The Independent Women’s Forum mourns the loss of one of our founders, Barbara Olson, who perished on September 11th aboard the hijacked American Airlines flight that crashed into the Pentagon.


Feisty to the end, Barbara showed her courage and composure on her cell phone calls to her husband, Solicitor General Theodore Olson. No one who knew Barbara would doubt that, if it were possible, she would find a way to warn of impending danger, and send her love to her family.


In the words of IWF Board Chairman Ricky Silberman, “She was one of IWF’s great heroes. Barbara loved this country and worked every day to make it better. Even to the end, she showed the kind of courage she brought to all the challenges she faced.”


We remember everything that Barbara did for the Independent Women’s Forum, her writings, her many appearances on television, and her enduring spirit. Our hearts go out to her family and many friends. The Olson family has established a memorial scholarship in Barbara’s name at her alma mater. Please send contributions to:


The Barbara Olson Memorial Scholarship Fund
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
c/o Office of Development
55 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10003