Ed and Molly Potter Scheu, Hanover

“I’ve always been a low-key feminist and philanthropist, and joined with Barb Zeckhausen to call NH’s attention to the inequities and needs in the lives of women and girls. WFNH has become a leader in bringing about social change through their grantmaking and educational programs. WFNH continues to make a significant impact through support of vital programs and services. Our $1 million dollar endowment moves us forward – hooray!”

Barbara Zeckhausen, Laconia

“Who would have known the effect a young African woman in Beijing in 1995 would have on NH? I came within the circle of her wisdom and power. Molly Scheu and I dropped some pebbles in the NH pond, whose ripples have been expanding for 10 years. Each of us influences others. That was our dream, and we are humbled to see how many have been touched.”

Phyllis Killam-Abell, Exeter

““I was one of fourteen women from NH, along with Barb Zeckhausen, who returned from the Beijing Conference carrying home a vision of reaching out and focusing on women in NH and worldwide. Our goal was to create equity, to foster women's development and sense of self, and to move women forward. WFNH has done this wonderfully, and will continue to do so!”

Kathleen K. Barger, Center Harbor

““Barb Zeckhausen asked me if I would join a wonderfully talented group of women of all ages and from many life experiences to create WFNH. I was thrilled! In the years ahead I see WFNH will need to take innovative stands on women’s issues and provide grants to projects that support those issues.”

Martha Fuller Clark , Portsmouth

““The well-being of New Hampshire's women is a top priority. The growth of the Fund is essential as we strive to extend our reach into every region of the Granite State.”

Lucille A. Diorio (deceased)

A Founder since 1999, Lucille believed in the mission and vision of the Women’s Fund of New Hampshire and the positive effect it brings to women and girls.

Janet Doran, Hollis

“Our greatest accomplishment has been gathering a group of women from different areas of NH with a common passion of empowering women and girls by funding programs to benefit their lives. I am proud of the lasting effect of the grants awarded. I would love to see WFNH reach out to younger women and teach them the advantages of financial independence and giving.”

Mary & Allan Doyle, New London

“Because WFNH offers so many women and girls the opportunity to recognize and realize their dreams, I couldn’t wait to get on board! At my women’s college all of the leadership positions were held by women, and gender inequality never entered my mind, but women and girls are not always treated equally and respectfully. The WFNH is changing this..” - Mary Doyle, 2009

Charlotte Fardelmann, Portsmouth

“Having been active in the women’s movement in the 70’s, when I heard a women’s fund was starting in NH, I wanted to be involved. My founder’s gift was used to inspire five young women to give major gifts. WFNH gathers the leaders of organizations supporting women and girls into a network that strengthens their work and provides a vision of positive change for the future.”

Hilda Fleisher, Manchester

“As one who had actively supported women, as a founder of the Women's Bar Association and through the NH Commission on The Status of Women, and my congregation's women's support group, the YWCA and similar groups, I was of course enthusiastic to have been asked to help establish the Women's Fund.”

Alice and David Glass, Grantham

“We are happy to support the Women's Fund because it brings opportunities to women and children who might not otherwise learn to believe in themselves and in a future that holds bright promise. The programs WFNH supports help teach young women to dream ... and once a person can hold a dream, they can't be held down. We are proud of the diversity within the Women's Fund and the programs it supports.”

Priscilla Loring Griffin, Melvin Village

“After moving to NH, I became a Director of the NH Charitable Fund, met Barb Zeckhausen and followed her in spirit to Beijing. I am most proud of the WFNH funding organizations throughout NH, such as AIR and CASA. In the future, I would like to see more women become involved. WFNH's greatest accomplishment is bringing together a dynamic group of women who believe that everyone needs someone who will listen.”

Jocelyn F. Gutchess, Sandwich

“Involvement in WFNH began with my great respect for Barb Zeckhausen, reinforcing my life-long interest in providing equal opportunity and treatment for women and girls. WFNH has enabled me to make a difference doing just that. I am confident WFNH will continue to grow to meet the needs of women in NH.”

