ABOUT NCWI
The National Center of Women’s Innovations (NCWI) was born out of Jane Plitt’s frustration with the obscurity of women innovators in history. Her six-year journey to uncover the story of Martha Matilda Harper, who pioneered modern retail franchising and invented the reclining shampoo chair, revealed a profound gap in societal recognition of women’s contributions. Harper, a poor servant, opened the first franchise in 1891, decades before Ray Kroc’s McDonald’s, and grew her business to over 500 global shops, serving dignitaries from U.S. presidents to British royalty. Without the diligent preservation of Harper’s records by her franchisees and their families, her story might have been lost to time.
Realizing the importance of recognizing and celebrating women’s innovations, Plitt founded NCWI in Alexandria, Virginia—a community rich in history and innovation. The center’s mission is to bring these stories to light, reshape societal perceptions, and inspire the next generation of young girls to follow in the footsteps of women innovators. By learning their stories and engaging in hands-on STEM projects, NCWI aims to create a lasting impact on the participation of young girls in innovative fields. The center quickly garnered support from both men and women across various fields, all committed to this transformative mission.
Our Vision:
Create 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 Accomplishments
Since our 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. Here’s how:
- Created age-appropriate videos spotlighting the inspiring stories of women innovators and then working with Rosie Riveters developed aligned hands-on stem training programs that expand girls’ interest in STEM from 11%- 64%!
- Developed a longitudinal tracking agreement with the Washington School for Girls to monitor the actual ongoing interest and pursuit of STEM work with their graduates after taking our programs.
- Formed agreement with Virginia Tech to design and exhibit a traveling, interactive exhibit about Dr. Gladys West, the mathematician whose precise mapping of the world enabled (GPS), the Global Positioning system, something we are dependent on for directing us.
- Pursuing major academic institution for partnership to house NCWI’s searchable, comprehensive database of all women innovators linking associated resources. Announcement of selection will come soon.
- Established, with the help of Holland & Knight, over 25 collegial relationships with key leaders, communities, government entities, schools, corporations, and associations to better promote access and use of available resources.
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.
“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