Background Information

Faye Wattleton

Ohio State, B.S., 1964
Columbia, M.S., 1967

Faye Wattleton, has served, since 1995, as co-founder and president of the Center for the Advancement of Women, an independent, non-partisan think-tank, conducting women focused national opinion research, for public education and policy advocacy.  CFAW has received national and international acclaim for its groundbreaking research on women’s opinions, their roles and status in society.  From 1978-1992 she was the president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the longest tenured in the organization’s history. As the youngest person and first woman, named to the CEO position of the nation's oldest and largest family planning service provider, she played a leading role in family planning assistance and shaping planning policies and programs world-wide. Business Week named Ms. Wattleton as one of the best managers of non-profit organizations.  At the time of her departure, Planned Parenthood was the seventh largest charity in the United States.

Ms. Wattleton holds fourteen honorary degrees. She is the 2004 recipient of the prestigious Fries Prize, for service to improving public health. Among her numerous other honors are: National Mother's Day Committee, Outstanding Mother; Jefferson Award for the Greatest Public Service performed by a Private Citizen; American Public Health Association's Award of Excellence; Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Humanitarian Award; American Nurses Association Women's Honors in Public Service.   Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s Margaret Sanger Award.  In 1992 the Mailman School of Public Health granted her the Dean's Distinguished Service Award. In 1993, Ms. Wattleton was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.  From Suffrage to Senate called her “the most visible and persuasive spokesperson for reproductive rights in the nation in the latter part of the century”. 

Her service on the boards of directors of public companies includes: Leslie Fay; Estee Lauder Companies; WellChoice, Inc; Savient Pharmaceuticals; and Quidel Corporation. She currently serves on the board of directors of Jazz at Lincoln Center; United Nations Association-USA; and Rand-Pardee Graduate School, N.Y. Blood Center.