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Independent Women vs. transgender people


Independent Women (IW), also known as Independent Women’s Forum (IWF), is a conservative American nonprofit involved in promoting anti-feminist, sex segregationist, and anti-transgender causes. Anti-trans and ex-trans activists serve as IWF ambassadors. IW was appointed as an advisory board member of Project 2025, the anti-trans policy blueprint for Donald Trump’s second presidential term.

Background

In 1992, a group of conservative women organized Women for Judge Thomas to support the Supreme Court nomination of Clarence Thomas. The group was formed amid allegations by Anita Hill and others who reportedly witnessed Thomas engaging in sexist conduct.

Independent Women’s Forum was founded in 1992 by Rosalie Silberman, Anita K. Blair, and Barbara Olson. IWF grew by holding luncheons and other networking events that catered to prominent Republican women in Washington, D.C.

IW claims to support “equity feminism,” which they see in opposition to “gender feminism.”

Programs and projects

Independent Women’s Forum remains the official name of the 501(c)3 nonprofit, but starting around 2019, the organization began using the shortened name Independent Women as an umbrella name. Independent Women’s Voice is a separate 501(c)(4) advocacy organization.

IW operates several centers with staff and fellows:

  • Center for Economic Opportunity
  • Center for Energy and Conservation
  • Education Freedom Center
  • Center for American Safety and Security
  • Center for AI and Technology
  • Independent Women’s Law Center
    • Litigation in anti-trans cases

IW also operates several programs:

  • Independent Women’s Network (IWN)
  • Fellowship Program
  • State Action program (model legislation and state advocacy)
  • Champion Women Networking
  • Independent Women’s Features (storytelling initiative)

Podcasts

IW has produced several podcasts, including

She Thinks (2015–present)

Problematic Women (2018–2020) [originally produced by Daily Signal]

  • Kelsey Bolar [nĂ©e Kelsey Harkness] (host 2018–2020)

High Noon (2019–2024)

The Bespoke Parenting Podcast (2021–2022)

  • Emily Washburn (host 2021–2022)

Women for America (2021)

Working for Women (2022–2023)

IW Features

IW Features is a storytelling project that solicits and posts profiles of anti-transgender activists, with a focus on the ex-trans movement. They produce articles and videos with testimonials from people who believe they were harmed by “gender ideology.”

Cruel and Unusual Punishment (series opposing transgender prisoner accommodation in women’s prisons)

  • Jennifer Barela
  • Hector Bravo Ferrel 
  • Dana Gray
  • Amie Ichikawa
  • Crystal Jackson
  • Channel Johnson
  • Tomiekia Johnson
  • Alissa Kamholz
  • Cathleen Quinn
  • Richard Valdemar

Save Sisterhood (program opposing trans women in sororities)

  • Allie Coghan
  • Hannah Holtmeier 
  • Maddie Ramar
  • Jaylyn Westenbroek

Opposition to trans athletes in sex-segregated sports

Hold the Line: volleyball

  • Sia Liilii

Tee Time: golf

  • Hannah Arnold
  • Cristiana Ciasca
  • Alison Crenshaw
  • Lauren Miller
  • Olivia Schmidt
  • ZoĂ« Walker

Ex-trans activism

One series is titled “Identity Crisis” and features ex-trans activists, including:

Unaccepting family members

  • “Jennifer” (unnaccepting parent)
  • “Susie” (unnaccepting parent)
  • “Michael West” (unnaccepting parent)
  • “Carla Cook” (unnaccepting grandparent)
  • “Lydia Smith” (unnaccepting grandparent)
  • Jeannette Cooper Srivastava (unnaccepting parent)
  • Penka Kouneva aka “Vera Lindner” (unnaccepting parent)

Anti-trans activists

“Assault on Womanhood” stories

IWF also features stories of sex segregationists engaged in attacking transgender athletes, prisoners, and trans inclusion in other sex-segregated traditions.

