ABOUT NCWI

Our Vision:

A world in which women innovators receive mainstream recognition encouraging girls to equally participate in studying and solving global needs.

Our Mission:

Showcase and promote the forgotten achievements of women innovators through high-tech educational platforms and programs which inspires and teaches girls to use their technical and innovative skills to solve world challenges and help fill workforce demand.

Our History:

Since its launch in 2023, NCWI has boldly propelled itself as a key influencer in awakening society about how women innovators have improved the world and specifically expanded the interest of girls to pursue STEM and innovative thinking, working in alliance with academic, corporate, and other not for-profits.

Women Innovators
Change the World

The National Center of Women’s Innovations was founded by author and activist Jane Plitt in response to the lack of recognition for women innovators in history. Plitt’s research into Martha Matilda Harper, who pioneered modern retail franchising and invented the reclining shampoo chair, highlighted the gap in acknowledging women’s contributions. Harper, a poor servant, opened the first franchise in 1891, long before McDonald’s, and grew her business to over 500 global locations. Without the diligent preservation of Harper’s records by her franchisees and their families, her story might have been lost to time.

Our
Accomplishments

In 2024, NCWI focused on turning its ambitious goals into tangible programs with measurable results. Key achievements included:

Partnering with Rosie Riveters to launch the Dr. Gladys West GPS Challenge in DC, inspiring a dramatic increase in STEM interest among 3rd-5th grade girls, from 11% to 63%.

Collaborating with Virginia Tech and Trimble to design and fabricate the Dr. Gladys West mobile exhibit, debuting at the VT Center of Innovation in January 2025.

Expanding the women innovators database to over 1,300 entries and exploring permanent homes for the collection

Building strategic relationships with over 50 influential leaders, organizations, politicians, community leaders, and key partners like Google, NASA, and Dominion Energy.

2025 Plan of Action

This year, the NCWI will focus on expanding its impact and visibility in 2025 with key initiatives:

Exhibits

  • Launch the Dr. Gladys West Traveling Exhibit, underwritten by Trimble, at Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus from January – June.
  • Begin a national tour of the exhibit with educational programming in July.
  • Engage 50+ student groups and conducting hands-on GPS Challenge programs in partnership with Rosie Riveters.

Programming

  • Launch Women Start Your Engines program to highlight women innovators in the automative and racing industries.
  • Create pop-up campaign showcasing women’s car/racing innovations.
  • Promote STEM engagement through hands on programs at IMSA races, highlighting Driver Christina Lam, and collaborating with the International Motor Racing Research Center.
  • Conduct 10+ programs across the U.S. to engage girls in STEM, with a focus on women in auto racing.

Infrastructure and growth

  • Partner with data file providers to increase public access to NCWI’s research.
  • Upgrade website and donor systems for organizational growth.
  • Hire professional staff to advance day-to-day operations and grow Board to provide strategic direction for the future of the organization.

Your support allows the National Center of Women’s Innovations to have greater reach and to impact the lives of more women. Please consider supporting this important cause.

Donate Now

“The National Women’s Hall of Fame applauds the effort of the National Center of Women’s Innovation to showcase the forgotten stories of women innovators and use their stories and technical solutions to inspire others.   We look forward to working together to recognize extraordinary American women.”

– National Women’s Hall of Fame