Non-profit

Concerned Women for America

Location:

Alexandria, VA

Type:

Advocacy group

Formation:

1979

President and CEO:

Penny Nance

Budget (2024):

Revenues: $4,699,355

Expenses: $4,557,809

Assets: $6,648,745 7

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Concerned Women for America (CWA) is a right-of-center organization advocating the interests of American women. It was launched in part to counter the left-of-center National Organization for Women. 1 2

Founded by Beverly LaHaye, the organization created “Prayer/Action Chapters” across the country and opposed the adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution in television ads and prayer and fasting groups. 1

CWA involves itself in legal cases and legislative battles that affect its seven core issues of the sanctity of human life, supporting traditional marriage, supporting reforms and choice in education, opposing pornography, supporting religious freedom, and supporting national sovereignty. 1 3

Background

Concerned Women for America (CWA) is a conservative-leaning organization advocating the interests of American women. 3 It was launched in part to counter the left-leaning National Organization for Women.1

The organization contends that “Western Civilization has willingly chosen to exchange the faith and logic of a Biblical worldview for an irrational secularism based on an unthinking and cruel relativism.” It argues a culture war has “engulfed our society.” 4

The group advocates in Congress and executive branch agencies, and monitors courts. The organization also trains volunteer state leaders to advocates in state capitals. The organization engages in research and education, supporting Judeo-Christian values and conservative principles. 3

The CWA backs Young Women for America, which promotes biblical values and conservative principles in high schools and on college campuses. 3

The organization claims there are more than 500,000 participating members across the country, more than 320 prayer/action chapters and influencers, and more than 267 Young Women for America presidents or ambassadors. 5

The organization established the CWA Academy for Conservative Principles, or CWAACP. It was founded on the Latin principle “Principium sapientiae timor Domini,” coming from Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” 6

Leadership

Penny Nance is the CEO and president of Concerned Women for America (CWA). Nance is also the president of Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC). Nance was previously president of Nance and Associates. 5 She was a special advisor for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), where she focused on media and social issues concerning children. 5 1 She was also previously the founder and president of the Kids First Coalition. She is a graduate of Liberty University and is a member of the board of trustees for the university. 5

Tanya Ditty is the vice president of field operations of CWA. 7 Denise Cappuccio is the chief financial officer of the CWA. 7 Kenda Bartlett is the chief administrative officer and board of trustees member of the CWA. 7 Linda Murphy is the chair of the board of trustees of the CWA. 8 Linda Thorson is the vice-chair of the board. 8 Lori Scheck is the secretary of the board. 8

Other members of the board of trustees are Patty Bradley, Vicky Hartzler, Gary Marx, Victoria Meyer, Janne Myrdal, Betty Jane Strong, and Gevie White. 8

Policy Positions

According to its website, Concerned Women for America (CWA) claims to focuses on seven issues: the family, the sanctity of human life, religious liberty, education, sexual exploitation, national sovereignty, and support for Israel. The organization references scripture for each policy position. 3

The organization supports the “defense of family,” arguing that marriage is between one man and one woman. 4 On the sanctity of life, the organization opposes abortion, and supports human life from conception until natural death. 4

In supporting religious liberty, the group says it supports the rights of individuals in the United States and other nations to pray, worship, and express their beliefs without fear of discrimination or persecution. 4 The group supports reforming public education to return authority to parents and to create accessibility to alternative forms of education. 4

The organization’s support of national sovereignty is based on the belief that neither the United Nations nor any other international organization should have authority over the United States in any area. It also says the United States has the right to protect its national borders. 4 The group opposes sexual exploitation, and fights pornography, obscenity, prostitution, human trafficking, and sex slavery. 4 9 The organization says that people and nations that stand with Israel and the Jewish people will be blessed by God. 4