People

Board of Directors

  • Heather R. Higgins – Chair
  • Giovanna Cugnasca
  • Nan Hayworth
  • Larry Kudlow
  • Adele Malpass
  • Abby Moffat
  • Mike Rydin
  • Dick Weiss

Staff

Fellows

Ambassadors

Contributors

Media

Independent Women (April 8, 2026). New Mexico Women: What’s Happening in Our Communities? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2h83i5Hzcc

Independent Women with Kayla Lovdahl (March 12, 2026). Identity Crisis: The Detransitioner the Courts Turned Away. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL2mf7AnCHE

Independent Women with Gareth Amaya Price and Simon Amaya Price (November 19, 2025). Identity Crisis: Defying the Transgender Lobby to Save His Son. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk6GxP1jR-E

Independent Women with Simon Amaya Price (October 6, 2025). Identity Crisis: Breaking Free From the Transgender Contagion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAYCQB8qFL4

Independent Women with Luke Healy and Michelle Rodgers (August 11, 2025). Identity Crisis: A Mother’s Instinct vs. the Transgender Industry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uJ-6nef-B0

Independent Women with Claire Abernathy and Carrie Abernathy (June 9, 2025). Identity Crisis: Parents Are Victims of Gender Ideology, Too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lan4hXD9Qes

Independent Women with Claire Abernathy and Carrie Abernathy (April 28, 2025). Identity Crisis: Mother and Daughter Expose Medical Industry’s Transgender Lies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj1OUvFZM4A

Independent Women with Sia Liilii (January 17, 2025). Hold the Line: College Volleyball Team Captain Stands Firm Against Male Opponent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOiFQI-RNrU

Independent Women with Channel Johnson (December 11, 2024). Cruel & Unusual Punishment: Inmate Says “Trans” Male Prisoner Manipulated Her into Relationship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGIvLjBMNNE

Independent Women with ZoĂ« Walker (December 4, 2024). Tee Time: Keep Women’s Golf Female feat. ZoĂ« Walker [Ep. 6]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lydUKEsNLZg

Independent Women with Alison Crenshaw (December 3, 2024). Tee Time: Keep Women’s Golf Female feat. Alison Crenshaw [Ep. 5]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr7T047_nxI

Independent Women with Cristiana Ciasca (November 30, 2024). Tee Time: Keep Women’s Golf Female feat. Cristiana Ciasca [Ep. 4]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8VdU5VBgqU

Independent Women with Olivia Schmidt (November 25, 2024). Tee Time: Keep Women’s Golf Female feat. Olivia Schmidt [Ep. 3]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldh4EN73lAA

Independent Women with Hannah Arnold (November 20, 2024). Tee Time: Keep Women’s Golf Female feat. Hannah Arnold [Ep. 2]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-ZHH_CKHCw

Independent Women with Lauren Miller (November 18, 2024). Tee Time: Keep Women’s Golf Female feat. Lauren Miller [Ep. 1]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSMsc3ZrTzQ

Independent Women with Crystal Jackson (October 31, 2024). Cruel & Unusual Punishment: Trans Prison Policy Robbed Female Inmate of Her Right to Practice Islam. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pg-hGRR9LA

Independent Women with Cathleen Quinn (September 25, 2024). Cruel & Unusual Punishment: Female Inmate Loses Parole After Objecting to Transgender Prison Policy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFno5ErJJGw

Independent Women with Cristina Hineman (August 7, 2024). Identity Crisis: The Detransitioner Taking on Planned Parenthood. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AdJCMgq3hc

Independent Women with Riley Gaines, Martina Navratilova, Kim Russell, Payton McNabb, May Mailman, Cameron Norris, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Cynthia Lummis, Joni Ernst, Tommy Tuberville, Virginia Foxx (August 1, 2024). PRESS CALL: Biden-Harris Administration’s Unlawful Title IX Rewrite. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWnOjSrW8hg

Independent Women with Alissa Kamholz (July 31, 2024). Cruel & Unusual Punishment: Female Rape Victim Shares Trauma of Living Behind Bars With a Man. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMFDVH6jWlU

Independent Women with Dana Gray (July 31, 2024). Cruel & Unusual Punishment: Female Inmate Alleges A Male Inmate “Shoved His D*ck” In Her Face. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dICQ0ehzYHE

Independent Women with Tomiekia Johnson (July 29, 2024). Cruel & Unusual Punishment: Female Inmate Blasts Policies Forcing Her to Live With Men [Ep. 8]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqggXCDUs0A

Independent Women with Julie Gunlock and Riley Gaines (July 23, 2024). IWReads Book Club: Swimming Against the Current with Riley Gaines. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyooutmhdIM

