History of The White House Project in Timeline

The White House Project was a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing female representation in American institutions, businesses, and government. Its core activities centered on leadership development programs for women, campaign training initiatives, and efforts to promote positive portrayals of female leaders in the media. The organization aimed to empower women and advance gender equality across various sectors of American society.

1998: The White House Project Founded

In 1998, Marie C. Wilson founded The White House Project. The organization was headquartered in New York City.

2002: The 2002 EPIC Awards

In 2002, The EPIC Awards honored individuals who presented positive images of women leaders in pop culture venues including: Dr. Renee Poussaint, Camille Cosby, Geraldine Laybourne, Ted Nelson, Mullen Advertising, Walter Anderson, Jenifer Lewis, and Tammy Ader. Val Ackerman also received an award for showcasing female athletes.

2003: The 2003 EPIC Awards

In 2003, the EPIC awards honored cultural works that normalized women leadership, including the films Bend It Like Beckham, Blue Vinyl, Frida, The Powerpuff Girls Movie, Rabbit-Proof Fence, Real Women Have Curves, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, and Whale Rider; commercials from MasterCard International, McCann-Erickson WorldGroup, Reebok International Ltd., Berlin Cameron Red Cell, the Girl Scouts, and Kaplan Thaler Group; the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charms for the Easy Life, Damaged Care, Homeless to Harvard, and The Division; and Julie Foudy.

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2004: Hearst Magazine's Election Year Articles

In 2004, Hearst Magazine published Election Year articles that were later honored at the 2005 EPIC Awards for promoting positive images of women.

2005: The 2005 EPIC Awards

In 2005, the EPIC awards went to Hearst Magazine for their 2004 Election Year articles, CHISHOLM '72 - Unbought & Unbossed, Oscar winner Born Into Brothels, and TV's The West Wing.

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2006: The 2006 EPIC Awards

In 2006, The EPIC Awards recognized actress Geena Davis, Rod Lurie, Participant Productions, Carolyn Buck-Luce of Ernst & Young, Joann Heffernan Heisen of Johnson & Johnson, and Deborah Elam of General Electric.

2006: The White House Project's Corporate Council Founded

In 2006, The White House Project founded the Corporate Council to engage senior businesswomen with government policy issues, private philanthropy, academia, and business. Members included Bank of America, Barbie, Best Buy, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and HBO.

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2007: The 2007 EPIC Awards

In 2007, the EPIC awards honored Jean King, Sheila Nevins, Barbara Kopple, Cecilia Peck, KeKe Palmer, Nancy Hult Ganis, Abigail E. Disney, Leymah Gbowee, Gini Reticker, Marjane Satrapi, Kathleen Kennedy, and Glamour magazine, for bringing images of women's leadership to a global audience.

2008: The 2008 EPIC Awards

On April 17, 2008, the EPIC Awards celebrated the 10th anniversary of The White House Project, honoring the "Circle of 10" women: Barbara Bridges, Anne Delaney, Barbara Dobkin, Julie Gilbert, Mellody Hobson, Helen LaKelly Hunt, Swanee Hunt, Deborah Slaner Larkin, Linda Riefler, and J. Christine Wilson.

March 30, 2009: The 2009 EPIC Awards

On March 30, 2009, the EPIC awards were held at the U.N. Headquarters in New York City and hosted by Soledad O’Brien of CNN. Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye, Maria Teresa Petersen, Rosario Dawson, and The Lifetime Network's Every Woman Counts campaign were all awarded.

April 7, 2010: The 2010 EPIC Awards

On April 7, 2010, The White House Project hosted the annual EPIC Awards at the IAC Building in New York City, celebrating women's leadership in media and popular culture. Awards were presented to the film Yes, Madam. Sir, Sheryl WuDunn, and Ally Woodard.

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April 7, 2011: The 2011 EPIC Awards

On April 7, 2011, The White House Project hosted the 9th annual EPIC Awards, honoring Marie C. Wilson, Gabi Wilson, Duane Baughman, Doug Liman, John Schreiber, Ben Hauser, and Dee Rees for their advocacy of women's leadership in popular culture and media.