Barbara Ferris' Biography

Barbara Anne Ferris is the founder and president of the International Women’s Democracy Center (IWDC), which was established to ensure that women worldwide have the necessary tools and skills to participate in politics, policy and decision making within their own democracies. IWDC works in partnership with local NGOs to provide training, education, technical assistance and research/analysis in campaign management, leadership, advocacy and technology to women leaders around the world with a focus on increasing their participation in the politics, policy and decision making within their own governments. IWDC has offices in Ohio, Botswana, Northern Ireland, and Tajikistan.

In 2006, Barbara Anne Ferris was a Democratic Candidate for Congress in Ohio’s 10th Congressional District, where the Cleveland Plain Dealer withdrew their long time endorsement of the incumbent and endorsed Ms. Ferris “as the candidate more in tune with the community, its and its future who has put forth an attainable plan of using the district’s remaining resources to help it return to economic health.”

Prior to establishing IWDC, Ms. Ferris served as the Women in Development Director for Peace Corps for five years where she designed, managed, monitored and evaluated 400 economic development, agricultural, micro credit, health and environmental programs in over 90 countries.

IWDC Founder and President Barbara Ferris pictured here with Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts at IWDC's Global Democracy Award Honoring Ambassador Elizabeth Bagley in 2005.

Ms. Ferris served as the advisor to the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women for three years. She has consulted in public policy, management, education, community development, program design and evaluation throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East where she also designed financial management models for the public sector.

In 1980, Ms. Ferris served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco working in education and primary health care. Prior to her Volunteer service, she worked as a legislative assistant to a member of congress where, at the request of the Speaker of the House, she was a member of a fact-finding mission to Syria, Lebanon and Israel. Before her service on Capitol Hill, she worked for the World Bank and for the Ohio Youth Commission as an activity therapist.

Ms. Ferris has addressed universities, colleges, civic organizations and appeared on numerous radio and television programs worldwide providing information, resources and expertise on how governments, organizations and communities can ensure that women are equal partners in the economic, social and political development of their own countries. She is a member of the International Women’s Forum. Ms. Ferris serves on the board of directors to numerous international non-profit organizations that focus on finance, economic development, and improving the quality of life for women and their families. Her career has taken her to over 100 countries around the world. She has crossed the Sahara Desert, trekked in the Atlas, Andes and Himalayas and completed a polar expedition in Antarctica last November. She is co-founder of The Peace Corps Fund, founder of Friends of NASA, founding President of Gilda’s Club Greater Washington, served as Chair of the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Peace Corps, Chair of the Board of Ashley’s Hope, Volunteer Resource Coordinator at Marion Seltzer School, and comes from Ferris Steakhouse, the oldest family owned restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio.

Ms. Ferris holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Ohio State University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the American University.