Merle Chambers knew she wanted to change the world. As the president of Chambers Family Fund, she vowed to uplift the lives of women and girls. And she knew exactly where to start: Oklahoma, Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota. In these four rugged states, her family had thrived in the oil and gas business, and it was here that women faced an uphill battle for equity, safety, wellbeing and prosperity. Motivated by gratitude and a deep sense of duty, Merle established charitable foundations to advocate for women and girls in these states. 

In 2003, the Women’s Foundation of Oklahoma was created with a challenge grant from the Chambers Family Fund. The Foundation is an endowed fund of Communities Foundation of Oklahoma, and it’s focused on building lasting resources for women and girls. To foster a sense of ownership, Merle encouraged the advisory board to raise $500,000 in five years, promising to match every dollar raised. Together, we achieved that goal a year ahead of schedule. 

Since its inception, the Women’s Foundation of Oklahoma has distributed over $1.3 million in grants promoting economic self-sufficiency and brighter futures. More than $500,000 has sustained educational opportunities for single mothers and parent students at Oklahoma’s higher education institutions. 

In 2023, the Foundation held its first Convening of Women’s Voices and embarked on an ambitious new direction. Today, we continue to grant to a diverse array of organizations, aiming to amplify voices and create lasting impact for future generations.