Chapters serve to further the mission, vision, and work of Founding Forward. As the leader in immersive civic education, Founding Forward is creating an informed and engaged citizenry and inspiring the next generation of leaders.
This work is rooted in the founding principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. We invite you to learn more about our educational opportunities, our heritage, and how you can help us to ensure a future rooted in liberty.
The Founding Forward Chattanooga Chapter was founded by Mrs. Margaret Whittenburg Cooper in 1968. She was educated in the Chattanooga Public School system and later served more than 40 years as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent. Since her passing in 2008, the Chattanooga Chapter has continued to thrive under the leadership of several outstanding Chattanooga natives and the dedication of its members.
The Chattanooga Chapter sponsors high school students to attend the Spirit of America Youth Leadership Program at Valley Forge and teachers to attend the summer professional development seminars. The chapter proudly participates in the Chattanooga Armed Forces Day Parade, provides awards to local citizens for outstanding service to the community, and collaborates with the Chattanooga Medal of Honor Museum.
Charlotte Ellington – President
Pam Fields – VP for Youth and Education
Valerie Rutledge – Secretary/Treasurer
We take students beyond the textbook and classroom to immerse them in the places and events where history happened. We instill insights and leadership skills to last a lifetime and give students a personal understanding of our country’s founding principles and their responsibilities as citizens.
Founding Forward’s volunteer chapters have helped recruit thousands of students from across the country who have obtained a greater understanding and appreciation of American history and civic responsibility through Founding Forward’s Spirit of America Youth Leadership Program. Through Spirit of America, students learn about democracy, the judiciary, the political process, founding documents, and the free enterprise system through innovative workshops and historical site visits that allow you to encounter our nation’s past, present and future. During their residential stay, students will also build leadership skills, engage in civil discourse, and identify how they can positively impact their community.
The Chattanooga Chapter sponsors 11th grade students to attend Spirit of America. Students are selected to attend based on essays written from the Founding Forward National Awards program. If you or a student you know is interested in applying, please contact the chapter at ChattanoogaChapterFFVF@gmail.com.
Our accredited and critically acclaimed professional development seminars and workshops enrich educators’ knowledge of history and provide inspiration to bring back to their classrooms. More than 14,000 diverse educators have deepened their understanding of America’s founding principles through courses and seminars taught by extraordinary scholars and thinkers.
Through our Speaker Series, scholars, policymakers, experts, and thought leaders share their perspectives on current events, public policy, the Constitution, the American Civil War, arts and culture, and other timely and intriguing topics.
The extensive Civil War-based historic collections of the Union League and related organizations, along with exhibits in the Heritage Center, serve to educate, inspire, and inform our program participants.
Every year, Founding Forward and its volunteer chapters recognize exemplary civic achievements through its National Awards Program. Guided by an independent panel of expert jurists, the National Awards Program honors the exceptional efforts of individuals, organizations, and schools that promote or personify the ideals of responsible citizenship.
If you want to make a difference in the Chattanooga community, become a member of the Chattanooga Chapter of Founding Forward. For nearly 60 years, our chapter, as part of Founding Forward’s nationwide network of volunteer chapters, has brought the message of engaged citizenship and leadership to hundreds of thousands of Americans, students, teachers, and ordinary citizens. We encourage you to join us to help promote the ideals of our national heritage.
Your support of the Chattanooga Chapter will help us ensure a future rooted in liberty by inspiring current and future leaders to carry on our country’s founding principles.
Please send all donations made out to:
The Chattanooga Chapter of Freedoms Foundation
P. O. Box 21443
Chattanooga, TN 37424
Founding Forward is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit charity. The mission and work of Founding Forward is made possible through voluntary contributions.
