The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program, Inc. began as a program of The Sunshine Lady Foundation (SLF) in 1999 and for 8 years provided scholarships to women survivors of intimate partner abuse who were changing their lives through education. In December 2007, SLF Founder and President, Doris Buffett announced her intention to endow WISP as its own entity. On July 1, 2008 WISP, Inc. emerged as a “sister†organization with a mission to enhance efforts to end domestic violence by offering access to higher education.