Barbara Bridges

Barbara Bridges is a transformative leader elevating women’s visibility and leadership in film, politics, and philanthropy. As the founder of Women+Film, former board chair of the Women’s Foundation of Colorado, and a key participant in The White House Project, she tirelessly champions the advancement of women and girls, setting new standards for representation and economic success on the state and national level.

 Bridges had a passion for learning as a child and became a scholar student which led to a career in teaching. In October 1980, Bridges moved to Colorado where she co-founded Advance Geophysical Corporation, and despite challenges, the company found success. This paved the way for her work in increasing women’s representation in film, politics, and philanthropy.

 Barbara played a role in women’s politics on the national board for The White House Project. This Project was designed to nurture and mold approximately 100 women a year in Colorado and even more across the U.S., by directing them on how to best run for public office.

 As the board chair of the Women’s Foundation of Colorado she influenced women and found a close alignment with the Foundation andher own values for economic success for women in Colorado. There, Bridges shared important stories about those receiving grants by producing videos for the annual luncheon.

 Bridges followed her passion for supporting women with philanthropic dollars by joiningWomen Moving Millions and serving on that board. This organization has grown from an early goal of raising $150 million for women’s foundations to a global community of more than 375 philanthropists from 16 countries who have collectively committed over a billion dollars to advance women and girls into a gender-equal world.

In 2003, Bridges’ work in the film industry bloomed when she became a board member of the Denver Film Society.  She founded Women+Film  in 2006 after noticing how underrepresented women were in Hollywood and, in film. In 2011, the Women+Film Festival was created to honor the landmark of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day.

 Due in large part to Bridges’ work, women’s voices have been raised from behind the camera. By showing female filmmaker’s movies, a more accurate portrayal of women can be seen in their stories on the screen. Related to this work, Bridges co-authored an award-winning book on the history of women in film called Hollywood: Her Story: An Illustrated History of Women and the Movies. After a legendary career, in 2023, Bridges retired from Women+Film, where her lasting impact will live on.

 Bridges’ work in women’s lives did not go unnoticed as she was awarded Girl Scouts of Colorado Women of Distinction Award, The PeaceJam Hero Award, Colorado’s Top Thinkers in Arts and Culture from The Denver Post, 21 Leaders for the 21st Century from Women’s eNews, Distinguished Alumna Award from her alma mater Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and the Bridge Builder Award from the Josep Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. For co-producing Broadway shows, Bridges received two Tony Award nominations, one for Slave Play (2020 Best Play nominee) and one for Suffs (2024 Best Musical nominee).

 Barbara’s initial focus as a teacher and an entrepreneur provided opportunities to help women, politically and economically, through the art of storytelling. She continues her work supporting and inspiring women through film and theater, including funding and promoting their endeavors.