Message from the President
Dear Colleagues and Friends:
Our 10th anniversary year is coming to a close and we find ourselves enjoying the success of our efforts while we prepare to face the challenges facing our organization in these difficult economic times. Non-profit organizations are suffering, and the Foundation is no exception, with our overall annual donations down by 35%. This is a time where we find ourselves calling upon our friends and supporters to help us navigate through deep waters!
As a Board, we have begun to proactively address these financial challenges. The Board has streamlined our operations, further defined our focus during these difficult times, and designed avenues through which our friends and supporters can become more directly involved. Our priorities will continue to be the support and advancement of our Alma Dea Morani Award, our Brabb Scholarship program, and the research fellowships that are currently being completed in conjunction with Harvard’s Countway Library. While our oral history program continues to be our premier program, additional funding must be generated in order to move forward with additional histories.
Our Board has been reduced and an Executive Director, who will provide vision, leadership and continuity to our organization, will soon be named. We have established advisories in the areas of oral histories, awards and scholarships, and fellowships. These advisories provide an avenue through which friends and colleagues can become involved in the development, implementation and support of these program. Please further explore what role you can play in the future of The Foundation for the History of Women in Medicine.
I take this opportunity to send my sincerest gratitude to everyone who has remained committed to the success of the Foundation. I realize that everyone is shouldering economic challenges of their own and I truly appreciate the support your have provided to the Foundation.
It has been a great honor to serve as the president of this growing and vital organization. I look forward to celebrating this landmark year with you and others who share our passion for bringing to light (and life) those significant contributions women have made to medicine and the medical sciences for many years.
Warmest regards,
Barbara Atkinson, M.D.
President