 Founded in 1992 by Rosalie Silberman , Anita K. Blair , and Barbara Olson , the IWF grew out of the ad hoc group " Women for Judge Thomas , " created to defend Clarence Thomas against allegations of sexual harassment and other improprieties . By 1996 the organization had some 700 dues @-@ paying members who met regularly at luncheons to network and share ideas . Silberman was the IWF 's first president ; subsequent leaders have included Nancy Pfotenhauer and Anita Blair . The current executive director of the organization is Sabrina Schaeffer . The IWF has been described as " a virtual ' Who 's Who ' of Washington 's Republican establishment . " In 2006 , the organization had 20 @,@ 337 members and a budget of $ 1 @.@ 05 million . 
