WomenVenture

For more than 35 years, WomenVenture has been dedicated to its mission—providing more than 100,000 women of all ages, cultures, races and income levels with tools and resources to achieve economic success.

* 1978 – Founding Mothers Judy Justad, Carol Truesdell and Marion Etzwiler establish CHART, a nonprofit organization supporting women entering or re-entering the workforce.

* 1982 – Kathy Keeley and Arvonne Fraser establish WEDCO (Women's Economic Development Corporation), a nonprofit organization supporting women in starting their own businesses.

* 1989 – Making history as the first Twin Cities nonprofit merger, CHART and WEDCO become WomenVenture.

* 1992 – WomenVenture begins providing microloans to women.

* 2000 – The Small Business Association designates WomenVenture one of the nation’s first Women’s Business Centers.

* 2012 – WomenVenture announces its new Strategic Vision; narrows its focus in supporting women-owned businesses.