History and Commitment

A grassroots group of women who have proven that involvement does make a difference!

In 1976, critical issues to the forest products industry were being debated in both the United States Congress and the California State Legislature.  While industry associations such as Associated California Loggers were doing their best to cover all levels, there was an apparent need for additional, informed voices.  Many wives became involved, writing letters, attending meetings and entering the debate.

These women proved to be so effective that they chose to form the first grassroots group in support of the forest products industry and sound forest management.  And so, California Women in Timber was born.

Women in other states soon organized WIT groups in their states.  Today WIT chapters can be found in California, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, South Dakota, and Wyoming, plus a Canadian group in British Columbia.

Federated Women in Timber (FWIT) was created as a loose coalition of all the WIT groups.  It has no formal structure or by-laws and chairmanship of FWIT rotates annually among presidents of the member groups.