In the summer of 2017, an executive in Winston-Salem read a news article about how an executive in Los Angeles was addressing the gender gap in her industry. That article sparked a question:  "How can we close the gender gap here in our community?" 

 

She called a friend, who called a friend, who called other friends. In August of 2017, 14 diverse working women, mostly strangers, met to discuss the gender gap. They shared frustrations, regrets, hopes, and dreams. The sense of safety and solidarity was so powerful that they decided to meet again... and again. 

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As their vision for a network grew, a clear mission took shape. In 2018, the group became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In January of 2019, the original 14 founders each invited one woman to join the effort. What started as a safe place to seek counsel and encouragement evolved into a team of collaborators committed to recognizing, encouraging, advancing, and connecting women in the workplace. 

 

In mid-2019, the REACH Women's Network was approached by Salem Academy and College with the opportunity to assume leadership of its annual women's conference. In February of 2020, the REACH Women's Network hosted the first REACH Conference for Women in Winston-Salem. Soon after, the organization opened membership for the first time.

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Today, the REACH Women's Network has a membership of more than 160 women, and reaches thousands in our community through programming, the annual REACH Women's Conference, and the Community Survey of Women in the Workplace.