Women’s Informal Network, a 501c3 nonprofit organization has been empowering African American Women in Metropolitan Detroit for 30 years. Founded in 1992 by Patricia A. Cole, WIN’s mission is to promote growth and development of African American Women in Metropolitan Detroit.
Ms. Cole realized that woman made up 50% of Detroit’s population at that time and were not adequately represented. Ms. Cole brought together 57 women who shared her vision of celebrating, supporting and nurturing African American Women. WIN continues to promote the highest standard of achievement, in Education, Economics, Power, Political, and Networking. Promoting the highest standard of achievement, education social and economic awareness and sisterhood is the driving force behind WIN’s unification. WIN’s initiatives are to continue to thrive in these areas.
Since 1995, WIN has honored the contributions of 500 African American Women representing all areas of professional vocations. WIN supports several programs and initiatives including:
- Heads-Up, a girl mentoring program
- Holiday Gift Card Program for families, and provided financial support to several charitable organization
- Detroit Area on Aging’s Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, St. Patrick’s Senior Center
- AugMe Foundation which makes prostheses for breast cancer patients, and the North End Youth Improvement Council
WIN proudly opened their Women’s Veteran Resource Center to provide information on housing, job training and opportunities to returning female veterans.