Our History

Origins

In 2012, William & Mary created the Women & Philanthropy Task Force to examine why and how women are inspired to give of their time, talent and treasure to our alma mater. The work of the task force informed the hiring of W&M’s first Director of Alumnae Initiatives, Valerie Cushman, and led to the formation in 2016 of the Women & Philanthropy Leadership Circle, comprised of 23 alumnae and one honorary alumnus.

That same year, the Leadership Circle created the Alumnae Initiatives Endowment with the goal of attracting 100 donors to contribute $10,000 each over a five-year period. The first gifts were recorded in December 2016 and two months later, the organization took on the name “the Society of 1918,” a nod to the year that women undergraduates first attended William & Mary.

The Society continued to grow and evolve from year to year. A permanent steering committee structure, membership criteria, mission and vision were adopted. By October 2017, the Alumnae Initiatives Endowment had achieved the goal of a $1 million dollar endowment and 100 founding members. A new goal of $1.918 million was set and that, too, was reached nine months later.

Growth and Engagement

In March 2018, the Society of 1918 hosted its first member-exclusive event on campus, “All Aboard.” In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of women students at William & Mary, the Society also held its inaugural signature event, W&M Women’s Weekend, later that year. The university’s first female president, Katherine A. Rowe, a proud Society member herself, delivered the keynote address. Having raised $2.65 million at that point, a new goal of $4 million for the Alumnae Initiatives Endowment was announced.

Many events followed, as the Society forged new traditions for alumnae at William & Mary. Fostering the opportunity to connect with alumnae and providing stimulating programming are foundational objectives of the Society of 1918. In 2019, Thriving Tribe, a member-exclusive event, was held on campus and the first “Grow. Gather. Give.” event was held in Washington, D.C. This event is hosted annually and is now affectionately known as G3.

Investing in Women

Our name honors the trailblazers who opened W&M’s doors to women in 1918, doors that we walk through more than a century later. By uplifting alumnae and current students on campus, the Society of 1918 builds upon the legacy of those who came before us by providing opportunities for those who follow.

The Society harnesses and directs the philanthropic power of William & Mary women. Since its inception, the Society of 1918 has awarded more than $100K in grants to 28 faculty, staff and students, underwriting positions and fellowships on campus and funding research and other programs and events that empower women.

The Society also invests in its members by providing opportunities for professional growth, including the creation of the Navigating Transitions program with executive coach-led cohorts, as well as forging mentorship opportunities.