Her-Story
of Cities
Celebrating magnificent women who have made remarkable contributions toward the betterment of their cities
BRINGING TOGETHER HER-VOICE & DAYLIGHTING
THE CRITICAL ROLE OF WOMEN FOR CITIES
This site is inspired by so many amazing women – some who I call friends, some who I have worked with and some who I have admired from a distance.
A special shout-out to the 34 women of the IWF Women's’ Fellowship Class of 2011-2012 with whom I explored leadership from all angles. This site is the legacy from that year.
WOMEN ARE THE KEY TO A HOPEFUL FUTURE FOR CITIES
In 2008, for the first time in history, more than half of our human population, 3.3 billion people, will be living in urban areas. By 2030, this is expected to swell to almost 5 billion. Half of these will be women.
People are moving to urban areas seeking new opportunities, new options, freedom in choices, and better resources. Women, in particular, believe that they can improve their status, position, and their children’s opportunities by seeking work and educational opportunities for themselves or their children in the cities. Many even venture beyond their own countries in search of a better quality of life. Billions of women have an important role to play in building the cities of tomorrow.
In a time of the pandemic, anti-racism protests, and a global economic downturn, the opportunities for women to rise are at risk. The data is showing that women and young girls are being disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. NOW is a critical moment to elevate women of diverse backgrounds into the spotlight, to support them, as they hold the ground for those that need to come after. Our cities depend on this.
I am Leslie Woo .