In October 2024, CWA notified multiple universities that an athlete on the San Jose State University women’s volleyball team, Blaire Fleming, was identified as a natal-male transgender player, which CWA contended helped SJSU remain undefeated. The CWA filed a federal civil rights complaint against the university. Because of the notification, Boise State University pulled out of its conference game with San Jose State University. Macy Petty, a CWA legislative assistant and a NCAA volleyball athlete, told Fox News, “We just want to make sure that these schools know exactly what is going on in this athletic program because the NCAA and SJSU had not previously given them the decency to even let them know what was happening.” She added that female athletes have to “choose between maybe a $100,000 educational scholarship or their own safety and dignity.” 10

History

Beverly LaHaye, who with her husband Tim LaHaye co-founded San Diego Christian College, founded Concerned Women for America (CWA). 11

After seeing a 1978 Barbara Walters interview with Betty Friedan, the founder of the National Organization for Women, Beverly LaHaye decided to found a counter women’s organization that supported conservative principles. She founded the CWA in San Diego, California. It became a national organization within two years. 2

The organization created “Prayer/Action Chapters” across the country and opposed the adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution in television ads and weekly prayer and fasting groups. 1

In 1985, the CWA moved to Washington, D.C. LaHaye spoke at the Senate confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, as well as Supreme Court nominee Judge Robert Bork. 2

During the 1980s, the CWA established chapters in almost every state. 11The CWA, under LaHaye, established a legal defense department to be a voice for people in court battles over life, marriage, education, and religious freedom issues. 11

LaHaye and the CWA assisted displaced refugees in Nicaragua, providing aid at refuge stations in Costa Rica. 2 11 As chair of the CWA, LaHaye hosted the award-winning “Concerned Women Today” radio show. 11

LaHaye was CWA president until 2010 and the chair of the board of trustees until 2019. 11 She died in 2024 at age 94. 2

Funding

The California Community Foundation contributed $500,000 to Concerned Women for America (CWA) in June 2023. 7

The National Philanthropic Trust donated $200,000 to CWA in June 2023. 7

The National Christian Foundation contributed $92,475 to the CWA in December 2023. 7

References

  1. “Concerned Women for America.” FactCheck.org. October 27, 2011. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://www.factcheck.org/2011/10/concerned-women-for-america/
  2. Barron, Sam. “Beverly LaHaye, Founder of Concerned Women of America, Dies at 94.” Newsmax. April 15, 2024. Accessed January 17, 2025. https://www.newsmax.com/us/beverly-lahaye-concerned-women-for-america-obituary/2024/04/15/id/1161083/
  3. “About Us.” Concerned Women for America.” Accessed January 17, 2025.  https://concernedwomen.org/about-us/
  4. “CWA Core Issues.” Concerned Women for America.” Accessed January 17, 2025.  https://concernedwomen.org/core-issues/
  5. “Penny Nance.” Concerned Women for America. Accessed January 17, 2025. https://concernedwomen.org/penny-nance-about/
  6. “CWA Academy for Conservative Principles.” Concerned Women for America. Accessed January 17, 2025.  https://concernedwomen.org/cwaacp-2/
  7. “Concerned Women for America.” Cause IQ. Accessed January 17, 2025. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/concerned-women-for-america,953580834/
  8. “Concerned Women for America Board of Trustees.” Concerned Women for America. Accessed January 17, 2025. https://concernedwomen.org/concerned-women-for-america-board-of-trustees/
  9. “Sexual Exploitation.” Concerned Women for America. Accessed January 17, 2025.  https://concernedwomen.org/sexual-exploitation-2/
  10. Rumpf-Whitten, Sarah. “Female athletes ‘blindsided’ on volleyball court with trans player prompts civil rights complaint, lawsuit.” Fox News. October 2, 2024. Accessed January 17, 2025. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/female-athletes-blindsided-volleyball-court-trans-player-prompts-civil-rights-complaint-lawsuit
  11. “Beverly LaHay.” Concerned Women for America. Accessed January 17, 2025.https://concernedwomen.org/cwa-founder-beverly-lahaye/
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Concerned Women for America

1000 North Payne St.
Alexandria, VA 22314