Women Non-Profit Organizations in Tennessee

Founded in 2018 with a mission to empower women and men in the real estate profession, the Women's Council of NAREB Memphis Chapter has grown into a cornerstone organization serving the Memphis, Tennessee community and surrounding regions. This professional organization traces its roots to the Women's Council of NAREB, established nationally in 1971, and carries forward a legacy of advancing professional standards and creating meaningful opportunities for real estate professionals. The Memphis chapter launched with dedicated founding leadership and has expanded its board and membership as the local economy has strengthened. More than just a networking club, the Women's Council of NAREB Memphis Chapter operates as a mission-driven organization committed to elevating industry standards through education, leadership development, and community service. The organization provides scholarships to youth, down payment assistance programs, and financial literacy education to both members and the broader public. By fostering exchange of information through collaborative learning techniques, the chapter helps members increase their knowledge and expertise while contributing to fair housing practices and equal opportunity in real estate. The Memphis chapter represents the values of its parent organization, which has advocated for housing equity and economic opportunity since 1947, making it a trusted partner for professional development and community advancement in Memphis.

Founded in 1983 by pioneering women attorneys in Knoxville, Tennessee, the East Tennessee Lawyers' Association for Women represents a 40-year commitment to fostering personal and professional growth while advancing women in the legal profession and society. ETLAW was established by female attorneys who recognized the need to organize and connect women practicing law throughout the East Tennessee area, creating a supportive community that has grown to include members across the judiciary and every major practice area. The organization's mission extends beyond professional development to encompass meaningful community engagement and social responsibility. ETLAW members participate annually in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and conduct toiletry drives benefiting the YWCA, demonstrating the organization's dedication to supporting women in the broader community. The association has cultivated deep partnerships with the University of Tennessee College of Law, Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law, and the YWCA, working collaboratively to advance opportunities for women in law and society. Member testimonials highlight ETLAW's unique ability to balance professional development with genuine friendship and meaningful relationships, with attorneys crediting their ETLAW board experience and network connections with career advancement and professional growth. For over four decades, ETLAW has provided a welcoming community where women lawyers in Knoxville and East Tennessee can develop professionally, support one another, and collectively advocate for women's advancement in the legal profession.

Since its founding in 2019, Women in Music Nashville has emerged as a vital community hub dedicated to advancing equality and opportunity for women in the music industry. This Nashville, Tennessee chapter is built on the conviction that diversity, heritage, and cultural representation strengthen the entire music ecosystem. The organization brings together passionate professionals who share a commitment to supporting one another's growth and success while contributing to meaningful industry change. What sets Women in Music Nashville apart is its grassroots approach to building community and driving systemic change. The chapter's volunteer-led leadership team works tirelessly to create spaces where women can share knowledge, develop professionally, and celebrate achievements together. Rather than operating in isolation, Women in Music Nashville is part of a global movement, connecting local members with resources, mentorship, and opportunities at the national level. The organization recognizes that true progress comes through collective action and mutual support. By fostering relationships among women in music—from songwriters and producers to managers and executives—Women in Music Nashville is helping to reshape the Nashville music landscape into one where women's voices, talents, and leadership are fully valued and celebrated.

Since its founding 20 years ago, the Memphis Area Women's Council has been the advocacy voice for women in Greater Memphis, Tennessee, working on issues that matter most when women need it most. MAWC is a nonprofit organization built on the principle that research and grassroots activism together create lasting community change. With a membership of individuals and organizations, MAWC focuses exclusively on advocacy and policy change rather than direct service provision, positioning itself as a catalyst for systemic transformation in the Memphis area. The heart of MAWC's mission is connecting women's experiences with data and evidence to challenge local policies and practices that limit opportunities for women and girls. The organization has built deep community relationships through programs like WomenTalk, a gathering space for meaningful dialogue; the Women of Achievement awards, which celebrate and document the leadership of Memphis women; and Memphis Says NO MORE, which raises awareness about domestic violence and connects people to resources. MAWC's court watch efforts, workplace safety initiatives, and educational equity work demonstrate a commitment to addressing the toughest issues facing women in Memphis—from domestic violence to economic inequality to harassment in schools and workplaces. What sets MAWC apart in the Memphis, TN community is its unwavering focus on lifting women's voices during their most vulnerable moments, particularly around safety and rights. The organization's 20-year track record includes victories that have reshaped city policy, from ending corporal punishment in schools to establishing protections for domestic violence victims. MAWC invites community members to become changemakers by joining the organization and supporting its mission to ensure that women in Greater Memphis have the advocacy, data, and collective power needed to shape their own futures.

For more than two decades, the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis has served as a catalyst for transforming lives and strengthening communities across Memphis, Tennessee. WFGM is fundamentally an organization of women helping women—connecting philanthropists, leaders, and advocates who share a vision of empowerment and economic opportunity. The foundation's mission centers on encouraging philanthropy and fostering leadership among women while supporting programs that unlock the full potential of women and children in the Memphis area. What distinguishes WFGM is its holistic, two-generation approach to poverty reduction, which recognizes that sustainable change requires addressing both immediate challenges and building pathways for long-term family stability. The organization functions as a community backbone, bringing together diverse stakeholders—from business leaders to nonprofit partners—to coordinate efforts and multiply impact. WFGM's vision reflects a deep commitment to creating a community of well-being and prosperity where women live in sufficiency, strength, and safety, actively sharing their leadership and empowering the next generation. With hundreds of collaborative partnerships spanning local and national networks, WFGM demonstrates that meaningful change emerges when women unite around shared values and purpose. The foundation's 20+ year track record in Memphis reveals a consistent dedication to listening to community needs, investing strategically in solutions, and creating conditions where women and families can thrive.

Founded on August 28, 1946, Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Memphis Chapter stands as one of the first ten chapters of the national organization, with a rich legacy of community leadership and family-centered service in Memphis, Tennessee. Initiated by visionary mothers including Mrs. Lillian Perry, who brought the organization's mission from Philadelphia to Memphis, the chapter has grown from its original fifteen charter members into a thriving community of mothers committed to nurturing the next generation of African-American leaders. The Memphis Chapter represents more than seven decades of continuous engagement at local, regional, and national levels. The organization's deep roots in the Memphis community are reflected in its partnerships with locally renowned institutions like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and its ongoing commitment to supporting families and building community strength. Members have shaped the organization nationally, including serving as National President and contributing to national initiatives around health equity and community development. What sets the Memphis Chapter apart is its multigenerational approach to leadership development—creating pathways for mothers, teens, and children to grow together while making tangible differences in the Memphis, TN community. From hosting major regional conferences that brought hundreds of participants to the city, to fostering teen leaders who have served regionally and nationally, the chapter embodies a tradition of excellence and service. The organization's Associates group, officially chartered in 2004, expanded the chapter's reach and impact. Today, Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Memphis Chapter continues this legacy, providing mothers and families with opportunities to develop leadership skills, engage in meaningful volunteer work, and contribute to the social and economic advancement of their community.