Elizabeth (Liz) Hager, Concord

“My involvement with the Women's Fund has been fun! I paid attention to the wonderful work that Molly and Barb were doing in 1998-99, and when I became aware that they needed an office, ideally in Concord, our United Way, of which I am executive director, was able to give them space. The Fund then remained a tenant of United Way until just recently. I take great pride in the important work they do and the many ways we have partnered together!”

Joanne S. Holman, Portsmouth

A founder since 1999, Joanne believes the Women’s Fund of New Hampshire fuels positive change in our communities by supporting the most innovative and promising solutions to the issues facing women and girls today.

Betsy C. Janeway, Webster

“I was invited by friends to become involved in WFNH and was excited about the mission. I am most proud of the high number and variety of grant recipients and would like to see the expansion of grants to controversial, different and interesting start-up organizations. I’m thrilled the Women’s Fund is still going strong!”

Ann (Annie) McLane Kuster, Hopkinton

“My favorite part of the Women's Fund mission is reaching out to new women and girls around the state, as donors, volunteers and beneficiaries. I envision the Women's Fund reaching $10 million and more in the coming years, giving significant grants each year to help NH nonprofits grow and prosper.”

Fran Mahoney, Mexico

"It's been very interesting to watch the Women's Fund develop, and to see its vision unfold. It's so much fun to see the ideas people come up with to improve the lot of women and girls."

Susan M. Mayer, Sunapee

“Mary Rauh introduced me to the Women’s Fund thinking I would enjoy being on the grants committee -- bingo! I’ve been involved ever since. I am extremely proud of the leadership Marianne Jones has brought to the Women’s Fund. I would like to see our board grow and diversify. A good beginning!”

Sally Maynard, Peterborough

“I first got involved with the Women’s Fund nine years ago because its mission statement so impressed me. I am so proud of the often small grants given out that make such a difference to women’s groups. I see the endowment growing so that larger grants can be given. Most important for the future is growth of that endowment.”

Susan & Malcolm McLane (deceased)

The work of the Women's Fund was one of Susan McLane's many causes. In 2000 the Women's Fund was honored when Susan and Malcolm McLane became founders. The Women's Fund is grateful for all the McLane family has done to ensure that all women and girls, men and boys, and communities have the opportunities to prosper and thrive.

Jane Kitchel McLaughlin, Hanover

"I am proud to be one of the founders. This organization has good traction, is an important member of NH’s non-profit network and looks to have a sustainable future. This is the first of many successful decades.”

Kate & David Murray, North Hampton

“We got involved with the Women’s Fund because we feel the strength of a society is measured by the strength of its weakest members, usually women and children with little opportunity to overcome their situations. We have grown into a strong and well-respected organization; the grants program is a huge success and has established our reputation as a well conceived and thoughtful presence in the state.”

Penny Pitou, Gilford

“I was one of the first people contacted by Barb Zeckhausen, who came up with the idea to start the Women’s Fund. I was pleased to be involved in the project and am thrilled with its success over the years. So many women and girls have benefited from this organization.”

Susan Ratnoff, Exeter

“I became involved with the Women’s Fund because I wanted to financially support local efforts to help women help themselves. I am pleased with the breadth of the assistance given without the loss of focus on mission. The number of people creatively served by the Fund and the incredible dedication and ingenuity of the people who work on WFNH projects are their greatest accomplishment.”

Mary & John Rauh, New Castle

“I was convinced that WFNH was a great idea when I joined. Ten years later, WFNH continues to grow, gain more committed donors, and impact more women’s and girls’ lives every day. With Marianne Jones’s excellent leadership, WFNH collaborates with other organizations to enhance its impact and theirs. There is no question in my mind that WFNH is making a significant difference for women and girls in NH.”

