enhance their abilities and take steps to reach professional and personal goals.

The FWA high school mentoring program moves to the High School of Economics and Finance.

2021

FWA celebrates its first Black President, Hermina ‘Nina’ Batson, during its 65th Anniversary Year.