About WWHF
Innovate – Impact – Improve
The Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation’s mission is to innovate, impact, and improve women’s health throughout the state.
A Message From Our Director
We are so grateful for those who support us in our mission to innovate, impact and improve women’s health. Serving over 7,000 women each year is a big job! I am humbled to be part of this work.
— Tommi Thompson, Executive Director
Our Programs
WWHF services and research initiatives are rooted in evidence-based prevention. We focus on the diseases and conditions with the greatest impact on Wisconsin women’s wellness. Our programs are always free and accessible to anyone who needs them.
Free Health Education
Connect with trusted health information, support and resources to help prevent chronic disease and achieve your fullest potential.
Health Information and Referral
Find health services with the help of a live person over phone, email, searchable database, and more.
Smoking Cessation & Substance Use
Learn strategies — and get support — to address smoking and substance use during and after your pregnancy.
Other Initiatives
Emily’s Story
“You have cancer.” These three words moved our Database and Evaluation Manager into the world of mammograms, biopsies and mastectomies, ushering her into membership of a club she never hoped she would join.
Emily wants to share her story to provide clarity to the importance of early detection and empower women to take control of their healthcare.
Utilize Our Services
Our programs are free and accessible to anyone who needs assistance.
We serve all 72 counties of Wisconsin.
Education
1812
WOMEN IN 2023
GrapeVine volunteer partners conducted 117 community-based health education sessions in 2023.
Screening & Access
3153
WOMEN IN 2023
I&R Specialists with the Well Badger Resource Center make thousands of health and information referrals to services in Wisconsin.
Perinatal Health
823
WOMEN IN 2023
By six months postpartum, 79% of enrolled First Breath participants made positive changes to their substance use
I am a school nurse in a relatively poor area of Wisconsin. We have a lot of parents who need encouragement in their health, so that if mom is healthy, the family will be more healthy. I’m so impressed with GrapeVine and the support that is right at our fingertips.
Linnae Seaman, GrapeVine Nurse
HISTORY
How Did We Start?
Sue Ann Thompson, then First Lady of the State, founded the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation in 1997.
As she recovered from breast cancer, she saw that women lacked important information about their health — and she vowed to increase access to quality care and community resources. From there, the mission to innovate, impact and improve women’s health grew and thrived.
It started with an idea, a check and a gold bag. Today, we have a twelve-member Board of Directors comprised entirely of volunteers. More than 30 employees make our work possible.
Our office is centrally located in Madison, and we have outreach staff around the state. Stay in the know with our monthly newsletter!