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The first recorded women's
organization was the Women Leaders Round Table founded in 1936 with
its membership based solely on production from insurance sales. It
served as a recognition program which met annually.
Several years later, because so many of its members were qualifying
for the Million Dollar Round Table, the Women Leaders Round Table
was dissolved to become a Conference of the National Association of
Life Underwriters (NALU), the Women Life Underwriters Conference
(WLUC). Formed in 1979, its primary purpose was to broaden the
overall perspective of women agents. Within three years local
chapters had formed providing training, support and leadership
development opportunities to WLUC members. Most importantly, a
network had been formed of women helping each other develop into the
best professional insurance agents they could be, regardless of
company affiliation.
The Women Life Underwriters Confederation became an independent
insurance industry organization with the support of its members and
corporate sponsors in 1987. A large portion of the existing
leadership and chapters were phased into the new Women Life
Underwriters Confederation.
In 1998 WLUC refocused its direction.
By keeping the WLUC acronym and adding the tag line "Women in
Insurance and Financial Services" it encompassed all women in the
insurance and financial services industry, including (but not
limited to) accountants, attorneys, securities brokers, and
investment advisors. New emphasis was directed toward the four
initiatives of Individual Membership, Corporate Membership,
Education and Public Awareness.
In 2000 the WLUC acronym was replaced by the true acronym and WIFS -
Women in Insurance and Financial Services moved forward with a
renewed emphasis on the membership, education, corporate and public
initiatives.
In 1982, the Dallas chapter was the 2nd chapter to form. Its mission
statement is “To Encourage, Educate and Energize women for their
advancement in the financial services industry.” |