Independent Women with Richard Valdemar (July 16, 2024). Cruel & Unusual Punishment: Ret. LASD Sergeant Calls Out ‘Bigotry’ of Prison Self-ID Policy [Ep. 7]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1Ib-9mW1lQ

Independent Women (July 2, 2024). Save Sisterhood: Keep Sororities Female Rally Recap. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrWmMRWWo5M

Independent Women with Prisha Mosley (June 26, 2024). Prisha Mosley: A Detransitioner’s Pregnancy Journey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY6s_wIDUaU

Independent Women with Our Bodies, Our Sports (June 23, 2024). Equality is Not a Game: It’s Time to Take Back Title IX and Save Women’s Sports. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iyJlP4kmA8

Independent Women with “Evelyn Valiente” (May 28, 2024). Cruel & Unusual Punishment: Sexual Assault Victim Shares ‘Trauma’ of Prison’s Trans Policies [Ep 5]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2cpGrXYc94

Independent Women (May 21, 2024). Save Sisterhood Press Conference. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aVA4XKkpb0

Independent Women with May Mailman (May 10, 2024). May Mailman: Lead Counsel in the Kappa Kappa Gamma Lawsuit | She Thinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDRwkNmwJ2Y

Independent Women with Hannah Holtmeier (May 9, 2024). Hannah Holtmeier: Plaintiff in the Kappa Kappa Gamma Lawsuit | She Thinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNfUwevUrdI

Independent Women with Hector Bravo Ferrel (May 8, 2024). Cruel & Unusual Punishment: Prison Guard Resigns After ‘Immoral, Dangerous’ Trans Policies (Ep. 3). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOcBFCLp_rA

Independent Women with Jaylyn Westenbroek (May 8, 2024). Jaylyn Westenbroek: Plaintiff in the Kappa Kappa Gamma Lawsuit | She Thinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVQM2BKoKNs

Independent Women with Maddie Ramar (May 7, 2024). Maddie Ramar: Plaintiff in the Kappa Kappa Gamma Lawsuit | She Thinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODSGL7Zm7Dg

Independent Women with Allie Coghan (May 6, 2024). Allie Coghan: Plaintiff in the Kappa Kappa Gamma Lawsuit | She Thinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6G1cnNlu7c

Independent Women with Meaghan Mobbs (May 3, 2024). Meaghan Mobbs: Stories from the Border | She Thinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7CjZzqBWJg

Independent Women with Adriana McLamb (April 24, 2024). Adriana McLamb: The Fight to End the NCAA’s Discrimination | She Thinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fenvdQeU3kk

Independent Women with Emily Jashinsky and Inez Stepman (April 24, 2024). Title IX Madness and Columbia Selma Envy | High Noon: After Dark. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f6uBcLIwVc

Independent Women with Paula Scanlan, Jocelyne Lamoureux, and Monique Lamoureux (April 11, 2024). Olympians Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux on the Quest for Equality in Women’s Sports | She Thinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG9ffhnW42M

Independent Women with Julie Gunlock and Abigail Shrier (April 7, 2024). IWReads with Abigail Shrier – Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren’t Growing Up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYgRNpRCmxQ

Independent Women with Beverly Hallberg and Eric Kaufmann (April 5, 2024). Eric Kaufmann: Does the Rise of Wokeness Explain the Mental Health Crisis? | She Thinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkhXcj8efUo

Independent Women with Inez Stepman and Madeleine Kearns (April 3, 2024). Madeleine Kearns – How Our Gender Battles Leave Out Truth and the Inadequacies … | High Noon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieIqd1dh0a8

Independent Women with Beverly Hallberg and Madeleine Kearns (March 29, 2024). Madeleine Kearns: The Conflicting Legislation Governing “Gender Transitions” for Minors | She Thinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MMaocLvW50

Independent Women with Amie Ichikawa (March 16, 2024). Cruel & Unusual Punishment: ‘Trans Supremacy’ Inside Women’s Prisons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge5LGy7HnJs

Independent Women with Beverly Hallberg, Amy Jo Clark, and Miriam Weaver on J.K. Rowling (March 15, 2024). Chicks on the Right: How J.K. Rowling is Putting Feminists in Their Place | She Thinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZP6dmHH1YE

