VisionForward is a nonprofit initiative dedicated to advancing gender equity by persuading female leaders to push left-of-center policies. It is housed in Drexel University, a private research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ¹

Background

VisionForward began as Vision 2020, an initiative launched in 2009 by the Institute for Women’s Health and Leadership at Drexel University’s College of Medicine. It was officially founded in 2010 by Lynn Yeakel, the director of the Institute and the holder of the Betty A. Cohen Chair in Women’s Health. The aim was to accelerate gender equity in the United States by persuading policymakers to eliminate the perceived “bias and barriers that perpetuate gender inequality” in the country. ² It also aims to increasing the “number and power” of female leaders who will advance “economic, political, and social change.” ³

Activities

VisionForward has a coalition of “Delegates, Allied Organizations, and Partners” that aims to persuade female leaders to push left-of-center policies. One such ally is the National Women’s Law Center, and Beyond the Bell Tours is a partner. ⁴

VisionForward ran a Campaign for Equality to push four pillars of advocacy advanced through events, media, and programs. The pillars were Shared Leadership, or the equal representation of men and women in senior leadership positions; Economic Parity, or equal pay and benefits regardless of gender; Civic Engagement, or increased female participation in politics, whether voting or holding office; and Youth Education, or teaching gender equity doctrines to young people. ⁵

VisionForward publishes an “Educator’s Guide” for teachers looking to teach gender equity concepts to their students. It is officially recommended by the Annenberg Foundation. The 95-page packet contends that women’s equality is an “unfinished” project that must be completed by future leaders wielding knowledge of constitutional law. VisionForward also has educational resources on the 19^th Amendment as well as female trailblazers in politics, finance, STEM, media, and sports. ⁶

VisionForward has dozens of official partners, most of which are feminist advocacy groups and civil society organizations operating in Pennsylvania. These include the African American Museum in Philadelphia, the Barnes Foundation, the FBI Philadelphia Field Office, Justice Bell Foundation, Museum Council of Great Philadelphia, National Constitution Center, the Philadelphia Eagles NFL team, Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Plastic Club, the River Rock Project, WHYY, and Women for Greater Philadelphia. ⁷

In 2022, VisionForward held an exhibition for Women’s History Month at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. Subtitled “Explore Progress Toward Gender Equity a Century After American Women Won the Right to Vote,” the exhibit chronicled the history of the women’s suffrage movement and sought to show how gender inequity still exists. ⁸

In March 2022, VisionForward held its first National Caregiving Summit to recognize how the “burden of caregiving disproportionately falls on women” and how women’s “goals and financial security” must be sacrificed in turn. It was scheduled to have a keynote address by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). ⁹

Funding

VisionForward has received funding from PennMutual, the Neslon S. Tablott Foundation, the Ernst & Young Foundation, and Pennsylvania Trust. ¹⁰

Grantmaking

VisionForward has provided funds to New Left Accelerator, a nonprofit advisory organization that helps left-of-center activist groups improve their systems and outreach potential. ¹¹

Leadership

VisionForward was founded by Lynn Yeakel, the director of the Institute for Women’s Health and Leadership at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. Yeakel was elected to the Betty A. Cohen Chair in Women’s Health at the university in 2002, a position she held until her death in January 2022. The Institute was subsequently named the Lynn Yeakel Institute for Women’s Health and Leadership in her honor. ¹²

1. “VisionForward.” Drexel University.edu. Accessed January 14, 2024. https://drexel.edu/visionforward/.
2. “VisionForward.” Drexel University.edu. Accessed January 14, 2024. https://drexel.edu/visionforward/.
3. “About.” VisionForward. Accessed January 14, 2024. https://www.visionforwardatdrexel.org/about/.
4. “Vision 2020 and VisionForward Coalition Members.” Drexel University. Accessed January 14, 2024. https://drexel.edu/visionforward/coalition/overview/.
5. “VisionForward.” Drexel University.edu. Accessed January 14, 2024. https://drexel.edu/visionforward/.
6. “Education Guides.” VisionForward. Accessed January 14, 2024. https://www.visionforwardatdrexel.org/education-guides/.
7. “About.” VisionForward. Accessed January 14, 2024. https://www.visionforwardatdrexel.org/about/.
8. “Vision Forward.” Vision Forward. Accessed January 14, 2024. https://www.visionforwardatdrexel.org/.
9. “Vision Forward.” Vision Forward. Accessed January 14, 2024. https://www.visionforwardatdrexel.org/.
10. “Sponsors.” VisionForward. Accessed January 14, 2024. https://www.visionforwardatdrexel.org/sponsors/.
11. “Our Funders.” New Left Accelerator. Accessed January 2024. https://www.newleftaccelerator.org/our-funders.
12. “VisionForward.” Drexel University.edu. Accessed January 14, 2024. https://drexel.edu/visionforward/.