Fiercely committed to supporting women seeking a sober life, WFS creates safe spaces for connection and belonging for women in recovery from substance use disorder.
Who we are
Vision
WFS envisions a world where individuals live mindful lives and take responsibility for their thoughts and actions.
Mission
Through the New Life Program, WFS supports women seeking a sober life in recovery from problematic substance use.
Motto
We are capable and competent, caring and compassionate, always willing to help another, bonded together in overcoming our addictions. .
Diversity and Inclusion
WFS is committed to expanding and celebrating diversity and individual uniqueness. We create safe spaces for connection and belonging to enhance everyone’s recovery.
Values
Compassion
WFS promotes empathy and caring for self and others.
Connection
WFS creates safe spaces where women support the expression of thoughts, feelings, and needs.
Empowerment
WFS encourages and celebrates women and their right to be their own unique individuals.
Love
WFS commits to authentic relationships defined by mutual value and worth.
Respect
WFS acts with integrity, honoring every woman’s experiences and ideas.
Leadership
Executive Director: Dr. Kimberly A. Boulden, PhD
Kimberly Boulden, PhD, brings years of experience building programs that help people find their path to recovery and stay connected to the support they need. She has coached leaders across healthcare, recovery, education, and nonprofit organizations and has a strong background in fundraising and strategic planning.
Before joining WFS, Dr. Boulden led programs connecting patients from emergency departments to addiction treatment across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. She also led SAFE Project’s campus division, supporting collegiate recovery and prevention programming at more than 500 colleges and universities. She has published research on the negative impacts of stigma on health-seeking behaviors, racial bias in addiction care, best practices in sustainable community partnerships, inclusivity in programming, and responsible computing practices. She has testified before the New York State Assembly in support of harm reduction legislation.
Dr. Boulden holds a PhD in Education and serves on the board of directors of the Impossible Project, an education nonprofit that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration on societal challenges. When she’s not at work, you can find her playing bass in an all-female punk band in her hometown of Buffalo, New York.
Executive Officers: Marilyn P., President; Pat D., Vice President; Britt R., Treasurer; Deborah H., Secretary.
Board of Directors: Marilyn P.; Pat D.; Britt R.; Deborah H.; Karen H.; Edie N.; Jackie W.; Tammy B.; Veena I.; Karen L.; Kelly P.
Founding principles
Women for Sobriety (WFS) is an organization whose purpose is to help all women find their individual path to recovery through discovery of self. We share experiences, hopes and encouragement with other women in similar circumstances. We are an abstinence-based, self-help program for women overcoming challenges with alcohol and other drug use. The New Life Program acknowledges the needs women have in recovery — the need to nurture feelings of self-value and self-worth, and the desire to discard feelings of guilt, shame and humiliation.
WFS is unique in that it is an organization of women for women. We are not affiliated with any other recovery organization and stand on our own principles and philosophies. The New Life Program offers a variety of recovery tools to guide a woman in developing coping skills which focus on emotional growth, spiritual growth, self-esteem and a healthy lifestyle. We encourage all women to engage in lifelong personal development through our 13 Acceptance Statements.
WFS believes that addiction began to overcome stress, loneliness, frustration or emotional deprivation in daily life — dependence often resulted. The physical, mental and emotional components of addiction are overcome with abstinence from all substances and the self-awareness gained by practicing the program. Participation in WFS requires a sincere desire for a New Life. We live by the philosophy: “Release the past — plan for tomorrow — live for today.”