Independent Women with Julie Gunlock and Hadley Heath Manning (Mar 12, 2024). Hadley Heath Manning on Medical Malpractice: The AAP Demonizes Non-Affirming Parents | Bespoke. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnfj7xNpuiU

Independent Women with Beverly Hallberg, Macy Gunnell, and Claire Bettag (March 8, 2024). The Two Students Who Successfully Kept Males Out of America’s Last Women-Only Catholic College | She Thinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-Iv7hj_E5k

Independent Women with Jennifer Barela (March 1, 2024). Cruel & Unusual Punishment: Former Inmate Exposes Truth After Women’s Prisons Welcome Men. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Sn5MyVZ5RY

Independent Women with Beverly Hallberg and Lydia Smith (February 23, 2024). Lydia Smith on the “Cult-Like” Mentality of Transgender Ideology in Education | She Thinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we3UnKSJZ7M

Independent Women with Julie Gonlock and May Mailman (February 13, 2024). The Sisterhood in Danger: What Moms Should Know about Sororities | Bespoke. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q85syplSAzI

Independent Women with Julie Gunlock and Leonard Sax (January 30, 2024). Leonard Sax: Do Conservatives Make Better Parents? | Bespoke. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A946K36qdBI

Independent Women with Beverly Hallberg and Barbara Ehardt (January 19, 2024). Barbara Ehardt: Protesting the NCAA’s Policy That Allows Men To Compete Against Women | She Thinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDSmALSQBuE

Independent Women with Inez Stepman and Libby Emmons (Jan 17, 2024). Libby Emmons – The End of the Primary, MLK Jr., and the Legacy of the ’60s | High Noon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FazULEM19zk

Independent Women with Isabelle Ayala (December 13, 2023). Identity Crisis: The Detransitioner Taking on the American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5cTpFzkQSs

Independent Women with Inez Stepman and Spencer Klavan (December 13, 2023). Spencer Klavan – Morality, Art, and Modern Confusion | High Noon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6PRGtgM80s

Independent Women with Beverly Hallberg and Heather Mac Donald (December 1, 2023). Heather Mac Donald: Can We Restore Law and Order in Our Cities? | She Thinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHIbqUa4sLE

Independent Women with Inez Stepman and Batya Ungar-Sargon (November 22, 2023). Batya Ungar-Sargon – On the Future of Antisemitism and of America | High Noon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzD1NiYWU5E

Independent Women with Julie Gunlock and Nicole Solas (November 10, 2023). Nicole Solas: Female Athletes at Risk | Bespoke. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lA82IyDdjk

Independent Women with Beverly Hallberg and Payton McNabb (November 10, 2023). Payton McNabb on Her Injuries Sustained After Competing Against a Biological Male | She Thinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfrjnUg8mkE

Independent Women with Inez Stepman and Mary Margaret Olohan (November 8, 2023). Mary Margaret Olohan – 2020 Protest Redux and Our Media’s Ignorant Befuddlement … | High Noon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X9Az_qJaC4

Independent Women with Inez Stepman, Jennifer Braceras, and Nicki Neily (November 3, 2023). Pronoun Wars: Free Speech or Hate Speech? | At The Bar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tyfv2fVpGQw

Independent Women with Chaya Raichik (October 26, 2023). 2023 Annual Awards Gala | Resilience Award Recipient Chaya Raichik. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbE8HCUBM7k

Independent Women with Beverly Hallberg and Kim Russell (October 6, 2023). Kim Russell: “Burned at the Stake” for Supporting Women’s Sports | She Thinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InKdEzJse1U

Independent Women with Kim Russell (August 29, 2023). Burned at the Stake: One NCAA Coach’s Battle to Protect Women’s Sports. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI_OSkTZINc

Independent Women with Inez Stepman and Christopher Rufo (August 2, 2023). Christopher Rufo – America’s Cultural Revolution and How to Fight It | High Noon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyeKoPttL2I

Independent Women (July 16, 2023). Identity Crisis Trailer: Stories the transgender movement doesn’t want you to hear. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNUcad5txLU

Resources

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

Independent Women (independentwomen.com)

  • Previously Independent Women’s Forum (iwf.org) [archive]

IW Features (iwfeatures.com)

X/Twitter (x.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)