From the time I was young, I was drawn to strong, caring, intentional women. I loved being surrounded by friends my own age, and especially older women who understood that the gospel is lived out through loving and serving others. I still do.
A Legacy of Godly Feminine Influencers
The women in my church growing up—beginning with my mother—showed me something I have never forgotten: when women embrace their divine design and join together for good, challenges can be met and problems can be solved.
These gracious godly women hosted life’s celebrations, served at camps, welcomed youth into their homes, cared for their community, and engaged the culture from the arts to politics. Nothing was outside the reach of their godly feminine influence. The men were essential partners, too, and that faithful cooperation continues to shape me today.
Why This Matters Now
Today, our families, churches, culture, and nation face serious moral challenges. There is a time to identify what is harmful, confront what is false, and speak courageously about emerging issues. We do that in our work at The Legacy Institute and The Carrie Abbott Show.
But public conversation is increasingly driven by outrage. Cancel culture, “gotcha” headlines, angry exchanges, and name-calling win attention and clicks while making thoughtful people hesitant to speak, lead, or pursue real solutions.
Pointing out what is wrong may be necessary, but it is not enough. Lasting change also requires us to show people what is right, true, and life-giving.
A Better Way to Influence
As a mother of five, grandmother of sixteen, national radio host, and nonprofit founder, I have learned that one of the best ways to correct what is wrong is to demonstrate what is right. We teach people by showing them the better way—not merely cataloging their mistakes.
The same principle applies to culture. We can fight what is bad by amplifying what is good: offering proven ideas, modeling better outcomes, training our children well, and speaking truth with grace and courage. Through The Legacy Institute and our radio show and podcast, we’ve spent decades bringing life-giving truth and practical resources into the larger conversation. Many others have as well. It is my contention though, that voices for truth can’t influence and bring about lasting change unless we equip and empower woman in all walks of life, at every age. Especially the next generation of young women and mothers.
Real influence begins close to home, then grows outward. Attention on social media can create a moment; faithful influence can create lasting change and a hopeful future.
The Vision for Influential Women’s Forum
Over the last several years, I sensed the Lord drawing me back to that early vision of strong women joining together for good. I imagined a place connecting influential women already offering life-giving truth through their organizations, ministries, books, businesses, podcasts, art, innovation, and leadership. Recognizing men help women flourish as well, their efforts could be highlighted when appropriate; however, IWF would be a ladies only forum.
I began asking:
What if we amplified the good already being done while addressing what is harmful with wisdom and grace? What if we unified women’s voices on important issues? What if we gathered trusted wisdom, insights and resources to fortify all women, wherever God has called them to influence others—and made that work easy to share with families, friends, churches, and communities?
Influential Women’s Forum grew from those questions. It is a place to amplify what is good, unify feminine voices, and fortify female influence—so women can flourish and help others do the same.
Friend, what you see in IWF is the beginning of that vision. I am deeply grateful for the women God is bringing together, and I cannot wait to see what He will do through all of us.
Your sister in Christ,
Carrie Abbott
Founder, Influential Women’s Forum
President, The Legacy Institute
Host, The Carrie Abbott Radio Show & Podcast
