The Sewanee Women’s Alliance celebrates female leadership on the Mountain while raising support for a vital philanthropic goal—growing Sewanee’s scholarship endowment.

The mission of the Sewanee Women’s Alliance (SWA) is to create transformative opportunities for the next generation of all students at Sewanee by harnessing the collective power, expertise, and resources of distinguished women leaders among our alumnae, parents, and friends of the University.

Working together, we are committed to:

  • Raising substantial scholarship funding that makes Sewanee accessible to students who might not otherwise be able to pursue an education on the Mountain.
  • Strengthening Sewanee’s culture of mentorship by connecting successful alumnae with all current students (regardless of gender) to provide guidance, support, and real-world insights that enhance their academic and professional journeys.
  • Cultivating a strong network of women leaders who are dedicated to supporting Sewanee and shaping the future of education.

Historically, women have been underrepresented in alumni leadership positions and in the scope of institutional giving. Women often face different pathways and challenges to becoming involved in alumni activities. The Sewanee Women’s Alliance gives women the opportunity to connect over shared Sewanee experiences—while moving mountains for our students!

While the Sewanee Women’s Alliance is designed for women, anyone can get involved!

  • Full membership is available to women who make endowed scholarship gifts of $100,000 or more. Endowed gifts can be made in a single year or over a period of up to five years. Additionally, they may be named by the donor and designated for students with specific academic interests (e.g., natural sciences) or in preferred geographic locations (e.g., northern Texas).
  • Junior membership is open to women under age 40 who create a scholarship at the $50,000 level. This amount may be contributed in a single year or over a period of up to five years. Junior members are asked to increase their scholarship support to $100,000 once they reach age 40.
  • Everyone can strengthen the SWA's mission by giving to the Halo Fund, which supports scholarships at Sewanee.

In return for their generosity, full members are recognized as part of Sewanee’s Order of the Purple—a society including individuals whose lifetime giving to the University has reached $100,000 or more. 

All members also have the opportunity to engage in student mentorship, attend major benefactor events, and serve on the SWA's Executive Board.

Contributors to the Halo Fund will receive special communications about the impact of their support and will be recognized on the SWA's website.

Interested in becoming a SWA member? Reach out to Associate Vice President for Advancement Terri Griggs Williams, C’81, at twilliam@sewanee.edu or 931.598.1128.

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