Women's Connection:
Your Link to Community and Federation


Our Mission
The mission of Women’s Connection is to bring women in the St. Louis community together to demonstrate the impact of women’s philanthropy and leadership.

We provide an opportunity for every woman in the St. Louis Jewish community to affirm her Jewish identity and inspire other Jewish women to establish themselves as partners in our community.  Women’s Connection programming will be ongoing throughout the year and will provide opportunities for leadership and giving.

The History of Women’s
Involvement in Jewish Federation
The Jewish Federation of St. Louis was founded in 1901. In 1948, Federation established a Women’s Division to help strengthen women’s philanthropy by encouraging women to give their own gift to the Jewish community & help develop them into high-level leaders who could hold top leadership roles in the Jewish Community. 

In 1987, the Business & Professional Women’s group was formed specifically to reach out to working women in the St. Louis Jewish community and provide them with leadership development and networking.  

In 2005, leaders from Women’s Division and Business & Professional Women groups realized there is far more strength in women working together to achieve philanthropic goals and leadership roles.  They wanted one clear voice in the community for all to hear, thus Women’s Connection was formed.

What Women’s Connection Can do for You
The Women's Connection provides an opportunity for every woman to affirm her Jewish identity, connect with each other and inspire other Jewish women to establish themselves as full partners in our St. Louis Jewish community.  As a place for women of all ages, backgrounds, interests, lifestyles and income levels,  Women’s Connection supports and enhances Jewish community life in St. Louis and Israel through fundraising efforts and leadership development. 

Why Women’s Philanthropy
As women increase their share of authority over America's wealth, Jewish women in particular are setting the standards for creative philanthropic giving and commitment to future generations.  In 2005, women in the St. Louis Jewish community contributed more than $2.5 million dollars in their own names to Jewish Federation’s $10.6 million annual community campaign.

Top 10 Reasons to give a gift in your own name

As women are achieving parity with men in courtrooms, boardrooms and operating rooms, so must they assume equal responsibility with men for saving, sustaining and enriching Jewish lives.  By giving as individuals, women can stand up and truly be counted.  When women work together as partners they can achieve much more than any one woman can do alone!

Women’s Giving Societies
Please Click here for more information.


Contact Lynn Harris Gossen at 314.442.3729 or lgossen@jfedstl.org if you have any questions or are interested in getting involved with Women’s Connection.