Route 66 Extraordinary Women Initiative Launched

To access 2023 Route 66 Extraordinary Women Micro-Grant Program Guidelines, Application, and other Materials, Click Here.

Applications Now Being Accepted thru October 23, 2023.

To Donate to the Route 66 Extraordinary Women Initiative, Click Here.

You’re invited to celebrate the upcoming Route 66 Centennial in a meaningful way by making a donation to support direct grants to women owned or operated businesses and attractions along Route 66 that are facing dire times.

Donate $1,000 now – or pledge over the next five years at: Route 66 Extraordinary Women Initiative.

When you do, you’ll become a Route 66 Extraordinary Woman! You may also use your donation to designate someone else you wish to honor or remember as a Route 66 Extraordinary Woman. Men can support the Initiative, too, by making a donation in honor of an Extraordinary Woman.

Route 66 will turn 100 years old in 2026. As part of the Centennial Celebration, we invite you to join us in supporting the women along Route 66 who own/operate businesses and attractions – especially in these challenging times. Route 66 has long been called the Mother Road, because it served as an escape route from poverty during the Great Depression, giving birth to countless hopes, dreams, careers, and adventures. Supporting women along the road seems an appropriate way to celebrate the 100th birthday of Route 66.

THANK YOU! – ROUTE 66 EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN DONORS!

Donors to the Route 66 Extraordinary Women Initiative include the following who have made donations on behalf of themselves or a woman they want to honor. Donors are listed per the Route 66 state where they live or wish to acknowledge.

  • Arizona:
  • California: Jo Murray, Jennifer Rogers-Etcheverry, David Bricker-In Honor of Lauren Bricker, Amy Inouye
  • Illinois: Casey Wichmann, Cheryl Eichar Jett, William Thomas, Kathleen Davis, Jodi Sweeney, Ellie Alexander-In Honor of Betty Estes, Dr. Terri Ryburn, Joyce Cole, William Kelly
  • Kansas: Renee Charles-In Honor of Carolyn Pendleton
  • Missouri:
  • New Mexico: Vickie Ashcraft
  • Oklahoma: Elizabeth Ellison, Kathryn Taylor, Catherine Montgomery, Melvena Heisch, Rhys Martin-In Honor of Samantha Extance
  • Texas: Phyllis Nickum, Penny Clark, Phyllis Nickum-In Honor of Brenda Hammit, Dora Meroney, Phyllis Nickum-In Honor of Fran Houser, Blanca Schaffer, Gary Dagett-In Honor of Dora Meroney, Beth Duke, Kashion Smith
  • On Behalf of All of Route 66: Katrina Parks, April Bryan, Lisa McEdwards, Amy Webb, Georg Joutras, Nancy Finegood-In Honor of April Bryan