Harriet G. Resnicoff, Concord

“From the beginning, I believed in the mission of WFNH – to serve and address the issues of NH’s women and girls, and, ultimately, their families. I am most proud of WFNH’s grantmaking, a sensitive, careful, incredibly thoughtful process by women of various backgrounds and talents, resulting in grants to worthy and creative non-profits. The needs and success stories of those helped to realize their potential make a compelling story.”

Robert Scheu, Virginia

Robert was inspired to become a founder in support of Molly and Ed Scheu’s special love of the Women’s Fund.

Jill Greenspan Schiffman, Hanover

“The Women’s Fund is a the perfect blend of my desire to advance the lives of women and girls and my interest in women and philanthropy. I am most proud of the number of women and girls who have been served, the high regard in which WFNH is held in NH and nationally, and the Women’s Fund’s ability to stabilize and grow as a lasting resource. Growth of the endowment will ensure this future.”

Rebecca Pepper Sinkler, Sandwich

“I was part of the rebellious founding of Women's Way in Philadelphia, way back in 1978 or so. What started as a protest ended as a just- plain good idea. Congrats to all who started the Women's Fund of New Hampshire and may you, the Fund and all its donors and grantees thrive.”

Mary Scheu Teach, New London

“Knowing I have five daughters and an interest in working with women and children, Molly Potter Scheu encouraged me to become a founder of WFNH. It has been most rewarding to learn that my initial investment has positively impacted so many agencies and learning centers addressing the needs of young women and children. I foresee the high caliber people and programs of the Women’s Fund reaching out to benefit many more recipients.”

Jody Thomas, Greenland

“Becoming a founder was a timely opportunity to give back to my adopted state via the women and children of NH. The commitment to fund grants for our local communities pleased me most. I foresee increased financial support through corporations and donor programs such as the Leadership Circle to provide permanent resources. WFNH’s greatest asset is a committed, talented director and staff who make all this happen.”

Susan Werner Thoresen, Portsmouth

“I have cared about women’s issues for many years and did not think these concerns were being adequately addressed or funded in NH. I am most pleased that this organization seeks to address the critical needs of women and girls. It is essential to grow the endowment to provide sustainability for the organization. I would like to see the Women’s Fund focus on one or two key issues at a time to make NH a better place to live and work for women and girls.”

Elsie P. van Buren, Hancock

When asked some years ago why she chose to support the Women's Fund, Elsie cited her experience that boys were often provided educational opportunities not made available to girls. She wanted to ensure that girls and women were offered the kinds of educational opportunities that would allow them to reach their full potential.

Mary Alice Warner, Center Harbor

“I heard about the Women’s Fund from Barb Zeckhausen and wanted to support it, knowing how important women are to the life of our communities. I am excited to see grants going to a wonderfully inspiring variety of efforts by women all over the state. WFNH’s greatest accomplishment is the involvement of hundreds of women as donors, board and committee members, staff, conferences attendees and grantee partners.”

Ruth Jeffers Wellington, Pikeh

“I became involved with the Women’s Fund because I was enthusiastic about an organization that was going to be addressing women’s issues. It’s important that the Women’s Fund is able to reach a broad and diverse range of service recipients, those most in need, through existing non-profit networks. How wonderful that this has been sustained over all these years, and WFNH has grown in influence and visibility!”

Perry Forbes Williamson, Hanover

“Founding executive director Martha Cunningham’s description of the mission of the Women’s Fund paralleled my interest in encouraging young women and girls to gain confidence to improve their circumstances. I am most proud of how the grants have expanded the realms of what is possible for women and girls. Growing the endowment will ensure organizational sustainability and increased grants. We are making a difference!”

Anne Zachos, Manchester

“When I heard the first whisperings of creating a Women’s Fund, I found it immensely appealing. Through our family’s involvement in community and charitable work it seemed to me that issues of particular significance to women and children were not being addressed. WFNH was our chance. Many issues addressed by the Women’s Fund have touched my head and my heart. We will always need a Women’s Fund!”