From Vision to Reality:
The Journey to The Well Initiative Women's Association 

Founded by Dorothy “Dee” Smith on January 1, 2013, The Well Initiative Women’s Association began with a simple but enduring belief: Women deserve meaningful places to draw from. Inspired by the story of the Woman at the Well, Dee envisioned communities where women could find encouragement, connection, support, and belonging throughout the many seasons of their lives. What began as a personal vision would eventually grow into an organization committed to cultivating meaningful places where women can gather, restore, connect, and thrive.

THE BEGINNING

Long before there was an organization, there was a desire to create space for women whose lives, experiences, and journeys did not always fit neatly into the boxes society often provides.

As Dee reflected on her own experiences and the experiences of women around her, she recognized a common longing: the desire to be seen, understood, connected, and accepted without having to shrink, perform, or pretend.

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The Well was born from that desire for belonging.

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What began as a blog became years of listening, learning, researching, and engaging women in conversations about connection, community, purpose, and what it means to truly support one another. Over time, those conversations revealed something important: women need more than places to gather. They need meaningful places they can return to where connection, encouragement, restoration, support, and opportunity can be found along the way.

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EARLY SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT

No meaningful vision grows entirely in isolation.

During the early years of The Well, Dee received encouragement, feedback, and support from trusted women who believed in the importance of creating spaces where women could connect and grow. Among those early supporters were Shanika “Niki” Hatcher, Mignon (Lott) Cade, and Adrienne Johnson, whose encouragement helped nurture the vision during its formative years. Their support reflected a belief that remains central to The Well today: meaningful things often grow through community.

STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATION

In 2021, Dee worked alongside the founding Board of Directors to formalize the organizational structure of The Well Initiative Women’s Association, Inc.. Together, they established the governance and foundation needed to support the organization’s future while remaining rooted in the vision that had guided the work since 2013.

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A CONTINUING JOURNEY

More than a decade after its founding, The Well continues to evolve while remaining rooted in the same belief that inspired its beginning: Women deserve meaningful places to draw from. As new women find their way to The Well, the vision remains unchanged to cultivate connection, restoration, support, and possibility so that women have what they need not only to pour into others, but to be sustained along the way.