In the Chicago metropolitan area, the members of Council 9 of the Polish Women’s Alliance of America, District I, invested in what was called a “home for women”. Their desire was to provide reasonably priced rental units for the members of the PWA. While the project remained modest with an apartment building on the north side of Chicago, the occupancy and upkeep became a difficulty. When this building was sold, the resulting money became the beginning of the WEF.
Originally, the Foundation thought of helping the elderly and disabled. As the Bylaws developed, however, the WEF added the scholarship component. Through prudent management of the assets, the Foundation has grown to nearly twice its original size, and at this time, approximately $600,000 in grants have been distributed since its inception.