Hartford Seminary has a long history of engaging women in faith-filled vocations. Responding to a need for trained leadership in the growing educational work of the churches, in 1889 the Seminary's board of trustees voted unanimously to admit female students. In so doing, Hartford Seminary became the first seminary in America to open its doors to women.

The Women's Leadership Institute creates deep connections among those in each annual class. The women, however, do not have ways to connect and share resources with other WLI classes or with one another after the program ends. For this reason, The Sister Fund supported the enhancement of its Web presence, creating new ways for Hartford Seminary graduates to remain connected after they completed their course of study.